By February 4, 2024 0 Comments Read More →

Black History Month Highlights


Black History Month
By Chris Murphy, Savannah Williams, and Margaret James

Modesto has such a rich and diverse culture, and that’s a great thing. The more we know and understand each other and recognize and respect our history; it’s good for our community. There are many ways to engage, understand and team up.

Empowerment Luncheon Fundraiser
Please join your fellow community members with speaker Michael Baldwin, Antoinette Chambers, Synthia Lofton, Ernest Richardson for an uplifting message.
MLK Center 601 Martin Luther King Dr. Modesto
February 9, 11:30 am.
$30 per $25 Seniors & Vets
RSVP Maggie Mejia 209-303-2664

MLK Spirit Day
The Modesto Peace Life Center welcomes Maya Wiley, the President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights to Modesto Junior College. Maya has been a litigator for the ACLU/NAACP and the US Attorney’s Office. She is an award winning speaker and a bold public voice or rights, justice and democracy. NAACP Housing Committee Chair Sharon Froba will be receiving the MLK Legacy Award.
MJC Auditorium
February 10, 7 pm.
Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.

Sankofa Theatre – Death of a Salesman
The Central Valley’s only African American theatre company turns its attention to a giant of the American stage: Arthur Miller. In this co-presentation with the Gallo Center Rep, Sankofa Theatre Company tackles one of the greatest plays of the 20th century. Miller’s Death of a Salesman is a two-act tragedy told through a montage of memories, dreams and arguments of the protagonist Willy Loman, a traveling salesman who is disappointed with his life, and appears to be slipping into senility. Now see this masterwork told from the perspective of a Black family experience.
February 16, 17, 18

It’s Show Time!
It’s your chance to see what they got. Evening of Black Joy is an opportunity for young black men and women ages 12 – 26 to showcase their talents during Black History Month. A space for youth in the community to embody the black culture with a chance to win up to $1,000!
February 24. 6 pm Tix $10 State Theatre
1307 J. Street Modesto
www.thestate.org<www.thestate.org>

Coming in March
Lift Every Voice & Vote Freedom Fund Banquet & Community Service Awards
March 16 at Modesto Centre Plaza’s Tuolumne River Room, 6pm-midnight . DJ & dancing after the program until midnight. Become a sponsor and get tickets at ms.events@naacpmodestostanislaus.org<mailto:ms.events@naacpmodestostanislaus.org> 209-896-9196
Learn more: www.naacpmodestostanislaus.org/<www.naacpmodestostanislaus.org/>

The Men’s Group
The Mission of the Men’s Group, LTD is to enhance the lives of high school African American males by guiding them in their pursuit of educational excellence and personal development, to utilize our diverse talents, skills, and leadership abilities, to create an environment for positively changing the lives of high school African American males, and in promoting educational development in our communities. Joe Pope, featured on the cover of this issue is the current president of the Men’s Group. Joe is very passionate about making sure that there are opportunities for all and to be prepared for community leadership. www.themensgroup.org/<www.themensgroup.org/>

Let’s celebrate our diversity and how it brings us all together in understanding and support. To learn more about other events and activities for Black History Month and ways to get involved, please visit www.savannahwilliams.net/black-history-month<www.savannahwilliams.net/black-history-month>

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About the Author:

Chris Murphy is the President and CEO of Sierra Pacific Warehouse Group and Publisher and Founder of ModestoView Inc. Chris worked globally in the cycling industry returning to Modesto in 1996. He is also the founder of the Modesto Historic Graffiti Cruise Route, Legends of the Cruise Walk of Fame, Modesto Rockin’ Holiday, the Modesto Music History Organization and co-founder of the Modesto Area Music Association. Chris is married to his artist wife Rebecca since 1985 and has two daughters Madison and Abigail, both graduating from Modesto High and UC Berkeley. He is lead singer and guitarist for his band, Third Party that donates their performances to non-profits.