(SAN FRANCISCO, CA.) - February 4th marked the day that San Francisco City Hall hosted the 2026 Black History Month kickoff, which included a plethora of nods to Black American culture as well as calls to continue the work of dismantling the systems of racism that are so deeply embedded within San Francisco and the country. Mayor Daniel Lurie and the San Francisco African American Historical and Cultural Society organized the event, with the Society celebrating 70 years of service highlighting the experience of Black Americans.
Al Williams, the president of the Society, ended his introduction of the commemoration with the quote “Until the lion tells his story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter”.
The history of African Americans in this country has often been swept under the rug or warped, and this notion highlights the need for events such as these to uplift Black communities and the true stories that accompany them.
Photo Credit: YouTube
Several cultural aspects were present within the program, including an opening prayer by Commissioner Dr. Carolyn Scott (from the Commission on Community Investment and Infrastructure), a singing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” led by Noah Griffin, and a closing benediction by Reverend Devon Crawford of Third Baptist Church in San Francisco.
Photo Credit: YouTube
Ongoing struggles that the Black community face, both within San Francisco and across the nation, were also addressed.
Mayor Lurie drew attention to the act of violence that occurred recently within the Western Addition, where a 15-year-old African American girl passed away as a bystander to a triple shooting. He implored that, “Our work is not over, until every community and neighborhood in our city can feel safe and supported”.
Furthermore, Lurie announced the introduction of the “Family Opportunity Agenda”, which will work to ensure that every family has the necessary resources and support during pregnancy and early years. A new working group in the city will focus the various departments to improve Black maternal and infant health outcomes.
Supervisor Shamann Walton, one of the lead spokespeople for the Family Opportunity Agenda, also had an opportunity to speak at this celebration.
He emphasized that Black History cannot be limited to a month and that it “runs much deeper than slavery”. In Supervisor Walton’s words, Black history extends to “inventors, engineers, doctors, and people who built this country into what it is today”.
Within the history of African Americans is their significant contributions, and part of the great importance of Black History Month is highlighting these impacts.
Photo Credit: YouTube
Lastly, as summarized by opgov.ai, many opportunities are coming up for San Francisco residents to immerse themselves into Black history. Ginger Smyly of the Society provided information on upcoming events put on by the organization, including the “Black Creativity” exhibit at 762 Fulton Street featuring works by Sergeant Claude Johnson and Manford Cardwell, as well as artifacts of Mary Ellen Pleasant. On February 19th there will be a showcasing of additional archives and the opening of Emory Douglass’s work.
Want more info on what's going on in San Francisco? Check out these opgov.ai articles:
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Landmarks and Housing: A Tangled Web in San Francisco | Open Governance
Submit comments and story ideas to Enya Niebergall at enya.n@lead4earth.org
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