BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2005
 

The 2005 Black History Month Event which was held February 28, 2005 in Oakland, California was for the second straight year a big hit. The event was held at the Oakland African American Museum and Library. Approximately eighty guests came out. The event was highlighted by our keynote speaker, Karega Hart, Local 790 Education and Training Director. Karega spoke about his growing up in Detroit, Michigan and being influenced by unions at a early age. The most notable union was, the League of Revolutionary Black Workers. In the late 1960’s and 1970’s a young Karega grew up following that union to rallies and other activities in support of social justice. Also on the evening’s program were very special remembrances to some union greats that have now passed on. These members are Alvaree Swayne of Local 616, Shirley Ware of Local 250 ( now UHW), and Bill Freeman of the SEIU Western Region Office. Then to cap off the evening we had radio personality Nikki Thomas of KBLX-FM who shared with the audience her up bringing, learning and living around her grandmother, who was the most inspirational person in her life. Nikki’s grandmother would always have Nikki imitate the news broadcasters. Now she does most of KBLX-FM’s weekday morning news and weather. Also Nikki shared with us a little of her college days at Xavier University in New Orleans, her message was to pursue your dream.

Mike Mayo,
Service Employees International Union
Chair of the Bay Area African American Caucus
Western Region-Northern California