LIVE CONCERTS ARE BACK AT GEOFFREY'S!
Because of the easing of the COVID restrictions, we're pleased to be able to invite our friends back to our space.
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New Events Coming Soon
Look for announcements here.
Announcements
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As We Re-open from the pandemic, thanking you for your support
This is a shout out and a big thank you to all of our many friends who have come out to support the Inner Circle for our return to live ... -
Join the Friends of Geoffrey’s Inner Circle in preserving this Oakland cultural treasure!
Hello, Geoffrey's Inner Circle family! PLEASE NOTE: We have raised more than $45,000 of our $250,000 Go Fund Me goal in only a few weeks!! For those who have already ...
News Of The Day
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White House seeking more information on 'horrific' Border Patrol confronting of Haitian immigrants
Posted September 21, 2021 from CNN — White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that the White House is seeking more information on the "horrific" viral videos that appear ... -
Gabrielle Union Regrets How She Approached Her ‘Bring It On’ Character
Posted September 21, 2021 from Huffington Post — “I wanted to make her acceptable and all of the things I thought she needed to be to be a respectable Black ... -
African-Colombian moonshine gets official seal of approval as heritage drink
Posted September 21, 2021 from The Guardian — Viche – traditionally produced by women on the Pacific coast – is poised to be for Colombia what mezcal is for Mexico, ... -
North Carolina Judges Block discriminatory Voter ID Law From Taking Effect
Posted September 20, 2021 from The Root — The Republican speaker of the state's House of Representatives says they will appeal the decision. — By J.L. Cook — An attempt ... -
Morehouse, Spelman will receive Black entrepreneurship grant from Mastercard
Posted September 20, 2021 from The Grio — The $5 million initiative will create on-campus centers to support and foster the entrepreneurial mindset of young Black students — Mastercard announced ... -
Chris Rock says he has COVID-19, urges vaccination
Posted September 20, 2021 from The Grio — Chris Rock on Sunday said he has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and sent a message to anyone still on the fence: The ... -
The Emmys Had Its Most Diverse Nominees Yet, But Failed Them
Posted September 20, 2021 from Huffington Post — By the end of the night, no actors of color or LGBTQ actors had won any of the major acting awards. — ... -
Nine OPD officers disciplined in fallout from now-deleted racist/sexist Instagram account
Posted September 20, 2021 from KTVU News — The City of Oakland confirms that personnel with Oakland Police Department have been disciplined for their use of a now-deleted Instagram account ... -
Former Stockton police officers indicted on felony assault in traffic stop of black teen
Posted September 18, 2021 from The Chronicle — Two former Stockton police officers were indicted by a San Joaquin County grand jury Friday for allegedly beating a Stockton teen after ...
Videos Of The Day
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Discussion: 'White nationalism and white supremacy is now a key ideology of the Republican Party'
MSNBC host Medhi Hasan cited Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who once protested the Republican National Convention because of former President Donald Trump, but now she has gone all in. Discussing ... -
Angela Davis interviewed by Julian Bond
Julian Bond interviews Angela Davis, civil rights activist and university professor. Dr. Davis is professor emeritus at the University of California-Santa Cruz. Their shared conversation explores her personal history and ... -
Bob Moses interviewed by Julian Bond: Explorations in Black Leadership Series
Julian Bond interviews Bob Moses, who joined with him in 1960 as a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Moses played pivotal roles in voter registration drives, sit-ins ...
Geoffrey Pete And Geoffrey's Inner Circle In The News
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After a rough year, Geoffrey’s Inner Circle to relaunch Sunday night jazz sessions
Posted July 30, 2021 from Oaklandside — Geoffrey Pete was reluctant to ask for help. The namesake proprietor of Geoffrey’s Inner Circle has weathered many a storm since he opened ... -
Oakland Entertainment Veterans Emerge From COVID-19 With New Mission
Posted June 27, 2021 from the Post News Group — By Tony Spires — Oakland, like many major U.S. cities, has been severely impacted by recent unprecedented events. The COVID-19 ... -
Geoffrey’s Inner Circle Not included in City of Oakland Funding Support
Posted June 8, 2021 from the Post News Group — By Geoffrey Pete — Paul Mooney appeared at Geoffrey’s Inner Circle some 30 or more times over the years. His ... -
Live show venues in Oakland—like Geoffrey's—can now apply for emergency funding
Posted April 13, 2021 from Oaklandside — A new federal assistance program will provide over $16 billion in grants to entertainment venues that lost revenue during the pandemic — By ...
Worthwhile Causes That Deserve Your Support
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Forbes: Black-Owned Businesses To Support Part Two
Voting with your pocketbook is one of the best ways to effect change in a capitalist society. The U.S. is home to roughly 2.5 million black-owned businesses, according to the ... -
Support Black Businesses: 10 Black-Owned Businesses Highlighted By Forbes Magazine
Voting with your pocketbook is one of the best ways to effect change in a capitalist society. The U.S. is home to roughly 2.5 million black-owned businesses, according to the ... -
Forbes: Black-Owned Businesses To Support Part One
Voting with your pocketbook is one of the best ways to effect change in a capitalist society. The U.S. is home to roughly 2.5 million black-owned businesses, according to the ...
Snapshots
Celebrating Good Times At Geoffrey's Inner Circle
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Sunday Night Jazz Jam
November 10, 2013 Geoffrey's Inner Circle -
Jazz @ Geoffrey's Inner Circle
With Rhonda Benin November 5, 2013 -
Memorial Day 2017 Free Community Feeding At Geoffrey's Inner Circle
Scenes from the day Crowds lining up outside waiting to be served Geoffrey Pete and Oakland attorney John Burris, one of our most loyal and longtime supporters Geoffrey Pete thanking ... -
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Sunday Night Jazz Jam
November 5, 2013 Geoffrey's Inner Circle -
Grand Opening Of The Ruth Beckford Museum At Geoffrey's Inner Circle
Sunday, March 11, 2018 Click on images to enlarge
A History Of Geoffrey's Inner Circle
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2018 Jefferson Award Winner Owns Geoffrey's Inner Circle
Oakland Nightclub Owner Hosts Community Members For Free Meals -
A History Of Geoffrey's Inner Circle: The Athenian Nile Club, Part 1
By Joan Tarika Lewis Copyright 1999 To understand the significance of Geoffrey's Inner Circle is to examine, Africa’s story, our-story and history. Why is this important and what does this have to ...
Herman And Dorothy Reid Pete
Honoring The Parents Of Inner Circle Owner Geoffrey Pete
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Herman Rideaux Pete: Outstanding Athlete And Proud Race Man
Herman Pete was a star student athlete in the 1930's, first at Alameda High School and then later at Marin Junior College, excelling in both football and baseball. Pete attended ... -
Dorothy Pete: Her Life In Her Own Words
African American Museum & Library at Oakland oral history interview with Dorothy Reid Pete discussing her family’s history in the Bay Area and her integration of the Oakland YWCA. Dorothy ... -
DOROTHY PETE AT 90
MATRIARCH OF BLACK BERKELEY FAMILY MARKS 90TH BIRTHDAY — From the Berkeley Daily Planet Newspaper, March 9, 2004 — One of the great modern California folk myths is that African-Americans ...
Paul Mooney — August 14, 1941 - May 19, 2021
He Always Left Us Laughing And Then, Laughing, He Left Us
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Video: The Paul Mooney Awards (2004)
Legendary writer/comedian Paul Mooney took over the 2004 BET Comedy Awards in the way only he can. -
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Steve Harvey, Chris Tucker and more gather for Paul Mooney memorial service in LA
Posted June 28, 2021 from The Grio — Mooney was memorialized during a service at The Hollywood Roosevelt that included a mixture of recorded messages and in-person appearances by Hollywood ... -
Video: Paul Mooney unfiltered comedy
Paul Mooney is the black, white and brown citizens go to for comic relief with his no holds barred style of comedy, in this video clip watch as Mooney dissect ... -
Video: Paul Mooney - Dropping Knowledge
More from Reelblack's 2010 interview with MR. PAUL MOONEY. In this clip, he talks about the difference between being half-African and half-Black, DNA, his Rip Van Winkle screenplay, Willie Lynch ... -
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Paul Mooney, Oakland-based Comedian and comedy Writer, Dies at 79
Posted May 19, 2021 from Variety — Paul Mooney, the comedian, actor and writer for Richard Pryor, died on Wednesday morning, his representative Cassandra Williams confirmed to Variety. He was 79. ... -
Paul Mooney was an elusive figure, but his influence was far-reaching
From The Undefeated — He wrote for some of the greatest Black comedians of our time while making people uncomfortable with his takes on race and culture — By Ashley ...
Frank Robinson - August 31, 1935 – February 7, 2019
He Stood Out In A City Full Of Outstanding Athletes
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Major League Baseball's Tribute To Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson, a trailblazing figure who was Major League Baseball's first African-American manager and one of its greatest players during a career that spanned 21 seasons, died Thursday after a ... -
Frank Robinson, MVP, first black manager, McClymonds great, dies at 83
Posted February 7, 2019 from ESPN — Frank Robinson, the first African-American manager in Major League Baseball and the only player to win MVP in both leagues, has died at ... -
Remembering Frank Robinson's Legendary Career
A video tribute. -
McClymond's Coach Powles’s Athletes—Frank Robinson and others—Found Success
Coach George Powles speaks with McClymonds High School basketball players Frank Robinson and Brady Hord. January 8, 1953. Legendary McClymonds High School coach George Powles provided some last minute tips ...
In Sadness And Respect
Ronald V. Dellums November 24, 1935 – July 30, 2018
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These Were The Times
Ron Dellums, Congressman/Mayor, West Oakland Elder/Pioneer, and my childhood friend Ed Howard the Producer/Director Filming RonDellums in 1971 in his first campaign to be a congressman and at DeFremery Park. ... -
Gene Hazzard Remembers Ron Dellums
Photos by Oakland photographer Gene Hazzard Click on images to enlarge -
Ron Dellums, In His Own Words
Memorial video first presented May 9, 2019 at memorial services for Congressmember Ron Dellums at the Metropolitan African American Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. -
Bidding You Good-bye, And Good Rest
Ron Dellums at Geoffrey's Inner Circle on the night Barack Obama was elected -
Ron Dellums, 82, Dies; Unrelenting in Congress, He Upheld Left’s Ideals
Posted August 3, 2018 from The New York Times Ron Dellums, the son of a longshoreman who became one of America’s best-known black congressmen, a California Democrat with a left-wing ...
Memories Of Dorothy King
Beloved founder and owner of Everett & Jones Barbecue, one of Oakland's finest and most famous eating spots
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Celebrating The Wonderful Life of Dorothy King
Funeral Services for Mrs. Dorothy King Jernegan, Owner of Everett & Jones BBQ Jack London Sq. Oakland, CA. Streamed live on Mar 31, 2021. -
Memories Of Dorothy King
The beloved founder and owner of Everett & Jones Barbecue, one of Oakland's finest eating spots
Honoring Our Freedom Fighters
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John Burris, The Defender-Lion Of The Courthouse
John Burris casts a long shadow both in person and in civil rights law. In 2005 and 2009 he was named one of Californias leading 100 attorneys by the Los ... -
The Unsinkable Willie Brown
It is a fact of American life that when African Americans dominate the landscape in a particular endeavor, they often find that the rules are suddenly changed midstream in order to ... -
Dr. Huey P. Newton Way unveiled in West Oakland
Posted February 18, 2021 from The Oaklandside — By Amir Aziz — Residents, activists, city officials, and community leaders gathered in West Oakland on Wednesday to dedicate a three-block section ... -
The Black Panthers: Black Power In Its Glory
Oakland native Dennis Pete pictured at right in Los Angeles Times article during demonstration on the steps of the Alameda County Courthouse in Oakland. -
Attorney John Burris Mentors Youth
Oakland Civil Rights Attorney John Burris is known for his high profile courtroom battles but another passion is mentoring youth. Originally aired February 14, 2018 on KTVU Click here to ... -
Dennis Pete, Black Prince And Panther
Dennis Pete is one of the older brothers of Inner Circle owner Geoffrey Pete. During the late 1960's, when the Black Panther Party was forming and recruiting young militant Black ...
Acknowledging Those Who Wove The Fabric Of Our Community
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Charles R. Reid Memorial Christmas Party returns to Richmond
The Mercury News Posted December 15, 2017 Note: the following article was published in the Mercury News five years ago, just before the 65th annual holding of the Charles Reid Christmas ... -
Esther Mabry, The Queen Of Oakland's 7th Street
June 1, 2010 East Bay News Group Esther Mabry, owner and namesake of legendary Esther’s Orbit Room in West Oakland, where blues greats such as B.B. King, Lowell Fulson, Al ... -
Everett & Jones owner Dorothy King dies
Posted March 19, 2021 from the East Bay Times — Beloved family restaurateur, community figure draws tribute for cultural, community legacies — Dorothy King, owner of the famed Everett and ... -
Betty Reid Soskin reflects on her life and career as a singer, activist and ranger
Posted August 2, 2020 from USA Today — By Autumn Schoolman — Betty Reid Soskin has lived an extraordinary life. At 98 years old, she is the oldest Ranger with the National ... -
A History Of Reid's Records
Reid's Records of Berkeley and Oakland is one of the founding institutions of the Oaktown Sound. INTRODUCTION By Betty Reid Soskin The Story of Reid’s is the story of many ... -
Slim Jenkins, Oakland's Pioneer Black Entertainment Entrepreneur (1890-1967)
Harold "Slim" Jenkins was an African American entrepreneur and owner of the renowned Slim Jenkins Supper Club in Oakland, California, made popular during the 1930s to 1960s. Jenkins was born July 22, 1890 ...
Important Figures In And From Our Community
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CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF MORRIE TURNER ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF WEE PALS
Posted March 4, 2019 from the newsletter of the African American Library & Museum of Oakland — By Marco Frazier The end of February, beginning of March marks the anniversary of ... -
Dave ‘Davey D’ Cook passes the baton to a new generation
Posted April 26, 2021 from Berkeleyside — Davey D will appear live May 2 in a free Bay Area Book Festival conversation with Jeff Chang about their co-authored YA version ... -
In all things film, it's Ryan Coogler
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Oakland native Ryan Kyle Coogler (born May 23, 1986) is an American film director and screenwriter. His first feature film, Fruitvale Station (2013), won the top ... -
Rep. Barbara Lee: on 40 Years of Seeking Justice
Posted January 14, 2021 from Outrider — From her first days in Washington, her policy outlook stemmed from Black revolutionary ideas and street activism, something you’ll almost never find in ...
Black History All Year Round
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Angela Davis interviewed by Julian Bond
Julian Bond interviews Angela Davis, civil rights activist and university professor. Dr. Davis is professor emeritus at the University of California-Santa Cruz. Their shared conversation explores her personal history and ... -
Ethnic Studies: Born in the Bay Area from History's Biggest Student Strike
Posted July 31, 2020 from KQED News — Earlier this summer, education advocates scored a major win in the California state Assembly. Legislation passed requiring all California State University students ... -
Rediscovering The Enormous Social And Spiritual Legacy Of Oakland's Black Jazz Records
Posted September 22, 2020 from NPR — The dawn of the '70s were heady times for keyboardist Doug Carn and drummer Michael Carvin. Both men had recently relocated to Los ... -
Making Moments Count: The Many Lives of 98-Year-Old Betty Reid Soskin
Posted September 8, 2020 from In The Balance — Susan Lambert talks with Betty Reid Soskin about fighting injustice, following your truth and making every moment count in this beautiful ... -
'Black Confederates: The Forgotten Men in Gray'
Clips from the documentary 'Black Confederates: The Forgotten Men in Gray' directed by Stan Armstrong. Available at www.desertrosefilms.7p.com -
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Baldwin-Buckley race debate still resonates 55 years on
It has been 55 years since civil-rights activist, James Baldwin, and founder of the conservative National Review, William F. Buckley, Jr., met for a debate on race in America. That ... -
A Short History Of The Pullman Porters
They were overworked, underpaid and demeaned, but generations of porters on the Pullman Palace Car Company helped promote the rights and futures of African Americans. From The History Channel — ... -
Dec. 17, 1951: “We Charge Genocide” Petition Submitted to United Nations
Posted December 19, 2020 from The Zinn Education Project — On December 17, 1951, Paul Robeson and William Patterson submitted a petition from the Civil Rights Congress (CRC) to the ...
Hall Of Musical Giants
Those Notable Music Artists Geoffrey's Inner Circle Admires The Most
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“It Takes a While to Perfect Your Soul”: A Conversation With Sonny Rollins
Posted September 7, 2020 from Tidal — By Lee Mergner — There’s a young man, Aidan Levy, who is writing a biography on you. How are you going to feel ... -
A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE LIFE AND TRAGIC DEATH OF THE GREAT JAZZ TRUMPETER LEE MORGAN
Posted February 9, 2020 from The New Yorker — By Richard Brody Some of the best offerings in 2016 New York Film Festival were documentaries. The festival opened with Ava DuVernay’s ...
The Oaktown Sound
The Groups And Individuals Who Shaped The Music Of Our Times
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Hand Jive - The Johnny Otis Show
Johnny Otis was the child of Greek immigrants who grew up among Black People in Berkeley, identifying with Black People and Black music for the rest of his life. As ... -
Too Short, Oakland's Rap Giant
Artist Biography by John Bush Born in Los Angeles, but an Oakland resident by the age of 14, Too Short was the first West Coast rap star, recording three albums on his own ... -
J. Spencer Left Us Too Soon
A 90s hip-hop/jazz fusion saxophone player, J. Spencer (b. c.1971, Oakland, California, USA) originally emerged via Motown Records’ MoJazz subsidiary imprint as a talented harbinger of a ‘new age in ... -
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Oakland's Godfather Of Rap MC Hammer
MC Hammer “I'm comfortable with where I am today. I think I'm better because of the life that I have lived.” —MC Hammer Born into poverty in Oakland, California, in ... -
Ise Lyfe, Oakland's Philosopher Warrior
Ise Lyfe (pronounced "Ice Life"), born Isaac Patrick-Francis Brown, is a spoken word and hip-hop artist as well as an educator, community organizer, and activist in his native Oakland, California. He won ... -
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Ledisi: From The Big Easy To Oakland
Artist Biography by Andrew Hamilton Ledisi Young (her given name meaning "to bring forth" in Nigerian) was born in the Big Easy, where she sang with the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra when she was ...
Our Great Legacy Of Sports Stars
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Like Jackie Robinson, baseball should honor Oaklander Curt Flood’s sacrifice
Posted April 16, 2019 from The Undefeated — By William C. Rhoden Across Major League Baseball, April 15 has been designated as Jackie Robinson Day in honor of the memory ... -
The Don Barksdale Story
Documentary about the life story of Don Barksdale, a legendary sports and entertainment pioneer who broke racial barriers in basketball as the NCAA's first black consensus NCAA All American, first ... -
Damian Lillard—Oakland Star Still Rising
Oakland native Damian Lamonte Ollie Lillard (born July 15, 1990) is an American professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college ... -
Jason Kidd: Homegrown Hero
Posted from The Gold Nugget — Jason Kidd was one of the most decorated recruiting prospects to come out of the Bay Area in the 1990’s. Despite receiving a vast ... -
Bill Russell, Basketball Giant
Bill Russell Biography.com Coach, Famous Basketball Players (1934–) Hailed as the greatest winner in sports, Basketball Hall of Fame center Bill Russell led the Boston Celtics to an unprecedented 11 championships in ... -
Curt Flood: The Oakland-Raised Ballplayer Who Fought for Free Agency
Posted August 30, 2021 from The Nation — For his talents on the diamond and his determination off of it, Curt Flood deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. ... -
Top 10 Norcal Players from the 21st Century
From SimplyBasketball.com Many fantastic hoopers have their roots in NorCal. All-time NBA greats like Bill Russell and Jason Kidd grew up in the Bay, setting a foundation for the current ... -
How Damian Lillard remains loyal to the soil he was raised on
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has two careers, and both are defined by his hometown neighborhood of Brookfield Village in Oakland, California. In this installment of ESPN Cover Story, ... -
