UP NEXT AT GEOFFREY'S INNER CIRCLE
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05/15/2022 This Sunday Live Jazz at Geoffrey's Inner Circle featuring: Darryl Rowe ...
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COMING UP AT GEOFFREY'S INNER CIRCLE
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‘The Dynamic Miss’ Faye Carol celebrates Black history, with friends at geoffrey's inner circle
Posted February 9, 2022 from Oaklandside — Faye Carol knows there’s no respite from the storm, but singing has always provided a safe harbor amidst even the fiercest tribulations. An ... -
The Dynamic Miss Faye Carrol Still Earns Her Laurels From Every Set
Posted January 11, 2022 from San Francisco Classical Voice — By Lou Fancher — Having provided sublime and sizzling performances to audiences in the Bay Area and beyond for six ...
Around The Town
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New Events Around Town Coming Soon
Look for announcements here
Announcements
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Join The Hidden Genius Project's 2022 Intensive Immersion Program
We're actively encouraging Black male youth who are rising 9th - 11th graders (current 8th - 10th graders) to apply to our Intensive Immersion Program for our Oakland, Richmond, and Los Angeles cohorts, ... -
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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Rest In Peace Jesse Douglas Allen-Taylor
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Journalist, political columnist, and activist Jesse Douglas Allen-Taylor. He leaves behind a legacy of storytelling & influential political analysis that will ... -
France announces troops to leave Mali after nine years
Posted February 22, 222 from BBC News — France and its allies in a European force will withdraw their troops from Mali after almost a decade, President Emmanuel Macron has ... -
Berkeley’s affordable housing talks will include plans to retain artists, ‘cultural workers’
Posted February 21, 2022 from Berkeleyside — By Supriya Yelimeli — Berkeley’s ongoing discussion to create 9,000 homes over the next decade will include plans to accommodate artists with affordable ... -
Viola Davis Shares Fierce First Look From Her African Historical Warrior Film 'The Woman King'
Posted February 21, 2022 from Shadow And Act — By Jamil David — Viola Davis has shared a fierce first look from The Woman King, the upcoming film based on ... -
S.F. school board recall: Alison Collins, Gabriela López and Faauuga Moliga ousted
Posted February 20, 2022 from The Chronicle — San Francisco voters overwhelmingly supported the ouster of three school board members Tuesday in the city’s first recall election in nearly 40 ... -
Swahili's bid to become a language for all of Africa
Posted February 19, 2022 from BBC News — With more than 200 million speakers, Swahili, which originated in East Africa, is one of the world's 10 most widely spoken languages ... -
NFL Hires Black Former U.S. Attorney General To Defend It In Race Discrimination Case
Posted February 19, 2022 from Huffington Post — The NFL has hired former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to defend it in a bombshell racial discrimination lawsuit filed earlier this ... -
Black Rookie Officer Charged In George Floyd Killing Says He Deferred To Derek Chauvin
Posted February 19, 2022 from Huffington Post — A former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s killing testified Wednesday that he deferred to Derek Chauvin because he was his ... -
House GOP Targets D.C. Home Rule Amid Statehood Push
Posted February 19, 2022 from Huffington Post — The 2022 midterm elections present a serious threat to the freedom and autonomy of Washington, D.C., as House Republicans want to limit ... -
'Bel-Air' Team And Cast 'Taking Risks To Be Authentic, Modern And Transparent'
Posted February 18, 2022 from Shadow And Act — Almost three years after Morgan Cooper's viral trailer took the internet by storm, Bel-Air, the drama series reimagining of The Fresh ...
Videos Of The Day
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Paul Robeson sings to Scottish miners
Extract from Mining Review 2nd Year No. 11 (1949) The highlight of this 1949 issue is the visit of American actor and singer Paul Robeson to Woolmet Colliery near Edinburgh. ... -
The Day A Black Man Slapped A Southern White Man In The Face on film
"In The Heat Of The Night": The slap seen and heard around the world in the difficult days of American racial strife of 1967. One of the reasons actor Sidney ... -
2022: The Banned Book Reading Challenge With LeVar Burton
With all these book bans, Levar Burton's life as a beloved reader to children just got a lot more difficult.
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ...
Snapshots
Celebrating Good Times At Geoffrey's Inner Circle
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Feeding Our Friends And Family On Thanksgiving
Annual Complimentary Thanksgiving Feast at Geoffrey's Inner Circle 2018 Version Sponsored this year by Oakland and NBA basketball stars Antonio Davis and Aaron Gordon Click on images to enlarge -
K. Michelle Performs Bury My Heart
Geoffrey's Inner Circle April 7, 2013 -
Sistuh to Sistuh at Geoffrey's Inner Circle
October 9, 2010 Featuring Sheila Robinson, Jackie Hairston, Tammie Tambora, Tarika Lewis on violin, Tynetta Hare, Zakiya Hooker -
Thanksgiving 2017 Free Community Dinner At Geoffrey's Inner Circle
Volunteers and diners Former NBA player Antonio Davis with volunteers Bob Brown of Sports Vision, Antonio Davis, and Geoffrey Pete -
The Best Place To Celebrate A Back-To-Back NBA Championship?
NBA champion Golden State Warrior David West and Geoffrey Pete at 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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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 ... -
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 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. -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
Frank Robinson - August 31, 1935 – February 7, 2019
He Stood Out In A City Full Of Outstanding Athletes
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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 ... -
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.
In Sadness And Respect
Ronald V. Dellums November 24, 1935 – July 30, 2018
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Bidding You Good-bye, And Good Rest
Ron Dellums at Geoffrey's Inner Circle on the night Barack Obama was elected -
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. -
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 ... -
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
Memories Of The Barbecue King Sisters
Beloved founders and owners of Everett & Jones Barbecue, one of Oakland's finest and most famous eating spots
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'The restaurant was her life': mary everett, Owner of Berkeley Everett & Jones, has died
Posted November 21, 2021 from The Chronicle — Mary Everett, who owned and operated the Everett & Jones barbecue restaurant in Berkeley, has passed away following complications due to COVID-19. ... -
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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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 ... -
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 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. -
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 ... -
50th Black Panther Party Anniversary Celebration At Geoffrey's Inner Circle
Sports Movement icon John Carlos (who raised our consciousness along with his fist on the victory podium at the 1968 Olympics), Black Panther Party alumnus Tarika Lewis (the first woman ... -
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 ...
Acknowledging Those Who Wove The Fabric Of Our Community
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At 100, The National Park Service's Oldest Active Ranger Is Still Going Strong
Posted September 23, 2021 from NPR — By Jonathan Franklin — Betty Soskin has accomplished a lot over the course of her life. She's been a published author, a songwriter/activist ... -
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 ... -
C.L. Dellums And Romancing the Rails
This segment of the 1 hour, prime time special that first aired September 25, 1988 on WUSA, Romancing the Rails, focuses on the Sleeping Car Porters who played a major ... -
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 ... -
Rosie Trust gala to celebrate Betty Reid Soskin’s 100th birthday
Posted July 28, 2021 from The Richmond Standard — Rosie the Riveter Trust, the nonprofit partner of Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, has ... -
Edwin Hawkins, Famed Oakland Gospel Giant, Dead at 74
Statement by Geoffrey Pete on the death of Edwin Hawkins The richness of a city is defined by the historical nature of its culture and people. Without these enduring markers, ...
Important Figures In And From Our Community
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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 ... -
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 ...
Black History All Year Round
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Senator Raphael Warnock's First Speech to the United States Senate
Warnock says the Senate filibuster should not be allowed to stand in the way of full voting rights for all Americans. -
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 ... -
James Baldwin Debates William F. Buckley (1965)
Historic debate between James Baldwin v. William F. Buckley Jr. at Cambridge University on the question: "Is the American Dream at the expense of the American Negro?" -
Former Enslaved Talk About Slavery
Recorded in the 1940's. -
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 Brief History of The Minstrel Show
Minstrel Shows were a form of entertainment that included white actors in "blackface". These actors were portraying African-Americans and used stereotypes to label them as unintelligent and not to be ... -
Pullman Porters - Ordinary Men, Extraordinary History
They made beds and cleaned toilets. They shined shoes, dusted jackets, cooked meals and washed dishes. Yet the Pullman porters created history in the face of adversity and racial prejudice. ... -
Here are seven things you probably didn't know were connected to slavery
Posted July 20, 2020 from CNN — As protesters across the United States continue calling for an end to police brutality and racial injustice, organizations are coming to terms with ... -
Disturbingly Racist Moments in Cartoons
The point of our video is not to promote racism or to make fun of this issue, but to show how pervasive and institutionalized racism was in our culture just ...
Hall Of Musical Giants
Those Notable Music Artists Geoffrey's Inner Circle Admires The Most
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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 ... -
“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 ...
The Oaktown Sound
The Groups And Individuals Who Shaped The Music Of Our Times
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In Oakland It's En Vogue
En Vogue is an American female R&B vocal group from Oakland, California assembled by music producers Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy. The group has won more MTV Video Music Awards ... -
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Art n' Soul—The Oakland R&B Trio
Art N’ Soul were an R&B trio from Oakland, California that consisted of singer\bassist Tracy (Sam Bostic), keyboardist Latrel, and drummer Dion. In 1996, the trio released their debut album, “Touch ... -
The Oaktown Sound Of Tower Of Power
Oakland's Own Tower Of Power featuring Lenny Williams Tower's musical odyssey actually began in 1968 when Emilio Castillo met Stephen "Doc" Kupka in July of that year. When Doc auditioned during ... -
Johnny Otis - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Speech - 1994
Otis was a world-renowned musician, composer, and band leader of Greek heritage who grew up around Black Folk in his native Berkeley, integrating himself into the Black music genre that ... -
Oaktown's Got 5 On Luniz
Oakland rap duo Luniz, original named Luni Tunz, consisted of Yukmouth (Jerold Ellis III) and Numskull (Garrick Husbands), two friends who knew each other since junior high. The duo ... -
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 ... -
The Story Of Lenny Williams
Video history of an Oakland music legend.
Our Great Legacy Of Sports Stars
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Oakland's First Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion John Henry Lewis
John Henry Lewis was the first black American to win the light heavyweight championship, a title he held for four years. And as with many light heavyweights, Lewis often fought ... -
3 Magnificent Warriors From Oakland's McClymonds High
From The Golden Nuggett — By David Hegler — In the early 1950’s, McClymonds High School in Oakland, California boasted a rich amount of talent in both basketball and baseball. ... -
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Damian Lillard out to show Lakers that 'running from the grind' is for chumps
Posted August 20, 2020 from CBS Sports — By Bill Reiter — The most telling sign of what Damian Lillard had in store to close the NBA bubble seeding games ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
Jim Hines—One-Time World's Fastest Human
Jim Hines, born in Dumas, Desha County, Arkansas, raised in Oakland, California, where he excelled in athletics at McClymonds High School, is an Olympic track and field star who won ... -
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 ... -
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, ...
