Up Next @ Geoffrey's
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A Message To Geoffrey's Inner Circle Friends And Family From Geoffrey Pete
Dear Friends And Family: Late last month, following both state and city orders and guidelines, and in the hopes we could help in slowing the rise in the deadly Covid-19 ...
News Of The Day
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Meghan says it is 'liberating' to be able to speak
Posted March 6, 2021 from BBC News — The Duchess of Sussex, formerly Meghan Markle of the United States, has said being a royal was "different than I think what ... -
The sororities and fraternities helping Black Americans get vaccinated
Posted March 6, 2021 from The Guardian — Soon after Arkansas began allowing people over 70 to receive the Covid-19 vaccine in January, Wanda King heard from her aunt and ... -
Alameda County COVID-19 Update
Posted March 6, 2021 from the City of Oakland — This week Alameda County moved closer to the Red Tier of the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy. If current ... -
Mississippi school asks students to ‘pretend’ they’re slaves
Posted March 5, 2021 from Face 2 Face Africa — A predominantly White middle school in Mississippi has come under fire over an assignment that was given to students in ... -
Florida Governor is giving vaccines meant for Black communities to wealthy white Floridians
Posted March 5, 2021 from Daily Kos — By Aysha Qamar — It’s no surprise that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis cares more about the rich than the economically vulnerable. Since the ... -
Jazz Legend Charlie Parker to receive star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Posted March 5, 2021 from Television Station KSHB Kansas City — A Kansas City, Missouri, legend, known for his influence in the Jazz scene will have his name forever cemented ... -
Georgia Bill Would Criminalize Giving Water to Voters Waiting in Long Lines
Posted March 5, 2021 from Truthout — Republicans in Georgia are passing restrictive voting laws, ostensibly to “protect” people’s votes but which critics have said create unnecessary burdens to voters, ... -
Three Black Oakland men accuse SFPD of racial profiling while shopping at Union Square
Posted March 5, 2021 from KTVU Fox 2 — Three friends were detained for hours by police at a high end department store in San Francisco Wednesday afternoon They've all ... -
'Us Again' Team On 'Funk And Soul-Infused' Disney Animated Short
Posted March 4, 2021 from Shadow And Act — Dropping in theaters ahead of Disney's Raya and the Last Dragon is the short film, Us Again. Disney has announced that the brand new ... -
Eddie And Arsenio: Original 'Coming To America' Was Forced To Include A White Actor
Posted March 4, 2021 from Shadow And Act — Coming to America has been a favorite throughout decades. Later this week, Amazon will debut the sequel, Coming To America 2. ... -
Over 900 Haitian immigrants were deported by Biden’s DHS in February
Posted March 4, 2021 from Daily Kos — By Aysha Kamar — Despite Joe Biden’s promise to increase the number of refugees admitted into the U.S., deportations continue nationwide—along with halts ...
Videos Of The Day
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William Buckley interviews Huey Newton on Firing Line
Recorded on January 23, 1973 -
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 ... -
Tarika Lewis And The Bobby Young Project at Birdland Jazzista Social Club
Tarika Lewis, Violin, Funky Rob, Keys, David Daniel, Bass, Latrosse Harris, Drums, Wiley Trass, Vocals, and Bobby Young, guitar. -
"Mammy" by Al Jolson, in Blackface
The first talking picture ever made was 1927's "The Jazz Singer." For this historic event, the producers chose a film in which Al Jolsen appeared in his familiar racist and ... -
Hank Aaron's 715th Record-Breaking Homerun
April 8, 1974: Vin Scully calls Hank Aaron's milestone home run as he passes Babe Ruth for the most career home runs when he slugs his 715th homer.
Worthwhile Causes That Deserve Your Support
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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 ... -
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 ...
Snapshots
Celebrating Good Times At Geoffrey's Inner Circle
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The Stars Are Always Shining At Geoffrey's Inner Circle
Come out and see who you can see or who you can be seen with. [R-slider id="2"] -
Volunteers at this year's Thanksgiving Feeding at Geoffrey's Inner Circle
The faithful fed at Geoffrey's Inner Circle Thanksgiving Feeding Oakland attorney John Burris among the many volunteers at this ... -
Book Launch Party At Geoffrey's For Betty Reid Soskin's Autobiography "Sign My Name To Freedom"
February 21, 2018 Bob Reid, Betty Reid Soskin, Judy Jager Betty Reid Soskin interviewed by Channel 5 News (filmmaker Bryan Gibel at far left filming the interview) Signing copies of ... -
The Comedy Of Cody Woods At Geoffrey's
Recorded live at Geoffrey's Inner Circle July, 2018 -
Marcus Shelby and Tiffany Austin In Concert
December 1, 2018 Geoffrey's Inner Circle Oakland's Finest Black Tie Holiday Ball And Toy Drive -
Fifth anniversary of Yancie Taylor's Sunday jazz at Geoffrey's Inner Circle
March 18, 2018 Liz Dawson-DeWitt, guest vocalist for the night Geoffrey Pete and special guest, Black Panther Party co-founder Bobby Seale
A History Of Geoffrey's Inner Circle
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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 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 ... -
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 ...
Frank Robinson - August 31, 1935 – February 7, 2019
He Stood Out In A City Full Of Outstanding Athletes
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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 ... -
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 ...
In Sadness And Respect
Ronald V. Dellums November 24, 1935 – July 30, 2018
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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 -
Bidding You Good-bye, And Good Rest
Ron Dellums at Geoffrey's Inner Circle on the night Barack Obama was elected
Honoring Our Freedom Fighters
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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 ... -
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 ... -
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. -
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 ... -
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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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 ... -
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, ... -
Scenes From The 2017 Charlie Reid Christmas Party
Held Sunday, December 17 at the Richmond Police Athletic League hall. -
legendary Oakland dancer and choreographer Ruth Beckford passes away
Posted May 10, 2019 from the East Bay Times — Ruth Beckford, the legendary dancer, choreographer and Oakland community activist, died May 8 of natural causes. She was 93. Beckford ... -
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 ... -
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 ...
Important Figures In And From Our Community
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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 ... -
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 ... -
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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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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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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 ... -
We'll Never Turn Back
1963 SNCC Film featuring Fannie Lou Hamer -
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 ... -
"Camptown Races" sung by Al Jolson
"Minstrel" was America's original entertainment form, and arguably its most racist. In its beginnings in the 19th century, white groups put on elaborate shows supposedly modeled after Black speech and ... -
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 ...
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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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 ... -
MASTERPLAN- CLINTON PARK, oakland, CA
Clinton Park is an Oakland neighborhood in the flatlands just east of Lake Merritt. In 1955, Clinton was home to one of the first federal urban renewal projects in the ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
Pointer Sisters - Yes We Can Can (1973 Original Video)
1973 Original Video from Soul Train -
Digital Underground—Rising Up Out Of Oakland's Soulful Soil
Artist Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine While hip-hop was consumed by the hardcore, noisy political rap of Public Enemy and the gangsta rap of N.W.A., Digital Underground sneaked out of Oakland with their bizarre, funky homage ... -
Lenny Williams, The Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oakland Soul Singer
Ultimate soul crooner and Oakland native, Lenny Williams, possesses one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary music. With his rich, passionate vocal style, he is rightfully regarded as one ... -
Tony! Toni! Tone!
Setting The Tone For Oakland's Own The three members of the smash R&B band Tony! Toni! Tone! grew up in Oakland, California, when that city was a hotbed of ... -
Tarika Lewis And The Bobby Young Project at Birdland Jazzista Social Club
Tarika Lewis, Violin, Funky Rob, Keys, David Daniel, Bass, Latrosse Harris, Drums, Wiley Trass, Vocals, and Bobby Young, guitar.
Our Great Legacy Of Sports Stars
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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 ... -
Dave Stewart: Oakland's Baseball Stare-Master
Wikipedia Known for his piercing stare from the pitcher's mound that frightened batters almost as much as his blazing fastball, Oakland native Dave Stewart was one of the most dominating ... -
Don Barksdale: Ground-Breaking Basketball Player
Don Barksdale was the first African American to play on the U.S. Olympic basketball team. Unfortunately, the pro's did not allow black players at that time so he had to ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
Joe Morgan—Oakland's Little Baseball Giant
Joe Morgan—A Little Man Playing A Big Man's Game “If I had to go into the draft right now, I never would have gotten a chance. I was 5'5", 140 ... -
Flood opened the floodgates
From The Katy Trail Weekly — By David Mullen — My next-door neighbor growing up in Oakland was a short, Italian man named Frank Russo, a wealth of information on ... -
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, ... -
Jason Kidd: From Oakland Playgrounds To NBA All-Star And Coach
LOVE OF THE GAME Jason Kidd’s story is a lesson in patience, proof that good things truly do come to those who wait. Jason embodied the qualities of a Hall ...
