Buffalo Soldiers' Supporters
at 1330 Fillmore - Heritage Center -
we have our work cut out -
to represent the community at large -
showcasing the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers.
Times are a changing - and Blacks - those who lost a lot in the Fillmore - suffered even more - most of their resources depleted - the City and County has decided - to allow some ardent warriors and among them I count Daniel Landry, Majeid Crawford, and Rico Hamilton - to manage 5000 square feet of space.
Turn around - where once YOSHI'S - made hay while the sun was shinning - left - and kept this space at 1300 Fillmore vacant for years - until now - light at the end of the tunnel.
Brother Daniel Landry -
speaking to the supporters of the
Buffalo Soldiers.
Back in the days - when the Fillmore was bustling - when most stores were run by Blacks - who were proud of their stores and wares - umpteen bars and entertainment places - one of kind restaurants, dry cleaning stores, bakeries, tailoring shops, music stores, and more - that invited folks from far and wide.
Few, remember those days - the very best days and that period and its unique renaissance.
The Harlem of the West - is making a come back.
Never underestimate the warriors - more those that have gone though the fire and come out ready for action - and sound solutions.
There are those that smell like a skunk from a long distance.
Those few who cannot see a glass half full - those that are always dropping the ball - those that always pander to those that favor - divisiveness.
The Buffalo Soldier supporters - those that attended the meeting - December, 15, 2018 - at the 1330 Heritage Center - located in the Fillmore - are one of kind.
Less talk and more walk.
We vetted most of the folks - and still allow some of the "clowns " to distance themselves and keep on pandering. We understand it takes time - to come to a par - more when one has to make a sacrifice. However, time is of an essence.
Brother Dedan Kimati Ji Jaga
dedicated U.S. Marine - a warrior -
he heads the National Association For Black
Veterans Branch in Oakland -
he heads the National Association For Black
Veterans Branch in Oakland -
he walks the walk -
a keen and ardent support of the Buffalo Soldiers.
When we were contemplating looking into creating a Museum for the Buffalo Soldiers - in my discussion with Mr. Anthony Powell the world renown historian, and curator of Museum First Class artifacts - it dawned upon on me to rally the support and have a one of a kind meeting at the Heritage Center - 1300 Fillmore.
All those who attended that their heart in the right place - and we are not into dreaming and hoping and working with entities that kick the can down the street.
We the Buffalo Soldier Supporters - are NOT into begging, and quoting scripture without any meaningful purpose. If those want to be with us - show up and do the right thing.
Larry Watkins and Majeid Crawford -
hit it - and both aspire -
to give themselves to support
the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers - kudos!
It was a great pleasure to have Majeid Crawford and Daniel Landry in attendance - two of many stalwarts - ready to roll up their selves and do justice to the community.
Brother Derick Toliver -
ready to contribute his Management skills -
to the core supporters doing their
best to keep the flame burning -
the legacy of the all Black - Buffalo Soldiers.
Also in attendance were other Brothers who are supporters of the Buffalo Soldiers - each belong to some great organization - and all of them proud to be Black - and eager to represent the best we all - have to offer.
Col. U.S. Marine -
brings his tenacity and fortitude
to the fore - and his dedication -
to offer his best to the core group -
the Buffalo Soldiers - who deserve the best .
We must learn to really appreciate the present - and look forward to the future.
This is easy to say - but can be painful to the point of being traumatic - when one delves into the history of the recent past - the role of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency - and the eviction of thousands of Blacks and others from the Fillmore - mostly Middle Class.
Much as it is difficult to read about any trial and tribulation - we know the Buffalo Soldiers are known worldwide - for their tenacity, fortitude and most of all - for their commitment to produce the best result.
Leon Watkins - who conducts - and is know well -
The Walking Ghosts of Black History
ardent supporter of the legacy of
the Buffalo Soldiers. Stand tall and represent, Brother.
High rents and the exodus of thousands of families - most of them Black - once 25% percent of the population - now a measly 3% and dwindling.
We still have some Blacks - who are NOT educated on issues - they talk the talk but have failed to walk the walk. Even today - some of these House Negros - are playing games - we will not tolerate nonsense - and infiltration of a few -who seek fame and short gains - to booster their own ego.
The reader must remember we started this journey way back in early 1980s - and while we have a detail Business Plan, a strategy that has been vetted.
Experts experts with a broader perspective - who understand Marketing and the finer aspects of Communication - we have to our advantage over $10 million worth artifacts - that not even the Smithsonian has.
We must also realize that the Buffalo Soldiers - proved themselves as ardent and skilled musicians - were well renowned in their hey day - playing jazz and attracting large crowds.
They played baseball and had all Negro teams - second to none.
What is least know - they were skilled horsemen and apt with handling their rifles on the move - and all these and more is not know to many - in detail.
The best horsemen - the best skilled cowboys - in the United were Black - not the cowboys you see in the cheap and poorly made Western - also know as B movies.
Mr. Johnson well known in the Fillmore -
has ties to a 100 organizations -
all ready to support the current organizers -
dedicated to do their best -
to bring attention to the past - the Harlem of the West -
the present and moving forward to a bright future.
The Harlem of the West - can be show cased by an exhibit - of the Buffalo Soldiers - who had among them - first class musicians who could play jazz music - but much to the chagrin of the Whites of the time - classical music - too.
There is a up and coming event in January, 2019 - and every attempt will be made to have a First Class Buffalo Soldiers' Exhibit - showing the many aspects of music - that the Buffalo Soldiers showcases, were know for - and left a legacy for all eternity.
We must know our history - we must have empirical data to challenge the ignorant - many Blacks sitting on the sideline - and acting as arm-chair critics.
There is a lot of information out there - more, floating in cyber space - the ability to discern is given to a few.
The ability to filter and distill the best information is given to even less folks.
The best information - leads to education - and therein lies the " crux " - of our problem - the ability to listen and talk less.
The ability to act and produce sound actions.
The ability to lead a team - overcome hurdles - and make good things - happen.
From left to right Majeid Crawford, Derick Toliver,
Daniel Landry, Francisco Da Costa,
Historian and Curator of the Buffalo Soldiers
Mr. Anthony Powell and Dedan Kimati Ji Jaga.
Mr. Anthony Powell - the premier Buffalo Soldiers' historian and one of a kind curator - whose grandfather was a Buffalo Soldier and was a inspiration to Mr. Anthony Powell - as he grew up.
Mr. Anthony Powell is ready to help Majeid Crawford, Daniel Landry, Rico Hamilton three primary warriors - among others - who have taken upon the task - to revive the Heritage Center located at 1300 Fillmore - and represent the best the community has to offer.
On important factor to note - even before the famous jazz musicians we know today - were known and noted.
The Buffalo Soldiers - were so talented that they composed and played in jazz bands and added to their resume - playing other music - even classical music - for a long time - and history has not been kind to this fact.
Mr. Anthony Powell has the artifacts - instruments, music sheets, the uniform of the band players - the many one of kind posters of the time - and more.
A memento belonging to Sgt. Major Ulysses Moore -
who lived and died in the Fillmore -
this carving was present to Francisco Da Costa -
to carry on the good work of Sgt. Major Ulysses Moore.
Mr. Anthony Powell is ready to show case the Buffalo Soldiers - and display the talent they had - and teach us many things.
Share the awe inspiring talents - have been shoved under the rug - by those that do not want the history of the Buffalo Soldiers - all Black - to be told.
It is the same with baseball - the Buffalo Soldiers played baseball and were second to none - this empirical data is fascinating - and when revealed to the " intelligent " who is in the know - mind boggling.
Some of us took time to view -
the gallery room -
here again - all had a good time -
sharing the good news of the day.
All Brothers standing tall - ready to represent.
A unique one of kind meeting was held in the Screening Room - the center of attraction Mr. Anthony Powell - on Saturday, December 15, 2018 staring at 10:30 am.
All those present were enthralled about what Mr. Anthony Powell had to say - the deep history of the Buffalo Soldiers.
Every one present - was allowed to participate - some asking some very deep questions.
All present were encouraged to note the importance of this meeting at this critical time.
Hearing the questions from those present - made all realize the input was paramount to have more meeting on a regular basis. We will arrange this - and invite those that can help us to be present.
The meeting was one of a kind - and we hope that more will be held on a regular basis - to keep the " flame " - alive - was a sentiment expressed again and again.
Mr. Ulysses Montgomery holding
the Buffalo Carving -
what a pleasure to meet such a great man -
he made my day.
We exited and walking down the pavement outside 1300 Fillmore - I encountered my good friend Mr. Ulysses Montgomery who is 92 years old.
In his hey day - Freedom Fighters - knew what liberty truly stood for - more to know that were discriminated.
Mr. Ulysses Montgomery - was and is a leader - acknowledged by all those in the know for many decades.
He help create the first Black owned housing - a sort of Cooperative that the SF City and County has messed with - and this one singular act and many more - must be righted.
Mr. Ulysses Montgomery must be honored and more accommodated and supported - by those in authority - who are wasting millions of tax payers money - on many mundane issues and projects.
More Blacks who do not know their past, know still little of the present - this and more - will not serve any good in the future - if they wallow in the muck of corruption and divisiveness.
Mr. Ulysses Montgomery - who challenged those racists in his hey day - had to flee to Mozambique - came back to San Francisco - I worked with him - around 2002 for a couple of years.
Then he went back to Mozambique, Africa again - and is back here in San Francisco.
He made my day much as it was my pleasure to put together this unique one of kind Buffalo Soldiers' Meeting and report on the meeting - this unique meeting will go down in history - as a turning point - led by men who have their heart in the right place.
Thanks to the many who took time to attend this one of a kind meeting.
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