Featured
Governor Gavin Newsom is the 40th Governor for the State of California. A fourth-generation San Franciscan, Newsom has dedicated his career to bettering our city and state. He started as an entrepreneur, learning to navigate the world through business. When his talents were noticed by then Mayor Willie L. Brown Jr., Newsom was appointed to the Parking and Traffic Commission.
Raised in San Francisco's Fillmore District by her grandmother, Mayor Breed saw firsthand how redevelopment brought great challenges to the people in her community. She began her public service career as Executive Director of the Fillmore's African American Arts and Culture Complex. Since then, after rising through the ranks to become Mayor, she hasn't forgotten her roots in the Fillmore.
This week, we listen back to our conversation with former Mayor of San Francisco Art Agnos (Season 3 Episode 04) — politician, social worker, and game-changer.
Justice Harry Low was the first Asian-American Judge in California. He served as Municipal Judge under Governor Edmond G. "Pat" Brown, as Superior Court Judge under Governor Ronald Reagan, as a Judge in the 1st District Court of Appeals under Governor Jerry Brown, and as Insurance Commissioner under Governor Gray Davis.
Justice Harry Low was the first Asian-American Judge in California. He served as Municipal Judge under Governor Edmond G. "Pat" Brown, as Superior Court Judge under Governor Ronald Reagan, as a Judge in the 1st District Court of Appeals under Governor Jerry Brown, and as Insurance Commissioner under Governor Gray Davis.
Politician, social worker, and champion of liberalism in San Francisco, former Mayor Art Agnos has left a lasting mark on our city’s offices and landscape. Through his 1988-1992 term, he worked to break up nepotism in the Fire and Police Departments, paving the way for our city’s second African American Police Chief and female Fire Chief.
John was kind enough to let us interview him this week to talk about San Francisco’s Waterfront, and how fitting, as he was just recently appointed to the San Francisco Port Commission! Mr. Burton was the Chairman for the Democratic Party for 8 years, as well as a twice-elected State Assemblyman for the State of California. He was also a United States Congressman and a Senator for the State of California.
Kimberly Brandon is the current President of the San Francisco Port Commission. She is the first African-American woman to serve on the Commission and is the initiator of the Southern Waterfront Advisory Committee through which she engages the SE waterfront communities with development planning in their neighborhoods.
In the beloved Italian North Beach neighborhood, three San Francisco natives Nina Clima, Charles Farruggia, and Don Di Basilio join Susan and Jae to reminisce on the rich cultural history North Beach offers the city. Nina, Charles, and Don grew up together in North Beach and are all 2nd or 3rd generation Californians. Now 80 years young, the three friends boast healthy, independent, and active lifestyles. They remain dedicated residents of this incredible neighborhood.
David Lei is an active participant with several nonprofit organizations including The Chinese Performing Arts Foundation, the Asian Art Museum, the Chinese American Community Fund, Chung Ngai Dance Troupe, Academy of Chinese Performing Arts, World Arts West - San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, the Bancroft Library, and the Center for Asian American Media.
The Honorable Willie Lewis Brown Jr. is the first Black and, to date, the longest running Speaker of the California State Assembly. He also was the first Black man to be Mayor of San Francisco, and has left a lasting mark on the city. Known nationally not only as a politician but also for his many groundbreaking bills, authored while he was Speaker, and for the sweeping changes that were made in San Francisco under his watch.
The Haight-Ashbury district is a neighborhood in San Francisco that was aptly-named for the intersection of Haight and Ashbury streets. Running from Masonic Avenue to Stanyan Street, the beloved neighborhood is residential as well as commercial; famous for its connection to hippies and counterculture in the 1960s, it has long been one of the most dynamic, lively, and interesting neighborhoods in San Francisco.
In 1965 Judge John Dearman moved into the Upper Haight, into the very house where he and his family still live today. Judge John, as he is affectionately known to some, is a retired Superior Court Judge for the City and County of San Francisco. When he retired in 2009, Judge Dearman had been the longest serving judge in the history of San Francisco. Judge Dearman has long been an activist for change and the betterment of others, and recently celebrated his 90th birthday on March 28th, 2021!
Meet the Hon. Judge John Dearman.
Sunny Schwartz, author, advocate, and changemaker speaks to us about this extraordinary program she founded over 30 years ago, and the island where it is possible.
Meet Sunny Schwartz!
The Western Addition, better known as The Fillmore, is one of the most vibrant and unique neighborhoods in San Francisco. Historically, it has been one of the three predominantly African American San Francisco neighborhoods, and from the 1950s to the 1970s it was known nationally as The Harlem of the West. The Fillmore lived up to this moniker, as was reflected in the music, food, and culture, unique to the vibrant neighborhood and her inhabitants. Third Baptist Church has been, and still remains, the hub of The Fillmore, and Reverend Amos C. Brown is its esteemed and beloved reverend. He is also a lifelong Civil Right leader, and President of the San Francisco Chapter of the NAACP. Reverend Brown sat down with us in September 2020 to tell us all about The Fillmore, and his life there.
Meet Rev. Brown!
John’s Grill has been an essential San Francisco restaurant since it opened in 1908. John Konstin spoke to us about his neighborhood, Union Square, and his restaurant, John’s Grill, which has been in his family since the 1960s.
Shelley Bradford Bell is a writer, The former President of the San Francisco Planning Commission, the former Vice President of the Environmental Commission and the Former Executive Director of the Bay View Opera House.
She is a dedicated community activist and lives in downtown San Francisco which is French Inspired
Meet Shelley Bradford Bell
Rodney Fong is the CEO and President of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. Fong is a fourth generation San Franciscan whose grandfather started the Fisherman’s Wharf Wax Museum in 1962; Rodney discusses what it was like to grow up in the Wax Museum, as well as in the neighborhoods of North Beach and Chinatown.