Black Media Appreciation Night-JR Valray Leads Salute to Publisher Willie Ratcliff

October 26, 2012

***Feel free to spread far and wide***

Announcing Black Media Appreciation Night

Three cheers for Yoshi's! JR asked, and Oakland Yoshi's said yes, so ... [trumpets, drum roll] ... SF Bay View and Block Report Radio present the first and hopefully annual Black Media Appreciation Night on Nov. 26, 8 p.m., at Yoshi's, 510 Embarcadero Way, Oakland. Click the pretty banner at the top of www.sfbayview.com and get your tickets now before they're all gone.

Who'll be there besides you and me? The best in local independent Black media: We're celebrating life and resistance: Bay View publisher Willie Ratcliff's 80^th birthday and 20^th year at the paper's helm, the steady recovery from leukemia of miracle journalist Kevin Weston, and the near total recovery from a gunshot wound of the fiery writer and broadcaster Bay View associate editor and People's Minister of Information JR Valrey.

Davey D of Hard Knock Radio on KPFA will be there, plus film-maker Kevin Epps, Greg Bridges of KPFA and KCSM, Bay View arts editor Wanda Sabir, Veronica Faisant of KPFA, Donald Lacy of KPOO and more superstars we'll tell you about soon - all your favorite media-makers.

M1 of dead prez, who's coming to the Bay a few days earlier, says he doesn't want to miss it and is trying to clear his calendar. Musicians who've confirmed are jazz artist extraordinaire Phavia Kujichagulia, jazz rapper Do D.A.T. and Bay Area rap legends Mac Mall and Ray Luv.

So come one, come all! If you can't come, buy a ticket for folks who are dying to come but can't afford it.

When you wish Willie a happy 80^th birthday, you may address him as Dr. Ratcliff! This Sunday, Oct. 28, 11 a.m., at Grace Tabernacle Community Church, 1121 Oakdale at Ingalls, in Hunters Point, Deacon Ratcliff will be presented with an honorary Doctorate Degree in Humanities from the Sacramento Theological Seminary! We'd love to see you there.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sunday, Oct. 28, 5 p.m.: Communities Behind Bars: from Palestine to Pelican Bay at Friends Meetinghouse, 65 Ninth St., San Francisco. Panelists are Dr. Ruchama Marton, founder and president of Physicians for Human Rights-Israel; Manuel La Fontaine, organizer for All of Us or None; Dr. Allam Jarrar, a leader of the Palestinian Medical Relief Society; and Dr. Terry Kupers, psychiatrist and an expert witness on U.S. prison conditions.

Wednesday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m.: San Francisco Black Film Festival presents Free Halloween Movie for the Kids - free popcorn, candy and prizes too! at the Jazz Heritage Center's Media & Education Center, 1320 Fillmore St. in the lobby of Yoshi's, San Francisco. All adults accompanied by a child will also be admitted for free. Wear your masks and costumes; bring your youth group and daycare kids (email sfbff@sfbff.org if you're bringing a crowd).

Thursday-Monday, Nov. 1-5: Paul Mooney kicks off 'The Second Term Tour: Black is the New White!' at the Black Repertory Group Theater, 3201 Adeline St., Berkeley. Call (510) 652-2120; discount code: Obama.

Tuesday, Nov. 6, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.: Election Day! at your neighborhood polling place. Check out Dr. Ratcliff's recommendations in the Bay View Voters Guide and other election commentary in the Bay View.

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 6 p.m.: UNSHACKLING! a community celebration at The Women's Building, 3543 18th St., San Francisco. "We won the ban on shackling incarcerated pregnant women! Please join us for a victory celebration."

Find dozens more exciting events in the Bay View Calendar of Events.