Beyond The Fog Radio

Welcome to Season 3 of BTFR! We are honored to start off with musician, actor & SF native Martin Luther McCoy and his artist & activist wife Jeanne Anyanwu McCoy. This talented and stylish 1970’s “Soul Train” couple play an extensive role in the Bay Area’s art and activism communities. Martin Luther was fundamental in the 1990s Bay Area neo-soul scene and is a recent member of the SFJAZZ Collective. He is widely known for his work with hip hop collective the Roots and is likewise acclaimed for his role as “Jo-Jo” in Julie Taymor’s 2007 film “Across the Universe.” Jeanne Anyanwu McCoy is impressive in her own right. She is an entrepreneur, businesswoman, and community leader. Jeanne is devoted to collaborating on art projects with African American artists in the Bay Area and nationwide, including a new art and community-focused production company called “A Little x” which she co-founded with her husband. Through their company, Jeanne and Martin collaborate with clients such as SFJAZZ and the Museum of African Diaspora (MoAd), where Martin will be performing live on February 26th! For more information about Martin Luther and his upcoming performance, please visit: www.moadsf.org/event/sfjazz-and-moad-co-present-a-black-history-month-celebration-concert-with-martin-luther-mccoy Meet Martin Luther and Jeanne Anyanwu McCoy!

Beyond The Fog Radio Season 3 launches NEXT WEEK! We couldn't be more excited to share more amazing stories from the Bay Area — and this will be our biggest season yet! To tide over our loyal listeners (and ourselves) for the next seven days, we have one more episode to revisit: our conversation with Naizar Mubarak, Executive Chef at Florio Restaurant in San Francisco (Season 2 Episode 12). Mubarak began his culinary career at age 19 in his home country of Sri Lanka. He moved to the Bay Area in 2006, and has since left his mark on restaurants like Marzano, Garibaldi’s, Bocanova, and the Duck Club. Mubarak puts his own spin on his mother's recipes and native cuisine; at Florio, he mixes French and Italian dishes with Sri Lankan spices to create an eclectic, innovative, and oh-so-delicious menu. Join Susan, Michaela, and Jae as they look back at their interview with Naizar Mubarak — and we'll see you next week to kick off Beyond The Fog Radio Season 3!

Welcome back to Beyond The Fog Radio! We're almost ready to launch Season 3 — can you believe it? Before the new season begins, the team is looking back at some of our favorite episodes from the first two seasons. This week, we're revisiting our interview with award-winning artist and educator Margo Hall, the new Artistic Director of the Lorraine Hansbury Theater in San Francisco (Season 2 Episode 15). Margo Hall has been active in the Bay Area theatre scene for over 30 years. She is a founding member of the multicultural Campo Santo theater company, which collaborates with local artists to put on new works for Bay Area audiences. She teaches at both UC Berkeley and Chabot College to support and mentor young actors and playwrights who are discovering their voice. With so many accomplishments and awards to her name, it's safe to say that Margo Hall has left an unmistakable mark on the Bay Area — not just in theatre, but in community . Join us in rediscovering Susan and Michaela’s conversation with the amazing Margo Hall! (For more information about Margo Hall, please visit www.margohall.com .)

Welcome back to Beyond The Fog Radio! Recording for Season 3 is still underway, but in the meantime, our team is looking back at some of our favorite episodes from our first two seasons. This week, we're rediscovering Touch of Class Choir (Season 2 Episode 11) and the man behind its magic — Mr. Gregory Cole! Mr. Cole has taught music and made a difference for Bay Area children for over 40 years, to the point where we can’t list all of his accomplishments here in the episode description! His greatest endeavor, however, began in 1984 at Sala & Phillip Burton Academic High School, where he founded Touch of Class Choir (TOCC). In the midst of three underserved neighborhoods in San Francisco, Mr. Cole teaches his students a wide range of music from religious to jazz and R&B, and along with tremendous talent, this versatility has led TOCC on tours across the entire world. Along with music, Mr. Cole teaches his students about important life skills and the power of personal achievement, motivating them in so many different ways. Former TOCC students look to him as a father figure, and we couldn’t think of a kinder person to have such a beloved status. Join Susan, Michaela, and Jae in revisiting their interview with Mr. Gregory Cole! (For more information about Mr. Gregory Cole, please visit: http://touchofclasschoir.org/gregory-cole-director/ .)

Welcome back to Beyond The Fog Radio! Recording for Season 3 is underway, but in the meantime, our team wanted to take a look back at some of our favorite episodes from both Season 1 and Season 2. This week, we're rediscovering our episode on San Francisco's North Beach (Season 1 Episode 18). Our esteemed guests are three 80-years-young North Beach residents who are just as lively as the neighborhood itself! Nina Clima, Charles Farruggia, and Don Di Basilio grew up together in North Beach and remain dedicated to their community. San Francisco's "Little Italy," North Beach is home to charming Victorian homes and family-owned shops and restaurants that keep older Italian traditions alive and well. Many prominent figures of the Beat Generation helped make famous North Beach institutions like the Saloon and City Lights Booksellers, and Francis Ford Coppola’s production company American Zoetrope has its home in the Sentinel Building at the neighborhood's edge. Nina, Charles, and Don went VERY in-depth about North Beach and its history, and we had such a wonderful time chatting with these equally wonderful people. Meet Nina Clima and the Gang!

Welcome to Beyond The Fog Radio! Recording for Season 3 is underway, but in the meantime, our team wanted to take a look back at some of our favorite episodes from both Season 1 and Season 2. This week, our spotlight is on the culturally and historically rich community of Chinatown — and who better to tell us about this amazing neighborhood than the equally amazing David Lei? In April of 2021, the Beyond The Fog Radio team had the honor to speak to Mr. Lei, a retired social worker and businessman who currently works with various nonprofit organizations to promote community-building, youth education, and the arts. He is an active participant within the Chinese Performing Arts Foundation, the Asian Art Museum, the Chinese-American Community Fund, Chung Ngai Dance Troupe, the Academy of Chinese Performing Arts, the World Arts West San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, the Bancroft Library, and the Center for Asian American Media — and a tried-and-true San Franciscan and wonderful human being. Meet David Lei!

Shelley Lindgren is a Bay Area-based wine sommelier and a restaurateur. She co-founded restaurant and wine spot A16 in 2004, focusing on the food and wine of Southern Italy. Shelley trained under two of San Francisco’s most well known Chefs and Restaurateurs Hubert Keller and Maurice Rouas, owners of the top SF French restaurant Fleur de Lys. This training inspired her passion for wine and fine dining, and after receiving her professional wine Sommelier degree, Shelley opened A16 in hopes of introducing unknown Italian wines to the Western United States. The specificity of the food and wine she serves coupled with impeccable culinary skill has since awarded her restaurant numerous honors, including the San Francisco Bay Area Rising Star Restaurateur Award. She’s even recently partnered with Kitty Oestilen to create Tansy, an Italian-inspired wine made here in California. Shelley is humble and kind, She loves to do whatever she can to make one’s dining experience memorable. To her, nothing could be better than enjoying a delicious meal with a glass of fine wine in your hand. For more information on Shelley Lindgren and A16, please visit: https://www.wineandspiritsmagazine.com/feature-story/restaurant-poll-interviews/rp20-shelley-lindgren-a16 Meet Shelley Lindgren!

Mr. Antoine Hunter, also known as Purple Fire Crow, is an award winning Deaf, Disable, African, Indigenous producer, choreographer, Founder and Artistic Director of the Bay Area International Deaf Dance Festival, as well as the Founder and Artistic Director of the Urban Jazz Dance Company. Antoine studied dance at The California Institute of the Arts and the Paul Taylor Dance School in New York City. Deafness allows Antoine to experience music somatically, thus connecting him more deeply with the visual form of communication that dance offers. In doing so, he uniquely cultivates a universal language through which he expresses his experience with exceptional artistry. As such, not only has he performed with some of the Bay Area’s most well-known dance companies, but has also received many awards for his work. His career has also taken him overseas, from Cuba and Rome to Peru and London. He is currently faculty at the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, the Shawl Anderson Youth in Arts, and Dance -A- Vision.Antoine is a secure, balanced human being who harnesses the energy of music in unique and refreshing ways. His intuition for dance has made him the bridge through which visual communication flows among all communities. Upon meeting Antoine, we knew we were in the company of someone very special. We hope you enjoy our interview with him.For more information about Antoine Hunter, please visit: https://www.realurbanjazzdance.com/mr-antoine-hunter.htmlMeet Mr. Antoine Hunter!

It would not be the Holidays if we did not take the time to thank our listeners, our team and everyone who helps us each week with producing this podcast. We began this amazing journey in September 2020 when the world was still dormant from the Pandemic lockdown. Many places were closed, a vaccine had not been released yet and people were working and attending school from home. My friend Jae Yee called me to ask how my tour company and blog Beyond the Fog was coming along. After telling him it was asleep until further notice, Jae had the brilliant idea of starting this podcast. He said: “San Francisco is changing so fast, let’s do a podcast about the History of our city!” Being an artist myself, I wanted to focus on the History of Art and Culture of the San Francisco Bay Area.The plans were set in motion, and Jae invited his friend Michaela Joy O’ Shea to be the photographer. She quickly became the third co-host, and voila! We have a podcast. Michaela’s husband Tim O’Shea composed our theme music, Jae is our sound engineer, and I am the producer. Arlyss Hays is our copywriter, Connor Chang is our sound editor, and Tim Johnson designed our website. Over a year later, our small team of six are still having a blast. Most of all, we would like to thank our listeners. Without you, we would not have a podcast at all. So from all of us at Beyond the Fog Radio, THANK YOU for listening. We are so humbled and grateful. Happy Happy Happy Holidays! — The Beyond the Fog Radio Team

Robert Moses is the Founder, Artistic Director and Choreographer of the internationally acclaimed dance company Robert Moses’ Kin. Since 1995 Robert Moses’ Kin has told complex stories about human nature through contemporary dance, focusing on expanding the expressiveness of the human body and speaking often from his African American heritage.The company’s dynamic works are distinct from other dance companies in that they blend still photos, videos, music and live voices to creatively amplify each piece’s message. Robert Moses collaborates with numerous prominent dancers, musicians and composers. He also works with poets, sculptors, authors and designers, creating totally new performances that move audiences in unexpected ways. Robert Moses’ Kin has toured all over the world with its home base in our very own San Francisco. The company has received numerous awards as well, including seven Bay Area Isadora Duncan Awards. In 2005 Robert Moses was named Choreographer in Residence and Artistic Director of the Committee on Black Performing Arts at Stanford University. He was also on the dance faculty at Stanford University from 1995 to 2016. Robert’s imagination has no limits; for him, daily life is a chance to make something extraordinary happen. We are excited to share our interview with him this week on Beyond the Fog Radio. For more information about Robert Moses and Robert Moses’ Kin, please visit: https://www.robertmoseskin.org/ Meet Robert Moses!

Our first guest in the History of Dance series is a Dancer, Choreographer, Haitian Dance teacher, and mother of our Co-Host and Producer, Susan. Blanche Brown began dancing while studying at San Francisco State University, and although she initially left to support her husband’s political career and raise their three children, she returned at 35 to receive her Masters in Physical Education with an emphasis in Dance. In the 1970’s, she joined the Wajumbe Performance Ensemble, touring with them in Nigeria for an international dance festival called Festic 72. Her time in Nigeria inspired her to become Priestess of Oshun in the Yoruba Tradition. Blanche has since become a teacher, and founded her own dance company in San Francisco called Group Petit La Croix. As Choreographer and Artistic Director, Blanche toured with her group throughout the Western United States for 15 years. She also became the Board President for the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival and served on the San Francisco Art Commission. Though she has attempted retiring four times, she cannot keep herself from her life’s passion. At 86, Blanche still teaches Haitian Dance at ODC Dance Commons in the city’s Mission District. For more information about Blanche Brown, please visit: https://dancersgroup.org/2015/05/teacher-priestess-dancer-blanche-brown/ https://odc.dance/gdpafrohaitian Meet Blanche Brown!

Every city has its legendary places that reflect its personality and charm, that are “living museums” of its rich history. This week we interviewed two entrepreneurs who’ve cultivated two of San Francisco’s iconic restaurants. The first, Flicka McGurrin, is a sixth generation San Francisco native who launched Pier 23 Cafe over 35 years ago. It has consistently been a local favorite, not just for the delicious seafood, but for the long-time community that is now ushering in its second generation of locals. Flicka’s own children have impacted the restaurant, too, as they now run Pier 23 Cafe for their mother. This classic SF restaurant would not be what it is today without the leadership and soul of Flicka McGurrin. The second is Jeannette Etheredge. She is the former owner of North Beach’s Tosca Cafe, a bar and now restaurant that’s (quite literally) famous for being a favorite of world class celebrities like Sean Penn, Francis Ford Coppola, and Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich. The bar’s popularity can be attributed to Jeannette’s leadership after purchasing it in 1980. Her warmth and charisma made customers feel at home, and many feel the Cafe’s success is due to her welcoming presence and dedication to her North Beach community. For more information about Flicka and Jeannette, please visit: https://www.flickamcgurrin.com/about https://www.bonappetit.com/restaurants-travel/article/best-last-dive-bar-in-world Meet Flicka McGurrin and Jeannette Etheredge!

Jonathan Moscone is a champion of arts and activism. A long-time theater director and current Chief Producer at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA), he has devoted his career to interweaving arts organizations with civic life and community in an impactful way. With his Civic Engagement practice at YBCA, Moscone has created youth fellowships, artist residencies in the City’s public schools, programs to help artists lead financially sustainable lives, and ballot measures to restore city funding to arts and homeless family services. He also serves on numerous community boards, such as the Alice Waters’ Edible Schoolyard Project, the Homeless Prenatal Program, and leads the San Francisco Grants for the Arts advisory panel. Moscone’s gratifying career would not be complete without his extensive experience in theater production. Before his time at YBCA, Jonathan was the Artistic Director of the California Shakespeare Theater in Berkeley and Orinda for 16 years. He works throughout the Bay Area as a freelance director, putting on shows like "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby" for CalShakes in 2005, Bruce Norris’ "Clybourne Park" for the American Conservatory Theater (ACT) in 2011, and "Candida" (2011), for which he won the San Francisco Bay Area Theater Critics Circle Award as Best Director of the year. In 2009, Moscone received the inaugural Zelda Fichandler Award from the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation for his transformative work in theater. He is also an adjunct faculty member at the ACT’s Masters of Fine Arts Program. All successes aside, Jonathan Moscone is one of the kindest people one has the privilege of meeting. He is smart, funny, and genuinely himself in any setting. His down to earth temperament has not only made him an affable director, but a beloved leader in his community. Artists contribute so much to a community’s vitality, and through YBCA, Moscone is utilizing his talents and passions to lead the way in Bay Area arts activism. For more information about Jonathan Moscone, please visit: https://ybca.org/person/jonathan-moscone/ Meet Jonathan Moscone!

An Oakland resident for many years now, England-born Zoë Elton has colored the Bay Area’s film and theater world with her many talents. She is a film curator, writer, cartoonist, interviewer, director, jewelry-designer, and the long-time Program Director for the Mill Valley Film Festival. Not only has her leadership and dedication to filmmaking helped the international Festival flourish, but her keen creative eye has helped the Festival choose films that would go on to win Oscars. Elton’s passions and experience has allowed her to explore new avenues with the Festival, too. She initiated the Active Cinema Program, which examines artist's works with a cause, and Mind the Gap, a women’s initiative that supports women filmmakers. Her long-time exposure to the Film world and knack for interviewing has also given her great opportunities to learn from successful filmmakers and luminaries such as Dustin Hoffman, James Franco, Viola Davis, Helen Mirren, and more. Zoë is infectious to be around. Her calm and gentle manner disarms those around her, allowing them to get to know her with ease. Her stories of traveling the world in search of films and accounts of her wonderful years in the Bay Area are endless. It was an honor and pleasure to document some of Elton’s stories in this week’s episode of Beyond the Fog Radio. For more information about Zoë Elton, please visit: https://www.zoeelton.com/about Meet Zoë Elton!

Margo Hall is an award-winning activist, educator, actor, director, playwright, and newly-appointed Artistic Director of the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, San Francisco’s premier African American Theatre. Originally from Detroit, Hall has been an active director and performer in the Bay Area for over 30 years. She recently directed "How I Learned What I Learned" at the Marin Theatre Company and "Barbecue" for SF Playhouse, as well as acted in "Ah, Wilderness!" for the American Conservatory Theater. She was also recently seen in the films "Blindspotting" with Oakland native Daveed Diggs and "All Day and a Night" on Netflix. Her most recent on-stage credit is "Exit Strategy" at the Aurora Theatre. Margo Hall has also won many awards for her outstanding work, including the Glickman Award for best new play in the Bay Area for her play "The People’s Temple," featured at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in 2005. Margo devotes herself not only to the Theatre, but her community as well. She is a founding member of Campo Santo, a multicultural San Francisco-based theater company that collaborates with local theater artists to put on new works for Bay Area audiences. She is also a theatre professor at UC Berkeley and Chabot College, where her mission is to support and mentor young actors and playwrights who are discovering their voice. Through her devotion to the dynamic world of theatre, her students, and her theater community, Margo has been able to enrich not only herself, but the Bay Area at large. We are very excited to have the unique opportunity of interviewing someone who is so passionate about the Theatre! For more information about Margo Hall, please visit: https://www.margohall.com/ Meet Margo Hall!

Brendon Chan is a singer, dancer, actor, and native San Franciscan. He graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a Dance degree, and began his professional career traveling the world performing on cruise ships. He then moved to New York City to pursue musical theater. His years of performing and hard work have proved fruitful, as he was most recently featured in the San Francisco cast of "Hamilton" at the Orpheum Theater. Brendon is a delightful person from the moment you meet him. His personality exudes performative energy–– upon meeting him for our interview, he excitedly kicked his leg up high as if hailing a cab. We were very fortunate to have the opportunity to interview Chan. Please enjoy his stories of a life in the arts, from dance studio classes in the Sunset District to performing in a Broadway show in his home city for the first time. Meet Brendon Chan!

Jo Schuman Silver was the producer, director, and writer of the legendary Beach Blanket Babylon. A gem of the city's culture, Beach Blanket Babylon was the world's longest-running musical revue in live theater history, and was started by Jo’s late husband, Steve Silver, in 1974. Beach Blanket Babylon was often described to be “as San Francisco as it gets,” with elaborate costumes and extravagant hats featuring city landmarks such as mechanical cable cars, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Transamerica Pyramid. Audiences were entertained with original comedy sketches and political satire. In the San Francisco-style, no subject was off limits, but everything was performed in good faith and good taste. After taking over the company for her late husband Steve in 1995, Jo not only maintained the company’s high standard of performing art, but created new sketches to stay up to date with current events, all while using her husband’s original drawings for sets and costumes. In this way, Jo kept her husband’s legacy alive while allowing it to change and grow. Jo closed Beach Blanket Babylon on New Year's Eve 2020, not because of lack of funds, but because it was time. It had a prosperous run at Club Fugazi for 45 years. We were thrilled to get to speak with Jo about her and Steve Silver’s work and the legacy of the show. We hope you enjoy it as well. For more information about Beach Blanket Babylon and Jo Shuman Silver, please visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beach_Blanket_Babylon https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/theater/jo-schuman-silver-wants-beach-blanket-babylon-vision-to-live-on-after-show-closes Meet Jo Schuman Silver!

As an artistic hub, The San Francisco Bay Area has a long history of theater and film production. The rich landscape of performers, audiences, and artistic innovation makes it home to some of the best community and experimental theater in the country. Its idyllic location, with ocean views, historic landmarks, and a lush natural landscape, draws filmmakers from all over the world as well. In particular, documentary filmmakers are drawn to the Bay because of its reputation for being open and welcoming of ideas that are inventively outside the box. This five-episode series takes a deeper look into just how outside the box our local artists can be, and gives you the opportunity to get to know some of the amazing work that’s going on in our own backyard. We open our new and exciting History of Film and Theater series with these five guests: Jo Schuman Silver of Beach Blanket Babylon; “Hamilton” Actor Brendon Chan; Zoe Elton, Director of Programming for the Mill Valley Film Festival; Margo Hall, Artistic Director of the Lorraine Hansberry Theater; and Jonathan Moscone, Chief Producer at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. Enjoy our History of Film and Theater series!

Naizar Mubarak is a native Sri Lankan who used his love for cooking to find success in the Bay Area’s culinary world. Mubarak began his career at the age of 19 working at the Galle Dutch Fort, a UNIESCO World Heritage site in Sri Lanka. He also worked for American actor and writer Charles G. Hulls, learning from Hull’s private chef how to prepare food for European customers. After emigrating to the Bay Area in 2004, Mubarak worked his way through the ranks at various Oakland restaurants such as Marzano, Garibaldi’s, Bocanova, and the Duck Club. Today, he is the Executive Chef at SF’s favorite Florio Bar & Cafe. Mubarak’s story would be incomplete without the influence of his mother’s recipes and his native culture’s culinary traditions. In Sri Lanka, everything is done manually and made with fresh, living ingredients. He learned from a young age to use everything he had, and even knew how to mix his own spices. With his mother’s famous recipes and a love of experimenting with different flavors, Naizar gained an edge in the Western culinary world. Throughout the years, he’s been praised for his creativity in blending different cultural flavors. At his restaurant Florio, he makes unique French and Italian dishes with Sri Lankan spices–– recipes that he has become widely known for. Naizar’s cooking is elegant, innovative, and satisfying. To this day, his customers can still be heard exclaiming: “Yumm! What is this?” Meet Naizar Mubarak!

Every high school has an adult who has made it their life’s mission to help young people in every way that they can–– a teacher who brings an extra lunch for a hungry student, or a counselor who helps kids with their homework at recess. This week’s guest is one of those people. Mr. Gregory Cole is a musician, vocal and instrumental instructor, music director and educator who has gone the extra mile for kids in the Bay Area for over 40 years. Having taught and directed music at numerous Bay Area schools and churches, Cole’s greatest endeavour began in 1984 at the Sala and Phillip Burton Academic High school where he founded the Touch of Class Choir (TOCC). Located between 3 underserved neighborhoods in San Francisco, TOCC’s innovative and well-disciplined kids learned all kinds of music, including religious, secular, jazz and R&B. Mr. Cole even toured the choir through a diverse range of countries like France, China, Spain, Jamaica, Australia, and more. His dedication has impacted many of his student’s lives and former TOCC students regard him as a father figure. Gregory Cole believes in teaching students not just about music, but also about life and the power of personal achievement. He motivates his students academically and encourages them to pursue college, successful careers, and strong healthy relationships. Mr. Cole is a humble and kind man with a very deep soul. Michaela, Jae, and I were honored to interview him for this week’s episode. For more information about Gregory Cole, please visit: http://touchofclasschoir.org/gregory-cole-director/ Meet Gregory Cole!

This week’s esteemed guest has been the Director of the San Francisco Opera Chorus for 34 years and is an incredible conductor and musician. A Scotland native, Robertson moved to the States and joined the SF Opera Company in 1987 and led the Opera Chorus in 342 productions, including world premiere commissions and significant expansions of the company’s repertoire and performance capacity. Among these accomplishments include: Prokofiev’s War and Peace, two productions of Britten’s Billy Budd, and the American premiere of Messiaen’s rare Saint François d’Assise, of which he received a prize in 2002 for his work on this premiere. He has even held the longest tenure of any Opera Chorus Director in the Company’s history. Robertson’s career has also included the 23-year long role as Artistic Director of the San Francisco Boys Chorus, where he also helped expand and invigorate the company’s success and vitality. His leadership in both positions has helped produce wonderful collaborations with the San Francisco Boys Chorus and San Francisco Opera Company over the years. Many who have worked with and under Ian have only admirable things to say about him: “Robertson has been a pillar of tremendous artistic strength at the San Francisco Opera. He has guided and shaped the sound and musicality of the San Francisco Opera Chorus with insightful leadership” (Matthew Shilvock). Ian has a kind and strong demeanor about him, both in and out of rehearsal. He cares deeply about those he works with, and has a consistent positive outlook on the life of the Company and the legacy of Classical music for future generations. This will be Ian’s final season at the San Francisco Opera, and we were so glad to have had the opportunity to interview him during this momentous time in his career. For more information about Ian Robertson, please visit: https://sfopera.com/ Meet Ian Robertson!

This week we sat down with Skyler Jett, a vocalist, songwriter, producer and humanitarian activist. Raised by a single mother across the bay in Oakland, Skyler found a love for music from singing with his family at their church. Fostering his talents and passions from a young age, Skyler has now grown to not only be Grammy-recognized, but also perform and record with an impressive range of artists like Stevie Wonder, Sting, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, and Eddie Murphy. He even sang with Celine Dion on the Grammy-winning song “My Heart Will Go On” from the film Titanic. In 1982, Jett replaced Lionel Richie in The Commodores, which toured over 30 countries. Jett hit his stride with the founding of Music for Global Change. Through this foundation, he collaborates with socially-conscious music artists to break down barriers of racism and raise awareness around racial stereotypes. Jett also mentors youth about the benefits of positive language in song lyrics to promote societal growth. Skyler is a kind and generous man who learned from his mother to always help others no matter what. Jett has synthesized the power of music and his love for others in the most extraordinary and effective ways, and his skills and talents have helped him reach communities worldwide. We are so excited to share some of his story with you, and we hope you enjoy this interview as much as we did. Meet Skyler Jett!

Raz Kennedy is a premier vocal coach, producer, singer, and a magical human being. Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, Raz has lived in the Bay Area now for over 40 years. Music is his life’s work, and he has been involved with every aspect of it. From promotion to producing, to vocal coaching and singing alongside some of the world’s leading artists like Whitney Houston and Sting, Raz has experienced it all. He is even a founding member of the internationally renowned Bobby McFerrin’s Voicestra. Raz also boasts multiple Platinum and Gold records, and his list of collaborations with other musicians goes into the thousands. Raz’s voice and musical range has expanded over the years as well, and he is constantly in pursuit of perfecting new techniques, styles, and genres. Raz has traveled through Latin America to hone his rhythmic capabilities, and earned a teaching certificate from Denmark’s Complete Vocal Institute to master vocal technique and teaching. With a wide breadth of tools under his belt, Raz has coached a colorful cohort of musicians and bands like Metallica, Third Eye Blind, Hillary Duff, and even musicians at jazz centers like SF Jazz and Jazz Camp West. He is now faculty at the Blue Bear School of Music in San Francisco. Regardless of who you are, Raz greets you with his quietly soulful demeanor. When you tell someone you met him the response is always the same: “Ohhh Raz!” followed by a huge smile. His large and charismatic presence is immediately disarming, and anyone he meets is treated with warmth and respect. He is a very special person, and Jae, Michaela and I were delighted to interview him this week. For more information about Raz, please visit his website: https://www.razkennedy.com/about Meet Raz Kennedy!

Russell “Big Russ” Gatewood has been a staple name in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 25 years. This DJ’s career started in tandem with the rise of turntables as a hip hop instrument in the 1980’s. From there Big Russ set off and staked his claim in the Bay Area’s music scene. Today, evidence of his influence can be found in many genres of the last 40 years. Even more well known is the World Famous Rick and Russ Show, a DJ group started by Gatewood and his partner Rick Patrick in the 90’s. The duo came up with the concept of DJ’s playing records prior to, in between, and after live music concerts. With this approach to live performance, the two became immediately successful. From expos and conventions across the country, to the U.K, Guam, South America, The World Famous Rick and Russ Show never displeased a crowd. Of course, their fame started in the Bay Area, and although the two no longer perform together, they remain one of the most well known Bay Area DJ duos. Big Russ’s love of music, curiosity, and drive is what made him today. His attention to detail gave him an edge against other DJ artists, as he is a master of combining artistry with the mechanics of electronic music. His knowledge of the business and reputation for professionalism has helped him not only make a living as a DJ, but also as a successful marketing consultant. He can still be found opening for music concerts and festivals in the Bay Area and beyond. Overall, Russel Gatewood is a soft spoken, very gentle and kind soul. Beyond the Fog Radio is grateful to have had the opportunity to interview him for this week’s episode. Meet Russell “Big Russ” Gatewood!

Erick Recinos– or better known to The Bay as DJ Mind Motion– is a legendary San Francisco Bay Area Hip Hop DJ. He and his partner Chuy Gomez started DJing in high school for parties, weddings and community events, and when hip hop influence started to spread, Mind Motion and the Pirate DJ’s played a huge role in its success in the Bay Area. This spread was in part influenced by Mind Motion and other DJ’s efforts to have the “ear of the street” and take control of laying down what was the newest hot music. By forming a partnership with other artists and DJ’s in the City, they paved the way to change how records were played. No longer did record companies and radio stations dictate what music was popular, and for the first time, the community and artists themselves got to influence their musical tastes. DJ Mind Motion has become a force in the Bay Area because of his leadership in this change, and now a second generation of people are flocking to his and the Pirate DJ’s famous parties. DJ Mind Motion is a master at reading the crowd. He is kind, honest, charming, down to earth and so joyous. His positive energy is infectious– a large reason why he is so successful and legendary in the San Francisco Bay Area today. Probably the best testament to his ecstatic character would be his favorite quote: “GO GET MY SHINE BOX!” We are thrilled to have him on Beyond the Fog Radio this week. Meet DJ Mind Motion! Additional information about DJ Mind Motion can be found at: http://blog.trueclothing.net/tag/dj-mind-motion/

This week’s musical guest has been a San Francisco Bay Area-based artist for many years. Jazz singer Paula West began her successful career singing at the York Hotel in the city. Her career grew by word of mouth and excellent reviews from the New York Times and the San Francisco Chronicle. Since her early years, Paula has had a lot of success nationally, with performances in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Europe, and regular appearances at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City and with Wynton Marsalis Jazz at Lincoln Center. Back in the bay, she regularly performs at Yoshi’s in Oakland and SF Jazz in the city. Paula West’s contralto voice is rich and resonant. She is skilled at clearly articulating a strong combination of technique and soul. She is creative and willing to reimagine the ways in which Jazz singers perform. Her musical dynamism even goes beyond vocal technique, as she is well known for her “highly nuanced interpretations” of music from other genres of artists like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, David Bowie, and Lou Reed.* We at Beyond the Fog Radio were very fortunate to interview Paula in August 2021 in between her first live performances in a year and a half. She is a household name when it comes to Jazz, and we proudly claim her as one of our own here in the Bay Area. Meet Paula West! *For more information about Paula West, please visit her website: https://www.mspaulawest.com/about

The history of music in the Bay Area could not be a larger or more exciting topic for us to explore. Music is the life blood of our city and it may be one of the biggest reasons why so many people have found themselves here over the years. It colors our world and is what keeps San Francisco going. In the 1950’s, Jazz was everywhere. San Francisco became known as the Harlem of the West as musicians on tour would often come straight here after New York City. The City was also the home of free love, free expression, anti-war and anti-establishment movements in the 1960’s. From these movements and San Francisco’s Summer of Love in 1967 came artists like Janis Joplin from Big Brother and the Holding Company, The Grateful Dead, Earth Wind and Fire, Green Day, Carlos Santana, Joan Baez, Crosby Stills & Nash, MC Hammer… the list goes on and on. The collection of phenomenal musical artists still grows today, and we’ve had the pleasure of interviewing several of them for this season’s second series. The first is prolific Jazz singer Paula West. Up next we have: Erik Recinos– also known as hip-hop DJ Mind Motion, “Big Russ” Russel Gatewood– a versatile DJ, producer, songwriter, arranger and musician, Raz Kennedy– a veteran music and vocal educator, vocalist, and producer, Skyler Jett– a Grammy-recognized vocalist and founder of Music For Global Change, Gregory Cole– Director of Touch of Class Choir, and Ian Robertson– Director of the San Francisco Opera Chorus and former Artistic Director of the San Francisco Boys Chorus. This is only the tip of the iceberg of an enormous community of music and music artists who call the San Francisco Bay Area their home. Stay tuned weekly to learn more. Enjoy the History of Music series!

Whatever your idea is of Chinese food, throw it out. This week’s episode will have you astonished by the executive chef and owner of China Live, Eight Tables, Shanghai 1939 and the Betelnut restaurants–– George Chen. Together with his wife Cindy Wong, Chen runs 16 restaurants in the United States and China, boasting culinary experiences that are award-winning and one of a kind. TIME Magazine named Eight Tables one of the “World’s Greatest Places 2018, 100 destinations to experience right now.” Betelnut, Chen’s first restaurant, was also nominated for a James Beard Award for the Best New Restaurant in America in 1995 (the “Oscar’s of the culinary world.) Chen spent many of his early years working for top restaurants in Los Angeles and San Francisco. During his time attending UC Berkeley, Chen worked at The Mandarin under the mentorship of Madame Cecelia Chiang, a lifelong friend of his. Because of his culinary expertise and impact on San Francisco’s culinary world, we were so excited when we received a YES to interview George Chen. We at Beyond the Fog Radio love all things food, and George helped us give you a wonderful opportunity for an inside peek into his world. Please meet George Chen!

This week’s guest is a walking encyclopedia for the history of San Francisco, with expertise that extends far before humans ever inhabited this area. Carl Nolte–– a 4th generation San Franciscian–– has served as both a writer and editor for the San Francisco Chronicle for 60 years. He has a weekly column called Native Son. Though he mostly scribes stories of the city and the western coast, he has also reported on larger events, such as SS Jeremiah O’Brien when it Sailed to Europe for the D-Day Anniversary, the Persian Gulf War, and the Invasion of Iraq (the latter two of which he also served as a war correspondent.) Nolte has likewise received many accolades, including the President’s Medal for Public Service by the California Maritime Academy (2011), the Maritime Heritage Award by the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association (2010), and the Award of Merit by the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society (2012). In 2016, Nolte received an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. Carl describes himself as a storyteller more than a historian and journalist, as he writes with such conviction and creativity. In return, we at Beyond the Fog Radio describe him as charming, intelligent, highly articulate, and hilarious. We are so pleased to have him share his knowledge of San Francisco and history of the Bay Area with us this week. Meet Carl Nolte!

We have a very special guest this week on the Beyond the Fog Podcast: the Honorable John L. Burton. 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. Burton’s hard work extends beyond his distinguished public service roles with The John Burton Foundation – Advocates for Youth (jbay.org), a non-profit organization that he founded in order to improve the lives of California youth who have been homeless or in the foster care system. There, he advocates for better laws, trains communities to improve local practices and conducts research to inform policy solutions in favor of youth protection and prosperity. Ultimately, John is an honest and bold man. He comes from a family whose life work is devoted to the betterment of the greater good. Though most of John’s work has been out of public view, one can only find themselves in deep appreciation and awe when they discover what he has done and is still doing in order to help others. It is an honor to be able to share this interview. Meet the Honorable John L. Burton!

Our exploration of the San Francisco Waterfront begins with Kimberly Brandon, 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 SF waterfront communities with development planning in their neighborhoods. Brandon likewise engages with the community by working on the boards of PACT, Inc., San Francisco State University’s Board of Trustees (her alma mater), The San Francisco Foundation’s Koshland Committee and Professional Advisor’s Committee, and more. She is also the immediate past chair of the Board of Trustees of the Museum of African Diaspora, and serves on the Finance and Investment Committee for the non-profit Links Foundation, Inc. Beyond her finance work with nonprofits, Brandon has also had an extensive finance career with Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and Wells Fargo. We are so excited to sit with this wonderful San Francisco native as she tells the history of the Port and the development of the Waterfront. Meet Kimberly Brandon!

Welcome to Season 2 of Beyond the Fog Radio! To start us off we decided to explore the history of San Francisco’s Waterfront. It is in many ways the main event here, and is often why so many have come to visit our beautiful city even before the construction of the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges! Since the Gold Rush era when the population boomed, San Francisco has been a vital destination for ships of goods and people from all over the world. The city’s Waterfront is a testament to this, and is why it has such a rich history and significance to the city to this day. To give us a deeper look into the Waterfront, we interviewed three fantastic and knowledgeable people: Kimberly Brandon– President of the San Francisco Port Commission, John L. Burton– author of the Burton Act that gave the City and County of SF responsibility over the San Francisco Port, and Carl Nolte– journalist for the San Francisco Chronicle who authors the weekly column “Native Son.” All three give us a unique and curious take on the Waterfront of San Francisco. We cannot wait to share our second season with you and thank you kindly for listening!

Our guest this week is a chef, restaurant and two-time bar owner, a baker, a cheesemaker, and a beloved San Francisco native. Arnold Eric Wong has been a leading revolutionary in San Francisco culinary innovation for more than two decades. He studied at the California Culinary Academy, and after opening his first restaurant EOS Restaurant and Wine Bar in Cole Valley, Wong went on to be rated as one of five “Rising Star Chefs of the Year under 30” by the San Francisco Chronicle. In 2000, Wong opened his second and also very successful restaurant Bacar. Since then, he’s opened two excellent bars: The Treasury in one of San Francisco’s notable Beaux Arts skyscrapers in 2016, and The Beehive, a 60’s style cocktail bar that, according to him, “exudes modern Mad Men vibes.” Wong’s culinary expertise extends beyond restaurants and bars to also bakeries and cheesemaking. In 1994, Wong founded a wholesale artisanal bakery called Raison D’etre. Starting in the deli of his family’s corner grocery store Ashbury Market, Wong and his brother Richard continued to cultivate the bakery into a South San Francisco facility that now delivers pastries to Peet’s Coffee and Tea nationwide as well as local independent markets and cafes. Likewise, Wong has invested himself in cheesemaking and founded Joyfull Bakery through his family business. Their products include parmesan cheese crisps that can be found in grocery stores like Whole Foods, Raley’s, Safeway, Andronico’s and more nationwide. Arnold has received acclaim on both a national and international scale from reputable sources like The New York Times, USA Today, Wine Spectator and more. Nevertheless, he is a humble and kind man who is very family and community oriented. Throughout his work, Wong strives to maintain integrity and attention to detail in order to make his customers feel as if they are home. Meet Arnold Eric Wong!

This week Susan and Michaela sit down with native San Franciscan Marc Capelle to talk about his artistic career and the city’s sunny Mission District. A musician, composer, producer, educator and entertainer, Capelle has performed with the American Music Club, Tommy Guerrero and The West Coast Spiritual Corinthians for decades. He’s even had guest performances with artists like The Plastic Ono Band, Rodriguez, Grandaddy, and Kelley Stoltz. Capelle founded SFO’s live music program “ You Are Hear,” and remained the programmer and producer of it for nine years. Likewise, Capelle is the founder and musical director of the Red Room Orchestra and the soul and pop dance ensemble Marc & the Casuals. He studied at Columbia College at Columbia University, and since returning to his home city, Capelle has taken advantage of the deep concentration of arts and music that the city offers. Such concentration of the arts can be found in Capelle’s own neighborhood, The Mission. In the mid 20th Century, artists and musicians flocked to The Mission to find affordable housing, thus spawning an explosion of creativity that spilled out of every bar and restaurant. Its cultural history fueled the district’s colorful character, first by its inhabitance of the city’s Native American population, to the Irish, and now to the cherished Latinx community. Today, not only is the neighborhood dominated by an abundance of the arts, but the food, music, and culture has a vibrant Mexican and Latinx flare. There was even a time when Spanish could be heard more than English on the neighborhood’s streets. The Mission has had its fair share of challenges, such as increased gang violence in the 80’s and rising costs from the growing tech industry of the last 20 years. Nevertheless, it maintains its lively artistic spirit, and who better to tell its story than Mission musician Marc Capelle, who can be found making music on The Mission’s streets or at various venues like The Chapel on Valencia St. Check out Capelle’s compositions and sound design in the Bay Area art scene documentary “Tell Them We Were Here,” or read more about him on the local news website Mission Local: https://missionlocal.org/2021/06/people-we-meet-a-san-francisco-musician-who-never-left/ Meet Marc Capelle!

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. North Beach is located in the hills of North East San Francisco, just above Fisherman’s Wharf and just below Telegraph Hill. This picturesque neighborhood is filled with smaller Victorian homes and family-owned cafes, as well as Italian grocery stores, shops and restaurants that sell food imported directly from Italy. Its deep Italian history is maintained by families who’ve kept their cultural traditions alive. To add to its cultural richness, North Beach also became the stomping ground for Alan Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and other famous Jazz musicians, poets and artists of the 1950’s Beat Generation. Because of their influence, bars like The Saloon and bookstores like City Lights are now quintessential to North Beach’s identity. Even Francis Ford Coppola’s film production company American Zoetrope is located in the acclaimed Sentinel Building at the edge of North Beach. Just like their dynamic neighborhood, Nina Clima and The Gang are vibrant, charming, vivacious, and simply lovely people. Meet Nina Clima and The Gang!

The best way to describe GRAMMY-nominated producer and San Francisco native David Katznelson is “larger than life.” The 30-plus-year music industry veteran is the Executive Director of Reboot, founder of the independent Birdman Records label, and board member of the Stern Grove Music Festival. David worked for Bill Graham Presents in high school and was former Vice President of A&R at Warner Bros. Records; today, he has a podcast, a daily newsletter called “The Signal,” and an upcoming first-of-its-kind double album box set. Just as there’s no one on Earth quite like David, there‘s no place on Earth quite like the neighborhood of Haight & Divisadero — where soul and rock & roll music meet. And who better to tell the story of the neighborhood than David himself? Meet David Katznelson!

Sheila Von Driska is the owner and founder of White Space, a full service creative design and advertising agency located in SOMA in San Francisco. SOMA, or South of Market, was historically an industrial neighborhood, full of almost exclusively warehouse buildings. During the 90s it became a hotspot for boutique design and advertising agencies to set up shop. Sheila moved into an industrial loft space in SOMA in the 90s and built her career and her company in this incredible neighborhood. Shelia is a pioneer in the advertising world, providing her clients with unique, award winning ads. She has taken her success in her business and turned her focus to her nonprofit work, focusing on criminal justice and domestic abuse. Sheila has made her mission to keep the beloved Wilkes-Bashford name alive, and she can do anything that she sets her mind to. Meet Sheila Von Driska!

This week we bring you our conversation with Rob Zaborny, long time San Francisco resident, and celebrated chef. Originally from New York, Rob moved to San Francisco in 1980 and never looked back. Although he has a great love of traveling all over the world, he especially loves to call the Bay Area home. Rob has been with the Hayes Street Grill, in Hayes Valley, for 27 years of its 40 year history! Please enjoy as we discuss with Rob the history of the Food Movement in San Francisco, and everything that makes the Bay Area such a destination for foodies everywhere. Meet Rob Zaborny!

David Lei worked in Chinatown as a social worker for at-risk youth before starting his business in 1981; in 2003 Lei sold his business, retiring to indulge his passions for community building, youth education, and the arts. He is an active participant with several nonprofit organizations including The Chinese Performing Arts Foundation, the Asian Art Museum, the Chinese American Community Fund, Academy of Chinese Performing Arts, World Arts West - San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, the Bancroft Library, the Center for Asian American Media, and the Ching Ngai Dance Troupe. David Lei is a tried and true San Franciscan, he grew up attending San Francisco public schools, graduated from UC Berkeley, and raised a family here. This week our conversation with David Lei focuses on the history of the Chung Ngai Dance Troupe, and the important task of promoting unity amongst beautiful and varied communities. We are pleased to bring you this second chance to meet David Lei!

This week we are honored to bring you our conversation with Dr. Jay Xu, the CEO and Director of the Asian Art Museum! Dr. Xu spoke to us about the Museum, located directly across from San Francisco’s City Hall, as well as the surrounding neighborhood, Civic Center. Civic Center is in the center of the city, and host to many important arts buildings as well as civic ones. In addition to City Hall and the Asian Art Museum, the neighborhood is home to the famed Bill Graham Auditorium, San Francisco’s Superior Court, the Davis Symphony Hall, the Hearst Theater, the San Francisco Opera House, and the Norris Auditorium. We’re so pleased for Dr. Xu to share his neighborhood and his Museum with us, and to help us continue our celebration of AAPI Heritage Month. Meet Jay Xu!

This week we are pleased to bring you our conversation with Claudine Cheng, a lawyer, community leader, community rights activist, and civil rights advocate; born in Hong Kong, Claudine Cheng is a graduate of University of Southern California and the University of California Hastings College of Law. Ms. Cheng was the first person from the West Coast elected to serve as the National President of OCA, a national advocacy and education organization headquartered in Washington, DC, with over 50 chapters across the country. In that role, Ms. Cheng was involved in coalition-building efforts amongst minority communities. Her dedication to Asian communities is tireless, in addition to her decades of community organizing and the development of programming to support these communities, she also led a successful advocacy campaign for the issuance of United States Postal Service commemorative stamps celebrated the Lunar New Year! Currently, Ms. Cheng serves as the President of the APA Heritage Foundation and coordinates San Francisco’s annual celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. We are so pleased to bring you our conversation with such an important advocate for San Francisco’s Asian communities!Meet Claudine Cheng!

Many people, tourists and San Franciscans alike, think of Chinatown as restaurants and knickknacks, and don’t recognize Chinatown for the culturally rich, deeply historical, and close knit community it is. It is a neighborhood as resilient as its people, both of which have faced turmoil and struggle in their histories. We were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to speak to David Lei, who shared his encyclopedic knowledge of Chinatown’s history with us. David Lei worked in Chinatown as a social worker for at-risk youth before starting his business in 1981 where he specialized in exporting consumer products to Mexico. In 2003 Lei sold his business, retiring to indulge his passions for community building, youth education, and the arts. He 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. David Lei is a tried and true San Franciscan, he grew up attending San Francisco public schools, graduated from UC Berkeley, and raised a family here. Meet David Lei!

May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage month, and BtFR is celebrating by bringing you interviews from some incredible AAPI San Franciscans. With the rise of racism, xenophobia, and hate that AAPI people are facing in this country right now, and have for decades, we know that it is more important that ever to highlight the stories and voices of our AAPI brothers and sisters. This diverse city is home to at least 300,000 people of Asian decent. We as a city stand with AAPI people, against hate, and for justice and equity for all San Franciscans. Join us as we hear from David Lei, Claudine Cheng, and Jay Xu: coming soon to Beyond the Fog Radio!

Our hosts are excited to share with you their lovely long lunch on Battery Street at Piperade with Chef David Lawrence. Chef Lawrence is the co-owner and Chef at the famed 1300 Fillmore, now located at the San Francisco International Airport, and closed temporarily due to Covid. Prior to making his culinary mark in the Bay Area, Chef David Lawrence received formal training in his native London, where he worked under two of England's most celebrated chefs, the Roux Brothers. Working alongside them at five of their restaurants, Lawrence quickly advanced from apprentice to sous chef before his experience led him to the United States where he took the helm in a number of prestigious kitchens. Chef Lawrence is a charismatic, charming, kind man with a heart of gold; he engages with everyone from his staff to his patrons because he loves being with people, and most of all, he truly just loves cooking. And it shows in his food. Meet Chef David Lawrence!

The Honorable Willie Lewis Brown Jr. is the first Black and 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 that he authored while he was Speaker, and the sweeping changes that were made in San Francisco under his watch. Mayor Brown is also renowned for his life beyond his career; he is a famously fashionable dresser, and his style and bold lifestyle are legendary in the Bay Area. The charm, approachability, and absolute finesse that he embodies colors everything he does. Mayor Brown truly could never be relegated to just one neighborhood. Please enjoy this look at Willie Brown’s San Francisco. Meet The Honorable Willie Brown!

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!

Treasure Island, the artificial island built in 1936 and attached to Yerba Buena Island, is located between San Francisco and Oakland, is only accessible by car or bus from the San Francisco Bay Bridge. The island is currently under new development, to become primarily luxury housing, however the nonprofit “Five Keys” (a restorative justice program and charter school), is housing formerly incarcerated women on the island who served unusually cruel and unfair sentences for decades in prison. Through Five Keys these women are able to reenter society in a supported and gentle way. 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 was 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” — reflected in its music, food, and culture. Third Baptist Church has been, and still remains, the hub of the Fillmore, and Amos C. Brown is its esteemed and beloved Reverend. He is also a lifelong civil rights leader and the president of the San Francisco chapter of the NAACP. Reverend Brown joined us in September 2020 to tell us about the history of the Fillmore and his experience of San Francisco as a whole.