Our Story
The activation that sparked the movement. Community in the park, Black-owned vendors, families, and energy that proved something real was being built. The festival features an expanded Black vendor market with more than 50 vendors from throughout the Bay Area, drawing more than 10,000 attendees annually. Production continues and is managed by a Black-owned events production company that scaled its business through its partnership with SF Black Wall Street.
First partnership with the SF African American Cultural District. Produced the Buy Back the Block series — six consecutive first-Friday outdoor events centering Black-owned businesses in the heart of the community.
415 Day (2022–2025) centered Black artists, performers, and entrepreneurs — 1,000+ attendees per event. Launched the Black Millionaire Development Program (2022–2024), funded by the SF Office of Economic and Workforce Development. Eight weeks, $11,000 completion grant, 90+ entrepreneurs supported, $990,000+ in mini-grants distributed. Social impact report produced with Stanford University.
700+ guests at the Cut the Check Black and Gold Gala, hosted at the historic Hibernia Bank in San Francisco. Headline performers: Lenny Williams and Donnell Jones.
700+ guests at The Black Print Gala at the SF Conservatory of Music. Special guest Baron Davis. Headline performer: Grammy-nominated R&B artist Joe. Partnered with Market Street Arts to produce Unstaged, Third Thursdays Live on Mid Market at the historic Warfield Theatre.
1921 Lounge opens in San Francisco — a members-only restaurant, bar, and social enterprise named for the year of the Tulsa massacre. Built to generate community-owned revenue and embody Black excellence in physical space. Featured on the Tablehopper blog.
Funded by the Civic Joy Fund, the Black Outside Night Market series celebrated Black culture, business, and community in the Bayview. Headline performers: Keke Wyatt, B-Legit, and Top Chefs Band.
Now — 2026
Five years of proof. One mission expanding Bay-wide. The movement continues — and it belongs to all of us.