Join us this month as we celebrate Blackness and explore the concept of Afrofuturism for our Black History Month Event. The event format is a panel discussion with Artists and Community Leaders to reflect on the past and future of the Black community and how we can reimagine greater social justice and equity for the African diaspora.

Get your tickets now because this is an event you surely do not want to miss out on!

Hosted by Miguel Bustos, Senior Director, GLIDE’s Center for Social Justice

Our panelists include:

Erlin Geffard: Installation Artist

Erlin Geffard is an installation artist who activates his pieces through sound and participation by the visitor. Geffard originally worked under the alias, Kreyola Kid, as a performance artist. He is influenced by the idea of “refugee” running throughout his work and life; his Haitian origin and family upbringing in Florida; and the underground culture in the Bay Area. His work focuses on the overlap of fine arts, commercial hip hop culture, and issues of class, race, place, gender, and religion through subject matter and material.

His work has been exhibited in the Luggage Store Gallery, the American Academy in Rome, the David Nolan Gallery, Humboldt State University, New Image Art, and the Petrucci Family Foundation Collection.

Cathy Adams: Charter President of The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc.

Cathy Adams serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce (OAACC). She is currently the founding president emeritus of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc.; founder of the Powerful Women of The Bay Awards; a founding member of the San Francisco Museum of the African Diaspora (SFMoAD); a former commissioner of the Alameda County Commission on the Status of Women; and previously served as Chief of International Protocol for the City of Oakland. Adams has produced 21 successful Madam C.J. Walker Business Community and Recognition Awards Luncheons.

Eric McDonnell: Chair, San Francisco African American Reparations Advisory Committee

Eric McDonnell is a People First Advocate, Strategist, Diversity Trainer, Executive Coach, and Keynote Speaker, in pursuit of positive impact in the world. With over 25 years of executive management and leadership experience, Eric provides strategic management consulting support to leaders and organizations in the non-profit, government, philanthropic, and private sectors.

Eric served as the Chair of the SF Redistricting Task Force in 2011 and served as Commissioner for the SF Recreation and Parks Department from 2013-2021. Eric is currently serving as the Chair for the San Francisco African American Reparations Advisory Committee. A native San Franciscan, Eric and his family live in the Bayview neighborhood, and he enjoys live music and cycling.