‘Epicenter: The Struggle for Black Studies in the Bay Area’: Screening and Discussion
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Please join us for a special film documentary screening of Epicenter:The Struggle for Black Studies in the Bay Area, followed by an intimate conversation with filmmaker Doug Harris, Douglas Harris Jr. and cast members.
The film examines the early student activism of the 1960s and 1970s, which brought the first Black studies departments to higher education in the entire country. The film is very timely, as African American studies programs at institutions of higher education are currently being targeted for closure around the country.
In chronological order, the documentary will feature segments about Merritt College (1966), San Francisco State (1968) and UC Berkeley (1970), as told by cast members of the film who were on the ground floor of the Bay Area struggles through protests, strikes and riots. The Bay Area stood at the forefront, taking the leap toward introducing the study of Black and other minority cultures that would eventually spread throughout the country.
This program is in-person only. If you have symptoms of illness (coughing, fever, etc.), we ask that you either stay home or wear a mask. Our front desk has complimentary masks for members and guests who would like one.
The Commonwealth Club of California is a nonprofit public forum; we welcome donations made during registration to support the production of our programming.
An Arts Member-led Forum program. Forums at the Club are organized and run by volunteer programmers who are members of The Commonwealth Club, and they cover a diverse range of topics. Learn more about our Forums.
Photus courtesy the speakers.
Commonwealth Club World Affairs is a public forum. Any views expressed in our programs are those of the speakers and not of Commonwealth Club World Affairs.
All ticket sales are final and nonrefundable.
The Commonwealth Club of California
110 The Embarcadero
Taube Family Auditorium
San Francisco, CA 94105
United States
Doug Harris
Filmmaker, Epicenter
Douglas Harris Jr.
Filmmaker, Epicenter
Dr. Ramona Tascoe
Cast Member, Epicenter; SF State alumnus
Dr. James Garrett
Cast Member, Epicenter; SF State alumnus
Leo Bazile
Cast Member, Epicenter; Oakland Merritt College alumnus
Moderator: Renee Kemp
Former Anchor & Reporter, KRON-TV and Channel 2
Introduction: Robert Melton
Art Curator and Co-chair, Arts Member-led Forum, Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California
5:30 p.m. doors open & check-in
6–7 p.m. film screening & discussion
7–8 p.m. reception
(all times Pacific Time)
COST
In-person:
$22
Free for Leadership Circle members and students