The Soul of SF State celebrates Black Family Day

by Olympia Joy Pereira 

On Feb. 1, 2025, The Soul of SF State, a student organization at San Francisco State University kicked off Black History Month with the return of Black Family Day. Black Family Day served as a way to bring the community together, while encouraging K-12 students to consider San Francisco State University. 

Black Family Day was founded at SFSU in 1998 by Dr. Penny Saffold and the Black Student Union. The first Black Student Union was created at San Francisco State University launching various chapters nationally. Black Family Day was originally held during Black Grad weekend; however, the first day of Black History Month was especially fitting for the event’s return since pre-Covid. 

Early rising and community love 

Beginning at 9:30am Saturday morning students, families, faculty and the greater San Francisco community gathered to uplift and celebrate Black Excellence that is present at San Francisco State University. The Cesar Chavez Student Center was packed from top to bottom, with breakfast served from our very own Taqueria Girasol. Participants, volunteers and attendees started the day with breakfast burritos, coffee, and orange juice. With a day full of learning and excitement ahead, the shared meal was a wonderful way to begin our day together. 

The rain did not stop the program! After breakfast, members of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority guided our attendees on a carefully curated tour of San Francisco State University, which highlighted the beauty of the campus and displayed places that uplift Black culture. 

SFSU students’ support and local vendors 

The day’s event included the student organization, BESTEM (Black Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), facilitating science experiments in the U-Club for the younger children. The science workshops also included two special guests, a snake and an iguana, which the children could hold or touch. There was a variety of science activities to engage with, creating a space that kept the children’s attention for the entire morning – probably longer had it not been time for lunch.

Simultaneously, the teens had their own workshop in Jack Adams which emphasized the importance of healthy relationships and gave the teens tools to use in their daily interactions. The teens’ workshop was followed by a special performance from local artists based out of the Kingmakers non-profit organization. 

Around the perimeter of Jack Adams was a plethora of resource tabling for the teens to visit and gather more information. Some of the organizations included: 100% College Prep, San Francisco Achievers, 3rd Street Youth Center & Clinic, and many more. For the duration of the program, SFSU students also supported the daily activities. 

In addition, From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Black owned businesses filled the Rosa Parks conference rooms, offering an assortment of impressive and valuable products. To highlight a few: The Right One Clothing, Quanie African Shop, Ain’t I A Scholar and so many more. A complete list of resources and vendors can be found at the end of the article. 

More food and activities 

Lunch was served in the dining area of the ground floor of the Caesar Chavez Student Center. All those who were present received a full plate of food; BBQ chicken, baked beans, green beans, potato salad, and a Hawaiian roll with juice cocktail or water. 

Following lunch, everyone gathered in Jack Adams Hall to experience the last programs of Black Family Day, beginning with the pouring of libations, an opportunity to acknowledge all of our ancestors. Next came the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice,” and attendees settled into the community. 

A circle was formed as we touched shoulders in a special prayer that blessed and taught everyone in the room, enriching us with gratitude and Black history. The community prayer was followed by a step routine by the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. Their pride and presence was a magnificent display of Black Excellence. The attendees then transitioned their attention to the stage, where the Gospel Gators performed several songs that moved and touched the audience. 

Leadership forum 

This day was topped off with a carefully curated panel of Black professionals, leaders, community organizers and activists. Panelists included Dr. Sheryl Davis (The Dream Space Collective), Diane Gray (100% College Prep Institute), Danielle Adams (San Francisco

Achievers), Dr. Joi Jackson-Morgan (3rd Street Youth Center & Clinic), Dr. Saidah Leatutufu-Burch (The Dream Space Collective), and Fred Blackwell (San Francisco Foundation). 

The discussion was moderated by Dr. Pamela Michelle Tate (Black Women Revolt). The panel offered insight on cultivating and sustaining Black leadership and community engagement and creating healthy networks, grants and Black professionalism in the Bay. The panelists addressed how to navigate challenges, find funding and understand the importance of networking while staying true to yourself. 

For those looking to start a non-profit, the panelists suggested ways to maintain sustainability and longevity. This capped off the event, successfully delivering Black Excellence to the community for Black Family Day. 

The What’s Next For US Leadership Forum was a collaboration with Black Women Revolt and AAPAC (African American Parents and Community) of SFUSD. 

Celebrating trailblazers in the Bay 

Our very own Ms. Tachelle Herron Lane spearheaded this event with a vision in mind. She worked tirelessly to ensure Black Family Day’s return to San Francisco State was engaging, interactive, captivating and plentiful while also pursuing her doctorate degree. Leading by example, Ms. Tachelle has demonstrated the level of Black Excellence that inspires those around her to push forward to make their visions come true too. 

Resource tables: 

● SFSU Study Abroad 

● Project SURVIVE 

● E @ City College of SF 

● San Francisco Youth Commission 

● National Society of Black Engineers 

● 3rd Street Youth Center & Clinic 

● Black to the Future 

● Sun Goddess 

● Asian women’s shelter 

● Community Awareness Resource Entity (C.A.R.E.) 

● SF Safe Routes to School 

● Gospel Gators

● The Good Rural/AAECE 

● San Francisco Achievers 

● Freedom Forward/HYPE Center 

● SF State Study Abroad 

● Success Centers 

● Success Centers 

● Pulse Check 101 

● SF Bayview Newspaper 

Venders: 

● Kindezi 

● SCENTUALITY OILS 

● Quanie African Shop 

● BlackBirdMoistures 

● The Curator 

● Toss & Throwd 

● anotherdayanotherplayllc 

● JadenMoon Natural Soaps & Skin Care 

● Nubian chic designs 

● Bismillah Boutique 

● Beadinfinite 

● Stem Frenzy 

● Solid Mentality 

● Dewy Mint Beauty 

● ain’t I a scholar 

● The Right One Clothing 

● PRiZMATiK Artz 

Olympia Joy Pereira is a Senior in Africana Studies at San Francisco State University. She is a part of multiple student organizations that include the Soul of SF State. Olympia is a student and community leader who finds joy in advocating for students of color and encouraging ways to support students holistically. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, especially nurturing her daughter.

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Source: https://sfbayview.com/2025/02/the-soul-of-sf-state-celebrates-black-family-day/