Exhibit Marvin X presents Dr. Oba T'Shaka and Norman Brown

On Saturday, February 18, 7pm, Exhibit Marvin X presents a discussion of the Honorable John Douimbia (RIP), founder of the Black Men's Conference and mentor to many Bay Area civil rights workers and black liberation activists, including Marvin X, Oba T'Shaka, Norman Brown, et al. John was mentored by Will Ussery, a leader in CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) and director of the San Francisco poverty program.

Upon his transition (Marvin X officiated his memorial service), Marvin X obtained his papers that reveal John's work in the black power movement from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The papers give us a vivid history of Bay Area black consciousness activity.

He was also an official in the SF NAACP and worked as an organizer for the poverty program in the Fillmore. In New York's Harlem, he had hustled with his friend, Big Red or Malcolm Little, aka Malcolm X, El Hajj Malik El Shabazz.

Dr. Oba T'Shaka, professor emeritus, Black Studies, San Francisco State University

Norman Brown, Community Organizer

On February 18, Dr. Oba T'Shaka and community organizer Norman Brown will discuss the John Douimbia papers (part of Exhibit Marvin X). John Douimbia was a mentor to Marvin X, Oba T'Shaka and Norman Brown. He was a voice in the Bay Area civil rights and black power movement. In 1980, Marvin X planned and organized the Black Men's Conference at the direction of John Douimbia, who had long seen the need for a secular organization of black men, had even presented the idea to his Harlem hustling buddy, Malcolm X after he joined the Nation of Islam. As we know, Malcolm followed John's concept after breaking from the NOI. He formed the Organization of Afro-American unity. If possible, this discussion may be joined by Will Ussery and Charlie Walker, two additional associates of John Douimbia. Will Ussery was the leader of CORE and a director of the poverty program. Charlie Walker is a businessman and social activist.
Charlie Walker, businessman,
social activist, "mayor of hunters point," and close friend of former
SF Mayor Willie Brown.