CHANGEMAKERS

“Orville Luster had a presence—that he was everybody’s father whether you were black, brown, blue, red or yellow,” said Percy Pinkney, a former Youth for Service intern (Bulwa). Orville B. Luster, stood 6′ 2″ tall, and was nearly always seen with a cigar between his lips. Continue reading “ORVILLE LUSTER”

Ruth Maloof, originally Ruth Ella McRae, was born on February 5, 1933, in the small town of Waldo, Arkansas, to General McRae and Maggie Smith McRae. She was raised primarily in Arkansas until her family decided to move to Detroit for her to attend a better high school. There she graduated cum laude in 1951 from Northeastern High School. Continue reading “RUTH MALOOF”

Dr. Joseph Marshall is known and celebrated for his dedication to community organization. He is an author, lecturer, radio talk-show host, and community activist. He became interested in activism while attending the University of San Francisco. Dr. Marshall was a self-described radical on campus and founded the first chapter of Black Student Union (BSU) at the University of San Francisco (USF). Continue reading “DR. JOSEPH MARSHALL”

Larry Martin was truly a leader of the people. He used his position in the Transportation Workers Union (TWU) and his work in San Francisco City Hall to connect the workers to the community and advocated to improve working conditions and the overall operations of Muni. He worked tirelessly for over four decades with seven different San Francisco mayors. Continue reading “LARRY MARTIN”

Mary S. Martin, founder and executive director of S.R. Martin Preparatory School, was highly regarded as a leading figure in education in San Francisco. She was born on March 23, 1939, in New Orleans, and attended segregated public schools throughout most of her adolescence. Continue reading “MARY S. MARTIN”

Nathaniel Mason, Jr., used his many interests in different fields to positively affect his local community in the Western Addition of San Francisco. Although he lived much of his life in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he made a home for himself in San Francisco. Mason served in many positions in San Francisco. Continue reading “NATHANIEL MASON”

John ‘Johnny’ Mathis Royce was born in Gilmer, Texas, on September 30, 1935. When he was still a small child, he moved to Post Street with his family in the Fillmore neighborhood of San Francisco. Widely regarded as the Harlem of the West, the Fillmore influenced Mathis as his interest in music grew. Continue reading “JOHNNY MATHIS”

“Figures do not show his true value,” Ray Richards, Chicago Cardinals’ coach from 1955 to 1957, said of Ollie Matson. “When he is in the lineup, somehow the whole team is inspired.” In addition to motivating and inspiring his teammates, Matson also inspired people of rich, poor, white, and black families to follow their dreams and to fight for what is right. Continue reading “OLLIE MATSON”