Students in Emeryville gathered on Friday to learn a lesson on the Bay Area's first Black firefighters.
Fire engines were parked outside a school event in Emeryville Friday, not to put out a fire, but to spark the imaginations and dreams of elementary school students who gathered Friday for a Black History Month lesson on the first Black firefighters in the Bay Area.
"It wasn't very inclusive when I was coming through the ranks," Alameda County Fire Chief Willie McDonald said.Chief McDonald and other Black firefighters attended the "Chief is my Belief" program, which aims to educate and inspire students.Through videos, photos and speeches, the students learned the very first African American firefighters were able to join the Oakland Fire Department in 1920. Those early pioneers formed an all-Black Engine 22 station in West Oakland, because they weren't allowed to mix with white colleagues.Their numbers gradually grew, and as they fought fires, they also fought for equal access and treatment."I had initiated a suit against the fire department in San Francisco because of the lack of people of color, but not only that because they didn't allow women to take the exam," Bob Demmons, who served as San Francisco Fire Chief between 1996-2000, said.They say each generation opened doors for people of color and women to pursue their dreams of a firefighting career."I'm proud that we eliminated at least some of the discrimination that was going on and denying people the opportunity to pursue their dreams only because of their race and gender," Demmons said.It wasn't until some six decades after the first Black firefighters joined the department, that Samuel Golden became Oakland's first Black fire chief in 1981.Students said they enjoyed learning about the firefighters' history."It inspired me because you could show up to certain communities and show you care," Kaya Jones, a 5th-grade student said."It's good to learn about like the past and Black History Month," Walter Wolfgramm, a 6th-grader said."What I got out of it was like, follow your dreams, believe in what you want to do," Polo Taiese, a 6th-grader said."I think because of the accomplishments, hard work and dedication by some of the African Americans who have gotten into the fire service, it's really made the fire service much more inclusive and much more welcoming," McDonald said.
Ca Alameda County Oakland News Black History Month Us Ca Alameda County Emeryville
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Black History Month: A push for foster parents in families of colorDCFS is urgently seeking more foster parents willing to share their home and their love, especially more families of color.
Read more »
Still relevant — U. reps defend continuing importance of Black History MonthTim Vandenack covers immigration, multicultural issues and Northern Utah for KSL. He worked several years for the Standard-Examiner in Ogden and has lived and reported in Mexico, Chile and along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Read more »
Black History Month teaches us to learn from our past, flaws and allHow America’s history, including its unpleasant truths, has been taught to students has changed for the better. But today, the progress in telling the true story of American history has been reversed.
Read more »
Eight Black-Owned Eateries to Try During (and After) Black History MonthBlack History Month isn't the only time to support — here's where to eat out and support local all year long.
Read more »
LAUSD hosts first-ever Black Student Union Summit to celebrate 100 years of Black History MonthLA Unified School District hosted students from about 35 different South Region schools for its very first Black Student Union Summit.
Read more »
Black History Month: Woman creates vinyl record community group in ChicagoThis Black History Month, one Black woman is putting vinyl back on the map.
Read more »