January 23, 2003

RELEASE IMMEDIATELY

CONTACT:
Angela Jones, Public Information Officer
City of Richmond / City Manager’s Office
(510) 621-1230

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION
FEATURES

“YOSEMITE THROUGH THE EYES OF A BUFFALO SOLDIER – 1904”
 

Presentation focuses on role of Buffalo Soldiers

in protecting the national parks

The City of Richmond Recreation and Parks Department and Contra Costa College invite the public to experience “Yosemite Through the Eyes of a Buffalo Soldier – 1904,” on Sunday, February 9, 2003.

Shelton Johnson, Interpretive Ranger for Yosemite National Park will present the “legacy” of the Buffalo Soldier on Sunday, February 9, 2003.  Mr. Johnson is called a poet, musician, historian, a cowboy and ranger.

The audience will have an opportunity to see and understand how the history of the Buffalo Soldier unfolds….especially in the early development of the Yosemite Valley.

“This is an important part of American History and will be presented as part of Black History Month,” co-sponsors of the event, Dr. Helen Carr, President of Contra Costa College and Jesse Washington, City of Richmond Recreation and Parks Department, states    “It will be a great lesson on our history.” 

As an Interpretive Ranger at Yosemite National Park, Shelton is researching and interpreting the African American military history within Yosemite National Park.  Specifically, he is focusing on the role of the Buffalo Soldiers, the 9^th Cavalry and the 24^th Mounted Infantry, in protecting the national parks.  It is a “work in progress” as he uncovers the layers of history since 1864, when President Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant.  The Yosemite Grant protected Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees by setting it aside under the administration of the State of California.

Ranger Johnson dressed in authentic Buffalo Soldier clothing will present a day in the life of a buffalo Soldier in Yosemite in the early 1900’s.  The all Black Buffalo soldiers were named by the Native American Indians (as a term of respect) who compared their bravery to that of the buffalo, and compared their hair to the tuft of hair between the buffalo horns.  Mr. Johnson has long been concerned about the scarcity of African Americans visiting our national parks, and he has given his presentation all over the U.S. in hopes of attracting minorities to our national treasures.

Entertainment will be provided before the presentation by students from Martin L. King Community Center, Shields Reid Community Center and Contra Costa College and will be presented at the Contra Costa College Performing Arts Center, at 3:00 p.m. and is located on campus at El Portal Drive and Castro Street.

The Yosemite Ambassadors, an African American group dedicated to expanding use and awareness by ethnic minorities of Yosemite National Park will be present.

The event is free to the public but donations will be accepted.

For further information, call the Recreation and Parks Department at (510) 620-6793 or Contra Costa College at (510) 235-7800 X4224.