San Francisco African American Historical & Cultural Society

Our Focus-
The Society remains committed to preserving and educating the public about the legacies of African Americans who helped create the business, civil rights, social and religious institutions that enrich our common life today. The Society presents true accounts of the African American experience in this region ranging from William Alexander Leidesdorff and Mary Ellen Pleasant in the 1850s through the Black Panthers in the 1960s, to today's civic, business and professional leaders,. The Society also provides a forum for the analysis and discussion of current events and issues from the perspective of African Americans. The Society's 5000 volume research library and archives include more than 500 rare books and pamphlets, over 2500 boxes of archival material and unique collections such as "Blacks in the West".Our monthly book club meets in the library. The library also houses the Howard Thurman Listening Room, containing audio tapes of one of the 20th Century's foremost theologians, and the Lucy Cupps-Pickens Family History and Genealogy Center.