San Francisco Celebrates Black Women Leaders

Annual event honors accomplished Bay Area trailblazers across generations and fields

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The San Francisco Bay Times is hosting its 4th annual Black History Month celebration of Black women leaders and allies on Thursday, February 26th at the historic White Horse Inn in Oakland. The event will honor some of the Bay Area's most accomplished leaders representing numerous fields and generations, including legendary performer Linda Tillery. The event will benefit the Use The News Foundation and the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center.

Why it matters

This annual celebration shines a light on the vital contributions of Black women leaders in the San Francisco Bay Area, recognizing both unsung heroines and inspiring veteran leaders across a wide range of industries and communities. The event also supports two important local nonprofits focused on LGBTQ rights and empowerment.

The details

The event will feature co-emcees Imani Rupert-Gordon, Executive Director of the National Center for LGBTQ Rights, and Joe Hawkins, Co-Founder & CEO of The Oakland LGBTQ Center. In addition to honoring Linda Tillery, the event will include music by Sounds by The Junior. Tickets are $15 for the 4th Annual Honoring LGBTQ Black Women Leaders event.

  • The event will take place on Thursday, February 26, 2026 from 6PM to 10PM.

The players

Judy Young

The Executive Director of the UCSF National Center of Excellence for Women's Health.

Betty Sullivan

A publisher of the San Francisco Bay Times.

Jennifer Viegas

A publisher of the San Francisco Bay Times.

Imani Rupert-Gordon

The Executive Director of the National Center for LGBTQ Rights.

Joe Hawkins

The Co-Founder & CEO of The Oakland LGBTQ Center.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, Grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This annual celebration of Black women leaders in the Bay Area highlights the vital role these trailblazers play in shaping their communities and inspiring the next generation. By supporting local nonprofits focused on LGBTQ rights and empowerment, the event also underscores the intersectionality of these important causes.