5 people making Black history in San Francisco

State of play: Some of San Francisco's most notable African Americans are still with us, including Willie Brown, who became the city's first Black mayor in 1995, London Breed, who was the first Black woman to be elected mayor, and former Vice President Kamala Harris, who was the city's first Black district attorney.

• Danny Glover, an actor and social justice advocate who participated in the 1968 student-led strike at San Francisco State University that resulted in the creation of the nation's first Black Studies program, is also known for helping produce "The Last Black Man in San Francisco."
• Others are no longer with us, including Terry Francois, an attorney who became the first Black member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Enola Maxwell, a minister and community leader and Mary Ellen Pleasant, a self-made millionaire and leading civil rights activist during the Gold Rush era.

The latest: Here are five San Franciscans shaping Black history in the Bay Area today.

Paméla Tate

She is the co-executive director of operations and education at the nonprofit Black Women Revolt Against Domestic Violence, which offers a safe space to Black women who are survivors of domestic abuse and their families.

• The San Francisco native and mother of three is most passionate about breaking the cycle of violence by providing education and support.

What she's saying: The death of one of her friends' nieces, who was killed by her husband, has "helped guide her work" and raise awareness of how prevalent abuse within the community can be, she said.

Fred Blackwell

He is CEO of the San Francisco Foundation, an organization focused on advancing economic opportunities for people of color, low-income groups and disadvantaged youth.

• At the foundation, he has advocated for more financial investment in Black-led businesses and community organizations through initiatives such as the California Black Freedom Fund and San Francisco's Dream Keeper Initiative.

What he's saying: "San Francisco, like many other cities in this country, has benefited greatly from the contributions of Black leaders since its inception. We expect that to continue to be the case," Blackwell said.

Shakirah Simley

She is the executive director of the Booker T. Washington Community Service Center, the Bay Area's oldest Black-led nonprofit, which supports the Fillmore and Western Addition's residents through community programs, educational opportunities and recreational activities.

• She previously was the inaugural director at the city's Office of Racial Equity.
• Simley's work in social justice is largely inspired by her family. She is the granddaughter of a Black Panther, grew up attending marches and remembers joining her mother in advocating for Black inclusion in public schools.

What she's saying: "I want to imagine a world where everyone's basic needs are met, with dignity, choice and respect," she said. "There was never a question that I would do this work."

Rev. Amos Brown

He is president of the San Francisco chapter of the NAACP and pastor of the city's Third Baptist Church since 1976. He's led several initiatives over the years to support Black families, African refugees and food-insecure San Franciscans.

• He continues to advocate for human rights and social justice issues at the local, national and global level.

Honey Mahogany

She is a longtime activist and director of the city's Office of Transgender Initiatives, where she advocates for social and public policy initiatives that support the trans, intersex and gender non-conforming community.

• She's also appeared on "RuPaul's Drag Race," served as the first Black trans chair of the San Francisco Democratic Party and helped create the world's first legally recognized transgender district, in the Tenderloin.