News Release

A dancer who brings creativity to poor youth, the founders of a support group that helps homicide victims’ families, and a volunteer who assists seniors are among this year’s Unsung Hero Award winners. Twelve Bay Area residents will be honored at the 19th annual Unsung Hero Awards ceremony on Nov. 18 for selflessly giving their time and energy to improve the lives of others in the African American community. Honorees were nominated by the public and selected by committees comprised of San Francisco Public Library staff and community members.

This year’s awards ceremony will incorporate the theme, “From Slavery to Freedom,” and features entertainment from the Vukani Mawethu Choir and the Praise N Sign Dancers, and readings from the African American Shakespeare Company. The festivities will begin at 1 p.m. in the Koret Auditorium at the Main Library, 100 Larkin St. Local comedienne Veronica Dangerfield will emcee the event. The event is free and open to the public.

This year’s Unsung Hero Award winners are:

• Mary L Booker, a playwright, director, producer, community activist and founder of Infinity Productions who uses the performing arts to document the Bayview Hunter’s Point community.
• Sheryl Davis, an energetic advocate for the Western Addition, working to create opportunities for youth and to make a stronger and healthier community through programs such as Mo Magic.
• Dr. Veronica Hunnicut, dean of the Southeast Campus of City College, as well as a community organizer and activist who works with and supports various community-based programs in San Francisco.
• Walter Johnson, a humanitarian whose community work has allowed him to serve in such capacities as a board member, campaign fundraiser, public speaker, tutor and a volunteer with many organizations.
• Anh Le, director of Senior University at Senior Action Network (SAN), who has empowered seniors and persons with disabilities to participate in community organizing.
• Albirda Rose-Eberhardt, a professionally-trained dancer and minister who uses her creativity to preach the “gospel of dance to impoverished youth.” Mattie Scott and George Jurand, co-founders of The Healing Circle, a support group for parents whose children are the victims of homicide.
• Gail Smith, leader and chairperson of a task force at the Midway Apartments, where she and her fellow residents are tackling the issue of exposure to toxic wastes at the complex.
• Brian Thomas, a labor relations specialist who has placed more than 150 men and women, many from Bayview Hunter’s Point, in jobs rebuilding the water and sewer systems. He makes concerted efforts to support these workers so that they are successful employees.
• Hui Thi Truong, a senior volunteer at Senior Action Network (SAN), offering her help and hard work in the Senior University classes for the past three years in both the Bayview and Western Addition communities.

Posthumous Award

• Jimmie Wilson Jr., a lifelong advocate for the African American Community in the fields of mental health, education, jobs and affordable housing. He helped to establish the Jackie Robinson Computer Learning Center in Bayview Hunter’s Point.