Parks, Work, Play and Civic Engagement—California's African-American Heritage Doheny Memorial Library, Rm 240 8:00 Check-in and sign-up for afternoon break-out sessions. Continental breakfast will be provided.   9:00 Remarks by Elizabeth Goldstein, President, California State Parks Foundation Remarks by Conference Moderator Susan D. Anderson, Managing Director, LA As Subject, USC Libraries; Curator of the statewide exhibit, Allensworth: 100 Years of the California Dream  9:30 Morning Panel: The Gold Rush and Pioneer Days: Sacramento County Presentations on the Gold Rush-era African-American legacy, including early settlers and sites such as Negro Bar, the first place African-American miners discovered gold in 1849 (now the town of Folsom); the Gooch-Monroe Family heritage at Sutter's Mill and Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park; and new research on early African-American migrants to California who traveled over the Oregon and California trails.  Joe Moore, President, Sacramento African-American Historical and Cultural Society; Dr. Shirley Ann Wilson Moore, Professor of History, California State University, Sacramento; Clarence Caesar, Project Officer, California State Parks 10:45 Morning Panel: Recreation and Beach Culture: Los Angeles County Explorations of historical African-American experiences with government segregation of public beaches, and the Black communities' determination to prosper in resorts such as Bruce's Beach in Manhattan Beach, and "The Inkwell" in Santa Monica; background on African-American surfers, starting with Nick Gabaldon in the 1940's; and a survey of the career of Arthur Reese, "The Wizard of Venice," and business partner of Venice Pioneer Abbot Kinney.  Alison Rose Jefferson, Historian, Historic Resources Group; Rick Blocker, Member/Historian, Black Surfing Association; Sonya Reese Greenland, Historian, The Arthur L. Reese Family Archives 12:00 lunch: Town & Gown Ballroom Keynote Speaker: The Honorable Willie L. Brown How can California and its African-American community become committed and engaged in the process of supporting a renewed effort to tell the full story of California's development?  1:30 Afternoon Panel: From Old Town to Downtown: San Diego County Discussions concerning U.S.-born African-American contributions from the era of Mexican rule through the 19th and 20th centuries, starting with Allen Light and Richard Freeman (who established the San Diego House, a saloon/restaurant and residence in Old Town San Diego in the 1840's) to the migration of African-Americans to Horton Addition in the 1870's; also examines the significant African-American population in Downtown which sparked a mid-1920's cultural renaissance of jazz, blues and art. Karen Huff-Willis, President, Black Historical Society of San Diego; Carrol Waymon, Columnist, The San Diego Monitor newspaper; Guire John Cleary, Senior Park Aide, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park    2:50 Break-out sessions: The purpose of the break-out groups is to brainstorm and devise concrete ways for addressing the issue of highlighting California's African-American legacy throughout relevant institutions. The groups will report on recommendations and strategies. Topics: Parks, Education, Historic Preservation, and Media 4:15 Plenary Session: Recommendations and Strategies Reconvene in Doheny Room 240.Break-out groups report back on recommendations and strategies for parks, educational institutions, historic preservation efforts and the media.  4:45 Closing Remarks: Ruth Coleman, Director, California State Parks  Hidden Stories Reception 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Visitors Center 6300 Hetzler Rd., Culver City, CA 90232 Hors d'oeuvres and wine, Business attire  Hosted by: Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Los Angeles County, Second District