The inaugural Black History Program @ The Collective will take place Sunday in Manteca.

Organizer Rev. Lucius Davis indicated that the event celebrating Black History Month was extended to special friends.

This includes Lathrop City of Police Stephen Sealy along with Lathrop Mayor Sonny Dhaliwal – he’s currently in the running for San Joaquin County Board of Supervisor District 3 – among others, to the Collective Campus, a new 55+ Active Community at 1295 Parkcrest Court, from 3 to 5 p.m.

“We all have historical roots of significance to African America culture,” said Davis, who along with his wife of 55 years moved to Manteca not too long ago after being active members at the City of Lathrop – Rev. Davis served as police chaplain and was chairman of the Lathrop Senior Advisory Committee.

A former basketball player at San Jose State, he was up close and personal with those who shaped Black History culture, including the legendary Dr. Harry Edwards, who was the architect of the Olympic Project for Human Rights, leading to the Black Power Salute by two African-American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos during the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.

In fact, Davis, Edwards, gold-medal sprinter Smith, and bronze-medal sprinter Carlos were all at San Jose State during that period of Civil Rights and that ’60s revolution.

“I like to bridge the gap with athletes of today and those who came before them,” he said of his plan talks for the upcoming event.

Davis and others are also looking to share other “untold” stories of Black History.

In addition, the program will include a menu of Southern cooking – food has long been a cultural expression, Davis noted.

He’s hoping that this Black History Program will become an annual event in town.