Board of Directors

LOUIS GARRETT

Louis is a native of Marshall, Texas, graduate of Galileo High School, San Francisco City College, and San Francisco State College (now University). He is a retired administrator from the San Francisco Unified School District, Army Veteran, Master Mason of the historic Hannibal Lodge #1, San Francisco, Ca., established in 1852. He is married and is the father of five children.

postcard from Helsinki
Postcard sent from Helsinki to Miss O. Davison
from Linda (Davison) and Marian Anderson
G. Smyly
Society Archives

KIWAN GORE

Kiwan is a Wall Street Investment Educator with Evelyn & Company. Kiwan’s industry experience includes 23 years of Trading, Operations, and Financial Consultation. She has a degree in Business and Finance from San Francisco State University. She is a "legacy" member, daughter of a civil rights/community activist and Society member, who taught Kiwan that Black History and community activism are very important to maintain in her life. She continues to work toward equality and equity for the African American community.

W. E. HOSKINS, DDS

Bill is the Executive Director of the Society. He currently practices Dentistry with the Department of Public Health and is the President of the Greater Bay Area Dental Society. He is also President of the Bay Area Investment Club.

ADDIE LEWIS

Addie Lewis is a Society member, having been first drawn to the genealogy resources workshops. She expressed her willingness to volunteer; and during the 2021 Black History Month, she became an invaluable asset as the shift from in-person events to virtual was in full effect. Ms Lewis began her career in education as a teacher before shifting her focus to sales, marketing and outreach. Her specific focus has been educational institutions, working now at an education non-profit. She brings a wealth of technological knowledge and expertise. Her personal statement notes that she supports and nurtures mission driven organizations in their efforts to push forward racial equity in both education and the greater community.

SHAWNA SHERMAN

Shawna Sherman is a librarian working for the San Francisco Public Library's African American Center. Born and raised in Hawaii, she considers the San Francisco Bay Area her chosen home. She has a background in writing and uses those skills to develop research projects on local history. She holds an undergraduate degree in journalism from San Francisco State University and a Master's in Library Science from San Jose State University.

Four Sisters
"Four Sisters"
Sargent Johnson
G. Smyly
Society Archives

VIRGINIA SMYLY

Ms. Smyly is a retired Public Health professional. She is a native San Franciscan, a graduate of Lowell H. S., University of California at Berkeley, and UCB’s graduate school, where she earned degrees in African American Studies, Anthropology, and Public Health. Her vocation is historian, and she is an amateur genealogist. Virginia heads the Society’s archive inventory project.

ALFRED W. WILLIAMS

Al is the President of the Society and Chairman of the Board of Directors. He is the Founder and General Manager of Alfred Williams Consultancy, LLC, a San Francisco based public affairs consulting firm that specializes in community relations. Al has held senior management positions in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.


MARISA WILLIAMS

Marisa, a “legacy” Society member, brings technology and 21st century themes to the Board. She has chaired the Society’s citywide Black History Planning Committee and in 2018, produced the 13-minute video, “Black Migration", oral history interviews with 6 African Americans.