Unifying San Diego’s Black Experience

The San Diego Black Arts and Culture District is an exciting addition to the 4th Council District. It will complement the existing Black culturally significant institutions located throughout the city and will serve to unify the various elements that make up the Black experience.

The district encompasses nine blocks within the San Diego community of Encanto. It is located along Imperial Avenue between 61st and 69th Streets and extends southward approximately 150 feet. The corridor is comprised of a mix of a commercial, residential and arts & culture uses.

Geographically the District is in a valley formed by a tributary of Chollas Creek. Single family homes with striking views of the city are the predominate land use to the north and south of the Imperial Avenue corridor.

Marie Widman Park, located within the district, is a hidden gem which in recent years has been activated organically by area creatives. The park is named after Marie Widman, who was born on July 8, 1931 and raised in the City of San Diego. She first became active in the San Diego during the civil rights movement, serving as Secretary of the San Diego Branch of the NAACP  from 1959 to 1966. Marie went on to several decision-making roles – including the Board of Library Commissioners for the City of San Diego, the San Diego Park and Recreation Board, Metropolitan Transit Development Board Citizen’s Advisory Committee, and San Diego City Planning Commission. She advocated for public land being turned into parks in Southeast San Diego in the 1960’s & 1970’s. The late Councilmen George Stevens worked with the community to have the park changed from Encanto Neighborhood Park to Marie Widman Neighborhood Park in 1994.

Location of The San Diego Black Arts + Culture District. Click map to enlarge.

San Diego County Storm Damage Reporting

Dear Residents & Business Owners,

Portions of the San Diego Black Arts + Culture District were severely impacted during the historic rainfall that took place in San Diego on January 22. The County has declared a local emergency and is currently collecting damage information associated with the disaster event. If you or someone you know was impacted by the storm please document the damage, try to obtain third party estimates or provide a best estimate and submit them with the form.

Residents and business owners can voluntarily submit their damages to the link below. This form is an informational gathering document only and will be used to determine if the County should request state and/or federal assistance.

This is the link where you can submit your damages: https://crisistrack.juvare.com/public/sandiegoCA/request.html

District Goals

  • Secure

    Secure City, State and Federal funds necessary to support the district activities including artists, economic development, infrastructure, and business development

    Secure support from local and national foundations to assist with funding for various projects

  • Activate

    Activate existing cultural assets including the Marie Widman Park and the Gymnasium portion of the Boys & Girls Club

    Activate the San Diego Arts +Culture District Advisory Committee

    Activate a district wide marketing strategy that includes the existing business, non-profits, artists, and cultural activities

    Activate activities that will encourage residents and visitors to visit the district

  • Focus

    Focus on the contributions, history, arts and culture of Blacks in San Diego

    Focus efforts that will attract artists and foster local cultural development

    Focus on the development of a physical and digital way-finding system that will help residents and visitors identify the district

    Focus activities that will improve the community’s overall quality of life

  • Encourage

    Encourage economic development which supports the arts, dining, retail and entertainment activities

    Encourage business and job development opportunities

    Encourage the development of housing that supports live/work studios for artists and other spaces for creatives

Member Highlights

The San Diego Black Arts + Culture District is pleased to highlight the extraordinary talents of individuals throughout San Diego. 

This month we are featuring Kamau Kenyatta. Kamau is a pianist, saxophonist, and Grammy award winning producer and arranger. He is a Teaching Professor in the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Jazz Studies Department and directs the UCSD Jazz Ensemble. The ensemble is where Kamau began to collaborate with Gregory Porter. In 2017, Gregory Porter’s Take Me to the Alley, assisted by Kenyatta, won a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal and in 2014 Porter’s album Liquid Spirits won Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 2014 Grammy Awards; an album Kenyatta produced. Originally from Detroit, Kenyatta has worked with jazz greats such as Hubert Laws, Earl Klugh, and Patti Austin.

San Diego is fortunate Kamau decided to come to San Diego and the San Diego Black Arts + Culture District appreciates him lending his talents as a member of the advisory committee. 

The following videos are from Kamau’s recent collaboration with arranger/bandleader Kris Johnson. Enjoy!