At the benefit for Marcus Books, Saturday, Marvin X took the opportunity to recruit people for his dream team to participate in the Bay Area celebration of the Black Arts Movement's 50th Anniversary.

The event featured performances by actors Delroy Lindo, Danny Glover and Shabaka Henley. Attorney John Burris participated in the panel discussion on the Black Man.

Marvin X and Danny Glover attended San Francisco State University where Marvin's first play Flowers for the Trashman was produced by the drama department. Danny performed at Marvin's Black Arts West Theatre, San Francisco, 1966, in the Fillmore District. While Danny was part of the student strike at SFSU, 1968, a few months later, 1969, Marvin X was fighting to teach at Fresno State University but was removed on orders from Gov. Ronald Reagan. Gov. Reagan also removed Angela Davis from teaching at UCLA the same year, 1969.

After listening to pianist Muziki Roberson accompany Shabaka's reading, Marvin asked him to perform with the BAM Arkestra and Poet's Choir. He accepted. Other musicians who have singed on to the BAM celebration include John Santos, David Murray, Destiny Muhammad, Mechelle LaChaux, Tarika Lewis, Tacuma King, Paul Smith, Augusta Collins, Zena Allen, Elliott Bey, Earl Davis, Val Serrant, et al.

Marvin X and "Speedy", long time political organizer.

The audience asked many questions, among them what should a Black man do when stopped by the police. The answers were various but Marvin X has often talked about the tone test when stopped by the police. One of three things can happen when stopped by the police, depending on one's tone of voice: one can be killed, arrested or released.

The Black Man panelist: John Burris, Shabaka Henley, Danny Glover, Delroy Lindo

Marvin X and Attorney Aubrey LaBrie, both were San Francisco State University students and founding members of the BSU, also members of the Black Dialogue Magazine editorial staff, one of the critical journals of the Black Arts Movement.

Actor Delroy Lindo agreed to participate in the Bay Area Black Arts 50th Anniversary celebration being organized by Marvin X.

Marvin and Rev. Andriette Earl, who participated in The Kings and Queens of Black Consciousness, produced by Marvin X at San Francisco State University, April 1, 2001. The benefit for Marcus Books was at her church: Heart and Soul Center of Light, Oakland.

Former Black Panther Party Chairwoman Elaine Brown (Left), Marvin X, and Mama Ayanna of the Malcolm X Grass Roots Organization. Both women agreed to assist Marvin X with the Bay Area Black Arts Movement celebration, scheduled to open February 7, at the Laney College Art Gallery. As part of the BAM/Post News Group Isaiah 61 Project, the art of San Quentin inmates will be exhibited. At Oakland's Merritt College (Huey Newton, Bobby Seale and Marvin X were students at Merritt) the following week, February 11,12, 13, Marvin X and the Poet's Choir and Arkestra will perform at the Black Caucus of California Community Colleges Conference, under the leadership of Marlene C. Hurd. Call 510-200-4164 for more information.

You’ve Received a Campaign Update!

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Here’s an update for you from the ‘Black Arts Movement 27 City National Tour’ team:

1 new Announcement:

For your donation of $500.00 or more, a five book collection of writings by Black Arts Movement co-founder Marvin X

Marvin X worked with Sun Ra and his Myth-Science Arkestra coast to coast.

The Black Dialogue Magazine Brothers: Aubrey, Marvin X, Abdul Sabry, Al Young, Arthur Sheridan, Duke Williams

Bay Area Authors celebrate the life of slain Oakland Post Editor, Chauncey Bailey.

Pic was taken at the Joyce Gordon Gallery which is part of the Black Arts Movement District along 14th Street, downtown Oakland
photo Gene Hazzard/Adam Turner

Dr. Cornel West has agreed to participate in the Black Arts Movement 27 City Tour
photo Gene Hazzad

Marvin X in conversation with BAM godfather, Ancestor Amiri Baraka, Santa Fe, New Mexico at the Lannan Foundation.
photo Don Usner

Visual artists Dewey Crumpler and Arthur Monroe; poets Ishmael Reed, Conyus,
Marvin X, Al Young
photo Tennessee Reed

Marvin X, David Murray and Earl Davis, part of the BAM Poet's Choir and Arkestra

The group performed at the Malcolm X Jazz/Art Festival, May 17, 2014, produced by Eastside Arts Alliance, Oakland.

photo Gene Hazzard

The BAM Poet's Choir & Arkestra at the Black Arts Movement Conference, University of California, Merced, Feb. 2014

Angela Davis, Marvin X, Sonia Sanchez

Dr. Molefe Asante, Mrs. Amina Baraka, Marvin X, Amiri Baraka, Jr., Kenny Gamble at the Black Power Babies Conversation, Philadelphia, produced by Muhammida El Muhajir (daughter of Marvin X)