The purpose of this panel is to introduce the nexus between Africana Studies and historic preservation as applied research. In 1857 the first African American bank in American history was launched on California Street in San Francisco. Most San Franciscans are not aware of such significant contributions of black people. Faculty in Africana Studies, along with local historian, Mr. John Templeton, have documented over 400 buildings (commercial and private) that should be placed in the National and State Register of Historical Places. http://www.sfsu.edu/~ethnicst/