Berkeley's Mayor Widener Proclaims Nina Simone Day

KPIX news footage from March 31, 1972 featuring scenes from the Rainbow Sign Club in Berkeley, where singer and activist Nina Simone is being honored by Mayor Warren Widener and others, including the director of the Urban League and Mary Ann Pollar, Executive Director of the Rainbow Sign Club. Widener states: "I Warren Widener, Mayor of the city of Berkeley, do hereby proclaim Friday March 31, 1972 1972 as Nina Simone Day.  In appreciation of the great dignity, bearing and uniqueness of Ms. Simone and as a recognition of her exceptional contribution to the Rainbow Sign, the Black Cultural Center of the city of Berkeley." Also includes brief views of Mary Ann Pollar. Voiceover is provided by reporter Belva Davis.  Belva Davis reports, "Miss Simone wrote the song, To Be Young, Gifted and Black in honor of her late friend, Lorraine Hansbury, the author of the play Raisin In The Sun". Supporting text and metadata updated for the web in April 2020 by Lisa Ann Nikkel. Opening graphic designed by Carrie Hawks.

Note: this film reversal print was re-transferred in 4K (4096 x 2970) using a Lasergraphics ScanStation film scanner, in January 2020.