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About Us

The Black Legend Awards Silicon Valley Ceremony honors the contributions of selected African American pioneers of the Silicon Valley. The African Americans also helped create and develop the Santa Clara Valley, Santa Clara County, aka Silicon Valley. The Individuals honored by the Black Legend Awards Silicon Valley are further honored by being inducted into the Black Legends Hall of Fame Silicon Valley

Five prominent organizations in San Jose formed a Consortium to advance the development of a Black history museum in San Jose, The San Jose Black History Museum Silicon Valley (SJBHMSV):

  • Joyner Payne Youth Services Agency, Inc.
  • Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce
  • African America Community Service Agency
  • The National Association of Juneteenth Lineage California, Inc. (NAJLCA)
  • Organization known as Our Common Denominator.

The Black Legend Awards Silicon Valley is a fundraiser for the continued development of the San Jose Black History Museum Silicon Valley (SJBHMSV)

The purpose of this groundbreaking collaborative is to create an educational institution that will celebrate the genius and contributions of Black People throughout time, starting with Mother Africa, American History and ending with the Silicon Valley.

The Museum will be a one-of-a-kind educational institution for use by our culturally diverse community. The Museum will welcome all ethnicities and house six permanent displays, providing an illustrative and captivating journey through history, from the original inventions and communal designs in Africa through the ultimate, triumphant survival and innovative imprints of Black Americans United States, The Americas

Vision Statement

To establish the San Jose Black History Museum Silicon Valley, in San Jose.

Mission Statement

To produce an Annual, Black-Tie/Red Carpet "Black Legend Awards Silicon Valley Ceremony" to recognize local Black pioneers, living or deceased, whose significant contributions have enhanced the quality of life in Silicon Valley and beyond;

To honor the recipients of the Awards by introducing the temporary Black Legends Wall of Fame (housed at the African American Community Service Agency); and

To establish the San Jose Black History Museum Silicon Valley, in San Jose. The Museum will showcase the Black Legends Hall of Fame Silicon Valley, a permanent recognition of these Black Pioneers, as well as the contributions of Black Americans in America throughout the development of this country.

The Collaborative Committee Organizations

  • Joyner/Payne Youth Services Agency, Inc. (aka "The Aquarius Project") (http://www.aquariusproject.org)

    Our Mission:

    To provide an important tool for outreach and inclusion of Black youth; to offer a scientifically-based approach for leadership development and violence prevention (one that has been tested in other urban settings); and to develop the capacity within the community to embrace non-violence and positive alternatives for Black youth, resulting in happy, safe and independent Black youth/young adults who are engaged in their community and successful in school, work and life.

    Our History:

    Joyner/Payne Youth Services Agency, Inc. was established in 1996. "The Aquarius Project" is a community capacity-building intervention program aimed to deter youth violence, gang involvement and school failure, while promoting self-sufficiency in life skills, employment and independent living. The Project works in collaboration with the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, Public Defender's Office and the Probation Department. The target participants are gang-involved, foster-care youth and those at risk of becoming involved in the gang lifestyle or being placed in out-of-home care.

    Joyner/Payne Youth Services Agency, Inc. is an advocate for Black youth in the community, to ensure that their needs are appropriately met and access to necessary resources are developed.

    Our website:

    http://www.aquariusproject.org

  • African American Community Service Agency, Inc. (http://www.sjaacsa.org)

    Our Mission:

    It is the mission of the African American Community Service Agency ("AACSA") to preserve the dignity and culture of a diverse African American Community and to provide services that promote full participation of African Americans of Santa Clara County in the general society.

    Our History:

    The AACSA, founded in 1978, is one of the only African American cultural centers in the Silicon Valley. Our mission-providing quality educational, cultural, social and recreational programs, services and activities, in order to perpetuate and strengthen African American identity, culture, values, traditions, knowledge and family life, are at the heart of all programs. AACSA's membership is open to everyone, regardless of race, religion, age or disability. The Agency's diverse activities and services offer a natural gateway to African American life.

    Our website:

    http://www.sjaacsa.org

  • Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (http://www.blackchamber.com)

    Our Mission:

    To create, identify and/or expand economy development opportunities for African Americans and minorities in Silicon Valley.

    Our History:

    The Silicon Valley/Santa Clara County Black Chamber was incorporated as a 501(c)6, in 1989 by founding president and local business person Mr. Ron McPherson. Ron served as its president for ten years. Our current President, Carl Davis, Jr., became the first Executive Director in 1990.

    Our Goal:

    To increase the number and the success of Black American and minority businesses in Silicon Valley, while developing a pipeline of future entrepreneurs, through better education.

    Our website:

    http://www.blackchamber.com

Collaborative Committee Leadership Team