February Speaker Meeting:2026 Living Black/Making History

Winston BurtonWelcome to 2026! and our second monthly speaker meeting of the year (generally the fourth Wednesday of the month).

We are convening this meeting in memory of Gray Panthers Member, Winston Burton (right), native of West Philly, long-time economic development/job developer at Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), VP of NAACP Berkeley, and President of Berkeley Community Media. He was our featured speaker at last February's Living Black/Making History meeting (jump to 41:15 in the embedded video below to see his portion of the meeting).

Read his writings here.

We'll have some updates on campaigns and our partners, and watch some videos.

1:30 PM

  • Greetings: Welcome New Members and other Introductions
  • Suggested Meeting Guidelines

Our Featured Speaker:

Michele Tingling-Clemmons (left), a long-time leader in the Gray Panthers of Metro Washington, DC. She is a lifelong activist for social justice, and active leader in among many other political, organizing, and professional positions, such as the National Welfare Rights Union.

Michele Tingling-ClemmonsThe Gray Panthers of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. are dedicated to:
✅ Advocating for Economic & Social Justice – Fighting for financial security, fair wages, and equal opportunities for all.
✅ Bridging Generations for Change – Connecting youth, elders, and activists to share wisdom and drive impact.
✅ Championing Healthcare, Housing & Human Rights – Because access to basic needs is a right, not a privilege.
✅ Strengthening Civic Engagement – Encouraging voter participation and fighting for D.C. statehood.

She is a member of DC Statehood Green Party and co-chair of the Black Caucus of the Green Party, the National Welfare Rights Union. She and her late husband Rick were active with senior issues, members in the League of Revolutionaries for a New America. Michele worked in the fields of occupational health, environmental health and community health care, as well as federal nutrition programs. A prolific public speaker, she often speaks on affordable health care and economic justice in the face of an economic system that is controlled by the rich, and in examining the linkages that strengthen our common efforts.

Plus: Moni Law will introduce her short video: Front Porch Stories, South and West Berkeley


BOARD AND MEMBER REPORTS

Co-Convenors Carol Crooks & Betsy Morris

ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS

Our General Calendar:

  • Board/Member Meeting - 1st Wednesdays
  • Member Socials - 2nd Wednesdays
  • Public Meeting - 4th Wednesdays

Adjourn 3:30 with a closing poem

Optional Discussion until 4pm

RSVP on this page to get the Zoom link. We look forward to seeing you there! Spread the word.

Join early 1:15 - zoom in for troubleshooting your connection and early hellos
WHEN
February 25, 2026 at 1:30pm - 3:30pm
WHERE
Your Home via Zoom
Berkeley, CA
United States
Google map and directions
CONTACT
Gray Panthers of Berkeley and the East Bay · (510) 681-2367
25 RSVPS
david blake Carol Crooks Christal Byrd Raines Cohen