Journey from Vision to Reality: Conventions of Colored Citizens, (1855-1865) California

Journey from Vision to Reality:

Sacramento, CA ~ After playing a prominent role establishment of the State of California, citizens in Black Sacramento continue to serve as leaders throughout our world. Believing in the need to preserve Black Sacramento’s heritage surpassing world-class standards, Michael Harris, Founder and Director of the newly reorganized, Leidesdorff Ranch, Black Sacramento Cultural Center as an effort to establish an official educational advisory commission to commemorate the Conventions of Colored Citizens, in California.

Careful detailed analysis of the proceedings of the Conventions of Colored Citizens in California reveal that our project is long overdue. Statewide historical sites, objects and oral histories of Black Californians are at risk of being lost forever. Identifying, documenting, analyzing and preserving our “major international milestone” represents a significant journey from vision to reality. The Conventions of Colored Citizens hosted by Black Sacramento was key part of a movement that facilitated a paradigm shift in human rights for ‘people of color,’ culminating in the establishment of the United Nations. Actualizing effective world human rights for all “Colored Citizens” reflects directly upon original foundational values and beliefs.

Beginning in 1846, the U.S. conquered and colonized Mexican California began a “unique experiment unparalleled on our planet,” where every nation on earth is represented within our State. Today, unlimited potential for maximizing educational opportunity, cultural tourism, and economic development is available by embracing our ‘authentic’ contributions to the forward flow of humanity. We must actualize an increase in our collective standard of living to heal festering physical and psychological wounds. Each of us will can benefit, in direct proportion to direct investment in human, social and financial capital.

We have conservatively projected to generate well over $100 million dollars, during our initial 10 year forecast, of new direct spending in our state as result of our documented programs, anchored by the establishment of our proposed Leidesdorff Ranch, Black Sacramento Cultural Center. We project to serve 300,000 paid visitors in our first fiscal year of operation, leveling to 200,000 paid visitors stimulating social and human capital beyond monetary measure.

In 2006, Leidesdorff Ranch, Black Sacramento Cultural Center, a ten year old grass roots organization, will utilize our formal 501(c)(3) organization structure to implement our developed programs. Non-partisan support from California Governor Schwarzenegger, our U.S. Congressional Delegation, our California State Legislature and Sacramento Regional officials will instill confidence in direct investment by pubic/private individuals, institutions and sovereign nations who embrace authentic Black Culture.

With interactive permanent exhibitions, exciting traveling international exhibitions all engaged on a historic replica of an authentic 1848 Black Farm. Leidesdorff Ranch, Black Sacramento Cultural Center is poised to become a major regional attraction embracing the multi-disciplinary scientific methodology showcased at the first Convention of Colored Citizens in California, held November 20, 1855, at the Historic Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, Sacramento, California.

At our 7th Annual, California Black History Month Celebration, February 24-26, 2006, will feature the unveiling of our “Conventions of Colored Citizens in California, Vision to Reality Exhibit” will generate the necessary investment capital to restore our Leidesdorff Ranch, Black Sacramento Cultural Center