by Kevin Epps
San Francisco – On Saturday, the last day of May, the heart of Bayview-Hunters Point pulsed with pride and purpose as residents, artists, business owners and community leaders gathered for Walk the Block: Bayview Edition, a neighborhood celebration that merged culture, commerce and community care.
Before the lively walk down Third Street, The Curtis Family C-Notes, a family band born and raised in Bayview, set the tone with a powerful and soulful rendition of the national anthem, bringing the crowd to a unified pause and honoring the spirit of the day.
The walk officially began at Yosemite Avenue, where participants visited local Black-owned and legacy businesses, celebrated the rich history of the neighborhood, and promoted health, wellness and unity. The walk culminated in a vibrant community block party at the historic Ruth Williams Bayview Opera House, where crowds enjoyed free food, live music, entertainment, haircuts and an array of family-friendly resources.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, philanthropic leader and longtime supporter of community revitalization, joined the walk alongside radio personality Shay Diddy of 106 KMEL and Bayview-raised rapper Stunnaman02. The event was powered by The City Eats, United Playaz and SF Black Wall Street and featured collaboration with organizations like SF Hip Hop, an initiative dedicated to preserving the city’s vital contributions to global hip-hop culture.
“Big shoutout to the SF Bay View,” said Kamel Bell, one of the event organizers. “Walk the Block is about bringing people within the culture — artists, entertainers, activists, business owners — from all over San Francisco to our cultural districts. The Bayview is one of our most historic neighborhoods, and today is about unity, public safety, health and wellness, and just showing what it looks like when the community comes together.”
The walk highlighted not just the legacy of longstanding establishments, but also welcomed newer businesses, like 1921, located on Yosemite Avenue, as symbols of ongoing Black entrepreneurship and investment in the neighborhood.
District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton, walking alongside residents and community groups such as Coleman Advocates and Us for Us, emphasized the event’s significance. “We’re visiting merchants, bringing families together, and having real conversations about how to keep supporting each other and growing together as a community,” Walton said. “You see people from all walks of life here — that’s what makes this powerful.”
For Shay Diddy, the event was both personal and symbolic. “We’re here to support and unite the community, to celebrate the heritage and history of one of the last remaining Black communities in San Francisco,” she said. “We’re here to remind people: We’re still here, we’re thriving, and we’ll keep lifting each other up.”
Walk the Block: Bayview Edition was more than just a festival — it was a powerful reminder of the resilience, creativity and love rooted in the Bayview. Through music, conversation and collective presence, the neighborhood reaffirmed its commitment to preserving its culture and shaping its future — together.
The Bay View’s executive editor and Hunters Point’s favorite son, filmmaker Kevin Epps, is best known for the game-changing “Straight Outta Hunters Point” and for “Black Rock,” “Rap Dreams,” “Fam Bam” and more. He was awarded an artist fellowship by the world renowned de Young Museum. His passion for advocacy for his community is legendary. He can be reached at kevin@sfbayview.com.
