by Pat Winston
Kings of Cali celebrated their 21st anniversary with a weekend event that welcomed more than 300 motorcyclists, club members and guests to the annual Meet and Greet held at Venue Rentals, 521 Third St., Oakland. The vibrations and sounds along Oakland’s Embarcadero of roaring Harleys signaled the arrival of bikers from Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and Bay Area clubs. Oakland’s Harley-Davidson store participated and opened its parking lot for the annual grill/barbeque hosted by the Road Queens and the Kings of Cali.
“I just love when the Kings of Cali give an event here – it brings people together,” said Antonio Guzman of Harley-Davidson Oakland. “Whether hosting events, organizing raffles, or marking the beginning or end of bike runs, we support community efforts,” added Jill, the office manager there. “This is a gathering place for motorcyclists and clubs to meet and unwind in a secure environment.”
Donnie Robinson, CEO of Kings of Cali, reminisced: “I am taking it all in, the growth of the Kings of Cali in 21 years from 10 members to 200 plus. Over the years we have branched out into chapters and cities throughout California. We now have Regional President Vincent Spencer, who oversees the entire Kings of Cali organization, and President Ranji Lacey, who oversees the Mother Chapter.
“I look back at the original concept of the club, showing youngsters in the hood that no matter what part of the city or hood you are from, we can get along with one another.
“I am familiar with the hood. I grew up in Bayview on Middle Point Road, where the community seemed large and tough to me as a child. It was then I found my love for Big Wheels – roller skates, skateboards, anything that rolled on wheels is what I aspired to. I’d roll into the middle of the streets on skates, or skateboard, or go bike riding through the hood.
“I recall my first job, SSF Rolling Rank, on to Big Guys Towing and AAA Towing – anything on wheels.
“A guy known as Uncle of Bigs Guys Towing Co. mentored me about trucks and the towing business. In between those years I left the Bay Area and the hood. I learned a Black man is still a man. As a man, I still had my own aspirations – my love for anything on wheels.
“Upon returning home to Bayview, I regrouped with my old friends in the hood. I joined the Cobras MC; I was then riding a Yamaha. In 2003, seeing the movie “Biker Boyz,” my inspirations went in full throttle. I got my first Road Glide Harley. By the year 2004, me and 10 guys started to build on the concept of Kings of Cali, MC. What would be our signature? a crown, and riding Harleys.
“We first became tenants in Bayview and rented a warehouse at 1615 Innes Ave., SF. This was the Kings of Cali MC club’s official address. Then we began building relations in our neighborhood – hosting events, KIDS Give-Aways, Father’s Day Breakfast, a benefit fashion show; modeling our Harley-Davidson motorcycles and ourselves. A benefit for Marlin Coats, who lost his life saving two kids at SF Ocean Beach. Back to school backpacks.
“I can recall the Kings of Cali riding up Third Street and people running out to see us ride. We’d feed the homeless at Providence Baptist Church and at Glide Memorial in downtown San Francisco. We are marking 21 years with Glide Memorial homeless feeding program this year. We’ve had some setbacks and losses and even relocated our club house to Vallejo.
“But through community adversity meetings with former Supervisor Sophie Maxwell, Rev. Dr. Amos Brown and the late Rev. Calvin Jones Jr., we learned to face adversity and overcome challenges.
“To be a King of Cali, yes, we ride shiny Harleys and wear the signature crown as our patch, but we are community, a brotherhood in the community. It’s about Giving Back. Sometimes I feel like Shaquille O’Neal, giving a hand to someone who needs it, but I do it with a brotherhood of Kings and It feels good.
“To our Kings of Cali fallen soldiers and families, ‘May no king or queen be forgotten but remembered.’ Look for us on Instagram: Kings of Cali_MC.
“It’s good to be a king. … Hear us roar.”
Community journalist Pat Winston can be reached at pawinsto@gmail.com.
