On Saturday afternoon, a group of about 50 people gathered in front of Nineteen21, a restaurant and lounge at 1701 Yosemite St. in the Bayview neighborhood for Walk The Block SF.
It was an event organized by SF Hip Hop, a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating the Bay Area’s contribution to the hip-hop music genre, locally and around the world.
Kamel Jacot-Bell of San Francisco, along with Alex Aquino, started SF Hip Hop a year ago. This was the first Walk The Block SF event in Bayview-Hunters Point. “We wanted to do something impactful in the community,” said Jacot-Bell. “We want to celebrate the neighborhood and support local businesses.”
Walk The Block promotes health awareness, safety, and unity in San Francisco neighborhoods. It’s an opportunity for people to get outside, get to know their neighbors and support local businesses in the area. The event Saturday stretched about a mile down Third Street. A mix of young and old participants made stops at local small businesses to shop, gather and socialize.
Mayor Daniel Lurie arrived around 1 p.m.; he listened to a rendition of “Lift Every Voice” by participants and joined in a group prayer before making the walk up Third Street. Lurie said he joined the walk to support the Bayview community.
“The energy on this walk, the leadership, this is what every community needs, and Bayview has it,” Lurie said. The mayor said that he enjoyed some good barbecue and sugar cookies during the community walk. He took one last group picture with organizers and participants at Third and Quesada streets before heading out.
