Leidesdorff: President of First California School Board

William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. Celebration

Saturday, October 9, 2004 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Community Celebration

Courtyard by Marriott, Folsom
2575 Iron Point Road
Folsom, CA 95630

California Assemblymember Dave Cox, Dr. Thelma Scott-Skillman, President, Folsom Lake College, William E. Smith, President, El Dorado Farm Trails and other prominent community leaders will officially dedicate the William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. Memorial Highway, 15 miles of U.S. Highway 50.

William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. served our nation as first the African American Diplomat in U.S. history, U.S Vice-Consul of Mexican California. He was a highly respected international maritime merchant. His good name was well known in the Ports of New York, Cuba, Honduras, Louisiana, Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska and California.

William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. was President of the first School Board in California and donated the land to build the first public school in California. Our regional community is beginning to value diversity and thus we may be able to include the contributions from people of African ancestry to History - Social Science Content Standards of our California State Board of Education.

The continuing dismal educational performance in many of our California Public Schools is directly related to poor self-esteem and poor self-confidence. African contributions to the forward flow of humanity can stimulate the imagination of all students to a greater respect and appreciation.

William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. captained the only steam ship in California prior to the Gold Rush. “The Sitka” is seen on our California State Seal showcasing his vision for California Agricultural Exports from Sacramento Valley to global markets.

Early maps clearly show his Rancho Rio de Los Americanos, Rancho Leidesdorff, over 35,000 acres of fertile land, producing cattle and wheat for international export.
It was his grant that borders Grant Line Rd. leading to Murphy’s Ranch where the Bear Flag Revolt first began, facilitating the creation of our State of California.

Early California history is truely an ethnic diverse story, however a signifigant portion of our California story is not apart of our public education system because of the lack of accountability and unaddressed aspects of governmental institutional racism practiced by the 'founding fathers' of our State of California.

Today, we must do better and establish a more perfect union.

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