Keepers of the Vision

Through dialogue, advocacy, education, and relationship-building, these individuals contributed to establishing a stronger, more unified community across generations.

Honoring the founders, leaders, organizers, and community voices whose dedication, courage, and service have shaped the mission and legacy of the SF Bay Area Black & Jewish Unity Coalition.

Malcolm Gissen

Malcolm Gissen has devoted his life to social justice, civil rights, and criminal justice reform. While in law school at the University of Wisconsin, he spent a summer in Mississippi working with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to help desegregate public facilities and promote economic opportunities for African Americans. He returned to Mississippi numerous times, building relationships and collaborating with influential leaders like Fannie Lou Hamer and other Black community advocates.

Previously serving as a Managing Director and Wealth Manager at First Republic Bank and managing a mutual fund, Malcolm later dedicated his retirement to advocacy and reform across California’s criminal justice system. As co-founder and Co-Leader of the SF Bay Area Black & Jewish Unity Coalition, and Co-Chair of its Criminal Justice & Prison Reform Committee, he has worked closely with legislators, nonprofits, and community leaders to support rehabilitation, reentry, and systemic reform.

A member of Congregation Emanu-El, Malcolm now lives in New Mexico, where he continues his commitment to justice, equity, and community service.

Formerly a Managing Director and Wealth Manager at First Republic Bank and manager of a mutual fund, Malcolm later devoted his retirement years to advocacy and reform work throughout California’s criminal justice system. As co-founder and Co-Leader of the SF Bay Area Black & Jewish Unity Coalition, and Co-Chair of its Criminal Justice & Prison Reform Committee, he has worked closely with legislators, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders to support rehabilitation, reentry, and meaningful systemic reform.

A member of Congregation Emanu-El, Malcolm now resides in New Mexico, where he continues his commitment to justice, equity, and community service.

Co-Founder & Former Co-Leader

Howard Lindsey

Howard Lindsay is a minister, community leader, entrepreneur, and financial services professional with more than 30 years of experience in global finance and community advocacy. Affectionately known as the “Love Minister,” his work has long centered on faith, social justice, economic empowerment, and interfaith collaboration.

A committed advocate for justice and unity, Howard served as Co-Leader of the SF Bay Area Black & Jewish Unity Coalition, helping advance racial and economic equity throughout the Bay Area. He also served at Grace Tabernacle Community Church in San Francisco’s Bayview–Hunters Point community, leading social justice ministries and community outreach efforts. Howard additionally served as Finance Chair of the Church of Our Jesus Christ International Convention Committee and Treasurer of the Social Justice Economic and Racial Justice Equality Commission.

Professionally, Howard built a distinguished career within global investment banking while remaining deeply committed to charitable, civic, and faith-based service. He currently serves as CEO of Pat’s Exotic Beverages, Inc., helping guide his family’s historic business into its next generation while honoring its Caribbean roots and legacy.

After more than 20 years in San Francisco, where he built strong ties within the Fillmore and Bayview–Hunters Point communities, Howard returned to the New York City area in 2021 to reconnect more closely with his family’s roots and business. Grounded in the prophetic call of Micah 6:8, Howard continues to devote his life and leadership to faith, justice, economic empowerment, and community transformation.

Former Co-Leader

Rabbi Beth Singer
Former Senior Rabbi, Congregation Emanu-El

Rabbi Beth Singer was instrumental in the formation of the SF Black & Jewish Unity Coalition in early 2016. What began as conversations among clergy to address concerns impacting San Francisco’s Black community soon evolved into a broader coalition of faith leaders, activists, and community members committed to strengthening relationships and advancing justice across communities.

Through open dialogue, personal reflection, and courageous conversations around race, prejudice, and inequality, Rabbi Singer helped foster an environment of trust, understanding, and authentic unity that became foundational to the coalition’s mission and growth.

Ann Rubin
Steering Committee Member

Ann Rubin has played a crucial role in the SF Black & Jewish Unity Coalition, dedicating many hours to community engagement, economic development, reparations advocacy, legislative efforts, and fostering meaningful partnerships. As a member of the Steering Committee, she was recognized as a unifying presence, ensuring that operations and projects moved forward with consistency, care, and purpose. Her leadership, commitment, and behind-the-scenes work have been instrumental in strengthening relationships, maintaining the coalition’s mission, and upholding the spirit of unity that defines the organization.

Bobby Jones-Hanley
Former Steering Committee Member

Bobby Jones-Hanley is a respected social justice and reentry advocate dedicated to advancing equity, healing, and systemic reform for justice-impacted communities. As founder of PURE1.org and creator of the Triumph Journey youth program, he has helped connect individuals and families to pathways to healing, education, and opportunity.

As a former Steering Committee member and Criminal Justice & Prison Reform Committee co-chair of the SF Black & Jewish Unity Coalition, Bobby played a key role in strengthening advocacy, policy engagement, and community collaboration across the Bay Area.PURE1.org and creator of the Triumph Journey youth program, he has helped connect individuals and families to pathways of healing, education, and opportunity.

As a former Steering Committee member and Criminal Justice & Prison Reform Committee co-chair within the SF Black & Jewish Unity Coalition, Bobby played an important role in strengthening advocacy, policy engagement, and community collaboration throughout the Bay Area.

Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown
Pastor, Civil Rights Leader & Community Advocate

Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown is a nationally respected pastor, civil rights leader, and advocate for justice, equality, reparations, and interfaith unity. As Pastor of Third Baptist Church, he has dedicated decades to advancing civil rights, economic empowerment, educational opportunity, and community advocacy throughout the Bay Area and beyond.

A longtime leader within the Civil Rights Movement and former President of the NAACP San Francisco Branch, Rev. Brown has also been a leading voice in the movement for reparations and racial justice. For more than 37 years, he presided over the historic pulpit exchange between Third Baptist Church and Congregation Emanu-El, helping strengthen Black and Jewish relations through faith, dialogue, and shared commitment to justice. His leadership helped lay the foundation for the continued work of the SF Bay Area Black and Jewish Unity Coalition.

Mattie Scott
Violence Prevention Advocate & Community Leader

Mattie Scott is a respected advocate dedicated to violence prevention, healing, and restorative support for families impacted by gun violence. As the founder of Healing 4 Our Families & Our Nation, she has dedicated over twenty years to community healing, outreach, and promoting peace and justice. A valued member of the SF Bay Area Black & Jewish Unity Coalition, Mattie has worked with faith leaders, elected officials, and community groups to promote healing, cooperation, and meaningful change. After losing her son to gun violence in 1996, she transformed her personal tragedy into a lifelong commitment to service and advocacy, driven by her message to “stop the killing and start the healing.”

Carol Ruth Silver
Attorney, Freedom Rider & Public Servant

Carol Ruth Silver is a distinguished attorney, former San Francisco Board of Supervisors member, and lifelong civil rights advocate. As a Freedom Rider during the Civil Rights Movement, Carol was arrested in Mississippi in 1961 while protesting segregation. She later documented her experiences in her book, Freedom Rider Diary: Smuggled Notes from Parchman Prison.

A valued supporter of the SF Black & Jewish Unity Coalition, Carol’s decades of leadership, advocacy, and public service have helped advance civil rights, interfaith dialogue, and community empowerment throughout San Francisco and beyond.