The San Diego Experience of the Civil Rights Movement

Dr Matthews made the world a better place for all of us!

In honor of Black History Month we would like to share the story of our own Dr. Robert (Bob) Matthews. Robert was born June 2, 1930 to Mark and Susie (Brown) Matthews who lived on 6th Street (now renamed Jarrett Street). He was the oldest of thirteen children and had a profound desire to learn and was often the only African American male in his class from K-12. After graduating from Tonganoxie High School in 1948 he attended Kansas State Teacher’s College in Emporia and graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor degree in Education. He started his career as an elementary teacher in Kansas City, Mo. and after serving in Korean War he attended Columbia University where he earned his Masters. In 1955 he and his wife, Ardelle made their move to San Diego where they lived and raised their family of three sons. He was an educator and administrator for twenty-nine years in the San Diego school district and also achieved his doctor’s degree in 1971. He later became President of Continuing Education with San Diego Community College.
Not only was Dr. Matthews a trailblazer in the education field but also active in his church and a civil rights icon. He was one of the early organizers of the San Diego Martin Luther King parade which started in 1980. In 2008 he was named the chairman of this annual event and a local radio station interviewed him before the parade kicked off. In the interview he describes himself as a freedom-fighter and that was instilled in him during events of the 50’s and 60’s. He was quoted, “I was young then. I am an old man now, but I’ve lived through it. And I have seen tremendous changes.”
Dr. Matthews passed away at the age of 90 on July 2, 2020 in San Diego. Tributes poured in and his life was celebrated by many whom he had encouraged during his life. He was called a humanitarian who always exuded hope in all his undertakings. We were fortunate enough for Dr. Matthews to visit his hometown of Tonganoxie in 2010 when he was inducted into the first class of the USD 464 Education Foundation Hall of Fame. He gave a very motivating and inspirational speech to the younger students at the annual Foundation breakfast that weekend. Proud to honor our own, Dr. Robert Matthews.

Our living legends sharing their story !

💥TUNE IN LIVE IN ONE HOUR ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE: FACEBOOK.COM/CHAVEZCLUBS 💥
For the first time ever, Cesar Chavez Service Clubs co-founders, Linda & Carlos LeGerrette, and United Domestic Workers of America co-founder, Ken Seaton-Msemaji, will talk about what organizing with Cesar Chavez was like, the importance of teaching Cesar Chavez’s values to today’s young leaders, and what Cesar Chavez would be doing today to help working families.
The discussion will be moderated by San Diego Cesar Chavez Service Club members, also known as a “Chavistas”, and discussion topics will include: the coronavirus pandemic, the importance of Black Lives Matter, supporting DACA recipients, and much more!
Invite your friends and family members to tune in to this first-of-its-kind event!

An important event to support the National Conflict Resolution Center...

A Path Forward - NATIONAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION CENTER | Mobile Silent Auction | Find an Event Near You | Handbid Please click the tab above to register and create an account for this event, You will log back into this account on August 20th to view the event. Handbid provides the option to view this event in your browser as well as in their app.Where do we go from here? How do we get there? What can I do?Join....

These 19 black women fought for voting rights Black women like Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Ella Baker and Mary Church Terrell played a major role in the women's suffrage movement.