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Harvesting Heritage: Fall in Our Cultural Districts

Along with a sense of comfort and warmth, this special time of year also brings growth and transition. In this newsletter, you will discover the latest updates on many impactful Cultural District initiatives, learn about projects promoting and preserving art, culture, and diversity, and delve into upcoming celebrations and events that offer wonderful opportunities for community engagement. Join us across our Cultural Districts as we embrace all of the magical experiences that fall has to offer!

San Francisco African American Arts & Cultural District (SFAAACD) – SFAAACD is pleased to announce that it is on schedule to present their CHHESS Report to the Land Use & Transportation Committee on Monday, September 29^th. They anticipate the CHHESS Report will receive full approval before the end of 2025! This milestone will serve as a critical step in advancing policies and resources that directly benefit the African American community in San Francisco.

In addition, SFAAACD was proud to host a vibrant Juneteenth celebration at Gilman Park this year, uniting community members in a joyful tribute to heritage, culture, and resilience. Building on that momentum, their ongoing tour series continues to highlight the richness of the community through art, food, and history. They look forward to expanding these offerings in Q4 of 2025.

American Indian Cultural District (AICD) – AICD is thrilled by the increased involvement of community members in our Land Stewardship program with Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy during their recent program dates! Registration had to be closed weeks ahead of schedule for their trips to Alcatraz Island and Muir Woods. Check out the Upcoming Events section below for more information on the next outing to the Marin Headlands.

Calle 24 Latino Cultural District – On August 9th, Calle 25 celebrated their Back-to-School event by giving out over 300 backpacks to kids from kindergarten through high school. The day was filled with fun activities, including a bouncy house, cotton candy, food, face painting, and a drawing area – bringing joy and excitement to the entire community as students got ready for the new school year!

Castro LGBTQ Cultural District – The Castro LGBTQ Cultural District was excited to be featured on SF Heritage's Cultural District Spotlight in August. Looking ahead, the District has several exciting initiatives lined up. In October, as part of LGBTQ History Month, an event at Queer Arts Featured will take place (date TBD) where they will distribute their Castro Cultural Heritage publication. Additionally, next March, they will be planning for the “Conjuring Power Exhibition: Roots & Future of Queer & Trans Movements” at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, co-curated by Tina Aguirre and Caro De Robertis.

Japantown Cultural District – Expanding from successful Japanese Shodo workshops held quarterly, Japantown Cultural District plans to increase sessions to twice monthly. This change aims to cater to high demand and enhance cultural engagement. Additionally, they will introduce Ikebana workshops and Japanese language classes for a more immersive learning experience!

Monthly cultural programs inspired by the Japanese calendar will also be offered, featuring traditional practices and contemporary events to attract a wider audience. Their goal is not only to provide enriching cultural experiences but also to support community events for Japantown's sustainability and growth.

LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District – After six years of planning, the first five sidewalk plaques commemorating sites important to the leather community's history have been installed! Sidewalk plaques commemorating cultural history serve as tangible reminders of the past, preserving and honoring significant events, people, or places. These markers contribute to a sense of place and identity within a community, fostering awareness and appreciation for diverse cultural heritage. By highlighting historical narratives in public spaces, sidewalk plaques help educate future generations about their shared history and promote inclusivity and understanding among different groups.

Sunset Chinese Cultural District (SCCD) — On July 12, SCCD hosted the Irving Art Selection Open House, where dozens of Sunset residents, community members, and art lovers attended, mingled with each other, and voted for their favorite art portfolio. 

Additionally, on July 26, SCCD co-hosted a monolingual Chinese community convening for Westside residents to learn about and share thoughts on the Mayor’s Family Zoning Plan. Over 80 people attended, learned about the plan, and broke out into small groups to share their reactions on how this plan can impact their day-to-day living experience on the west side. Read more updates from SCCD.

The Transgender District — This August, The Transgender District celebrated Transgender History Month with a powerful lineup of events — from Black Elder Storytelling to a Fireside Chat with Love Bailey, culminating in Reparations is a Riot! and Expansive 2025, which together drew over 400 attendees.

Amid this joy, The Transgender District launched The Riot Fund — a multi-year emergency fund that aims to raise $100,000 over three years. The Riot Fund is a lifeline. It will stabilize at-risk programs, support the small but mighty team that pours its heart into this work, and build the financial reserves we need to weather future uncertainty. Learn more.