At their February 3 City Council meeting, the Council declared the month of February 2026 as Black History Month. 

Mallory Gaston made a speech honoring Joseph Henry James, a Black Marinship welder who played an essential role in Sausalito and Marin City’s history by successfully challenging discriminatory union practices in the shipyards. His case went all the way to the State Supreme Court, according to the Sausalito Historical Society. James co-founded Marin County’s first NAACP chapter. James was also a talented singer and was featured in numerous Broadway and Hollywood productions. Learn more about Joseph James on the Sausalito Historical Society's website. 

"To truly honor his legacy, we must acknowledge that there is still work ahead of us. We must continue to expand opportunities for supporting and growing minority businesses in Sausalito," Gaston said during the council meeting. "Honoring Joseph means not only remembering history but also applying a lesson learned from those who came before us. May we carry forward the belief that Sausalito can be a place where everyone's voice matters."

Marin City Community Services District is hosting a movie screening of Crooklyn and dinner on Friday, February 20 in honor of Black History Month. Check out the Sausalito Public Library's Black History Month book guide, and Marin County Free Library’s Black History Month events.