WILLIE “MACK” THOMPSON
May 30, 1935 — July 30, 2024
The Numen of Wood
Sculpture
© John Whitehead
Memorial to Celebrate the Life of Willie “Mack” Thompson
ZOOM — Friday, September 20, 2024
3:30 pm PDT | 5:30 pm CDT | 6:30 pm EDT
Join the Celebration on Zoom at this link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84120458565?pwd=PqCmfafgDei6WuivdEHasGstDJXpeh.1
Meeting ID: 841 2045 8565
Passcode: 480482
Professor of Sociology, Emeritus, San Francisco City College and President of the Organization of African North Americans — Willie Mack Thompson was a historian and avid supporter of the arts. He was a contributing supporter for the National Museum of African American History and Culture; Dance Theatre of Harlem, a Board Member for ZO International (Global Arts); and has a scholarship named after him for the Wo’Se and Ile Omode School. Willie Mack was active in many social justice movements and has established several educational endowments at undergraduate and graduate levels. Mack remained engaged and vibrant throughout life and leaves a tremendous community of family and friends in many countries who love and have been deeply touched by his life.
Pictured left & right are artworks by noted sculptor John Whitehead, one of Mack’s dearest friends who will join us for the memorial. The family would like to thank all of you who have and will contribute to this Memorial Celebration.
Cleopatra’s Cobra
Sculpture
© John Whitehead
This page is developing. It is a tribute to the Life of Willie “Mack” Thompson — Family Grio to the Williams Hudson Family Reunion. We intend to gradually incorporate more of the extensive history and words of wisdom and direction that Mack so generously shared over the years . . . Be Blessed Everyone (that’s what Mack would want . . .)
LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING!
[Lyrics at this link]
MEMORIAL SCHEDULE
[Click documents below for larger view]
In Remembrance of Things Past | Abdul Jabbar
Condolences to the Family | Maria and Pierre Labossiere & family
Haiti Action Committee | HAC
PHOTOS & VIDEO
This video was made while filming a Sci-Fi project that Willie “Mack” Thompson so graciously allowed ZO Magazine to shoot in his home in the Oakland Hills. We were so fascinated with his stories that we just let the camera roll for hours, intending that we would incorporate the footage into a documentary that Mack thought would make an interesting piece to other writings and work he was doing . . .
WRITINGS, INTERVIEWS, INSPIRATION that Willie Mack Thompson shared often, consistently and freely!
- The Williams Hudson Family in the Military — This is a draft of an article and idea Mack was working on. We discussed doing a documentary in regard to this and so many other stories. Certainly, the story about our cousin MSGT. James Williams (or “Toby” as everyone knew him) would make a fascinating short film or documentary. Toby was our first “Horse Whisperer!” 2021
- Email from Mack. Subject: Cuba’s Food Security Risk. (Mack was passionate about so many things and he made sure those around him stayed aware.) Today, as I comb through some of his writings – choosing some to put here for this moment, I feel there is still this synergy of purpose surrounding his still existing presence. I feel this because his friend Tom Rose just emailed us to say he wanted to say a few words at Mack’s Memorial. I had never noticed Tom Rose’s name on this email.Mack is still speaking . . . [The photos from the email are to the left. Click photos for larger view] 2020
- 2019 Was not a bad year for me. — Holiday email from Mack to family. He constantly supported, constantly encouraged family and friends (both professional and personal) to “Connect” wherever that nexus might meet. He didn’t categorize himself as such, but he was quite the “peacemaker.” Not in the traditional sense of wanting everyone to like each other. He was a forthright speaker of his truths (whether they were kind or critical). Sometimes honesty makes for truer friends than those who smile while thinking quite the opposite . . . What you saw, was who you got with Mack. 2019
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- Family Reading Recommendation: The Big Eddy Club
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REUNION MEMORIES WITH MACK – He led by example
- 1992 WHFR Minutes of Meeting – Mack was often the “First to Volunteer to help Family” (see pg. 4 of these Minutes)
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Mack supported Jasmine when she went to the National NAACP ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics) competition and when Jasmine sent Mack a print of the art piece above, he replied in an email:
“I remember talking to your maternal grandmother (Deborah Daniels Dawson) about consulting with support groups for albinos. She said “no” and she added that “we will raise her like any other child.” I thought that these groups might have information and experience that might be helpful. Your grandma was right. You are creating great art, very knowledgeable about albinos, and you’re beautiful.” Signed Uncle Mack