Oshalla Diana Marcus stood before a vibrant mural at a bus shelter in Marin City, depicting proud Black shipyard workers clad in heavy welding gear and elegant Sunday attire.
Among those honored in the mural is Annie Small, who journeyed from Louisiana with only $8 and spent days sitting on her suitcase aboard a train before arriving in the Bay Area. Small, who became a part of the robust workforce in Sausalito’s shipyards during the early 1940s, passed away in 2018.
Marcus, a childhood neighbor of Small, reflected on the importance of community connection, stating, “Her granddaughter and my brother are married. So the legacy doesn’t stop — because we are a close community.”
This mural is part of an ongoing initiative led by local historian Felecia Gaston, who aims to shed light on Marin City’s rich Black history. Gaston collaborates with county schools and libraries to educate the public about the contributions of African Americans in this region.
“There were maybe 20,000 Black people who worked in the shipyard from 1942 to 1945,” Gaston explained. “We selected a few because we actually have their oral histories.
In addition to Annie Small, the exhibit features Joseph James, a welder and civil rights advocate, Rev. Leon Samuels, and Mrs. Rodessa Battle. Each of their stories illustrates the motivation for relocating to Marin City, not just for employment, but for a chance at a better life.
The murals are part of a broader exhibition distributed across five Marin Transit bus stops in Marin City. Accompanying the artwork are panels that recount the historical context of what historians refer to as “the Great Migration.”
One panel reads, “These are American stories of patriotism and persistence.” It describes how workers journeyed from the South, acquiring one-way tickets and vowing never to return to the oppressive Jim Crow laws.
Beneath an illustration of a battleship is a modern QR code labeled, “Discover More Legacy.” This code links to a webpage featuring in-depth stories and audio recordings of the mural’s subjects, including that of Small, the late neighbor of Marcus.
Marcus remarked on the waves of migration following World War II, “There was that first wave of people who came and worked in the shipyards. And then there were others who came a little after the war.”
Her father, who became the first African-American deputy sheriff in Marin City, arrived in the 1950s.
“He had gone to school. He was a youth activist. And so he knew Mrs. Small. Everybody knew each other. My mother and Mrs. Small were so close as neighbors. They would pass sugar and flour over the fence,” she recalled fondly.
The unveiling of the murals took place during a celebration filled with streamers and balloons, emphasizing the cultural significance of the event. At the main bus stop on Donahue Street, a blue 1945 Greyhound bus, reminiscent of the transport used by many Black migrants to California, was displayed by the Pacific Bus Museum.
Attendees enjoyed grilled food and music from a deejay, while tables set up by the Marin County Free Library offered books and educational materials developed by Gaston.
James Shields, the artist behind the murals, witnessed the crowd of local figures, educators, and residents engaging with his artwork. He aimed to portray the strength and pride of Marin City’s pioneers, noting that traditional World War II patriotic depictions often excluded Black Americans.
Ken Lippi, deputy superintendent for the Marin County Office of Education, stated that the mural project builds upon previous exhibits introduced by Gaston in schools across the region.
Lana Adlawan, director of the Marin County Free Library, highlighted a partnership with Gaston and Dominican University of California to create a public school curriculum based on oral histories. The library also distributed copies of Gaston’s book detailing Marin City’s history for student use.
Many attendees resonated with Marin City’s history, recognizing parallels in their own communities. Etienne Douglas, who manages a library learning lab, noted, “It speaks to me because the story of Marin City is the same story in a lot of places.”
Historically, Marin City was predominantly Black, as restrictive real estate covenants barred African Americans from residing in other nearby areas.
During World War II, the local shipyard and the surrounding community became integrated. Gaston remarked how the federal government quickly established housing for 6,000 people during this period.
Melvin Battle, whose mother Rodessa Battle is depicted in the mural, shared stories of the hardships that prompted families to leave the South in search of better opportunities. Gaston added that workers in the shipyard could earn significantly higher wages compared to those toiling in the South.
“My mom used to tell me why they came out here and about better jobs,” Battle shared. “It was just hard. People rented their rooms so others could come out here — those in need of a place to stay.”
He described how families offered temporary accommodations before settling into their new lives and jobs, noting the dangers associated with shipyard work.
“That’s why people from the South came out here, and many went back,” Battle continued. “But my mom was one of the people that stayed in Marin City.”
Interestingly, approximately two-thirds of the 20,000 Black migrants who arrived in Marin City between 1942 and 1945 chose to remain in the area after the war.
image source from：https://www.marinij.com/2025/04/18/marin-city-bus-shelter-art-project-honors-communitys-black-pioneers/
