Jake Lindsay-Ceniceros, a dedicated worker at SCRAP, has long been known for his ability to uncover unique items at the Bayview nonprofit. Founded by Ruth Asawa, SCRAP specializes in upcycling arts and crafts materials, but Lindsay-Ceniceros’ finds often take a turn toward the extraordinary.
There was the occasion of a messy breakup triggering the donation of a prosthetic leg, as well as a bizarre discovery of a buried cat in a bag of broken china.
However, Lindsay-Ceniceros values the historical artifacts that come through the door. “It’s the cherry on the sundae when historical artifacts or time capsules come in,” he noted. The excitement of connecting with the lives of those who came before us fills him with awe.
Recently, a suitcase donation caught his eye amid an influx of over a thousand pounds of materials processed daily at SCRAP. This particular suitcase was notably heavy and contained an intriguing selection of vintage photographs.
Inside, he found images of jazz musicians, boxers, and basketball games, alongside rare newspapers and magazines. Many of the photographs were not only preserved but also autographed.
Realizing the potential importance of this find, he flagged it for his colleague Lisa Ryan, who specializes in research. Ryan examined the suitcase’s contents and was instantly struck. “I was amazed and sad because we don’t know who brought it,” she said, pondering why family members weren’t reclaiming such cherished items.
Among the treasures, Ryan discovered photographs of none other than Duke Ellington, along with many of his contemporaries. One photograph poignantly captured a moment with the inscription “To Duke, from Duke.” This sparked the realization that the suitcase’s owner was likely named Duke, leading to a deeper investigation.
Ryan unearthed information about Warren “Duke” Bynum, who had made his way from Chicago to San Francisco and held various jobs, including one as a doorman at Elizabeth Arden. Additionally, she found details about his widow, Jimmye Bynum, a resident of San Francisco’s Fillmore District and a friend of literary icon Maya Angelou.
In an effort to honor and disseminate this rich cultural history, Ryan reached out to William Rhodes, director of the intergenerational program at the Dr. George W. Davis Senior Center. Since the suitcase’s contents vividly depicted the Fillmore during its vibrant days known as the “Harlem of the West,” it was a logical fit for Rhodes to incorporate it into his programming.
This connection would yield unexpected and profound outcomes.
Thomas Robert Simpson, the founder of AfroSolo Theatre Company, saw an incredible opportunity when Rhodes shared the suitcase discovery with him. He utilized the items as prompts for his weekly writing class, allowing students to reflect on their own ties to the historic materials they encountered.
The results were remarkable, with students displaying an unexpected familiarity with the contents. One student, Darlene Roberts, known for founding the Fillmore Jazz Ambassadors, recognized celebrated musicians such as Fats Waller and Lionel Hampton from the photographs.
Her connection to the past intensified when she recalled a personal encounter with Earl “Fatha” Hines. “I met him before he died in Oakland,” she shared, praising Hines as a master of the piano.
Another poignant moment arose when Camisha Fatimah Genty recognized the connection to her former neighbor—none other than Jimmye Bynum herself. Genty fondly recalled the grace and strength of Jimmye, describing her deep warmth even when offering correction.
“She always had this way of being that epitomized the definition of the word grace, even in her sternness,” Genty remembered, appreciating the impact that Jimmye had on her formative years.
Genty also expressed hope that these significant artifacts had not been disposed of carelessly, suspecting that perhaps someone conducting a cleanup felt compelled to rid Jimmye’s apartment of such valued historical items.
Lindsay-Ceniceros and Ryan remain grounded in the reality of their work, which involves sorting through countless discarded materials, attempting to streamline the chaos while preserving what is valuable. Ryan’s keen recognition of the suitcase’s worth during such a hectic period at SCRAP feels serendipitous, a nod to the universe’s timing in protecting cultural treasures from potential oblivion.
For Simpson, the emotional explorations throughout the class were enlightening. The photographs not only made the era feel tangible, but also brought forth a sense of loss for a vibrant past. “It was more cohesive back then,” he noted, reflecting on how the Black community now navigates a fragmented existence.
Roberts, Genty, and their classmates are finding new connections with one another and a renewed sense of identity through the safe space Simpson has cultivated in his class. For Simpson himself, it has become a weekly ritual that reinvigorates his spirit. “Every week there’s a renewal in me,” he concluded, underscoring the profound impact of this historic rediscovery on the community.
image source from：missionlocal
