People We Meet Bayviews seniors taught William Rhodes how to party and quilt

William Rhodes, a multimedia artist and director at the Dr. George W. Davis Senior Center, is creating quilts with Black seniors in Bayview that honor their experiences at the local shipyard. Initially uninterested in quilting, Rhodes has embraced the medium due to its cultural significance. The project encourages seniors to share images and stories, enhancing community bonds and emotional investment in the art.

The Black population in Bayview has decreased by 22% since 2000, raising concerns about preserving their history. Rhodes highlights the activism of African Americans during World War II, which influenced civil rights advancements. Collaborating with historian Stacey Carter, they documented oral histories and verified them with archival materials. The quilts, which incorporate personal and historical imagery, will be displayed at Hunters Point Shipyard Artist Studios on select dates. This initiative aims to keep the stories of Black residents alive amid demographic changes.