Keepers of the Culture 2026

Honoring true Culture Icons

On Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 5 p.m.–7:30 p.m. the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art will honor it's 2026 Keepers of the Culture recipients. We are pleased to collaborate with the San Diego History Center as we honor true cultural icons.

Join us in showing appreciation to:

• Jeannie Cheatham/Jazz Singer. Ms. Cheaton broke through the glass ceiling of a male-dominated genre, opening doors for many women artists. Her collaboration with her late husband Jimmy, forming the Jimmy and Jeannie Cheatham Sweet Baby Blues Band, brought authentic blues and jazz to audiences worldwide. Her pioneering spirit paved the way for later generations, inspiring acclaimed vocalists like Cassandra Wilson and Samera Joy, who continue to expand the boundaries of jazz today.

• Sandra Foster King, Career Teacher/Dancer. For more than 3 decades, Sandra Foster King was UCSD Lecturer of Dance and a dance teacher at the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts. She used her skills as a dancer and choreographer to expose the world of dance to young people. Ms. Foster King helped her students understand that Black dance is far more than an aesthetic practice, it is a vehicle for cultural preservation. In 2001, the Foster-King Dance Collection brought to San Diego the unforgettable 14th annual International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference and Festival.

• Donald Robinson, Career Dance Teacher/Mentor. Donald Robinson is an educator who used his skills as a dancer and choreographer to open the world of dance to hundreds of young people. An instructor at School of Creative & Performing Arts, Mr. Robinson also used this platform to make lasting contributions to preserve and promote Black cultural heritage. Through his efforts, students became aware of the many contributions Black artists have made to the field of dance, and were benefited by his mentorship.

• The Stance Family–Owner/Operators of Bowlegged BBQ. At the corner of Market and Toyne Streets, Bowlegged BBQ radiates a welcoming warmth that draws people in from all walks of life. The Stance Family—brothers Carlos and Kenny “Bowlegged” Stance, and sisters Maria J. Reese, serve barbeque in a setting where even vegetarians smile. They offer great food, music, and hospitality that truly makes you feel like you are home. The Stance siblings come from a family of entrepreneurs and exemplify the values central to Black culture. Soul food has its origins in the traditions of enslaved ancestors, and by serving traditional dishes passed down through generations, the Stance Family pays homage to their heritage and keeps the spirit of their ancestors alive.

The doors will open at 5 p.m. for a reception featuring Jazz Harpist Mariea Antoinette. The program will begin at 6 p.m.

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