Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D. Recognizes Black History Month Honorees

Dear Neighbor,

Black History Month is a time where we can actively celebrate and reflect on the contributions that individuals of the African Diaspora have made throughout the world. This time also affords the opportunity to recognize some of the tremendous accomplishments marked through the many endeavors of Black Americans in U.S. history. Below is more information about each of my honorees in celebration of Black History Month this year.

 

The California Black Chamber of Commerce and the California Legislative Black Caucus Annual Legislative Black Business Brunch Honoree: Coop’s BBQ.

Coop’s BBQ has become a beloved staple in San Diego’s barbecue scene since its opening in 2010. Founded by Brad Cooper, affectionately known as "Mr. Coop," the restaurant quickly gained a loyal following by blending the low-and-slow cooking techniques of Texas BBQ with the rich, flavorful elements of soul food. In 2023, after a difficult financial year, the Coopers made the difficult decision to close their doors. However, the support from community was overwhelming, with lines stretching down the street, as the community rallied around their favorite BBQ joint. Touched by the tremendous outpouring of love, Brad and his wife, Tara, decided to keep Coop’s BBQ open, opening the doors on weekends so they could continue to serve the San Diego community.

The California Legislative Black Caucus Unsung Hero Honoree of the 39th Senate District: Tasha Williamson, San Diego-based civil and human rights activist.

Tasha is the co-founder of the San Diego Compassion Project, a community-first responder initiative that assisted over 80,000 individuals from 2008 to 2019. The program mobilized organizations and community members to respond to scenes of violence, offering immediate support to victims and homicide survivors. Tasha has worked directly with law enforcement at crime scenes to provide critical victim support while simultaneously pushing for policy changes to reduce over-criminalization. She co-developed community-police engagement training, bringing together law enforcement, probation officials, and marginalized communities to foster dialogue and accountability.