In Celebration

Of

The Honorable John Douimbia

Teacher of Black Men

Sunrise December 12, 1924

Sunset December 12, 2009



Thursday, February 12, 2009

Duggans Funeral Service

3434 17th Street

San Francisco CA

11AM

Minister Marvin X, Officiating



John Turner Douimbia



John Douimbia, founder of the 1980 Black Men's Conference at the Oakland Auditorium, was born December 12, 1924, Dallas, Texas. He was educated in Texas, Los Angeles and San Francisco. He was also a merchant seaman who traveled the world.

He was affectionately known as John D or The Count because of his immaculate manner of dress. For a time he lived in Harlem and was a hustling friend of Malcolm X. After his release from prison and joining the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X came to Los Angeles and reconnected with John. John invited Malcolm to a meeting packed with white socialists. Malcolm was impressed with John's organizing and asked if he would help organize the temple in San Francisco.. John told Malcolm when he returned from overseas he would look into the matter, which he did. He is one of the pioneers of Mosque 26.

John had a long held dream of a secular organization of Black Men. For over twenty years he discussed his dream with various Bay Area brothers, but nothing happened until he ran into Marvin X, and together they planned and organized the Black Men's Conference, 1980. Participants included Oba T's Shaka, Dr. Wade Nobles, Paul Cobb, Dr. Yusef Bey, Dr.. Lige Dailey, Michael Lange, Abdul Sabri, Charlie Walker, Norman Brown, Kermit Scott, Leroy James and others. Dezzie Woods-Jones, Betty King and Edith Austin also helped organize the event.

The idea went coast to coast with brothers organizing similar meetings in Philadelphia and New York. Fifteen years later, Minister Farakhan organized the Million Man March.

John Douimbia dressed immaculately every day as he walked the streets of San Francisco. The only man who out dressed John was his friend, Mayor Willie Brown.

His prophetic last words were told to Marvin X and Rashid Easley, "Watch that guy Obama." "When John told us to watch Obama we didn't know who he was, had never heard of him," says Marvin X. John was a perennial figure in San Francisco politics and a long-time member and officer of the NAACP. The Black men and women of the Bay Area shall miss him dearly but shall never forget his wisdom and guidance.

Order of Service

Processional Musical Prelude



Prayer Minister Marvin X



Scripture Reading

Holy Qur'an Abdul Sabri



The Obituary Ptah Allah El



Musical Selection Earl Davis



Remarks



Eulogy Minister Marvin X



Recessional