First African American Miss Oakland

Miss Oakland 1968

In 1968, Tanya Dennis was crowned Miss Oakland, becoming the first African-American to wear the crown. She then became one of the early African-American to compete for the title of Miss California.

Oakland Tribune 1968

Miss Dennis was the first of three (in a row) African-American Miss Oakland.

Oakland Tribune June 1968

In June of 1969, Miss Dennis competed with 36 other girls from throughout the state for Miss California.

Miss Dennis won the talent division with an exotic African ballet.

Santa Cruz Sentinel June 1968

Miss Dennis was the third runner-up in the Miss California pageant.

 Miss Oakland 1969

In 1969, Laomia McCoy was crowned Miss Oakland, becoming the second African – American to wear the crown and compete for Miss California’s title.

Miss McCoy sang a selection from “Porgy and Bess” to win the talent category in preliminary judging, and Miss Redlands, Susan Anton, took the swimsuit honor.

The Californian June 20, 1969

Susan Anton won the title of Miss California, and Miss McCoy was one of the runner-ups.

Miss McCoy was 19 at the time of the competition and a student at Merritt College.

Oakland Tribune May 1969

Miss Oakland 1970

In 1970 Theresa Smith was crowned Miss Oakland, becoming the third African-American to wear the crown and compete for Miss California’s title.

Santa Cruz Sentinel June 4, 1970

Smith competed alongside 35 contestants for the title of Miss California.

SF Examiner June 17, 1970

The Miss Congeniality, an award voted by the contestants, was awarded to Miss Oakland, Theresa Smith; she was also honored for being the most talented non-finalist dancer in the competition.

Oakland Tribune November 12, 1970

Miss Smith was 20 years old at the time of the competition and a student at the University of California.

The officials at the Miss California State pageant refused to allow Miss Smith to perform unless she dropped the “offensive” word “Black,” from her recitation. It hadn’t been offensive in Oakland.

Oakland Tribune October 8, 1970

Black Beauty Queens Denied Rewards

Laomia McCoy and Theresa Smith, Miss Oakland of 1969 and 1970, held a press conference to discuss that they were treated unfairly and racially discriminated against by the Miss Oakland beauty pageant’s sponsors.

“if they had it to do all over again they wouldn’t have competed in the annual pageant.”

Theresa Smith and Laoma McCoy Sept 19, 1970

Negligent

The Oakland Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) was the pageant’s sponsor for the previous 24 years before 1970.

“I feel that they (the Jaycees) have been negligent in communicating with me and supporting me and have failed to bestow upon me the full benefits of my title said, Miss Smith.

Miss Smith charged that she was promised a $1000.00 scholarship but only received $100, was invited to appear at hardly any civic events, and was denied pay for personal appearances.

SF Examiner 1970

The Jaycees president said her complaints were just a misunderstanding about what the title involves and that she received the same as previous winners.

Theresa got a $100 scholarship that was promised before the start of school. The money arrived after final registration at UC, forcing her “to be faced with an additional fee for be late” in registering.

The Jaycees decided to drop their sponsorship of the pageant after 24 years in 1970; they said they were over budget by $1500.

More Info:

The End

Rock Concerts – Montclair Park

Updated April 2024

Montclair Recreation Center 6300 Moraga Ave
The Montclarion 1970

In 1970, the Montclair Recreation Center held bi-weekly rock concerts, which were co-sponsored by the Center and the Montclair Junior Women’s Club.

Montclarion June 1970
Oakland Tribune 1970
Montclarion June 1970

The bands were not obscure but rather the groups that headlined local clubs or played third on the bill at the Fillmore West.

Admission was a $1.00 to $1.50

The concerts suddenly stopped in the middle of 1972. Not sure why.

Montclarion June 1970
From the Forgotten Montclair Group on Facebook
Oakland Tribune 1970

I found the advertisements in the Oakland Tribune’s “Wednesday Teen Age” and “What’s doing…where…” sections.

Oakland Tribune August 26, 1970

The Concerts lasted until the fall of 1972.

Sample section from the Oakland Tribune

Oakland Tribune October 1970

I loved this song and never knew who the artist was. Enjoy!

The Band Malo –

I commend the leaders of the recreation center for doing this. I can imagine a lot of people in Montclair did not like the idea (see below)

Community Response

Montclarion June 1970

Brutality Charges against Oakland Police

The Montclarion December 1970

Lots of Memories of the Concerts

Speaking of memories, many people remember more prominently named bands playing there. I don’t doubt them; I just haven’t found any concert information.

I was alive and living in Montclair during this timeframe. But I have no memory of the concerts. I know I would have enjoyed going to them.

Found Tower of Power!

Oakland Tribune Dec 12, 1970

The Concerts

This is not a complete list.

  • September 06, 1968 – Two Teen Rock Groups
  • June 13, 1970 – Artichoke Jones – Summer Festival
  • June 26, 1970 – Fox Glove & Leviticus – Montera Jr High
  • July 03, 1970 – Backwater Rising – Montera Jr High
  • August 09, 1970- Sunny Street *
  • August 15, 1970 – Loveship *
  • August 22, 1970 – Cookin Mama and Rags *
  • August 30, 1970 – Loveship * back again
  • September 05, 1970 – Crystal Garden *
  • September 19, 1970 – The Tyde *
  • October 03, 1970 – Frontier Constabulary
  • October 10, 1970 – The Fog *
  • October 24, 1970 – AB Skhy *
  • October 31, 1970 – Loading Zone featuring Linda Tillery *
  • November 07, 1970 – Loading Zone featuring Linda Tillery *
  • November 14, 1970 – Loveship *
  • November 21, 1970 – Beggar’s Opera *
  • November 28, 1970 – Joy of Cooking
  • December 5, 1970 – Little John featuring John Hart*
  • December 12, 1970 – Tower of Power
  • New Year’s Eve – Little John featuring John Hart*
  • January ??, 1971 – Barry Melton and the Fish
  • January 09, 1971 – Loading Zone
  • January 16. 1971 – Tower of Power *
  • January 23, 1971 – Commander Cody *
  • January 23, 1971 – Boz Scaggs
  • January 30, 1971 – Joy of Cooking *
  • February 06, 1971 – The Tyde *
  • February 11, 1971 – Loading Zone featuring Linda Tillery – Skyline High
  • February 13, 1971 – Little John featuring John Hart *
  • February 20, 1971 – John Hooker Group *
  • February 27, 1971 – Cat Mother *
  • March 13, 1971 – Full Moon (formerly The Womb)
  • March 20, 1971 – Loading Zone featuring Linda Tillery
  • March 27, 1971 – Pipe *
  • April 17, 1971 – Little John featuring John Hart *
  • April 24, 1971 – Western Addition with John Celona
  • May 01, 1971 – Ice Band or Stoneground *
  • May 08, 1971 – Barry Melton and The Fish *
  • May 15, 1971 – Cat Mother*
  • May 22, 1971 – Loading Zone with Linda Tillery *
  • May 29, 1971 – Gold *
  • June 06, 1971 – John Lee Hooker
  • June 12, 1971 – Malo – with Jorge Santana, brother of Carlos*
  • June 23, 1971 – Liquid Heart
  • June 26, 1971 – Fox Glove & Leviticus – Montera Jr High
  • July 03, 1971 – Sopwith Camel
  • July 10, 1971 – Clover *
  • July 17, 1971 – Little John featuring John Hart “Montclair Favorite.
  • July 24, 1971 – Gold
  • September ??, 1971 – Crystal Garden *
  • September 19, 1971 – Loading Zone
  • October 02, 1971 – Barry Melton and The Fish
  • October 16, 1971 – Full Moon *
  • October 23, 1971 – Jabo Stokes
  • November 6, 1971 – Cat Mother
  • November 13, 1971 – Grootna
  • November 20, 1971 – Loading Zone – featuring Linda Tillery
  • December 04, 1971 – Malo – with Jorge Santana, brother of Carlos*
  • January 19, 1972 – Gold
  • February 19, 1972 – Little Sister, Gunn, and Thunderclap
  • March 04, 1972 – Little John featuring John Hart
  • April 08, 1972 – Loading Zone –
  • September 30, 1972 – Anglo Saxon – with John Hart, formerly of Little John
  • November ?? 1972 – Gold

*Green Death with Kurt Steele did the light show

From the Forgotten Montclair Group – Their light shows were mostly two shallow glass bowls, placed on an overhead projector. The bottom bowl held oil and food coloring, and the top bowl fitted inside it, allowing them to squish the colors around in kaleidoscopic patterns. They set up their equipment and chairs on a table in the back of the room where the band played. Despite the low-tech process, their light shows were very fresh and added a lot to the atmosphere of the rock concerts.”

SF Examiner May 8, 1971
Oakland Tribune 1971
Oakland Tribune Feb 9, 1971
Oakland Tribune September 16, 1970

More Info:

Rock Archaeology 101 – Montclair Recreation Center

The End