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African American Heritage House, Inc.Highlighting Community MembersQueen Ann CannonAAHH-Newsletter Vol. 3 2025Queen Ann is recognized for her significantcontributions to the African Americancommunity. Her parents instilled in her asense of responsibility towards her fellowbeings and emphasized the importance ofworking for the advancement of herpeople. They taught her to make good useof her time by contributing to hercommunity. Queen Ann passed that downto her children. Queen Ann has been actively involved in various boards and socially-oriented organizations that provide scholarships to young individualspursuing higher education, such as the NAACP and the Urban League.Her deep expertise and understanding of Silicon Valley have proveninvaluable to organizations seeking insights about the Blackcommunity. Currently, she is learning sign language, collaborating withDorothy Hines on preserving the African American museum projectinitiated by Clarissa Moore, and serving as an advisor to the HeritageHouse. Additionally, she contributes to the Eastside Union KiwanisClub’s, jazz line entity, and helping at-risk students by finding thoseorganizations that will offer them scholarships.Queen Ann was named after her father's favorite aunt. Initially, she feltembarrassed by the name. However, upon discovering that it was arespected family name, she drew strength from this revelation anddeveloped pride in carrying a name that reflects her heritage.Queen Ann Cannon continues to work tirelessly for the AfricanAmerican Heritage House at History Park San Jose. She is dedicated topreserving the history of African Americans who migrated to SiliconValley and its surrounding communities. Her life's work has beendocumented in two books, and she is currently in the process of writing a third. Message

MATTIE BRIGGS TINSLEYS U N R I S E A P R I L 0 5 , 1 9 3 5 - S U N S E T M A Y 2 3 , 2 0 2 5In Remembrance of:AAHH-Newsletter Vol. 3 2025Mattie Briggs Tinsley,peacefully passed awaysurrounded by herhusband and familyfollowing a brief illness. Adedicated founder andsupporter of the AfricanAmerican Heritage House,her work and guidance willbe deeply missed. Wehonor her enduringcontribuions

AAHH-Newsletter Vol. 3, 2025The African American community mourns the loss of one of the pioneering AfricanAmerican women who broke barriers in technology. Mary Sutton was discoveredunresponsive in her home on March 13, 2025, after a prolonged illness. The AAHH Boardshare their sorrow over the passing of a true giant in the tech industry. Mary Sutton: A Trailblazer in Silicon ValleyMary Sutton arrived in Silicon Valley during the 1960s, a time when the semiconductorindustry was at its peak and electronics were rapidly evolving into the most crucialsector for chips, hardware, and software production worldwide. Notably, Mary becamethe first African American woman hired by Lockheed Marietta, as well as the first AfricanAmerican manager at both Lockheed and Minolta.Mary earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Prairie View A&MUniversity in Texas in 1966. After graduating, she began her career at Martin Marietta inOrlando, Florida, as an Associate Engineer. A diligent worker, she was determined tocarve out her space in the engineering field. Following a layoff at Martin Marietta, shewas recruited by Lockheed, a California-based company. In 1969, she relocated toSilicon Valley, where she worked for Lockheed Missiles and Space Corporation, TRWSystems, Ford Aerospace & Communications, and Minolta.At each of these companies, Mary introduced software development long before thediscipline had a name. After obtaining her top-secret clearance, she initiated a programto control, build, and install operational and developmental satellite ground softwareproducts to support communication satellite projects. She also established thediscipline of software configuration management at both TRW and Lockheed.Although much of her work was classified, Mary took pride in laying down many of theprotocols still in use today at Lockheed, Minolta, and TRW.Honoring: Mary Sutton

AAHH-Newsletter Vol. 3, 2025Ahmed Dirie,demonstrates traditionalSomali men’s clothingAfricans were a part of the earlysettlement in Alta California in 1777, On May 9th, AAHH is proud to have host-partnered withMosaic America, a non-profit organization that pioneersnew approaches to building social cohesion amonghighly diverse people and organizations whose fates andfutures are bound together by living in a place.Mosaic America curated an immersive and interactiveexperience in traditions from Africa, Afro-Latin, African-American, and Black cultures for the students andteachers of Aeon School at AAHH. "The idea is to equip our youth with approaching theworld from a place of how we are all connected, ratherthan feeling isolated. Silicon Valley is a gloriously diverseplace and can provide the best kind of growing up,provided our youth are inspired to look up from theirdevices!"“In Susan Rigmaiden, President of the Board at AAHH,Mosaic has found a true partner who not just supportedthe event but also shone a light on the contributions ofAfrican American pioneers and first-settlers, includingher own family."- Priya Das, Chief Programming Officer and co-founder ofMosaic America AAHH thanks Mosaic America for including us in thiscultural experience.

AAHH-Newsletter Vol. 3, 2025Khalilah “The Peace Dancer”Ramirez - Khalilah is aperformance artist and educatorwho inspires joy and harmonythrough her unique dance style,"The Dance of Peace." Students from the Aeon Schoolenthusiastically participated bycreating their personal PeaceDance. Ahmed Dirie, cultural practitioner, led the students in Wish Stone painting connectingthem with the symbolism and energy of stones in Somali and East African tradition.

EVENTS IN THE VALLEYAAHH-Newsletter Vol. 3, 2025

AAHH-Newsletter Vol. 3, 2025

AAHH-Newsletter Vol. 3, 2025Willy T. Ribbs: A Trailblazer in MotorsportsBorn in San Jose, California, Willy T. Ribbs is an American former race car driver, racing teamowner, and sport shooter. He made history as the first African American man to test aFormula One car in 1986 and to compete in the Indianapolis 500 in both 1991 and 1993. Ribbsachieved his greatest success in the Trans-Am Series, where he won 17 races while driving forrenowned teams led by Dan Gurney and Jack Roush.AFRICAN AMERICAN LEGACYRibbs was featured in the 2020 documentary Uppity: the Willy T. Ribbs Story, which released on Netflix.Ribbs was inducted into the Trans-Am Series Hall of Fame in 2025 Your paragraph text

Contact Board Member:Jan@aahhsanjose.orgKathy@aahhsanjose.orgUrla@aahhsanjose.orgSusan@aahhsanjose.orgMattie@aahhsanjose.orgRobert@aahhsanjose.orgDaryl@aahhsanjose.orgYour donation is 100% tax-deductible. AAHH is a 501(c)(3)nonprofit organizationThe African American HeritageHouse will be closing June 6 forrepairs and updating. We ask foryour patience while the work is inprogress.th