Critical Condition Premier & Historic Landmark Commemoration

Come join us at the historic Ruth Williams Opera House on Tuesday evening, October 28, 2025 for the Bay Area Premiere of the acclaimed PBS/NOVA documentary Critical Condition: Health in Black America and panel discussion held on the 57th Anniversary of the October 28, 1968 San Francisco Landmark Designation for City Landmark #8 - the Ruth Williams Bayview Opera House.

This in-person event promises an evening filled with enlightenment, tributes, and a panel of special guests moderated by Ralph Bouquet. Come celebrate this incredible NOVA Science documentary and commemorate the San Francisco historic landmark designation of the Ruth Williams Bayview Opera House. Promoted in partnership with the Hunters Point Biomonitoring Foundation, SF Bay View Newspaper, Literacy for Environmental Justice, STEM2Hearts, San Francisco Black Leadership Forum and Radio Africa & Kitchen.

In Critical Condition: Health in Black America, Oscar nominated and Emmy Award winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson investigates the dramatic health disparities in the US, as scientists confirm there are no significant differences between races.

From the deep history of pseudoscientific beliefs about race that permeate modern medicine, to the latest research on how racial discrimination can damage human DNA, Critical Condition reveals factors behind the health crisis facing Black Americans with a spotlight on groundbreaking research and advanced biomedical technologies in use by the West Oakland Indicators Project and the Hunters Point Biomonitoring Foundation.

The event is free and open to the public. Donations toward the hosted reception can be made at: https://www.hunterspointcommunitybiomonitoring.net

Don't miss out on this unforgettable night hosted by PBS/NOVA and the Hunters Point Biomonitoring Foundation!

Ruth Williams served as administrator for Dr. Arthur Coleman - a general practitioner who served the predominantly Black community of Bayview Hunters Point. Working with Dr. Coleman, Ruth Williams became expert at addressing health care disparities. The mother of six sons, Williams spearheaded a program for women and children focused on single parents. She was the founding executive director of the Bayview Hunters Point Family Planning Clinic. Williams is credited with leading the campaign to protect, preserve and restore the Bayview Opera House in the face of threats to demolish the historic structure due to damage incurred during the civil unrest of the late 60's.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Bayview Opera House (BVOH), 4705 3rd Street, San Francisco, United States