06/06/2026
Juneteenth (a blending of "June" and "nineteenth") commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation—more than two years after President Lincoln initially issued it.
Shaun Hassan Haines is a prominent San Francisco native, community organizer, social justice leader, and IT professional who has spent years building coalitions at the intersection of Black and LGBTQ+ activism in the city.
His background directly connects to the specific organizations and initiatives you mentioned:
1. San Francisco Black Community Matters & Black Lives Matter SF
Haines is the Founder of San Francisco Black Community Matters and has served as an Associate Member of the San Francisco Democratic Party (serving on the Democratic County Central Committee for seven years). Through this work and his broader activism, he has been heavily involved in policy work benefiting the Black community, fighting systemic racism, tackling local economic hardships, and supporting grassroots movements like Black Lives Matter. He has frequently advocated for police reform, justice system accountability, and addressing implicit/explicit biases in law enforcement.
2. Black Brothers Esteem (BBE)
Haines has a long-standing history with Black Brothers Esteem (BBE), a program of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. He has been an active member for several years, largely driven by his work co-collaborating on the Generations Black LGBT History Month events. His efforts to promote political and social awareness, organize health campaigns, and assist with HIV testing/prevention earned him BBE's Nia Award.
3. Black Voices and Allies Leadership Committee
Haines has served as the former Chairman of the Black Voices and Allies Leadership Committee. In this role and others, he has focused on elevating Black representation in local politics and creating space for community forums to turn dialogue into legislative and social action.
4. The Bayard Rustin Coalition (BRC)
Reflecting his deep roots in the Black LGBTQ+ community, Haines has served as a Project Manager for Organizational Development with the Bayard Rustin Coalition (BRC). The BRC focuses on amplifying the voices of Black LGBTQ+ individuals, a mission that aligns with Haines' other high-profile roles, such as serving on the Board of Directors for San Francisco Pride and the Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club.
5. Other Civic & Local Leadership
Beyond the NAACP and local civil rights networks, Haines’ background includes significant public service appointments and professional work:
City Commission: He serves as a commissioner on the Our City Our Home Oversight Committee, which focuses on homelessness and housing solutions in San Francisco.
Law Enforcement Advisory: He is a former member of the San Francisco Police Chief's LGBT Advisory Forum.
