#CIL50: Reflection, Reunion, Renewal


At the #CIL50 anniversary gala, Judy Heumann delivered a keynote speech. She talked about the history of the Independent Living Movement, remembering key figures who have passed. She continued, “Advocacy is what this is all about and I think what we have to realize… [is] that our individual dreams become reality when we come together and work together. And so I want to thank all of you for all the work that you do everyday and the work I know you will continue to do.”
This year marked the 50th anniversary of the Center for Independent Living, Inc. (CIL) and the Independent Living Movement from Berkeley, CA. In honor of this anniversary, CIL hosted #CIL50: Reflection, Reunion, Renewal - a series of celebrations and events in October 2022 meant to reflect on our history, reunite with advocates and leaders from our history and renew our commitment to Independent Living through education and organizing.
CIL was founded in 1972 by Ed Roberts and his fellow disability advocates as a community hub run by and for disabled people to promote Independent Living (IL), and provide advocacy opportunities and community support for people with disabilities. The IL Movement sparked in Berkeley, CA has grown to over 400 similar centers across the United States and even more in 20 countries spanning the globe today.
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Fruitvale Fiesta Photo Gallery
Independent Living Summit Photo Gallery
Berkeley Street Festival Photo Gallery
Anniversary Gala Photo Gallery
#CIL50 HONORARY
HOST COMMITTEE
Honorary Co-Chairs
Representative Barbara Lee
Zona Roberts
Judith E. Heumann
Honorary Host Committee
Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Senator Tammy Duckworth
Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson
Oakland Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan
Berkeley Vice Mayor Kate Harrison
Berkeley Councilmember Ben Bartlett
Berkeley Councilmember Rigel Robinson
Honorable Tom Harkin
Honorable Tony Coelho
Honorable Loni Hancock
Honorable Tom Bates
Joan Leon
Kathy Martinez
Melissa Male
Janni Lehrer-Stein
Joyce Bender
Merrill Friedman
Katherine Perez
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Fruitvale Fiesta: October 14, 2022
Aguachiles El Tamarindo
3053 International Blvd., Oakland, CA 94601
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
CIL invited the Fruitvale community and our local partners to celebrate our 50th anniversary at a taco truck lot take over. Featuring civic and community speakers, kid friendly activities, local Spanish speaking cultural artists and performers including DJ Trice, Folklorico Dancers, Mariachi and more! This event was meant to introduce Oakland’s Spanish speaking community to our Fruitvale based services and Independent Living while also having fun.
#CIL50 Independent Living Summit: October 19-October 21, 2022
Ed Roberts Campus, 3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA 94703
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
This 3-day conference style summit engaged disability community members in tracks committed to community organizing advocacy, emergency preparedness, access to employment and more, while also serving to connect community members to Independent Living services.
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#CIL50 Street Festival October 22, 2022
Adeline Street between Ashby and MLK, Berkeley, CA
12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Held in front of the Ed Roberts Campus, this street festival celebrated CIL’s 50th anniversary through art, music, performance, culture and history of the disability community. We were also joined by civic and community speakers. The festival was designed to give the whole Bay Area community an opportunity to celebrate and learn more about the Independent Living Movement. Specific attention was focused on multiply-marginalized, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and disabled artists and influencers for this event. A live DJ and musical acts performed throughout the day with food and beverage vendors available.
#CIL50 Anniversary Gala: October 23, 2022
Ed Roberts Campus, 3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA 94703
Pre-Gala Reception 4:00 PM
Gala Awards Dinner 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
We celebrated the accomplishments of CIL and its founders and community at an awards dinner to recognize and highlight the work of grassroots leaders and benefactors from the Independent Living Movement that have helped keep this organization moving forward for the past 50 years. Tickets were sold in packages that also included sponsored tickets for disability community members.
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Special thanks to CIL’s service and program funders:


