PROMINENT OAKLAND PHILANTHOPIST AND CLUB OWNER CLOSES IT'S DOORS AFTER NEARLY 30 YEARS

(Oakland, CA January 16, 2009) Mr. Geoffrey Pete, longtime community leader and political activist, philanthropist and owner of Oakland's Geoffrey's Inner Circle (GIC) is announcing the closing of his historic venue to the public on February 7, 2009.

Geoffrey's Inner Circle has been nationally reputed as the pre-eminent urban entertainment nightspot and multi-use facility for Oakland and the entire Bay Area for almost 30 years. For the past 16 years, GIC has been located at 410-14th Street in the center of Oakland's resurgent downtown district. Mr. Pete's GIC has been a pioneer in bringing a variety of urban contemporary entertainment to the City of Oakland and the surrounding Bay Area and a champion of the welfare of the less fortunate.

Known across the country for decades by live entertainment-lovers and urban party-goers alike as the place to visit when in the East Bay, Geoffrey's as it is affectionately abbreviated by patrons, has been a key destination for social gatherings in the African American community, as well as a sanctuary for the advocacy of socio-economic and political issues that impact both Oaklanders and Californians. Pete has always been concerned with the entire community and not for only those who patronize his business. The current downtown location served faithfully as a free holiday dining hall for the homeless and underprivileged and feed hearty, restaurant-quality, meals each federal holiday to over 5,000 of the city's most needy residents for more than three years.

In addition to GIC hosting monthly parties and special entertainment events like record release showcases, after-concert VIP receptions and the highly regarded Bay Area Black Comedy Competition & Festival, the multi-use banquet facility also hosted gospel brunches, national book signing events, political and community forums, wedding receptions, and bah mitzvahs. VIPs and celebrities such as heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, Oakland A's David Stewart, actor Robert Redford, author Alice Waters, NBA all-star Michael Jordan, actor/activist Harry Belafonte, late R&B artist Phyllis Hyman, Attorney William Hunter, jazz artist Wynton Marsalis, author Terry McMillan, late attorney Johnny Cochran, Commerce Secretary Ron Brown, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Senator Barbara Boxer, Senator Diane Feinstein, Benny Thomas, San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, Attorney John Burris, Mayor Ron Dellums and a host of many others have over the numerous years experienced the GIC hospitality.

For over seven (7) years, GIC produced stand-up comedy showcases with such notable comedians as Don "D.C." Curry, Arnez J, D.L. Hughley, Cheryl Underwood, Paul Mooney, Luenell, Katt Williams and the list can go on. Additionally over the years, on numerous occasions, Mr. Pete generously donated the venue to non-profit organizations to host fundraisers and special events.

As the building owner of 410 14th Street, Mr. Pete has anchor tenants such as the African American Science Museum, Exhale Body and Salon a full service salon, the legendary Joyce Gordon Gallery, showcasing local, regional and national art, Central Nails Salon, and When Harlem was in Vogue Consignment Store. The venue known as Geoffrey's Inner Circle is now under lease to a non-profit organization.

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For more information, please contact Geoffrey's Inner Circle at 510.839.4664 or www.geoffreysinnercircle.com.