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She's been given the name the high Priestess of Soul by her peers in the music world. Nina Simone is admired the world over, both for her composing and performing abilities. That's why Berkeley's mayor, Warren Widener, declared today Nina Simone day in that city

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and presented the singer with a special proclamation to that effect. Well, I Warren Widener, mayor of the city of Berkley, we hereby proclaim Friday, March 31st 1972 as Nina Simone Day, in appreciation of the great dignity, bearing and uniqueness of Miss Simone and in recognition of

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her exceptional contribution to the Rainbow Sign, the black cultural center of the city of Berkley. And then the director of the Urban League singled her out for another honor. I am both pleased and proud to announce to you and to the world that we

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have a personal proposal designed to launch a campaign in this area to officially proclaim your hit to the young, gifted and black as a new black anthem. I can only say that I am stunned and I'm pleased and I'm that's it. Thank you very much. From

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ages three on, know that song by heart, young, gifted and black. Ms. Simone wrote the song to be young, gifted and black, and honor of her late friend Lorraine Hansberry, the author of the successful play Raisin in the Sun. Her appearance in the rather small auditorium

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of Berkeley's Rainbow Sign Club was in honor of another friend promoter Mary Ann Pollar, manager of the Black Community Club. She will appear in concert there Friday and Saturday. Belva Davis for Eyewitness News, Berkeley.