During a tense Oakland City Council meeting on Tuesday in which the City Administrator’s office warned that continued overspending could lead to a fiscal emergency, City Councilmember at-Large Rebecca Kaplan proposed an alternative that could reduce the projected $93-$115 million deficit by $30 million.
In a 12-minute speech, Oakland Budget Administrator Bradley Johnson exhorted the City
Council to make significant cuts in expenses before year’s end.
In response, Kaplan made a motion calling for a special meeting on Dec. 3 to “amend the FY2023-2024 budget to allocate up to $30 million in Fund 1100 (self-insurance liability fund) and transfer those funds to the General Purpose Fund Reserve (Fund 1011).”
The City Council agreed to that motion.
Disagreeing with the City
By Post Staff
Community members are raising questions about the huge salary and three-year contract extension given to the superintendent of the Oakland Unified School District in the same school year that the district is facing an estimated $95 million deficit and proposing school mergers and potential school closures.
The new contract, running from July 1 through June 30, 2027, pays Dr. Kayla JohnsonTramell a total salary package of $602,000 a year, including a base salary of $378,798.42, plus
$13,800 in additional stipends, $34,075.08 in health-related benefits, and $175,133.51 in other fringe benefits.
For the last two years of her contract, Supt. Johnson-Trammell will work on special projects. Her superintendent duties will be handled by another member of the district’s senior staff, likely at a substantial increase in salary for that employee, similar to what happened when Dr. Johnson-Trammell took a threemonth sabbatical in 2022, and Dr. Sondra Aguilera’s salary was in-
Oakland Post
By Post Staff
Special to the Post
Clifford Ray, a member of the 1974-75 Golden State Warriors, the team that brought the first NBA Championship to the Bay Area, and an ambassador for the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco, is thrilled to share that he is spearheading a reading initiative to support the students of the Bay Area.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the 1974-75 NBA Championship and in the spirit of giving back, Ray has organized the Clif-
ford Ray’s Big Book Drive.
“The goal of the book drive is to provide 4,000 copies of his book “Big Clifford Ray Saves the Day,” a true story, to the schools of Oakland, Richmond, Hayward and San Francisco” according to his editor.
With the support of the community, Clifford hopes to reach his goal of igniting a passion for reading and learning in the hearts of young minds.
For more information on this project, please contact layniedweaver.com.
Oscar Wright, a longtime advocate for the education of Black children in Oakland, passed away on Monday. He was 101.
The son of Mississippi sharecroppers who believed girls should be educated and boys should work, Wright nevertheless loved learning. He joined the Army after high school and served in World War II and the Korean War. Joining the Army Corps of Engineers after discharge, he attended an agricultural college before heading west to California in the mid-1950s.
involved in the NAACP.
Although hailed as a milestone in the modern Civil Rights Movement, Wright decried the desegregation of schools under the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Brown v. The Board of Education.
Special to The Post
In a heartwarming celebration of life and longevity, Edwin A. Jones I, a beloved member of our community has officially turned 100 years old! Surrounded by family, friends, and well-wishers, the milestone birthday was marked with joy, laughter, and gratitude for a life well lived.
Born on Nov. 2, 1924, in Blanco, Texas, Edwin has witnessed a century of history, from the evolution of technology to world-changing events, and has lived through significant cultural shifts. Over the years, Edwin has made an indelible mark in our community, whether through work and retiring from Pat Patterson Cadillac in 1985 after 35 years.
Edwin has always been a symbol of strength and resilience. He became a member of Market Street SDA Church in 1948 under Pastor R.W. Nelson and is still a member under the Pastorship of Edwin F. Brown.
Throughout his life, Edwin ex-
perienced the highs and lows of the last century, and his ability to stay upbeat and connected with others has been key to his longevity. With a dedicated, loving wife alongside him for over eight decades, he raised a family of three children and four grandchildren, the adventures and stories are countless.
The centenarian has always been an advocate for staying active, both physically and mentally. Whether it’s through walking, reading, upholstering, watching football games, completing word search puzzles, Edwin continues to embrace every opportunity life has to offer.
Edwin offers these words of wisdom, “Go to bed early and get your rest” and “Save your money.”
Edwin’s favorite Bible Scripture is Psalm 23. We look forward to many more celebrations as he enters his second century.
Parlaying his carpentry skills into union jobs in construction, Wright prospered in Oakland. Finding that Oakland was as effectively segregated as Mississippi in some ways, he became
Believing that Black children were treated unfairly in Oakland schools, he became an advocate for them and was a fixture at Oakland Unified School District board meetings. He gave particular attention to West Oakland students and McClymonds High School where he celebrated his centennial birthday last year.
The Post will publish an appreciation of Mr. Wright’s life next week. At press time, funeral arrangements were pending.
By Magaly Muñoz
Special to The Post
Dr. Robert Jeffrey, Sr., the last of the pioneer contributors to the Affirmative Action plan, passed away earlier this year and was laid to rest on Aug. 21.
A former Alameda County Sheriff’s deputy, Jeffrey continued his law enforcement career as one of the 56 African American officers in the City of San Francisco’s force of 2,000. Refusing to remain silent about racist policies, Jeffrey was moved to organize the Officers for Justice in 1969.
Officer Jeffrey’s fight for equity for the residents of Hunters Point and The Bay View resulted in the creation of job training and educational programs that significantly reduced crime in Bayview-Hunters Point. Wanting to do more, and with threats on his life, Jeffrey accepted an appointment by Presi-
dent Richard Nixon leading to his role as regional and district director of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. His office was responsible for researching, identifying discriminatory practices, negotiating remedies, and conciliating and monitoring the settlements.
After retiring, Jeffrey returned to Oakland and in partnership with his son, Dennis, opened The Print Shop, later known as Oakland Print and Copy Center. It was the largest Black-owned print shop in Northern California until its closure in 2018 when Jeffrey retired.
While Alameda County is still waiting to call election races across the region, Oakland Unified School District board director races have enough of a margin to project the likely winners.
As of Nov. 20, Rachel Latta was leading Ben Salop in the D1 race by 55 percentage points. In D3, VanCedric Williams was ahead of Dwayne Aikens by 10 percentage points; Patrice Berry had a lead of over 7% against opponent Sasha Ritzie-Hernandez in D5; and Clifford Thompson was surpassing Domonic Ware by
City Councilmember at-Large Rebecca Kaplan. File photo.
Edwin A. Jones I. Courtesy photo.
Dr. Robert Jeffrey, Sr. Courtesy photo.
Pictured: Congresswoman Lee with Tennessee State Representative Justin Jones. Photo courtesy of Barbara lee’s Media Relations office.
Patrice Berry, Clifford Thompson, VanCedric Williams, and Rachel Latta are the projected winners of the 2024 OUSD Board of Directors election race. Berry and Latta will take over board seats for District 5 and 1, while Thompson and Williams hold their current director positions in Districts 7 and 3. File photos.
America SCORES celebrates Brookfield Elementary School Lions with Principal Leigh Daniels and Coach Corrin Haskell. Photo courtesy America Scores Bay Area.
Clifford Ray. Courtesy photo.
Oscar Wright. Courtesy photo.
OUSD Supt. Kyla JohnsonTrammel. File photo.
By Carla Thomas
dreams” moment come true at Brookfield Elementary School in Oakland on Oct. 24, as students, faculty and
people from the community celebrated a brand-new soccer field on campus. Food, entertainment, vendors and student athletes playing on
By Sean Ryan Special to The Post
Gov. Newsom Goes to Washington to Advocate for California Priorities
By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
Gov. Gavin Newsom traveled to Washington, D.C., for meetings with senior Biden-Harris Administration officials and members of California’s congressional delegation.
During the week, he pushed for increased resources to improve public safety and quality of life in California.
“California is continuing our work to secure additional tools and resources to improve access to health care, clean air and water, and secure critical funding to support communities recovering from disasters,” said Newsom.
At the White House, Newsom met with President Joe Biden and key officials, advocating for disaster relief funding, healthcare expansion, and environmental protection. He also engaged in discussions with senior Biden-
Harris officials, including Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, to address water quality improvements and the San Luis Dam project, which will support water supplies for two million Californians.
“Building on our strong partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration, California is working closely with the White House over the next two months to deliver the critical protections and resources our communities need,” Newsom said.
On Capitol Hill, Newsom met with California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, along with other Congressional leaders, to emphasize the need to approve pending disaster funding, healthcare programs, and environmental protections. He also previewed California’s upcoming special session to proactively address potential federal challenges when President-elect Donald Trump is
Continued on page 9
By Emil Guillermo
When the conservative-majority U.S. Supreme Court outlawed race-based admissions in higher education, the Justices inactivated one of the greatest tools we had to create a more equitable society. Baffling. The high court said we could no longer use race to solve racial inequities.
How high are these people?
That decision is just another example of the Trump effect that defines the Orwellian saga we now live in — “Yes” means “No” and “No” means “Yes.”
Sort of like Donald Trump declaring that voters gave him a “mandate” to remake American democracy.
Let’s be clear. There was no
mandate on Nov. 5.
Votes are still being counted and Trump won a close race. The electoral college went to the GOP. But as of this week, Trump’s popular vote total is actually shrinking to just 49.9%.
We know how Trump likes to lie about size.
He is acting like he can run through mountains with his fake “mandate.” Example: When it comes to his cabinet picks, he’s rolled out a list of nominees that are stunning for their lack of qualifications.
All of them should be rejected.
Of course, Trump wasn’t qualified to be president the first time or this second time. The first time he had no elected government experience. He was a reality TV
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star. The second time, he had the record of the worst president in American history, plus 34 felony convictions, on top of being held liable for sexual assault. You can call it “rape,” but it was a civil finding.
What I’ve noticed is when he picks a cabinet, he picks people who are just like him, but even less. (Of course, who tops Trump)?
The most egregious pick is former Congressman Matt Gaetz, who resigned from the House just as the House Ethics committee was considering a case involving Gaetz, who is suspected of serial sexual encounters with a 17 year old.
This is the man who should be America’s Top Cop, our Attorney
General?
It makes a mockery of the “Law and Order” party. But it sure helps Trump to throw a lifeline to Gaetz who will be Trump’s attack dog, doing his bidding, and maybe coming for you.
Then there’s Pete Hegseth, the former Fox News host, who has a decent record as a veteran. But he has no managerial experience to lead the largest agency in the government, the Department of Defense. And Hegseth is involved in a sex scandal in Monterey that he’s covered up with a non-disclosure agreement.
There’s Tulsi Gabbard, the former Congresswoman who has no sexual blemishes, but she has consorted with dictators like Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, an alleged war criminal and human rights abuser. She’s also been accused of being used by the Soviets. And Gabbard is nominated for head of national intelligence?
Donald Trump is “hiring” all these folks because he can. It’s his “affirmative action.”
Conservatives hailed the elimination of affirmative action. They prefer the merit system, they say. But if America truly is a “meritocracy,” do the people Trump is nominating have the ability, experience or talent required for some of the most important positions in our government?
In Trump’s “meritocracy,” there’s also nothing about race or qualifications. In fact, it’s more than colorblind.
It’s simply just blind loyalty to Trump.
About the Author Emil Guillermo is a news analyst, award-winning writer, and the official poet laureate of his small California town. See him at www.patreon.com/emilamok
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Choreographer and MacArthur Fellow Shamel Pitt Takes Multimedia Approach to Express Aspects of Black Life in Dance
Special to The Post
When grants were announced Oct. 1, it was noted that eight of the 22 fellows were African American. Among them are scholars, visual and media artists a poet/writer, historian, and dancer/choreographer who each receive $800,000 over a five-year period to spend as they see fit.
Their names are Ruha Benjamin, Jericho Brown, Tony Cokes, Jennifer L. Morgan, Ebony G. Patterson, Shamel Pitts, Jason Reynolds, and Dorothy Roberts. This is the fifth in the series highlighting the Black awardees. The report below on Shamel Pitts is excerpted from the MacArthur Fellows web site.
Shamel Pitts, a choreographer and dancer born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1985, showed early dedication and promise by attending LaGuardia High School for Music and Art and the Performing Arts and the Ailey School at the same time. In 2007, he received a BA from The Juilliard School. He danced with Hell’s Kitchen Dance, Ballets Jazz Montréal, and the Batsheva Dance Company. His work has been performed at venues such as the Walker Art Center (Minneapolis), the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York Live Arts, and MASS MoCA (North Adams, MA).
Pitts has been developing multidisciplinary, performance-based works centered on collaboration and imagining new ways of being in the world. Pitts is the founder
and artistic director of TRIBE, a group of artists working in a wide range of media, including lighting design, video-mapping projection technologies, electronic music composition, cinematography, and video art. TRIBE’s works emerge from the collective artistic vision of its members.
Pitts brings his unique cho-
reographic style to bear on the groups’ commitment to envisioning a future free from the constraints of historical oppression, particularly for the African diaspora.
Pitts’ choreography is rooted in classical dance forms and Gaga— a movement language focused on dancers’ responses to their own
bodily sensations—and integrates influences from contemporary dance, hip-hop, and nightlife/ club culture.
TRIBE’s unique way of working is akin to worldbuilding, where spatial, lighting, and sound design elements are fully integrated with the dancers’ movements
Continued on page 9
WARNING:
Crude oil, gasoline, diesel fuel, and other petroleum products can expose you to chemicals including toluene and benzene, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. These exposures can occur in and around oil fields, refineries, chemical plants, transport and storage operations, such as pipelines, marine terminals, tank trucks, and other facilities and equipment. For more information go to: www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/petroleum.
The foregoing warning is provided pursuant to Proposition 65. This law requires the Governor of California to publish a list of chemicals “known to the State to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.” This list is compiled in accordance with a procedure established by the Proposition, and can be obtained from the California Environmental Protection Agency. Proposition 65 requires that clear and reasonable warnings be given to persons exposed to the listed chemicals in certain situations.
Shamel Pitts. Photo courtesy of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
Explains Results, Ballot Counting Process
By Edward Henderson California Black Media
Secretary of State Dr. Shirley N. Weber hosted a webinar on Nov. 14 to update Californians on the ballot counting process for the 2024 General Election.
California is home to the largest voting base in the nation with 22.5 million registered voters. According to the Secretary of State Office (SOS), about 70% of the state’s voters participated in the November Election. So far, 15.2 million votes have been counted, processed and verified. There are still roughly 0.8 million votes to go through the process.
Because California allows voters more time and opportunities to vote than most states, it typically takes longer to finalize the results.
Historically, it has taken the state the longest to finalize election results. Almost half of the uncalled house races this year come from California. As of Nov 14, the closest race is in the 45th Congressional District House race between Michelle Steel and Derek Tran. The two candidates are only separated by 58 votes with 93% of all votes counted.
“California basically makes sure that every vote counts,” said Weber. “We will receive our first actual count from all of the 58 counties on Dec. 6. After that, we have at least one week, which is until Dec. 13, when we will actually certify the state results. Then that becomes the official results for the election.”
If a recount is triggered in the 45th district, official results may take longer than the expected deadline.
The part of the ballot counting process that tends to prolong the official results involves verifying
signatures and making sure individuals who obtained provisional ballots the day of the election are all eligible to vote, Weber said.
The SOS goes as far as finding individuals who neglected to sign their ballots so they can complete the process.
“The reason we do this is we respect every vote that comes in. California’s election process is designed with a core commitment to recognizing and basically accurately counting each and every eligible vote that comes into our office,” added Weber. “This approach involves a series of rigorous checks and safeguards, including Signature verification machine audits and manual accounts.”
While technology has helped expedite the counting process in some areas, as the voter base continues to grow in the state, additional manual support is needed. For example, vote-by-mail ballots have to be opened and counted by hand. By Oct. 18, 1.5 million vote-by-mail ballots were already submitted.
Voting over the internet is prohibited by California Law. This eliminates all possibilities of cyber tampering or electronic voter fraud.
The SOS office also does a hand count of one percent of all ballots before Dec. 13. This is done to verify the fact there is a correlation between the hand counts and what the machines are counting.
“Some people ask the question: ‘Why do we have to be so accurate?’
We do our best to make sure that every Californian who is legally registered to vote will have their vote counted,” Weber emphasized.
Emeline King: A Trailblazer in the Automotive Industry
By Tamara Shiloh
Emeline King is recognized as the first African American female transportation designer at the Ford Motor Company.
Let’s take a look at her life and career at the Ford Motor Company.
King’s fascination with cars began during her childhood. Growing up, she was captivated by the sleek designs and mechanical complexities of automobiles. She loved playing with toy cars and considered it an insult if anyone gave her a doll.
King pursued her interest in cars by studying at the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena. There, she improved her skills in transportation design, gaining the technical expertise and artistic vision she needed to break into the male-dominated industry.
However, her true inspiration came from her father, Earnest O. King, Sr., who worked for Ford as a Fabrication Specialist. She remembered the fatherdaughter trips to the auto shows, and the Saturday mornings with the famous Black sculptor, Oscar Graves, who her father assisted in some of his commissioned art works.
She said Graves would mentor her in clay relief sculptures. She was always fascinated by the smell of clay that was a constant
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By McKenzie Jackson California Black Media
Black mothers in California experience a maternal mortality rate that is three times above the state average.
in his studio.
However, it was her first visit to her father’s job that became the catalyst for King to want a career in transportation design. At the company’s annual employee Christmas parties, she got the chance to meet his co-workers and learned about the roles they played in the auto industry. It was a chance to see some great cars, too.
Her career at Ford began in the 1980s, when women — particularly women of color —were scarcely represented in the automotive industry. King’s role at Ford was groundbreaking, as she became the first African American woman to work as a transportation designer at the company.
At Ford Design, she worked on the Ford Mustang SN-95’s interior. She also made several design contributions on other vehicles, too, including the interior components of the 1989 Thunderbird, the 1989 Corporate Steering Wheel, the 1989 Thunderbird Wheel/Wheel cover design program, the 1990 Thunderbird Super Coupe, the 1993 Mach III, the 1994 Mustang, to name a few.
King also served three foreign assignments: Turin Italy; Koln, Germany; and Brentwood, Essex, England — designing Ford cars for Europe.
Leaving Ford after about 25 years of service and along with her many speaking engagements, she wrote an autobiography about being Ford’s first female African American transportation designer titled, “What Do You Mean A Black Girl Can’t Design Cars? She Did It!”
She’s quoted as saying, “I’m now so proud to have written a book that I hope will inspire young girls and boys to never give up. To influence them so that they can stay focused and alert, and so they never look back. There are mentors who are placed in our lives to serve as our ‘Bridges to Destinations’ and allow us to cross over them to reach our dreams. Hoping they gain inspiration from my book, my motto for them is simple: ‘OPPORTUNITY IS NOW, SO GRAB IT! IF I DID IT, SO CAN YOU!”
The California Coalition for Black Birth Justice Co-Founder and Executive Director Dana Sherrod said although Black women have higher rates of chronic conditions going into pregnancy, the root cause of their high maternal mortality rate is racism.
“When all things are equal when we look at protective factors — education level, healthy weight, marital status — they aren’t as protective for Black women,” she explained.
“We see Black women without pre-existing conditions, who have protective factors and are still fairing worse — having worse birthing outcomes, added Sherrod.
To reduce the maternal mortality rate for all women in the state,
particularly Black women, California Surgeon General Dr. Diana E. Ramos unveiled the California Maternal Health Blueprint and announced the Strong Start & Beyond movement in September. The 20-page blueprint serves as a strategic framework for improving reproductive and maternal health by cutting the maternal mortality in the state by 50% by December 2026. The blueprint also calls for reproductive-aged individuals to understand the health risks they could encounter in future pregnancies by completing a questionnaire over the next 25 months. In her announcement, Ramos highlighted that the best way to ensure a newborn’s health is to ensure the health of the mother.
“By leveraging powerful partnerships and pioneering cuttingedge solutions,” she said, “we can help California mothers, pregnant people, and newborns have
Continued on page 9
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
On Nov. 16, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), reported the first known case of clade 1 Mpox, previously known as Monkeypox, in the United States.
However, the risk to the public remains low, according to the CDPH.
“This case was confirmed in an individual who recently traveled from Africa and is related to the ongoing outbreak of clade I mpox in Central and Eastern Africa,” reads a statement the CDPH released.
According to the DDPH, “The affected individual received health care in San Mateo County based on their travel history and symptoms. The individual is isolating at home and recovering.”
Public health workers are also conducting a contact tracing exercise and reaching out to people who have been in close proximity to the affected person.
“The mpox specimens from the traveler are being sent to the CDC for further laboratory testing,” the CDPH press release continues.
Californians can take a number of steps to prevent Mpox. Here’s more information: Preventing Mpox Infection It appears clade I mpox spreads in a similar manner as clade II mpox, through close (skin-skin), intimate and sexual contact. The identification of a potentially more severe mpox version in the United States is a good reminder for
Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. File Photo.
Transportation designer Emeline King. Photo courtesy of Emeline King.
Gov. Newsom Goes to Washington ...
Continued from page 2
sworn into office.
Newsom’s discussions also focused on securing Medicaid waivers from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to enhance behavioral health services and reduce homelessness. The state seeks approval for the BH-CONNECT waiver, which would address behavioral health and homelessness, and the MCO
Choreographer and MacArthur Fellow Shamel Pitt ...
Continued from page 4
into multisensory works that envelop audiences.
“BLACK HOLE: Trilogy and Triathlon (2022),” the last of three works in Pitts’ “BLACK Series,” features three performers accompanied by original soundscapes and visual projections. In TRIBE’s hands, a black hole is not destructive but rather a source of generative energy, and the work explores the Black body coming into being through collective empowerment.
Near the end of the work, the three performers are engulfed in darkness as a pulsating beat wanes.
Then, in a burst of light, the trio reappears and the beat returns, growing stronger and louder in a powerful expression of reawak-
Calif.’s Maternal Health Blueprint ...
Continued from page 7
a strong start and healthy future.”
Late last month though, Sherrod, and various health advocates and experts — midwives, doulas, physicians, and community organizations — sent a six-page letter to Ramos urging her to delay actions the blueprint recommends due to concerns they have about omissions and oversights in the document.
Sherrod says moving forward with the blueprint as it is may “cause harm” to Black and Indigenous communities.” She says there are shortcomings in the document’s development process, and its analyses blame individuals for health challenges rather than addressing systemic failures.”
“Black women, in particular, have been pushing against these harmful narratives for years, and this feels like a significant step backward,” Sherrod said.
Members of the collective met with Ramos, according to Sherrod, but the surgeon general seemed to be mov-
Tax Waiver, which would provide over $20 billion for Medi-Cal to improve healthcare access.
Additionally, California is pushing for Clean Air Act waivers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which are crucial for enforcing air quality regulations. These measures are projected to prevent 11,000 premature deaths and provide $116 billion in health benefits over the next three decades, according to the Governor’s office.
ening.
While Pitts explores external perceptions of Blackness in his “BLACK Series,” the works in his “RED Series” turn inward and focus on the diversity of experiences and relationships possible within Black identity.
In “Touch of RED (2022),” a duet for two male dancers, Pitts explores how men relate to each other and to the world. For this work, the artists of TRIBE and their collaborators ingeniously transform the theater into a boxing ring and then into a dance club.
Themes of physicality, masculinity, intimacy, and vulnerability unfold through Pitts’s choreography, as the work explores possibilities for masculine power and softness beyond the bounds of societal norms. Through his vision of cooperative creation, Pitts is creating new models for promoting self-discovery and freedom through art.
ing forward with the blueprint.
“We are hoping to have an open dialogue to redirect some of the strategies in the blueprint,” Sherrod said.
In an email to California Black Media last week, the Office of the California Surgeon General expressed its commitment to engaging the community to enhance existing programs that support new mothers during the postpartum period.
“The immediate opportunity for the community lies in the fact that over 62% of maternal deaths occur after delivery, when the mom is at home and in the community,” the statement read. “Community resources will be the bridge between the healthcare system and the pregnant person and new moms.”
“The most impactful action in reducing maternal mortality among Black mothers is for local community programs serving Black mothers to cross collaborate with other state and local communities and existing programs to increase awareness of resources for mothers before, during, and after pregnancy,” the office said.
Grants to Combat Hate Crimes
By Bo Tefu
California Black Media
Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced that 311 California nonprofit and faith-based organizations, including those representing communities targeted by hate crimes, will receive over $43.7 million in federal funding through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
The funding aims to enhance security measures such as reinforced doors, access control systems, and lighting to protect against hate-based violence.
“An attack against any community is an attack against our entire state and our values. We will protect the ability of every Californian to worship, love, and gather safely without fear of hate or violent attacks. California is continuing to safeguard all communities, including those most at risk,” said Newsom.
California receives 10% of the national allocation, the highest of any state. This funding comes in
addition to $76 million in state funding for similar security improvements announced in July 2024. In total, California has invested over $230 million since 2015 to safeguard vulnerable communities.
“California is dedicated to helping our communities stay safe from violent hate crimes and get access to essential financial funding to support those efforts,” said Cal Office of Emergency Services (OES) Director Nancy Ward.
The grants are particularly important as hate crimes, especially against Jewish, Muslim, LGBTQ+, and Black communities, have seen an increase. In response, California has also launched initiatives like the CA vs Hate hotline and website, providing a platform for reporting hate incidents anonymously. Newsom’s administration continues to prioritize the safety of all Californians, with ongoing efforts to combat discrimination and hate violence.
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
In honor of National Family Caregivers Month this November, the California Department of Aging (CDA) is spotlighting a range of free resources to support caregivers of older adults and individuals with disabilities. Through its extensive network of Caregiver Resource Centers (CRCs) and Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), the state provides essential tools to help caregivers manage their responsibilities while prioritizing their own health and well-being. Resources offered include free education and training, counseling services, respite care, and financial and legal assistance.
“Caregiving is a great act of love, and this month — and every day — we uplift California’s caregivers as the under-recognized backbone of our families and communities,” said Susan DeMarois, director of the CDA. DeMarois emphasized the need for caregivers to access available support to better balance their roles without compromising their own health.
California is home to more than 4.5 million unpaid family caregivers, who contribute an estimated $81 billion annually in economic value through their care. Most caregivers are women who balance work, family, and caregiving responsibilities, often at the cost of their physical and emotional health. Given California’s aging population, the demand for caregiver support is rapidly growing, underscoring the importance of these free resources.
Thousands of caregivers accessed these services in the 20222023 fiscal year, benefiting from tools like professional care management and respite support. The Aging in California Resource Guide, available in six languages, offers additional information on caregiver support.
Caregivers can learn more about available resources by visiting the CDA website at aging. ca.gov and connecting with local CRCs or AAAs to discover personalized services to support them in their caregiving journey.
The Southern California city of Palm Springs approved a $27 million reparations compensation package for Black and Latino families who were displaced from their homes in the 1960s.
The city council voted on the deal Thursday, following an announcement last week. The move, which has garnered support from Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), comes as part of a broader push for reparations in California.
Areva Martin acted as lead counsel for the Palm Springs group and represented the impacted families.
“We are making history in Palm Springs,” said Martin. “This agreement demonstrates that it’s never too late to acknowledge past wrongs and take meaningful steps toward justice.”
The reparations agreement targets families from Section 14, a predominantly Black and Latino neighborhood demolished in the 1960s to make way for commercial development. Hundreds of families lost their homes in the process, and descendants have been advocating for reparations since the city issued an official apology in 2021.
Despite the city’s apology, many were concerned that no payments had been made, prompting action from Butler earlier this year.
The deal includes $5.9 million in direct compensation for around 300 survivors and their descendants, well below the $2 billion initially requested. In addition to cash payments, the agreement includes $10 million for a first-time homebuyer assistance program and $10 million for a community land trust aimed at affordable housing. Other provisions include $1 million for diversity and inclusion initiatives, a renamed park, and a monument to honor the displaced families.
Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein called the settlement a fair and just resolution, expressing hope that the agreement would set a national precedent for reparations. While this follows a similar reparations program in Evanston, Illinois, California’s statewide efforts have faced resistance, especially following Newsom’s rejection of a state-level reparations proposal earlier this year.
The Palm Springs settlement is seen as a historic step toward addressing racial injustice, though challenges to similar programs continue elsewhere in the U.S.
Doctors are Black. Advocates Want More Representation
By Edward Henderson, California Black Media
Only 3% of doctors in California are Black, compared to about 5% nationwide.
The California Black Health Network (CBHN), Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) in Los Angeles and other health advocates are working to increase that percentage.
On Nov. 14, CBHN hosted its Health Equity Forum titled “Improving Workforce Development for Better Health Outcomes.”
The organization — now 40-plus years in existence – refers to itself as “a trusted resource” for Black health equity in California.
CBHN utilizes outreach, education, advocacy and policy work to complete its mission.
“Where there are Black doctors, we tend to see better health outcomes for Black communities,” said Rhonda Smith, Executive Director of CBHN.
“According to the California Healthcare Foundation, here in California, the state’s medical student education pipeline is not producing enough Black physicians,” Smith continued. “And, unfortunately, half of California’s black medical students leave the state for residency programs and often don’t return. So, what can we do to ensure that there is a strong pipeline of healthcare professionals that look like the communities they will serve.
The forum featured Dr. David M. Carlisle, MD, President of CDU.
CDU is one of four Historically Black Medical Schools in the country, and the only one in the West. The session centered on how CDU’s commitment to social justice and health equity prepares more Black and other minority doctors to serve across California while engaging and building trust with underserved and historically excluded communities.
“Our vision is excellent health and wellness for all in a world
California Reports First Case of Mpox ...
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individuals who have certain risk factors to take preventive action, including:
• Getting vaccinated if you may be at risk for mpox. For the greatest protection, make sure you get both doses of the vaccine. Find mpox vaccine (JYNNEOS) near you.
• Taking precautions if you were exposed to mpox. Get the mpox vaccine before symptoms develop and consider avoiding intimate contact with others for 21 days. Watch yourself for symptoms and get tested if they develop.
without health disparities,” said Carlisle. “Our point and why we’re here is to train young people from the communities around our university, which are significantly under-resourced and underserved, and turn them into practicing healthcare professionals. Many of whom will say, ‘I’ll return to the communities I grew up in to make it a better place.”
CDU is ranked #3 in the country as a value-added university by the Brookings Institute for its efforts to take young people from challenging socioeconomic beginnings and turn them into highly effective members of their communities and standouts in their professions by the midpoint in their careers. The medical school says its goal in the short term is to increase enrollment to 1,000 undergraduates and 1,000 graduate students.
“Our medical students are very unusual. About two-thirds of them were Pell Grant recipients when they were in college,” said Carlisle. “ That is more than twice the national average among medical students. At least a third of them are first-generation students. That is more than twice the national average among medical students. In 2022, there was a total of 260 African American, Latino, Indigenous and other underrepresented students combined in first-year medical school classes across the State of California. About 100 of those students were African American at that time.
Carlisle, who also sits on the board of the California Healthcare Foundation, noted in a recently published survey of Black Californians that trust is still a major issue when it comes to healthcare providers.
“Sounds like there’s a lot more human kindness that happens with the individuals that go through our medical school program because they are able to better connect and relate to the individuals that they take care of,” he concluded.
• Talking to your sexual partner(s).
• Avoiding skin-to-skin contact with those who have a rash or sores that look like mpox. Not sharing items with someone who has mpox.
• Washing your hands often.
• Protecting yourself when caring for someone with mpox by using masks, gowns and gloves.
Visit the CDPH website to learn more about Mpox with Sexual Health Toolkits and a Campaign Materials Page.
• Preventing spread if you have been told you have mpox. Avoid contact with others until the rash is healed, clean and disinfect shared areas in the home, and notify people who may have been exposed.
Leading up to the Thursday, Nov, 14 vote, National civil rights Attorney Areva Martin and Section 14 Survivors, in partnership with Actum, achieve landmark agreement with Palm Springs City Council.
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Administration’s approach to making cuts, Kaplan wrote a letter to the mayor explaining her reasoning.
It is printed below.
“The following paragraph is an excerpt from the most recent Revenue and Expenditure report (R&E). The action in the excerpt would create unnecessary and inaccurate issues regarding the City’s fiscal state.
“Immediate action is necessary to maintain the solvency of the General-Purpose Fund. Revised estimates regarding the City’s fiscal condition at the end of FY 2023-24 show the City has already tapped into its emergency reserve.
Given there is no possibility of replenishing the reserve this Fiscal Year, following the conclusion of the Audit and publication of Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the City Council will
be required to declare a Fiscal Emergency per the Consolidated Fiscal Policy (CFP.)” – Oakland
Finance Dept, Q1 R&E Report, November 8, 2024
Fiscally Responsible
Alternative Proposal for Balancing FY 2023-2024 budget.
• Fully funding general fund reserve.
Avoiding causing a need for a declaration of fiscal emergency.
Avoiding risk to Oakland's financing capacity.
Finance is proposing an unusual path, recommending adding a huge sum of money to the liability fund, (fund 1100) by carrying forward into the Self Insurance Liability Fund for 2024-2025 over $30 million of extra available fund balance that is available as of the end of the Fiscal year.
OUSD’s Newest Members
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25 percentage points in D7.
Latta told the Post that she was eager to get started in her new position representing the students and families of District 1.
“This is a city that really cares about public schools and I’m feeling that motivation to bring to the board. I’m looking forward to getting started,” Latta said.
Latta explained that she had no intention of running for school board until the spot opened up this year after current director Sam Davis announced he would not be seeking reelection. As a parent of students in OUSD, she saw what the mergers, school closures and strikes did to the school community and believed the board needed a parent’s perspective.
Latta was hesitant to accept any congratulations in early November as the first set of election results began to come in because she didn’t want to celebrate prematurely in case the results flipped later on, she said. Many local races have had narrow margins or are still early to call.
In the race for Alameda County Supervisor D5, Emeryville City Councilmember John Bauters led for several days following Nov. 5, but now trails Oakland City Councilmember Nikki Fortunato-Bas by 106 votes.
As a board member, Latta will oversee several issues and changes, but two issues she wants to tackle in the next four years are getting out of state receivership and avoiding strikes. The district entered state control 20 years ago after a major budget deficit that left OUSD without the ability to pay its bills. OUSD is projected to pay back their loan by 2026, but there have been concerns over the last few years that recent financial hardships will pull them back into the state’s grasp.
Strikes often have occurred when the board has threatened school closures or faced issues with teacher contracts. Latta said if they can avoid strikes, that means the board has successfully been able to mitigate conflicts before they escalate.
Fellow newcomer Berry, a mother of two students in OUSD, said the budget is similarly at the top of her list to address.
“It goes without saying, the budget’s really important because it’s going to determine how much mental capacity we can spend on other things like [resources for our kids],” Berry told the Post.
She hopes to incorporate more town hall sessions so that community and board members have a chance to collaborate on pressing issues. Berry believes there needs to be more transparency with families about what decisions the board is considering and allowing them to have a voice in those conversations.
She’d also like to find a solid plan to remove the lead that’s been found in the water at several schools across the district. “It’s definitely one of those ‘if nothing else’ issues we should be able to guarantee to families,” Berry said.
Like Latta, she’s both excited and nervous to start her position, but is ready to work alongside current and new members.
Dr. Thompson, who successfully ran his second campaign for District 7, shared some advice for Latta and Berry as they step into this new chapter.
“Actively listen, not passively listen, to what’s going on, and make decisions predicated on your ethical beliefs,” he said.
Thompson shared that it was advice given to him when he was first elected four years ago. He explained that it’s important for board members to stand on their values and ethics, as it relates to the mission of their work, and make choices that will help the greater good of their districts.
As a returning director, Thompson hopes they can further address the issue of academic achievement. In the last school year, students were performing at below 35% grade level in math and reading.
Thompson, along with current D5 director Jorge Lerma, passed a resolution to increase reading and math scores by 50% in the next 10 years. They also want to increase A-G participation by 80% in that same timeframe.
New and returning directors will join the OUSD board and begin their four-year terms in January 2025.
Brookfield Elementary’s Field of Dreams ...
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their new soccer pitch added to the festive atmosphere of the event.
“The field is not only uplifting to the school, but the entire community,” said Brookfield Middle School Principal Leigh Daniels as she fought back tears.
Daniels discussed the the significance of the new soccer field made possible by community partners, sponsors and other collaborators.
“Our brand-new soccer field was quite a collaborative effort. It was America Scores and OUSD’s, expanded learning, who really did the bulk of the collaboration in conjunction with me,” said Daniels.
Daniels also shared some of the challenges faced during the project, including school closures and fundraising efforts. The most contentious discussions revolved around the uncertainty of the project’s completion due to the pandemic.
“It took years, literally about three at some point with the school closing, and then we were open and then we were closing again and I came out here yesterday and cried,” she said.
“This is so beautiful,” added Daniels. “Our families are so excited to just have more of a community atmosphere.”
Rae Rodriguez, Communications and Public Relations representative for America SCORES Bay Area, talked about the organization’s role and the impact of the new field on the community.
“We’ve always wanted to work with Oakland and we’re just super excited that everybody jumped on board,” said Rodriguez. “As soon as we raised the level of fundraising, we gained even more momentum for the project.”
Rodriguez stated that the youth
deserve support and that her organization has completed multiple field transformations.
“We have done several fields in San Francisco and about 26 transformations,” said Rodriguez. “It’s just such a huge transformation for kids, especially in the urban cities like San Francisco and Oakland.
Rodriguez explained that the power of great partnerships provide an opportunity to elevate an area and create a safe environment for the youth.
“The kids should not be playing on asphalt. Every child should have the opportunity to play on turf and enjoy the game,” she said. “Kids deserve the best.”
According to Daniels, the new field will enhance the students’ performance.
“When children feel that their area is 100%, it makes them put in 200%,” she said.
Robert Davis, Vice President of Community Relations for the San Jose Earthquakes and Quakes Foundation, said, “This soccer field represents community and one of the things that we found is that there’s magic in soccer and in bringing people together. So, we’re happy about the opportunity to be a part of this project and bringing soccer to this community.”
Davis’s organization furnished some of the soccer supplies and also expressed how soccer is a “kind of honey that attracts people” and brings people together.
“We found if you roll a soccer ball out to anyone, it could be your 90-year-old grandma. She’s going to kick that ball right back to you, and that facilitates community,” said Davis.
iStock.
Oakland Small Businesses Can Apply for Up to
$25,000
in Grants
By Oakland Post Staff
Small businesses based in Oakland can apply for grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to boost their resiliency, recover from economic and community safety challenges, or strengthen their capacity and readiness to take on other forms of capital and investments.
According to an announcement released by the East Bay Community Foundation EBCF), “The Oakland Small Business Resiliency Fund is part of our commitment to shift power within systems and communities, aligning with our larger vision of an inclusive and just economy where all East Bay residents have the economic power and freedom to dream, heal, and belong.”
To be eligible, the small business has to have an annual gross of at least $50,000 and it must be located in “high-priority neighborhoods” in Oakland.
“Small businesses are the back-
School Superintendent’s Salary Questioned ...
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creased to match the superintendent’s salary.
In a 5-2 vote on Aug. 28, the Board of Education approved the salary increase and contract extension. Voting in favor were Sam Davis, Mike Hutchinson, Jorge Lerma, and Jennifer Brouhard. Valarie Bachelor voted ‘no,’ and VanCedric Williams abstained.
An East Oakland native, Johnson-Trammell became superintendent in 2017. During her tenure, the district closed and merged schools under pressure from the state and county school officials and experienced three teacher strikes and massive community protests.
The district was taken over by the state in 2003 and forced to take a $100 million loan, which state-appointed officials spent as they wished, but the district is still repaying. The district remains under state trusteeship, with an ending date that has been postponed over and over.
At the present, the district is proposing the merging of 10 schools: International Community School and Think College Now merging on the Cesar Chavez campus Manzanita SEED and Manzanita Community School merging on the Manzanita campus
• United for Success Academy and Life Academy merging on the Calvin Simmons campus
• Acorn Woodland and Encompass merging on the Woodland campus
• Korematsu Discovery Academy and Esperanza Elementary merging on the Stonehurst campus
The proposal is scheduled for a vote at the board’s Dec. 11 meeting.
In his Nov. 20 email newsletter, Board President Sam Davis acknowledged that there is a secret list of potential school closures that is being considered but has not been released to the public:
“There would have been no benefit from agendizing the longer draft list of closures and consolidations, only to traumatize those school communities, since such a plan would not pass in December,” he wrote, implying that a board majority has already discussed and agreed to the present mergers in private.
be in violation of the law.
Speaking in favor of the raise and contract extension at the board meeting, Hutchinson said that back when Johnson-Trammell first took over leadership” “it was truly a mess,” but “it’s miraculous… to see how different it is (now).”
“We are now less than two years away from finally leaving receivership,” he said, a promise he has been repeatedly making since he was first elected to the school board in 2020.
He also said, “We’ve ended the practice of school closures,” which on its face appears to be untrue.
Boardmember Williams said the district should be focusing on giving raises to its teachers and its custodians, clerical workers and other classified employees, who are among the worst paid in the state, rather than giving a salary
increase that will make the superintendent among the highest paid in the state.
“Our teachers have been underpaid for over 10 years,” he said “Our classifieds are working at minimum wage. And I just feel like the priority should be on our workers first, making sure they got a living wage.”
Speaking at the meeting, community activist Ben “Coach ‘Tapscott, who advocates for education in West Oakland and McClymonds High School told the school board, “It is time for a change” in the leadership of the school district.
Listing reasons, he said that Black students in OUSD are disproportionately suspended from school, the administration recently moved special education students around the district, disregarding the needs of students and families, and is failing to remedy lead contamination in the water supply.
Tapscott is also concerned that one of McClymonds High’s three boilers was removed and given to another school, although there are many bathrooms, classrooms and custodial workstations without warm water.
In addition, he told the Oakland Post, OUSD discriminates against West Oakland. Eight schools in West Oakland have been closed, forcing parents to send their children to schools in other parts of the city.
bone of our local economy. They generate jobs, create ownership opportunities, and drive economic activity, stability, and wealth creation in communities of color,” the EBCF announcement reads.
“Yet, today, small businesses in our region struggle with significant challenges that limit their growth and threaten their survival, including hiring shortages, lack of affordable commercial space, and barriers to accessing low-cost capital.”
The fund is designed to support small businesses that contribute to the culture, vibrancy, and health of Oakland’s diverse neighborhoods, providing gathering spaces, community-building opportunities, and creating a sense of belonging.
“We are grateful to our anchor funder Kaiser Permanente and a network of Community Advisors and Partners for their partnership in making this Fund a reality,” the announcement concludes.
To learn more to apply, visit, EBCF.org.
Under the state Open Meeting Law, elected school boards like OUSD must deliberate in public, which raises questions about whether these discussions might
District spokesperson John Sasaki did not respond to a question from the Oakland Post about Coach Tapscott’s concerns about McClymonds.
Congresswoman Lee Celebrates 26 Years of Service...
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on which Congresswoman Lee serves as ranking member.
Congresswoman Lee’s former intern, Tennessee State Representative Justin Jones, shared words of appreciation, as did Lee’s successor, Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon.
Lee was also greeted by many key national stakeholders she has worked with over her 26 years of service in Congress, including the National Women’s Law Center, J-Street, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
Lee’s former staff was in attendance to celebrate, including her former chief of staff of over 20 years, Julie Nickson, and several other key members of the team dating back to her early days in Congress in the early 2000’s.
“It was an honor and a privilege to see so many friends, colleagues, and Congressional family this evening. It’s truly been a blessing to serve alongside these pioneers and leaders. I am so grateful for the partners we’ve had in this fight for justice over the years,” said Lee.
“It was especially great to see so many former staff members who have gone on to do incredible things. The kind and gracious words delivered meant the world to me. I’m appreciative of the unwavering support I’ve received, and I look forward to forging ahead in this new and exciting chapter of my life.”
Sean Ryan is the chief of staff for Congresswoman Barbara Lee.
OUSD Trustee Mike Hutchinson. File photo.
West Oakland schools advocate Ben “Coach” Tapscott. File photo.
