Oakland’s ‘Man of Steal,’ Baseball Icon Rickey Henderson, Dies at 65
By Post Staff
Baseball legend Rickey Henderson, known as the ‘Man of Steal,’ passed away on Dec. 20 at UCSF hospital reportedly from complications of pneumonia. He was 65.
In a statement, Henderson’s wife, Pamela, said: “It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of my husband, Rickey Henderson. A legend on and off the field, Rickey was a devoted son, dad, friend, grandfather, brother, uncle, and a truly humble soul. Rickey lived his life with integrity, and his love for baseball
was paramount. Now, Rickey is at peace with the Lord, cherishing the extraordinary moments and achievements he leaves behind.”
Newsbreak described the player as “a fearless, flamboyant style of play, which thrilled some players and fans thirsting for theatrical energy from a sport known for its staidness and irritated others who believed the iconoclastic approach disrespected old traditions, Henderson broke boundaries alongside reams of records during a 25-year career spent with nine teams.”
Those teams included the Oak-
land As, the New York Mets, the New York Yankees, the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, Anaheim Angels, Seattle Mariners, and Boston Red Sox. A 10-time All-Star player and American League MVP in 1990, Henderson remains baseball’s greatest stealer of bases and was dubbed the “Man of Steal” during his playing time.
Henderson earned the title ‘Man of Steal’ because he stole 1,406 bases during his MLB career, a record that still stands with more than 468 stolen bases by Lou Brock, the next closest all-time base stealer at 938 stolen bases.
His last MLB game was in 2003, retiring from the game finally in 2007, coaching in various positions for a few more years. He was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibil-
By Paméla Michelle Tate, Ph.D., California Black Media Partners
It was the Monday morning after her husband had a “situation” involving their child, resulting in food flying in the kitchen and a broken plate.
By Magaly Muñoz
A local community art center, ARTogether, is creating a safe place for immigrants and refugees one craft at a time.
After Donald Trump’s first presidential term started in 2017, Leva Zand saw firsthand the impact of discrimination toward immigrants. She wanted to give this community a space to heal through a creative outlet, which prompted her to start ARTogether.
“Folks can come together and do art activities, celebrate their culture, and basically be in a judgmental free environment, no matter what is their immigration status
or how well they speak English, when they came to this country, what generation they are,” Zand explained. “The idea was how to use arts and culture for community building and connection between refugees, immigrants themselves and with the broader community.”
Located in downtown Oakland, the space is dedicated partly for galleries and art shows featuring local immigrant artists. The remaining area is used as a communal studio where ARTogether hosts its regular activities.
Art is used as a therapeutic medium that allows participants to
ny Otis, himself a Vallejo native. With a genre-spanning career that encompassed blues, soul and jazz, DeSanto was also a “hilarious comedienne” and a “show-stopping dancer,” according to her AllMusic bio.
As a songwriter, her compositions were cut by a who’s who of
Before that incident, tensions had been escalating, and after years of unhappiness, she finally garnered enough courage to go to the courthouse to file for a divorce.
She was sent to an on-site workshop, and the process seemed to be going well until the facilitator asked, “Have you experienced domestic abuse?” She quickly replied, “No, my husband has never hit me.”
By Post Staff
She thought about how he would thwart her plans to spend time with family and friends, the arguments, and the many years she held her tongue. She reflected on her lack of access to “their
The facilitator continued the questionnaire and asked, “Has your husband been emotionally abusive, sexually abusive, financially abusive, technologically abusive or spiritually abusive?”
Oakland Trybe Hosts Community Christmas Wonderland
By Carla Thomas On Dec. 22, at the corner of 18th and Foothill in Oakland, San Antonio Park was transformed into a winter wonderland, courtesy of the non-profit Oakland Trybe. The festiveness of the holiday was in full effect with children reaching for snow flurries as an artificial snow machine sprayed snowflakes from the park’s hillside. Nearby, about a dozen kids jumping up and down in an extralarge bounce house added more
The City of Oakland has won a $675,800 grant from Partnership for the Bay’s Future (PBF) that will fund a two-year fellow to work in the Housing and Community Development (HCD) Department to support the development of lead hazard abatement and proactive rental inspection initiatives.
The award will assist in Oakland’s work to reduce lead hazards in older rental housing, especially in communities most impacted by housing instability. The City hired a consultant, Green and
Healthy Homes Initiative, in 2024 to lead the technical aspect of the lead abatement work. By exploring the integration of lead hazard abatement with proactive rental inspections, the fellow’s work will aim to improve living conditions for families at risk of exposure and create safer homes for Oakland’s residents.
“We are grateful for the support of Partnership for the Bay’s Future for this award,” said Emily Weinstein, HCD director. “Housing safety and habitability are top priorities for our work in the
Congresswoman Barbara Lee. File photo
Sugar Pie DeSanto. Photo by Paul Cobb.
Pamela Michele Tate, Ph.D., is executive director of Black
By Alex Baker Special to the Post
Pie DeSanto, a prolific Bay Area soul, R&B and blues artist, who performed with greats like James Brown, has died at age 89, according to a family member. DeSanto, who was
Oakland Trybe hosts Christmas celebration at San Antonio Park. (L-R) Oakland Trybe Clinton Park Site Director Chien Nguyen and Oakland Trybe Executive Director, Pastor Andrew Park. Photo by Carla Thomas.
Racially Motivated Violence Against Black Teen Prompts $10 Million Claim Against LAUSD
By Solomon O. Smith California Black Media
A distraught mother and her legal team announced a $10 million lawsuit against the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) on Dec. 16, alleging that her son was the target of bullying because of his race.
“CS DOE is a 14-year-old African American student at Verdugo High School. He is a Ninth Grader,” reads a statement the plaintiff’s attorneys shared with California Black Media (CBM).
“Almost from the first day of class (in August 2024), CS DOE was targeted by Latino students who called him racial slurs, physi cally attacked him and threatened to stab him.”
safety concerns, according to their attorneys Bradley C. Gage and Caree Harper. The student’s mother is identified only as A.O. in the complaint.
The first video, filmed in August, showed several non-Black students punching and kicking a Black student in a bathroom on campus while yelling racial slurs.
The mother claims that the students who attacked her son were not punished, and the administration asked her to move her son to another school for his safety.
“They wanted him to leave the school without giving any disci-
Before she could enroll her son in a different school the attacks escalated.
In December, a second altercation, on a video shared with news media, showed 4 to 6 boys attacking a Black student and using racial slurs. The video also shows a person in a safety vest trying to stop the fight and telling them to “handle it after school.” Then, the video ends.
CS DOE, a14-year-old freshman, left the school but was followed by a car, according to Gage. Several individuals exited the vehicle, one with a “large butcher knife.” A fight ensued and two people were stabbed. The Black student was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon but was later
2024 In Review: 7 Questions for the California Association of Black School Educators
By Edward Henderson
California Black Media
The California Association of Black School Educators (CABSE) is an organization consisting of elected and appointed school officials, administrators and instructors from across California who are committed to advancing equity for Black students.
CABSE members represent governmental agencies, charter schools and charter school organizations, public school districts, traditional public schools, and community colleges.
The organization’s primary goal is to expand PK-14 educational opportunities for all students in California, with an emphasis on under-represented and under-served Black students.
California Black Media
successes, disappointments, and plans for the organization coming into the new year.
Looking back at 2024, what stands out to you as your most important achievement and why?
Ali: I would have to say that two highlights have been the ongoing support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Engie, and other sponsors that have enabled us to bring together likeminded education leaders twice a year to collectively advance innovative and meaningful strategies to achieve change on behalf of Black students across our state.
How did your leadership and investments contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians?
Zurita: CABSE’s leadership and investment in improving the
sulted in a long-standing focus on transforming public education and its response to Black students. By pulling from the very wisdom of those educators and leaders who care deeply about Black students and who are showing great promise through their efforts.
What frustrated you the most over the last year?
Zurita: Continuing to see the deep impact of COVID-19 Pandemic school site closures on students academically and emotionally — especially Black students. This makes our work and our advocacy more vital than ever.
What inspired you the most over the last year?
Zurita: Seeing our CABSE convenings grow in depth and breadth — our strategies, powerful content and reach.
(Left to right) Civil Rights Attorney Caree Harper comforts the mother of a victim of racially motivated violence at Verdugo High School as she becomes emotional, while her attorney Bradley C. Gage listens. on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Tujunga, CA. (Solomon O. Smith /for California Black Media)
CABSE President Satra Zurita and CABSE Conference Chair Micah Ali.
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OPINION: Solutions to the Housing Crisis Exist, but Governments Waste Tax Dollars Instead
By Kimberly King and Victoria King
In a powerful demonstration of grassroots organizing, activists joined forces in direct action that started on Dec. 17 to call for the establishment of sanctuary communities across the West Coast.
housing is a human right, not a commodity to be bought and sold for profit.
MacArthur Fellow Dorothy Roberts’ Advocates Restructure of Child Welfare System
of norms.
erts is excerpted from the MacAr-
Body: Race, Reproduction, and the Meaning of Liberty 1997)”, she
state intervention and the results of those interventions.
The goal of the effort is to raise awareness about misleading narratives around homelessness and to present concrete solutions to a crisis that leaves over 35,000 people unsheltered each night in the Bay Area.
Special to The Post
When grants were announced Oct. 1, it was noted that eight of the 22 MacArthur fellows were African American. Among the recipients of the so-called ‘genius grants’ are scholars, visual and media artists a poet/writer, historian, and dancer/choreographer who each receive $800,000 over
The action, led by members of Oakland’s Wood Street Commons and Homefullness/Poor Magazine, represents a direct response to the U.S. Supreme Court and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s approach to homelessness. At the core of the movement is a fundamental truth:
a five-year period to spend as they see fit.
People who are homeless want real housing, not temporary shelters that are dangerous and crowded. The City of Oakland has been telling the public that the sweeps of encampments are an effective solution, but it just pushes people from block to block, wasting tax money on paying police officers overtime in a budget crisis. This is true at the state level too, where California spends $42,000 per person that is unhoused per year. The city and state could just help pay residents’ rent, rather than pay for police to harass people on the streets, many of whom have disabilities or are elders.
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 eighth and last in the series highlighting the Black awardees. The report below on Dorothy Rob-
nied agency to Black women and
ties instead of sweeps, urging the redirection of encampment management funds toward positive solutions like encampment upgrades and permanent low to no-income housing.
Through interviews with Chicago mothers who had interacted with Child Protective Services (CPS), Roberts shows that institutions regularly punish the effects of poverty as neglect.
This work prompted Roberts to examine the treatment of children of color in the U.S. child welfare
es reproductive health, bioethics, and child welfare. She sheds light on systemic inequities, amplifies the voices of those directly affected, and boldly calls for wholesale transformation of existing systems.
Roberts’s early work focused on Black women’s reproductive rights and their fight for reproductive justice. In “Killing the Black
The coalition of organizations, led by people with lived experience of homelessness, coordinated their efforts to show the unity behind this movement, including setting up sweeps-free sanctuary communities and resource centers and presenting solutions to city council. The message is clear: unhoused residents refuse to remain
invisible in the face of policies that have resulted in 347 deaths for people experiencing homelessness in Alameda County just this year alone.
The coalition presented four key demands, each addressing different aspects of the housing crisis. First, they called for the establishment of sanctuary communi-
After nearly two decades of research and advocacy work alongside parents, social workers, family defense lawyers, and organizations, Roberts has concluded that the current child welfare system is in fact a system of family policing with alarmingly unequal practices and outcomes. Her 2001 book, “Shattered Bonds: The Color of Child Welfare,” details the outsized role that race and class play in determining who is subject to
CPS disproportionately investigates Black and Indigenous families, especially if they are lowincome, and children from these families are much more likely than white children to be removed from their families after CPS referral.
The second demand focuses on utilizing public land for public good, specifically identifying vacant properties like the Hilton Hotel on Port of Oakland land. The coalition emphasized the immediate availability of these spaces to house hundreds of currently unhoused residents.
In “Torn Apart: How the Child Welfare System Destroys Black Families—and How Abolition Can Build a Safer World (2022),”
Prevention forms the third pillar of the coalition’s demands, with calls for strengthened renter’s rights, rent subsidies, and a permanent moratorium on rental evictions and foreclosures for nonpayment.
Roberts traces the historical, cultural, and political forces driving the racial and class imbalance in child welfare interventions.
These include stereotypes about Black parents as negligent, devaluation of Black family bonds, and stigmatization of parenting practices that fall outside a narrow set
Finally, the coalition demands the defunding of coercive “Care Courts,” advocating instead for
non-carceral approaches to mental health care and harm reduction.
The Poor People’s Campaign’s motto, “When we lift from the bottom, no one gets left behind,” encapsulates the spirit of the action.
She also shows that blaming marginalized individuals for structural problems, while ignoring the historical roots of economic and social inequality, fails families and communities.
Daily activities, including opening prayers for those who have died while homeless, served as powerful reminders of the human cost of failed housing policies that treat housing as a commodity rather than a fundamental right.
Roberts argues that the engrained oppressive features of the current system render it beyond repair. She calls for creating an entirely new approach focused on supporting families rather than punishing them.
Her support for dismantling the current system of child welfare is unsettling to some, but her provocation inspires many to think more critically about its poor track record and harmful design.
As this crisis continues to unfold, these activist groups have made it clear that the solution to homelessness must come from those most directly affected by it.
About the Authors
Kimberly King and Victoria King are Oakland Residents who advocate for the unhoused and propose solutions to end homelessness and housing insecurity.
By uncovering the complex forces underlying social systems and institutions, and uplifting the experiences of people caught up in them, Roberts creates opportunities to imagine and build more equitable and responsive ways to ensure child and family safety.
Dorothy Roberts. Photo courtesy of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
Public Notices, Classifieds & Business
2024 in Review: 7 Questions for Social Justice Executive Kaci Patterson
By Edward Henderson California Black Media
The Black Equity Collective (BEC) is a community-focused, public-private partnership with Black equity as its central, driving force.
Born out of two organizations – the Social Good Solutions Firm and the Black Equity Initiative
— BEC’s mission is centered on the belief that progress on Black equity and racial justice must be part of any credible social justice movement in the United States. Additionally, the collective believes equity is only achieved when philanthropic investments, public policies, and institutional practices converge to boldly confront racial injustice.
Kaci Peterson, the founder and Chief Architect of Social Good Solutions and the Black Equity Collective, has over 18 years of experience in the non-profit and philanthropy sectors.
California Black Media (CBM) spoke with Peterson recently. She discussed the organization’s successes, disappointments, and lessons from 2024 as they continue their initiatives into the new year.
Looking back at 2024, what stands out to you as your most important achievement and why?
This year, we celebrated our 10-year anniversary as a firm.
Since the firm’ s inception we are proud to announce that cumulatively we’ve been able to raise and leverage over $55.5 million for Black-led organizations in California.
One of the things that we have accomplished is our expanded membership. We had an initial goal of 30 to 40 organizations. We have a current membership of 54 organizations and a waiting list of over 120.
How did your leadership and investments contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians?
We launched a survey involving 200 Black-led organizations to study the economic impact of Black-led organizations on California’ s GDP. The results of that survey will be released in early 2025.
What frustrated you the most over the last year?
The decline in philanthropic investment after the height of commitments following the murder of George Floyd, following COVID. What inspired you the most over the last year?
I am always inspired by the leaders on the ground who just continue to do monumental work.
The fact that here in Los Angeles, we’ve been able to stand up a doula hub in response to the policy advocacy work that so many of our leaders, our Black women in
particular, really pushed and got state legislation passed a couple of years ago so that doulas can be an approved and reimbursable expense through Medi-Cal.
What is one lesson you learned in 2024 that will inform your decision-making next year?
I started an 11-week sabbatical on Nov. 1. I think oftentimes as Black leaders, we are burning the candle at both ends. And I don’ t think Black people are even aware of the social, emotional, and physical toll that taken on us/ We must rest, retreat and take respite as part of our journey to justice.
In one word, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians face?
Erasure.
We’ve really leaned into a narrative of Black permanence and what it means to preserve our community, our culture, our contributions, our language, our history, our leaders, our institutions. What is the goal you want to achieve most in 2025?
I really want to start up an endowment for the collective. I think it’s really important to be able to preserve all of the things that the collective has contributed the philanthropic ecosystem so far.
Let’s
By Dr. Monica Soni
Navigating health insurance can often feel overwhelming, especially for individuals and families who are new to the system or unsure about their options.
At Covered California, we recognize that understanding health insurance is more than just choosing a plan —it’s about having the knowledge to make informed decisions that lead to healthier lives. That’s why this year’s open enrollment campaign, “Let’s Talk Health,” focuses on breaking down barriers and simplifying the complex language of health care. Health literacy is critical for achieving better outcomes, reducing disparities, and ensuring every African American and Black Californian — regardless of their income, ethnicity, or background — has access to quality care. By making health insurance simpler to understand, we empower individuals to access preventive services, manage chronic conditions, and avoid costly medical bills.
Breaking Barriers in African American and Black Communities
This year, “Let’s Talk Health”
places a special focus on supporting African American and Black communities, where systemic inequities in health outcomes persist. These communities often face higher rates of chronic conditions and challenges in navigating the health care system. To address these disparities, Covered California partnered with trusted organizations to provide information, tips and resources.
In San Francisco, Andre Atkins, Director of Programs at Rafiki Coalition, led a dialogue with Dr. Kim Rhoads, Community Engagement Director at UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center; Destiny Williams, Health and Wellness Program Manager at Rafiki Coalition; and myself. These conversations play a vital role in the pursuit of health equity by sharing power and creating spaces where our community can learn, share experiences, ask questions and connect with advocates who work daily to understand their unique needs. Through these efforts, we reaffirm our dedication to fostering equity and inclusion in health care, ensuring that every voice is heard and supported. Why Health Literacy Matters
Health literacy goes beyond understanding health care terms. It’s about empowerment. It equips individuals to make informed decisions, from choosing the right health plan to finding a provider to deliver preventive care and seeking mental health services. At Covered California, we provide tools and resources, such as sideby-side plan comparisons and financial assistance details, to ensure everyone can navigate their options confidently and access the care they need.
Taking the First Step
Whether you’re a student, parttime worker, family of four, open enrollment is your opportunity to prioritize your health and your future. This year’s open enrollment period runs from Nov. 1, 2024, to Jan. 31, 2025, and we’re here to assist you every step of the way. Consumers must select a health plan by the Dec. 31 to receive coverage for the entire year, starting Jan. 1, 2025.
To find the plan that’s right for you, and take the first step toward a healthier tomorrow, visit CoveredCA.com and fill out the application yourself or put in your ZIP code and connect with a certified agent in your neighborhood who can guide you through your options. Together, we can break down barriers and ensure that all Californians have the tools to thrive.
Dr. Monica Soni, MD, is the Chief Medical Officer for Covered California, where she leads efforts in health equity, quality transformation, and clinical innovation. As a practicing board-certified internal medicine physician and health care leader with over a decade of experience, Dr. Soni is committed to improving affordability, access, and outcomes for all Californians.
Dr. Monica Soni. Courtesy of Covered California.
File photo: Kaci Patterson, founder of Los Angeles-based Black Equity Collective, represented grassroot organizations from across the state that demanded the state invest into a coalition that aims to build a healthy relationship between philanthropy groups and the public sector. May 10, 2023, Sacramento, California. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.
Pioneering NASA Physicist George Alcorn
Revolutionized Imaging Technology and STEM Education
By Tamara Shiloh
George Alcorn was a trailblazing physicist and engineer whose groundbreaking inventions trans-
formed aerospace technology and imaging devices. Best known for his creation of the X-ray imaging spectrometer, Alcorn’s work at NASA Goddard Space Flight
Center (GSFC) not only advanced space exploration but also reshaped the scientific community’s understanding of deep space phenomena.
1111 Broadway, Suite 800, Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 208-7400 • www.alamedactc.org Request for Proposals (RFP) for Construction Management and Independent Cost Estimator Services for Rail Safety Enhancement Program - Phase A (RFP No. R25-0004)
The Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) is seeking proposals for a contract to commence services on June 30, 2025, or as indicated in the RFP and/or appropriate addenda.
Key Dates:
• Pre-proposal conference will be held online: January 6, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time (PT)
• Proposal due date: January 29, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. PT
This contract will be funded in part by Federal Railroad Administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements funding and as such, will not be subject to a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program or the Alameda CTC Local Business Contract Equity Program. However, Alameda CTC strongly encourages each proposer to consider the use of disadvantaged, local and/or small business enterprises in its proposal. Any contract resulting from this RFP will be awarded without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or national origin.
All RFP documents are available Procurement Portal at https://alamedactc.bonfirehub.com. All questions regarding this RFP must be submitted via the Procurement Portal, no later than 3:00 p.m. PT on January 10, 2025.
Submittals must be made in accordance with the instructions in the RFP. Any contract awarded must be in compliance with the local, state, and/or federal requirements.
Submittals must be made in accordance with the instructions in the RFP. Any contract awarded must be in compliance with the local, state, and/or federal requirements.
Born in Indianapolis in 1940, Alcorn’s scientific curiosity was sparked early on by his father, an automobile mechanic. “I was a very fortunate boy, in that my hero was my daddy,” George once shared with the National Inventors Hall of Fame®. “I thought that what my father was doing was science.” Together, the pair spent hours tinkering with car engines, setting the stage for Alcorn’s future in STEM.
That foundation propelled him through an impressive academic journey. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from Occidental College in 1962, he pursued graduate studies at Howard University, where he received a master’s degree in 1963 and a doctorate in atomic and molecular physics in 1967.
Alcorn began his career in private industry, working at IBM on high-performance semiconductor devices. In 1978, he joined NASA GSFC, where his contributions revolutionized imaging technology and space exploration.
In 1982, he invented the X-ray imaging spectrometer, a device that allowed scientists to more accurately detect and analyze elemental and chemical components. The innovation earned him the title of 1984 NASA GSFC Inventor of the Year. This spectrometer has since been used in planetary mapping, star charting, and deep space exploration, and its descendants continue to shape modern imaging technologies.
Beyond his spectrometer, Alcorn contributed to the development of the Freedom Space Station in collaboration with international agencies and invented the Airborne LIDAR Topographic Mapping System (ALTMS). ALTMS uses light to analyze Earth’s surface and has become integral to data collection for environmental studies and drone technology.
Alongside his technical achievements, Alcorn was a passionate educator. He taught physics and engineering at Howard University and mentored underrepresented doctoral candidates at the University of the District of Columbia. Recognizing the importance of engaging students early, he co-founded the Saturday Academy, a weekend program aimed at inspiring innercity middle schoolers in Washington, D.C., to develop an interest in math and science.
“I believe it’s so important to start learning and enjoying learning as young as possible,” Alcorn said. “It gives children even more of an advantage.”
Alcorn’s contributions earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Robert H. Goddard Award of Merit from NASA GSFC in 2010 and the Alumni Seal Award for Professional Achievement from Occidental College in 2012.
Reflecting on his work, Alcorn remarked, “If you have a good, interesting project, work is not coming to work – it’s coming to an adventure.”
Racially Motivated Violence Against Black Teen ...
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scheduled to appear in juvenile court on Feb. 1, but Harper says she will reach out to the District Attorney and make the case against charging the young man.
“His mama had to go find him because he was hiding and fleeing for his very life,” said Harper.
According to the boy’s mother, the young student is still traumatized and has not been able to return to the area because it remains
“I’m sad. I’m devastated, you know,” said the mother. “I still feel like they’re after him. I still feel like they can kill him, possibly.”
The LAUSD and principal of Verdugo High School did not respond to CBM’s requests for comment.
If you are — or someone you know is — has experienced a hate crime or hate incident, please visit CAvsHate.org for more information and to find out what you can do about it.
California Association of Black School Educators
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your decision-making next year?
Ali: Our Blueprint for Education Equity is a crowd-sourced framework of strategies that have shown great promise for improving the education experiences and opportunities for Black students.
In 2024, we developed an equity self-assessment tool for districts to use in evaluating their own efforts on behalf of Black students. strategies are helping Black students.
In one word, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians face?
Zurita: Many Black students across our state are dealing with a host of challenges: homelessness,
food insecurity, exposure to violence, not to mention bias remains a pervasive problem. To add to the challenge, educators are worn out, tired, and frustrated. We now need to think about how we can simultaneously inspire and empower students and educators alike. The system needs an overhaul. What is the goal you want to achieve most in 2025?
Zurita: In 2025, we hope to stand CABSE up as a fully functioning non-profit organization engaged in research and policy design.
Ali: We also aim to deepen the content of our convenings, including adding a Math Track and what we are calling Social Determinants of Education Track to our annual conference and institute, which will address those social contexts that prevent Black stu-
Portrait of George Edward Alcorn Jr. Debbie McCallum. Public domain image.
Chris Lodgson and members of the Coalition For a Just and Equitable California (CJEC) held a reparations Listening Session in Sacramento, California, in August 2022. CJEC participated in many reparation activities across the state, specifically to raise awareness about how the effects of chattel slavery have reverberated for generations in California, leaving Black people at a distinct disadvantage in wealth, education, and health. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.
2024 in Review: 7 Questions for Reparations Advocate
Chris Lodgson
By Edward Henderson
California Black Media
The Coalition for a Just and Equitable California (CJEC) is a statewide organization comprised of various associations, community groups and individuals united by their commitment to fight for reparations for the descendants of enslaved Black American men and women.
CJEC was one of seven “anchor organizations” sanctioned by the California Reparations Task Force and the California Department of Justice (DOJ) to evaluate California’s role in slavery and Jim Crow discrimination.
California Black Media (CBM) recently interviewed Chris Lodgson, the lead organizer and advocate for the CJEC to discuss the organization’s achievements, challenges, and plans heading into the new year.
Looking back at 2024, what stands out to you as your most important achievement and why?
We helped to advance the first ever state level lineage-based reparations related legislation this year is probably the biggest success. At the start of the year, we introduced the first ever bill specifically for residents who were descendants of people who were enslaved in this country.
Also, state agencies across the state of California started collecting what we call lineage data. Now, specifically state employees or people who want to become state employees, have the option to selfidentify as Black Americans who are descendants of people who were enslaved in this country. That is based on some legislation that we wrote in 2022 that the Governor signed. It took effect this year.
How did your leadership and investments contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians?
California took steps to recognize and identify residents who are these descendants. I think that is a positive impact on Black Califor-
nians because for the first time ever we are being seen.
We have a saying: ‘if you don’ t see a community you can’ t serve a community’.
What frustrated you the most over the last year?
Several of the bills that we supported this year were blocked. And then also one of the other bills that we supported this year was vetoed.
Secondly, the actions of the California Legislative Black Caucus not just in blocking the bills, but how they didn’t work with each other.
What inspired you the most over the last year?
How people across the state of California — and across the country, really — have been able to come together in support of the reparations effort. Also, the national attention that we are getting has also been inspiring.
What is one lesson you learned in 2024 that will inform your decision-making next year?
One lesson that we learned is that if Black legislators are working against each other, which is what we saw this year, that will hurt reparations.
In one word, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians face?
Political power.
It became very, very clear when the Black Caucus introduced those bills that they call reparations bills. An apology is not reparations. Bringing back affirmative action is not reparations. Letting people wear their hair the way they want to at work is definitely not reparations.
To me, that was a clear sign of political weakness.
What is the goal you want to achieve most in 2025?
The passage and enactment of actual reparations legislation. That includes bills and policies that we didn’t get this year and other things that we want.
Oakland Awarded $675,000 Grant ...
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coming year, and this fellow will ensure specific attention is paid to creating equitable solutions.”
The fellow will be dedicated full-time for the next two years to facilitate collaboration between HCD, Planning and Building Department (PBD), and a coalition of community partners. The total benefit to the City of Oakland is at least $675,800, of which $220,000 goes to a collaborative of community organizations to support the work.
The Healthy Havenscourt Collaborative brings essential
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community expertise to the project, connecting Oakland residents with resources and ensuring the program aligns with their needs.
These partners will engage residents directly to shape the program and make sure their voices are central to its design and implementation.
Coalition partners include Regional Asthma Management and Prevention (RAMP), La Clinica de la Raza, EBALDC, and Black Cultural Zone - all of which form the Healthy Havenscourt collaborative.
Oakland Trybe ...
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cheer to the atmosphere.
Gospel music filled the air. Children built gingerbread houses and designed homemade tree ornaments at the crafts table while others lined up for Christmas gifts and photos with Santa Claus.
A Black Santa Claus portrayed by Oakland Trybe staffer, Isaiah Jackson, was seated beside the Christmas tree filled with personalized ornaments as children received gifts. “It’s fun to interact with the community and provide activities and a space for the kids to let loose in a safe environment,” said Jackson who serves as Oakland Trybe’s operations outreach specialist.
According to the Oakland Trybe Clinton Park Site Director, Chien Nguyen, Oakland Trybe serves the community every Sunday afternoon. “Today has extra fanfare because it’s Christmas and the end of the year, but we feed and build community here every week throughout the year,” said Nguyen.
Below, at the food court that Ngyuen says was built by staff, volunteers, and organization interns, kids played soccer on the two newly resurfaced playgrounds.
Parents lined up with their little ones for a plate of smoked chicken, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and salad. Ladies serving the food wore festive Christmas aprons bearing a customized spin on the Heinz catsup logo: “Catch Up With Jesus. Lettuce Praise and Relish Him, Cuz He Loves Me
From My Head To ma toes.”
“It’s nice to serve and see everyone so happy,” said Mei Fu,” who is also an Oakland Trybe Operations and outreach specialist.
“Oakland Trybe is the largest distributor of food in Oakland from the Alameda County Food Bank,” said Nguyen. “Today we served about 500 meals.”
Executive Director of Oakland Trybe Andrew Park, who is a pastor, said, in addition to providing food and entertainment, he and a small group were praying for guests who were ill. “We are community-based and welcome all, but we also know the power of prayer,” said Park. “By meeting the community’s needs and bringing them together, we can combat hate and racism at its core.”
With a rise in racism and hate in the world, Oakland Trybe considers its mission as a community builder combatting racism and other forms of hate by fostering programming that meets the needs of the community.
“Our organization was built with the need to support the community and bring people together,” said Park. “Together, with common goals, we can ensure people get to know one another and that breaks down cultural and racial barriers.”
According to Nguyen, Park does not pastor at a church. However, through his faith, he serves the larger community. “This is his church, and I appreciate him as a mentor,” said Ngyuen who is Buddhist. “This is how you reach the community, build community, and heal.”
Oakland Community Art Center ...
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process and express their emotions and experiences, and build community with others in the studio, Zand said.
The programs are catered to youth and adults with programs called “Arts in Schools” and “Arts and Wellness.” Students are encouraged to participate in music, crafts, and dancing while adults can join support groups to connect with others and receive mental health resources to alleviate trauma they may have previously experienced.
Zand told the Post that a lot of the issues participants come into the program with are related to feeling a lack of support or community after newly arriving to the area from their home countries. While many come from areas where traditional therapy is considered taboo, art lets people of all backgrounds express themselves in a creative form that makes sense to them.
The center is also able to provide referrals and direct contacts to traditional mental and physical health professionals, as well as legal and social programs, for those who need more extensive assistance.
Because of how the organization got started, ARTogether has strong ‘Stop the Hate’ messaging built into its mission. They began promoting the advocacy for antiimmigrant and anti-refugee hate before it was officially established across several demographics during the pandemic, Zand said.
Baseball Icon Rickey Henderson, Dies at 65 ...
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ity in 2009. His most recent public appearance in Oakland was with his former teammate Dave Stewart when they threw out the first pitch at the last game the A’s played in the Coliseum in September.
Born in the back seat of an Oldsmoblie in Chicago, Illinois, on Christmas Day 1958, Henderson used to quip that he had always been fast. At age 7, the family joined his father who had moved to Oakland. He graduated from Oakland Technical High School in 1976 where he was renowned for playing baseball, basketball, and football, which had been his favorite sport.
But his mother discouraged his intent to wear the Oakland Raiders’ silver-and-black uniform, saying football players had shorter careers and higher chances of injury.
Learning of Henderson’s death, Stewart was devastated. After competing against each in Oakland’s Babe Ruth League as teens, they got to play on the A’s together in 1989, winning the World Series over the San Francisco Giants which had been delayed by the Loma Prieta earthquake.
“Him having asthma, him being sick, it never stopped him,” Stewart told The Source. “He was always on the go. He had these rental properties in Oakland, and I’d get these calls saying they saw Rickey out cutting the grass. I’d say, ‘What do you mean?’ They told me he was actually out there with a lawn mower doing work on his property.
“He was always go-go-go. He loves to fish. He just took up hunting,” Stewart said.
Anticipating an influx in stress and trauma for residents after the presidential inauguration in January, ARTogether is hosting a community gathering at the end of the month in order to give people the space to express their feelings through crafts.
These gatherings, or “GatherIns,” will be held monthly, or for as long as funding can sustain them, which Zand said might not be for long.
The organization recently lost one of its grants from the city of Oakland during the major budget cuts earlier this month that slashed funding for arts and culture programs. They were meant to receive a $20,000 grant through the city’s initial contingency budget plan but the money is now gone until Oakland can get their revenue up again.
Zand shared she worries about the state of the country come the new year and where her organization may end up as well if budget restraints continue at the local and state level.
“We are really facing uncertainty. We don’t know what is happening…We don’t know how bad it’s going to be,” she said.
This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop theHate program. The program is supported by partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to https://www.cavshate.org/ blues and soul greats, including Little Milton, Minnie Riperton, Billy Stewart, and the Dells, to name a few.
She was discovered at San Francisco’s Ellis Theater and offered a contract by Otis to come to Los Angeles and record in the late 1950s. While performing at the famed Apollo in New York, she
reportedly made such an impression on James Brown, he hired her as his opening act for the next two years.
She wrote around 100 songs and recorded a string of singles over a career that spanned decades.
She performed at Geoffrey’s Inner Circle for more than 20 years.
“We really want to activate this space for the community to get together, to share, to strategize, to see how they can advocate at the local, state and even national level for their rights,” Zand shared.
Barbara Lee Releases Statement ...
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called home, is not one I take lightly,” she said.
“As my time in Congress wraps up, my current priority is navigating the crisis before us in DC. I am working around the clock to reach
a deal that will keep our government open and provide crucial resources for my district,” she continued.
“I will announce my intentions in early January,” Congresswoman Lee said.
14 seasons wearing the Green and Gold,” the A’s management said in a statement.
“For those who knew him personally, Rickey was much more than a franchise icon and a Baseball Hall of Famer. He was a friend and mentor to every player, coach, and employee who passed through the Oakland Coliseum or played a game on the field that came to bear his name,” the A’s statement said.
NBC Bay Area reported that Oakland Interim Mayor, Nikki Fortunato Bas, and former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown took to social media to share their condolences.
“Rickey Henderson was 1 of 1,” Bas wrote on X. “An Oakland legend and icon. A multi-sport star at Oakland Tech, a champion with the Oakland A’s and beloved by this community. I am heartbroken for his family and fans. We have reached out to the A’s to offer any assistance the City can provide.” Brown said he compares Henderson’s legacy to the late San Francisco Giants Hall of Famer Willie Mays. “When he was on base, he disturbed every other player because nobody knew what he might do at any given moment,” Brown said.
But for all his showmanship Henderson often displayed a simple humility. When his childhood dream of becoming a millionaire was fulfilled with a $1 million signing bonus, Henderson framed the check and hung it on his wall instead of signing it, causing the team to insist he cash it and replace the check with a copy.
Accolades poured in from Major League Baseball, the Oakland A’s, where Henderson played for a total of 14 years, and many other individuals, news and sports organizations.
“He was undoubtedly the most legendary player in Oakland history and made an indelible mark on generations of A’s fans over his
He is survived by his wife Pamela and his three daughters Angela, Adrianna, and Alexis. The National Newspaper Association Newswire, The Source, NBC News Bay Area, USA Today, Wikipedia and statements from Henderson’s family and sports associations are the sources for this story.
Life After Domestic Violence ...
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money,” him snooping in her purse, checking her social media, computer, and emails, and the angry blowups where physical threats were made against both her and their children.
At that moment, she realized she had been in a long-suffering domestic abuse relationship.
After reading this, you might not consider the relationship described above as abusive - or you might read her account and wonder, “How didn’t she know that she was in an abusive relationship?”
Survivors sometimes lack awareness about the dynamics of healthy relationships, particularly when one has not been modeled for them at home. Media often minimizes domestic abuse, pushing the imagery of loyalty and love for one’s partner above everything - even harm.
After working with survivors at Black Women Revolt Against Domestic Violence in San Francisco, California, I have learned a great deal from a variety of survivors. Here are some insights: Abuse thrives in isolation.
Societal tolerance of abusive behavior is prevalent in the media, workplaces, and even churches although there are societal rules about the dos and don’ts in relationships. Survivors are groomed into isolation.
Survivors are emotionally abused and manipulated almost from the beginning of their relationships through love-bombing. They are encouraged or coerced into their own little “love nest,”
isolating them from family and friends.
People who harm can be charismatic and fun.
Those outside the relationship often struggle to believe the abuser would harm their partner until they witness or experience the abusive behavior firsthand.
Survivors fear judgment.
Survivors fear being judged by family, friends, peers, and coworkers and are afraid to speak out.
Survivors often still love their partners.
This is not Stockholm Syndrome, it’s love. Survivors remember the good times and don’t want to see their partner jailed; they simply want the abuse to stop.
The financial toll of abuse is devastating.
According to the Allstate Foundation’s study, 74% of survivors cite lack of money as the main reason for staying in abusive relationships. Financial abuse often prevents survivors from renting a place to stay. Compounding this issue is the lack of availability of domestic abuse shelters.
The main thing I have learned from this work is that survivors are resilient, and they are the true experts of their own stories and their paths to healing. So, when you encounter a survivor, please take a moment and acknowledge their journey to healing and applaud their strength and progress.
About the Author
Paméla Michelle Tate, Ph.D., is executive director of Black Women Revolt Against Domestic Violence in San Francisco.
Sugar Pie DeSanto