higher education,” commented Sen. Bradford in a recent press release. “By creating a seal of excellence that recognizes the colleges and universities in California that are doing the most to support Black student success, we can recognize their important efforts and encourage others to take similar steps to improve overall outcomes.”
the day, attendees will benefit from a series of expertled talks covering vital topics such as launching a business, product development with a user-centered approach, and securing necessary funding. One of the unique sessions of the summit will explore the intersection of faith and entrepreneurship, featuring insights from faith leaders
The summit will culminate in a closing panel that reflects on the day’s discussions. This panel will focus on leveraging the entrepreneurial ecosystem for success, drawing from the experiences and strategies discussed throughout the day.
According to
The full-day event will kick
The Oakland Bay Area has often been known as the mecca of trendsetting activism and cultural awareness.
BMW has been a moniker for famous fast cars; or for “Black Men Working.” Now in Oakland, it also used for” Black Men Worshipping.”
But last week Oaklanders witnessed a trend that many have waited years to witness — Black Men attending church en masse. to worship.
At an “It’s a Man Thing Men’s Conference” held Saturday, April 20, with nearly 100 fathers, sons, brothers and others, brought together by Bishop Kevin D. Barnes, Pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in the City of Oakland, more than 100 young men, middle-aged men , older men and men of every age gathered together to hear messages on how to make their own lives and their families lives better.
The speakers were Bishop Kevin D. Barnes, Sr., Pastor of the
as she preached to us
In addition, according to Bradford, “This legislation will also provide a simple way for the prospective students or their parents to know which colleges and universities have created environments where Black students are holistically embraced, enriched and empowered.”
The legislation outlines criteria for institutions to qualify as a Black-Serving Institution, including enrollment thresholds, mandatory Black student success programs, and robust African American studies offerings.
Advocates for SB 1348 underscore its significance. Dr. Keith Curry, President of Compton College, voiced support, saying, “It is important that we, as institutions of higher education, make bold statements and commit ongoing resources to improving student outcomes for all post-secondary education students, but most notably Black and African American students.” SB1348 has been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further deliberation.
By
Currently, the budget deficit for the 2024-25 fiscal year has been projected to be as high as $73 billion.
Bryan said it will be “absolutely difficult,” but the state is still investing in other priority programs, vari-
Although California will have to make significant budget cuts to balance its budget as required by state law, Assemblymember and California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) member Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) said there are still ways to achieve reparations for Black Californians.
viewed by 95 million people.
OJ, the legendary National Football League running back was accused of killing his exwife, Nicole Brown and her friend, Ron Goldman in 1994 at her apartment. OJ denied the
1995. Wikipedia photos.
charges and his attorney, Johnnie Cochran, rendered OJ innocent of all charges when, in response to the prosecution’s presentation as evidence of Simpson’s guilt a glove found at the murder scene, he said "If it doesn't fit, you must
Many white people were outraged, thinking that a Black man would walk away from killing two white people, while the Black community in general were amazed at the skills of Johnnie Cochran to prove that OJ was
By Magaly Muñoz
San Francisco has officially initiated a lawsuit against the city of Oakland. This action came a week after the Port of Oakland Commissioners voted to proceed with changing the name of the city’s airport.
San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu filed the suit April 18, 10 days after he originally sent a letter to the Port Commissioners warning
them that if they voted to change the Oakland airport to ‘San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport,’ he would take action to protect the city’s trademark.
Chiu and other city leaders have insisted that the new name will cause confusion and chaos for travelers who are not familiar with the area or the distinction between the two airports.
“We are already seeing at least
one airline use the new name, indicating that SFO has already suffered economic harm. We want to see the entire Bay Area thrive as a tourist destination and expand our offerings to visitors, but the renaming is not a legal or practical way to go about it,” Chiu said in a statement.
The Port Commissioners voted unanimously to change the city’s airport name at a board meeting earlier this month, stating that this will attract more passengers to Oakland and boost the airport’s visibility.
Chiu claims that San Francisco was given 30 minutes advance notice of the renaming plan before the Port announced the proposed change to the public in late March. He added that they attempted on multiple occasions to negotiate with Oakland on alternative names to avoid litigation, but the requests have gone unanswered.
The lawsuit argues that since the Oakland airport is attempting to “unlawfully incorporate” the San Francisco trademark, the city has no choice but to sue for trademark infringement, false designation of origin, and unfair competition.
The complaint further adds that San Francisco wants to support Oakland’s goals of new visibility and for their airport to thrive, but they oppose the change because of potential fallout and confusion.
Chiu also mentions that a vital customer base for San Francisco International Airport (SFO) may also be impacted; specifically nonEnglish speakers and readers. In response to the lawsuit, the Port is defending its actions and plans for the name change.
“OAK’s proposed renaming does not infringe upon SFO’s mark. We
days; a mobile lab, housed in a 30-foot trailer, delivers the lab to classrooms on other days of the week. Fleming says, “Taking data and turning it into things parallels the process of making dreams into realities, the actual into the abstract. The ability to combine different disciplines and skill sets and reach a desired goal is something I believe needs to be taught and emphasized to the youth of today.”
ByAlex Fleming, a native of the Bay Area, is the Manager of the Fab Lab, or “fabrication laboratory” at Kennedy High School in Richmond’s West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD).
The lab is open on Wednes-
A Fab Lab is a small-scale workshop offering digital fabrication. It is a place to play, create and invent. It is typically equipped with an array of flexible computer-controlled tools with the aim to make “almost anything,” using digital design, 3D printers, laser cutting, etc., empowering individuals to create smart devices for themselves.
Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media OJ Simpson was defended by Johnnie Cochran in what was once termed the Trial of the Century in Barbara Fluhrer The San Francisco International Airport. iStock, JasonDoiy. Alex Fleming pictured beside a 3D printer. Photo by Barbara Fluhrer.
WOMEN IMPACTING THE CHURCH AND COMMUNITY:
Rev. Mildred L. Oliver, 23 Years with Oakland Police Department
Regional President, Executive Director, People Developer and Hall of Fame Inductee
By Antoinette PorterRev. Mildred L. Oliver is an Oakland native and a product of the Oakland Unified School District. She graduated from Skyline High School in June of 1989 and in September continued her education at the University of California, Davis. She graduated from UC Davis in June 1993, with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She began graduate school at California State University, Los Angeles, in January 1994. While there, she served as a graduate/research assistant for the Institute for Criminal Justice Studies. She graduated in June 1995, with a Master of Science in Criminal Justice. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Ministry at the Berkeley School of Theology.
Rev. Oliver is a member of Beth Eden Baptist Church where she has been an active participant her whole life. She is currently serving as the administrative assistant to Pastor Dwight Webster, Ph.D.; an associate minister; a food ministry leader; a member of the Sanctuary Choir, and a deaconess. She has served as director of the children’s choir, assistant director of the mass choir, Women’s Mission Society circle leader, and in many other capacities as needed.
In July 1996, Rev. Oliver was hired by the Oakland Police Department as a Police Services Technician. In February 1997, she was part of the OPD’s 138th Recruit School and in August 1997, she became an Oakland police officer. In October 2012, she was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Rev. Oliver is most proud of her time spent in the Oakland Police Activities League (PAL) Unit. She retired from the Oakland Police Department in 2019 and continues to volunteer as the executive director of Oakland PAL. She is a past president of the Oakland Black Officers Association (OBOA).
Rev. Oliver is the faculty chairperson of the Administration of the Justice Department at Merritt College and has served as an instructor there since January 2006. She enjoys serving as a dual enrollment instructor where she brings Administration of Justice courses to students in Oakland’s high schools. As a self-proclaimed “people developer” she finds joy in introducing col-
lege students of all ages to new concepts, careers, and opportunities for growth.
Rev. Oliver has been married to Robert Oliver for over 25 years, they are the proud parents of two college daughters, Robynne and Ravynne.
For many years, Rev. Oliver served as a member of the board of directors for the California Police Activities League (CalPAL) and in 2009 won the California PAL Officer of the Year Award. She was inducted into the Alameda County Women’s Hall of Fame in 2009 and has received special recognition from Congresswoman Barbara Lee and former state Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi.
She received the Human Rights Award from the Church Women United, Inc., United Nations Office, and she received the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., East Bay Area Section’s 2021 Michelle Obama Honorable Mention Award. Mildred serves as Chaplain and Immediate Past President of the Berkeley Bay Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; she is an Associate Jewel and Past President of the Oakland Bay Area Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated; and a Lifetime Member of Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) Oakland/Berkeley Chapter.
Currently, Rev. Oliver is the regional president of the American Baptist Women’s Ministries of the West (ABWM). The ABWM creates and sustains communities of passionately faithful, Christ-centered women, young adult women, and girls. In her capacity as regional president, Rev. Oliver, with the National ABWM encourages and empowers all women and girls to be God’s witnesses and leaders in our communities. The ABWM West region encompasses all American Baptist Churches (ABC) in Northern California and parts of Nevada; all ABC women’s mission societies, women’s ministries, young adult women, and girls are encouraged to register and become active with ABWM of the West. Please reach out to Rev. Oliver at abwmpresidentofthewest@gmail.com.
This is the impact this woman of God has on her church and the community.
Attorney General Bonta, Secretary of State Weber Announce Voter Rights Lawsuit
By California Black Media
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber filed a lawsuit against the Orange County city of Huntington Beach for amending that city’s voter identification law.
By California Black Media
Last week, federal and state officials commemorated the launch of a new professional development program for California Service Corps Alumni.
The public-private partnership was created to provide early career job opportunities for young people that worked in the service force. The state’s service force consists of Californians For All College Corps, California Climate Action Corps, Californians For All Youth Jobs Corps, and AmeriCorps California.
California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday said that the skills of the service force alumni are critical to California’s workforce.
Victor Dominguez, President and Chief Executive Officer of YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles said that the program will empower California’s youth to live up to their potential.
“Together, we can create a pipeline of outstanding, diverse talent and most importantly, a pathway to upward mobility for those who deserve it most,” he said in a statement.
Wade Crowfoot, California Natural Resources Agency Secretary, said that the program will be impactful for young professionals seeking careers in public service.
“California’s greatness has always been driven by its people. Now, young leaders are stepping up across California to confront climate change and other key challenges,” he said.
The program will help the state meet its workforce needs to further economic opportunity and development statewide. Alumni will be paired with jobs that align with their skills, qualifications, and professional experience. The young career hopefuls will be given the chance to network with future employers and mentors in priority sectors such as education, trades and climate.
Tony Thurmond, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, said that young educators of the service force helped support the needs of the state’s Department of Education.
Many of the service force members, “are a critical pipeline to provide our students across California the diverse, talented educators and mental health school counselors they deserve,” Thurmond stated.
Several alumni recalled that working for the state’s service corps ignited their passion for education. The experience also helped them understand the need for diversity and cultural competence in the classroom.
AmeriCorps California alumnus Abelardo Juarez said that serving as a tutor sparked his passion for education and helped him gain hands-on experience in the classroom.
“The experience made me realize that we need more men of color in the classroom, which became another piece of encouragement to pursue a career in education,” Juarez said.
WOMEN IMPACTING THE CHURCH AND COMMUNITY:
Sister Donna Rena Webster
73 Years Membership at Williams Chapel Baptist Church 39 Years with the Federal Government
By Antoinette PorterSister Donna Rena Webster moved to Oakland, California, in 1944 with her family from the great state of Louisiana. Her family immediately became members of the Williams Chapel Baptist Church (WCBC) in Oakland. At an early age Sister Donna became very active in her church life. She was involved in many ministries: choir president, junior mission, matrons, women’s auxiliary, ushers, Baptist Training Union (BTU), Sunday school and announcing clerk. Sister Donna was the personal secretary for five of the former pastors of WCBC. She also has a heart for young adults, directing them in the path to the Lord.
As the former co-chair of the Bay Area Satellite Heritage Music Foundation (BASHMF), she was instrumental in furthering the nonprofit’s mission to preserve the history and promote gospel music in the Bay Area.
Sister Donna has been a member of several Bay Area choirs: Northern California Chapter Gospel Music Workshop of America, Good Shepherd Community Choir, and Women of Faith Revival Choir. She was the co-chair of the first ever “Women’s Night” for the St. John Missionary Baptist Association, Inc., Brotherhood Union Auxiliary, Bay Area President’s Council 40th Annual Revival. Sister Donna helped put together a 50-voice “Women of Faith Revival Choir” for the revival. It was
such a success the Brotherhood Union Auxiliary requested them back the next year.
She worked for the federal government for 39 years in numerous locations: from the San Francisco Presidio to the Oakland Army Base and Corps of Engineers. She retired in 1999 from the Military Traffic Command. Sister Donna has received numerous Presidential Awards going back to President Richard Nixon to our favorite President Barack Obama. She also received numerous local awards for all the great works she did as a civilian working for the federal government. She was the only civilian that retired the United States flag when they closed the Oakland Army Base in September 1999.
Before going to her federal government job at the Presidio in San Francisco she would stop at the Greyhound Bus Station in Oakland and make sure those in need had care packages as well as a blanket.
Throughout Oakland and San Francisco, she would continue serving wherever she saw the need. Her true passion is feeding and caring for the unhoused. Today she keeps care packages and blankets in the trunk of her car just in case there is a need. Sister Donna lives by this motto: “If Anybody Ask You Who I Am, I Am Redeemed!”
This is the impact this woman of God has on her church and the community.
or with any “Good News” submissions. I look forward to hearing from you!
April 27, 2024 – 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
“No Boundaries in Mental Health”
May 19, 2024 – 10 a.m.
Pentecost Sunday and Community Baptism Sunday (all white attire)
Beebe Memorial Cathedral CME Church, 3900 Telegraph Ave., Oakland
For more information please call: 510-655-6114.
May 19, 2024 – 3 p.m.
Men and Women’s Day Reunion Choir Concert Beebe Memorial Cathedral CME Church, 3900 Telegraph Ave., Oakland For more information please call: 510-655-6114.
May 26, 2024 – 12 p.m.
Both Bonta and Weber said that voter ID requirement is unlawful, and it conflicts with existing state law.
“The right to freely cast your vote is the foundation of our democracy and Huntington Beach’s voter ID policy flies in the face of this principle,” said Bonta. Huntington Beach City officials ignored warnings from the Attorney General and Secretary of State and the voter ID law
Bonta and Weber announced the lawsuit on April 15 at the California Department of Justice Office in Los Angeles. The lawsuit states that officials recently amended Measure A of the local charter, giving the city authority impose voter ID laws in the 2026 municipal elections. Under this legal framework, the city requires additional identification from voters before they can exercise their right to vote.
Grand Worthy Matron’s Special Project – North Golden State Grand Chapter – Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Rite of Adoption, State of California Radisson Oakland Airport, 8400 Edes Avenue, Oakland
April 28, 2024 – 1 p.m.
The World of Fashion ~ A Fashion Show & Luncheon Scholarship Fundraiser
Presented by: Allen Temple Baptist Church, Business & Professional Women’s Society Allen Temple Baptist Church, Family Life Center, 8501 International Blvd., Oakland For more information: (510) 544-8910 or Allen-Temple.org
May 4, 2024 – 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Pre-Mother’s Day Concert & Health Symposium
Presented by I’m Every Woman Productions
Empress Theatre, 330 Virginia Street, Vallejo RSVP at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/ empresstheatre/7268/event/1371559 |
May 9, 2024 – 6 p.m.
Lend A Hand Foundation, 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Stay in School & Joy of Giving Program
Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive, Oakland
Buy Tickets & Show Your Support: https://paybee.io/inperson-event/lendahand/5
25th Anniversary Stone Soul Concert
Special Guest Artists ~ El Debarge, Montell Jordan, Big Daddy Kane, Keith Sweat and Charlie Wilson Toyota Pavilion at Concord, 2000 Kirker Pass Road, Concord For more information and tickets: StoneSoulConcert.com
Northern California Chapter Gospel Music Workshop of America ~ Choir Events
April 27, 2024 – 1 p.m.
Reverend Kermit Dearman 1st Year Anniversary Star Bethel Baptist Church, 5800 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland Joe Douglass & Spirit of Praise ~ Events
May 8, 2024 – 7 p.m.
Acts Full Gospel 40th Church Anniversary
Acts Full Gospel, 1034 – 66th Ave., Oakland
May 30, 2024 – 7 p.m.
The 2ECOND WIND
Greater Christ Temple Church, 8800 Thornton Rd., Stockton
You have one last nerve, and somebody’s on it.
Honestly, some folks don’t know what you deal with every day, or how tired you are. They’re lazy or ignorant or misinformed, they think they know but they don’t. Some haven’t even tried to open their eyes. You can deal with some of them, but most, well, You. Just. Can’t.
In the new book, “The Moment” by Bakari Sellers, you’ll see how we can change that.
Every now and then, Bakari Sellers says he pulls out a blackand-white photograph that was taken decades before he was born.
In it are seven young Black men, including a future congressman, two performers, members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee... and Sellers’ father, who was also deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement. Sellers still calls some of those men “Uncle,” and he says he learned about them and activism in general because, when he was a boy, he was his father’s “shadow.”
His father says that things are worse now than they were sixty years ago, but Sellers disagrees. A lot of action toward equality goes unnoticed but work still needs to be done – lots of it, and it’s going to take “perseverance... [and] utilizing the mediums available.”
As he was his father’s “shadow,” Sellers hopes, for instance, to teach his own son through example, so that the boy will have “freedom to dictate how [he] will change the world...”
In the meantime, the rest of us have much to acknowledge, start-
ing with inequality within our justice system and the police. We must recognize that COVID deaths among Black Americans can be traced to an epidemic of racism, and we must insist that doctors do better for Black patients. Black churches and church leaders need to renew their place in the community, and we need to acknowledge facts about “White terror,” on and offline.
And finally, let’s re-examine these issues again, together. Says Sellers, we can only deal with them when they are “fully exposed.”
Yet another book on fixing racism? Yes, please, because eventually, something’s got to give. Maybe “The Moment” will be the catalyst for change.
Author and South Carolina legislator Bakari Sellers takes each point in the national discussion, and he turns it this way and that to better shed light on it. By showing readers how issues of inequality and today’s racism are tied somehow to the Civil Rights Movement, we can see where problems endure and why. Politics, of course, figures into this examination, and Sellers makes that plain to follow, all the way back to the mid-1960s, to the White House and in several states. This book is also partly biographical which, as readers will note, makes it more relatable and deepens the need for each “prescription” he gives.
“The Moment” is a book for anyone who’s good and well done with racism and ready to make it stop. It’s a thought-provoker, and its clear-cut, no-nonsense sentiment is perfect for White understanding, too. Find this book and get on it.
Photographer and organizer Ron Wilkins, 78, showcases powerful images he captured from the Black liberation movements of the of the 1960s and beyond in his new book “Crook’s Lens: A Photographic Journey Through the Black Liberation Struggle,” published on Jan. 30, 2024.
The book by Wilkins includes photographs of renowned revolutionaries with whom he interacted, including Huey P. Newton, Angela Davis and Stokeley Carmichael (a.k.a. Kwame Ture).
“I have a responsibility to our African ancestors who struggled for our liberation, who made sacrifices and committed a lot of time,” said Wilkins. “Some of them lost their lives in that struggle. I felt as an activist/organizer after all these years that since I’m still alive, I have a responsibility. The book is also a reflection of my evolution and ongoing work. I felt it was important I share my history, especially with young people. They can learn something from my example and carry on the struggle.”
Wilkins was born in San Francisco, but his family relocated to Los Angeles in 1959. His peers gave him the nickname “Crook,” which is reflected in the title of his book. Constantly looking for ways to make money, Wilkins often resorted to stealing and reselling things.
He recalls, “On a couple of occasions, guys would look at me and say, ‘you’re quite a crook.’ That’s how I got the name.
Eventually, Wilkins started stealing cars.
One fateful night he was arrested and served eight months in a juvenile detention center. The harsh reality of that experience, he says, shook him to his core, steered him away from crime, and kickstarted his journey as an artist with a revolutionary perspective.
He started to capture images of history-making moments through his lens. His subjects became some of the most influential Black organizers and activists of the time.
“When I was in detention, I noticed how segregated the place was and I spearheaded a movement on the part of Black inmates against those who were holding us, to end segregation in the pen. That was 1963. After I was released and re-
turned to the street, the Watts rebellion jumped off. That was the cauldron that helped me develop a revolutionary consciousness and decide to become a part of a movement to fight the system and do this for the rest of my life.”
In 1967, Wilkins joined the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) after that group began to embrace the principles of the Black power move-
ment, he told California Black Media.
During his time with SNCC, Wilkins met a professional photographer within the organiza-
By California Black Media
On April 17, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office announced that the California Highway Patrol Organized Retail Crime Task Force arrested 474 people and seized 160,000 stolen goods valued at $4.2 million. The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office worked alongside the task force to conduct 185 investigations. In the previous
week, the task force also recovered over 400 stolen vehicles and 30 firearms linked to crimes in different regions.
In a statement, Newsom says he backs legislation that expands criminal penalties and supports police efforts to tackle retail theft and car burglaries. The state has also hired more police since Newsom announced the Real Public Safety Plan last year, a strategy to prevent crime in California.
“California will continue to lead more takedowns and make more arrests to keep our communities safe,” said Newsom.
Overall, the state has invested $1.1 billion in public safety and crime prevention operations. The task force has recovered stolen
goods worth $42 million since it was created in 2019.
California Highway Patrol Deputy Commissioner Troy Lukkes said that the task force will continue to work with law enforcement to dismantle organized crime rings and hold criminal networks accountable for their actions.
“Keeping the public safe is at the heart of everything we do. These criminals have a negative impact on California’s businesses and our communities,” said Lukkes.
Gov. Newsom’s public safety plan is the largest investment in law enforcement and crime prevention operations in the history of California.
The 2024-25 fiscal year budget now being proposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom brings significant changes to state preschool funding, aiming to better align investments with projected program expenses. Recently, the non-partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) also weighed in with its recommendations.
The Governor’s plan includes a one-time reduction of $569 million in State Preschool funding, split between the Proposition 98 General Fund and non-Proposi-
tion 98 sources. This reduction, according to Newsom’s office, is justified by anticipated underutilization of previously allocated funds.
In contrast, the LAO suggests a
$138 million reduction in Proposition 98 funding starting in 202324, reallocating funds from prior expansions and lower-thanexpected costs. For 2024-25, the LAO recommends a $78 million increase in Proposition 98 funding, considering collective bargaining agreements and potential enrollment growth.
Another noteworthy aspect of the budget proposal is the continued support for the ongoing expansion of transitional kindergarten (TK). The budget allocates $3.1 billion for TK programs, reflecting the multi-year plan to ensure all four-year-olds have access by the 2025-26 school year. This aspect of the Governor’s proposal aligns with the LAO’s recommendations.
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tion. He began to learn more about photography. This chance meeting planted a seed of inspiration within him to capture images of the growing movement he was observing and in which he was participating.
Wilkins’ book chronicles his life story through a diverse collection of photographs, capturing his encounters with historic Black organizers in the liberation movement and his travels to Africa. However, his most prized photo is of five Black girls sitting on the porch of the Pyramid Housing Projects in Cairo, Illinois in 1972.
Wilkins’ hope is that his book will uplift the spirit of the young
While Newsom’s budget proposal attempts to achieve fiscal responsibility, some areas have raised concerns. The budget assumes flat enrollment for state preschool, which may not reflect reality and could make it difficult for programs to allocate resources effectively.
Another point of contention is funding for children with disabilities. In 2022, California mandated that 5% of state preschool slots be reserved for children with disabilities, who require higher funding rates. While the initial plan
revolutionaries he photographed and inspire others to recognize that the struggle is not over. He also hopes it will remind young people that they can aspire to the same heights of passion, intelligence, and bravery that define the lives of the heroes depicted in his photos. This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.
called for gradual increases in this percentage, the 2023-24 budget package delayed those increases. Newsom’s proposal partially addresses the additional funding needs created by this delay, but only allocates money from the non-Proposition 98 General Fund, leaving a gap in Proposition 98 funding the Legislature may need to address. In the coming months, the Legislature will have the opportunity to debate the Governor’s budget proposal, consider LAO’s budget recommendations, and potentially adjust funding levels for the state’s preschool programs.
was placed on the ballot and was passed by Huntington Beach voters.
“Not only is it a solution in search of a problem, but laws like these are also harmful to California voters, especially low-income, the elderly, people of color, those with disabilities, and young voters,” Weber said.
A letter was sent last year by the Attorney General and Secretary of State requesting Huntington Beach drop the proposal. The letter states that the new law would suppress voter participation while failing to provide any discernible local benefit.
“We’re asking the court to block Huntington Beach’s unlawful step toward suppressing or disenfranchising voters,” Bonta said.
Current California state election law has comprehensive voter ID requirements to prevent voter fraud, Weber said. Election laws should ensure that eligible voters can cast their vote without hardship.
In California, when people register to vote, they must provide proof of identity under state law. Only name and address are required to verify the identity of voters. To avoid confusion, only certain election workers can challenge a person’s eligibility to vote based on well-supported claims.
“The California Department of Justice stands ready to defend the voting rights that make our democracy strong,” Bonta said.
Medi-Cal members have access to a variety of services that address their social, physical, and mental health needs beyond hospitals and doctors’ offices. Thanks to a two-year-old initiative launched by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).
DHCS Deputy Director of Health Care Programs Sarah Brooks stated that the department’s California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative is a program aimed at improving the lives and health of the 15 million Golden State residents who are enrolled in the state’s health insurance exchange.
“Health systems can be burdensome to navigate,” she said. “We’re working hard to revolutionize that by simplifying and broadening how members across the state access care, helping them live more independently and safely at home. We are making it easier for members to get the quality care they need.”
One in three Californians are enrolled in Medi-Cal, California’s version of the federal Medicaid program. Medi-Cal primarily covers the medical expenses of adults and children from families with low income. With the launch of CAlAIM in 2022, DHCS is transforming Medi-Cal
into a comprehensive insurance program designed to improve health equity, quality of care, and well-being of users by expanding access to coordinated, whole-person care, and addressing health-related social needs.
Brooks was one of several health officials who discussed the impact CalAIM is having on the lives of Californians during an April 11 Zoom call organized by California Black Media and Ethnic Media Services.
That video conference was the first of six briefings scheduled for this month and next designed to inform Californians about how Medi-Cal is transforming health care services and ensuring that enrollees maintain their health coverage.
Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Supports are the two changes to Medi-Cal, according to state public health officials.
The ECM benefit, available statewide, offers comprehensive care coordination to eligible Medi-Cal enrollees with complex health needs, including the integration of social services. It is implemented by community-based providers who have expertise and knowledge to assist individuals with severe mental, physical, or social needs, or who need assistance navigating the health care system and are too ill or impaired to do it alone.
These at-risk Medi-Cal enroll-
Shayla Happi Amenra-Warmsley, who is Black, an educator and mother of two, is featured in a Listas video talking about planning for extreme weather.
Amenra-Warmsley, said participating in a video for emergency planning made her think about what she needs to do for her family during a natural disaster. In her video, she pointed out to her daughter that cell phones won’t work in an emergency. That’s why it is important to have a list of emergency contacts.
ducted than 400,000 calls to motivate people to sign up for emergency weather alerts.
In the videos, women share steps to prepare for an emergency such as:
Creating a “go bag.” This would include ID documents, such as birth certificates, driver’s licenses, passports, cash, wallets and phone chargers.
ees, Brooks said, include people experiencing homelessness, foster youth, pregnant women and their kids, adults at risk of being institutionalized, and people transitioning from nursing homes back into the community.
“They receive help from care managers no matter where they are,” Brooks said, adding that lead care managers help people navigate services like basic care, dental, mental health, long-term care, and disorder treatment.
Lead care managers also arrange transportation to medical appointments and find transitional housing and other community support programs.
Community Supports are services that address Medi-Cal users’ social needs to help them live healthier lives and avoid higher cost levels of care. The program offers help finding housing and funding for housing costs such as security deposits, utility set-up fees, first and last month’s rent, and the first month of utilities.
Additionally, Community Supports offers assistance with shortterm, post-hospitalization housing, recuperative care, and access to medically tailored meals and other community-based services.
“We know people experiencing homelessness have higher mortality rates than the general population,” Brooks said. “They also experience more frequent and longer hospital stays. Community Supports can help people find homes.”
By Manny Otiko California Black MediaCalifornia is admired for its beautiful weather.
But the Golden State is also susceptible to natural disasters because of the frequency of earthquakes, landslides, forest fires, super storms, flooding, and intense heat, particularly in its desert regions.
According to Gov. Gavin Newsom, severe flooding resulted in more than 200,000 California homes and businesses being left without power in 2023.
To help families prepare for disasters, the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) has launched the Listas program. This informational campaign, featuring women from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, teaches other women how to prepare for natural disasters. The initiative includes 70 videos created to be shared online.
Launched in March, Women’s History month, the campaign was promoted during a press conference hosted by California Black Media and Ethnic Media Services on April 4.
Amenra-Warmsley also said nowadays most people don’t memorize phone numbers because everything’s saved on their phones.
She said being involved in this plan made her realize how important it is to teach loved ones about emergency planning and preparing to deal with difficult situations. This is one of the skills she teaches her students.
“I not only educate my students academically but also teach them lifelong skills of resiliency, emerging from any storm as a stronger version of themselves. Learning how to prepare for emergencies is at the heart of that,” said AmenraWarmsley.
Diana Crofts-Pelayo, assistant director of Crisis Communication & Public Affairs at CalOES, said the Listas campaign uses women as opinion leaders because they are often the drivers of information in their families.
“These are women who bear the weight of responsibility making ends meet while taking care of children or elderly parents, while the messengers are first- or second-generation women helping support their families within the unit,” said Crofts-Pelayo.
The Listas campaign has con-
Also, preparing for an extended stay at home. This includes having water, batteries and non-perishable foods saved.
• Creating a list of family phone numbers. This should be printed out, in case phones are nonfunctional because of lack of power.
• Having a family plan to meet at a different location.
“We saw that women over the age of 18, mostly in Latino, AAPI and Black communities, are the ones that would listen to our message, pass it on and actually use it during an emergency,” said Diana Crofts-Pelayo,
Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen (D-Sacramento) is also featured in a video. She said it was important to have people from diverse ethnic backgrounds in the campaign.
“When disaster comes, it affects everybody across communities, and seeing different women talk from their cultures about having go-bags ready, batteries charged, water for washing and drinking — women across communities can think, ‘If she’s doing this, I should be doing this in my home as well,’” said Nguyen.
Most African Americans want nothing to do with Donald Trump, but you really should be following the Trump trial.
Do it — if only to confirm that the American legal system is strong enough to contain a person like Trump, whose fate could be telling of what the rich and powerful can or cannot get away with in 2024.
The prosecution alleges Trump paid off porn star Stormy Daniels to hush up about an affair they had.
Then, documents were falsified to cover $130,000 in payments through Trump attorney Michael Cohen to pay off Daniels.
The allegations include working with the National Inquirer to do “checkbook journalism,” i.e. find women who may want to tell stories about Trump and pay them off to keep quiet.
It’s a process call “Catch and kill,” where sources are caught, paid off, and then the stories are never published, essentially killed.
All that is “election interference,” according to New York D.A. Alvin Bragg, and that would elevate this case to something we all should care about.
This case is not about effing a porn star.
It’s about effing the country and democracy.
Fixing Jury Selection
That we are on good pace to
justice is a surprise considering a near derailment with jury selection.
No one knew how long it would go, as this phase could have taken weeks.
But Judge Juan Merchan sped up the process by summarily dismissing all jurors who said they could not be fair and impartial.
And as the attorneys used up their ten challenges, the case got to the magic number 18 — 12 jurors and 6 alternates by last Friday.
Merchan also has kept the identities of the seven-man, fivewoman jury under wraps to assure anonymity.
Among the jurors selected is an Irish immigrant who will serve as the foreman. There’s a Black woman, a teacher from Harlem. The races of the other jurors picked are not clear based on the reported descriptions I’ve seen. But one is an investment banker who has read “Art of the Deal” and is on Truth Social. I’d be concerned. Could he be the one holdout Trump needs?
Aside from that, are there any Asians? Not clear.
Why does it matter? We need a sense that Trump is facing all New Yorkers. Not just members of the business class. Not just the Upper East side elite. A broad base of New Yorkers.
About the Author
Emil Guillermo is a journalist and commentator. He does a minitalk show on YouTube.com/@emilamok1. He wishes all his readers a Happy Easter!
Emil’s Note: What was the African American response to the sinking of the Titanic? It was to create an oral story about it featuring a character called Shine. Oakland writer Ishmael Reed put it in play form and this Saturday, The African American Museum in Oakland is hosting the west coast premiere of “The Shine Challenge, 2024.”
I was one of the actors in the video version of the play and will lead a discussion with Reed and the director, Carla Blank.
Come see the video and hear the discussion this coming Saturday, April 27 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at AAMLO, 659 14th Street, Oakland. You’re asked to RSVP for the screening at 510-637-0200.
The Peralta Community College District (PCCD) is rebidding this project and seeking proposals from community-based health providers to provide Health Center Clinic Services, (RFP No. 23-24/17) - REBID, Districtwide. Proposals are to be submitted electronically (via Vendor Registry), by 3:00 P.M. on May 13, 2024
The primary purpose of this project (“Project”) is to improve the health and educational success, address health inequity, provide trauma-informed care, and improve access to medical services for PCCD Students. This will be accomplished through the implementation of a School Based Health Center (SBHC) located on PCCD’s Laney College campus in Oakland, which will offer health promotion, the delivery of medical, health education and information, coordination with community-based primary care, and referral beyond the services provided by the SBHC staff.
There is NO Pre-proposal meeting for this project. Copies of the proposal documents may be obtained by clicking on the following link: https://build.peralta.edu/ vendorregistry
Governing Codes:
In a significant bipartisan move, legislation proposed by Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) aimed at acknowledging institutions excelling in educating and serving Black students has passed the Senate Education Committee with a unanimous 6-0 vote.
Historically, Black students in California and nationwide have been underrepresented in higher education. Senate Bill (SB)1348 seeks to rectify this inequity by introducing a state-level designation, spotlighting public and private colleges and universities actively prioritizing Black student success.
“SB 1348 will focus attention Continued on page 9
Last week, we considered the sociopathic personality (as clearly illustrated in Bandy X. Lee’s edited text, The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 27 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President) has an uncanny tendency towards misrepresenting the truth, harming others and an ability to disconnect from the harm he does, towards a lack of remorse for his actions even though those actions may destroy or negatively impact the lives of others, towards deception and conning, putting on a false front. This personality type does whatever it takes to get the job done, moving towards insincerity and unresponsiveness in general interpersonal relationships, superficial charm, and in some, a relatively high intelligence and a tendency to project blame while blaming the victims for their own victimization. This could adequately describe many confederate leaders (then and now) as well as leaders of commerce, judges and politicians (northern and southern).
Consider the preceding criteria from the prism of the actual brutality of slavery in all its complexities and from a clear-eyed view of the terrorism of White mob attacks on various sites where people of Afri-
can ancestry worked and lived (the Chicago stockyards, Tulsa, Rosewood and Ochee). View the criteria as it relates to infiltration by White nationalists of police departments in major cities as well as the tried-and-true racism of smalltown departments for whom generational racism was (and in some cases still is) status quo; all leading to unbridled violence against Black and Brown people.
The cognitive-dissonance, having to choose between a disconnected–robber-baron and the reality of their lives represents a last gasp of hope for American mythology. These are people who have been used and abused and lied to by their leaders. They have lost homes, employment, land, and their lives, yet they grasp on to the notion of White privilege in a way that allows the 1% to wield it, leading them by the nose. Enter Donald Trump, a figure who reflects most, if not all, of the characteristics of a psychopath. Yet, more than a few Americans celebrate him as they celebrate confederate traitors.
One of my favorite journalists (and self-described optimist) Joan Walsh, in her book “What’s the Matter with White People; why we long for a golden age that never was” asks the questions “How long could people badly hurt by
the recession continue to support policies that would make things worse? Not forever, right?”.
So, although I can appreciate the apparent wishful thinking about the development of the White American collective community (WACC) consciousness around matters of race, privilege, economics and morality, I must weigh in on the side of not holding out much hope. Especially when there appears to be no lengths to which bigotry will go to see the former President installed. There appears to be no lengths to which many will go to normalize psychopathic behavior. After all, like a family experiencing physical, sexual and emotional abuse, if we don’t admit to it there’s no need to address it, right?
If the WACC can continue to project its historically diseased thinking and behavior onto African-descended and native communities, they can continue to base their existence on a vaunted morality that is neither real nor substantiated. If America is to change it must address the skeletons in the closet, not ban books and educators. It must address that which remains unaddressed, white psychopathic behavior.
About the Author
Dr. Tony Heru X Jackson is the immediate past president of The ABPsi Bay Area Chapter, a healing resource committed to providing the Post Newspaper readership with monthly discussions about critical issues in Black Mental Health. Readers are welcome to join us at our monthly chapter meetings every 3rd Saturday via Zoom. We can be contacted at bayareaabpsi@gmail.com.
By Curtis O. Robinson, Sr. Senior Pastor Faith Church
The Baptist Minister’s Union of Oakland and vicinity hosted the annual Bay Area City Wide Revival at the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church (AMBC) of Oakland, CA.
The Rev. Todd M. Wheelock serves as president of the Union and is senior pastor of AMBC.
On “Good Friday 2024,” we were mesmerized by the eloquence and power of the Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III, former president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and senior pastor at the Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas.
Haynes was successor to the venerable Rev. Dr. Jesse L. Jackson.
We are different for his presence and the anointing that the Lord has placed on his life is phenomenal. His sermon entitled, “Built Different,” concretized for many that the church needs to be more involved in the community.
We were also blessed to have, for the first time in the history of the BMU, Dr. Jacqueline Thompson, senior pastor at the Allen Temple Baptist Church of Oakland, CA. A woman has never preached at this historically rich destination.
And Dr. Thompson did not dis-
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on the disparities that exist for Black students in higher education,” commented Sen. Bradford in a recent press release. “By creating a seal of excellence that recognizes the colleges and universities in California that are doing the most to support Black student success, we can recognize their important efforts and encourage others to take similar steps to improve overall outcomes.”
appoint as she preached to us that there is “Victory in The Valley!”
Aware of AMBC’s longtime support of the Union, going as far back as late Dr. Robert T. George, Wheelock said “I don’t believe that the Union has ever had a woman pastor preach at the City-Wide Revival before.” He also suggested that “We are making history.”
That same evening, we honored Bay Area women who have demonstrated excellent leadership in mortuary science. They included Ruby Joiner, Renee Spearman, Tori Logan, Lydia Stewart, and Aloysia Fouche.
Also honored was Gay Plair Cobb, a celebrated social justice advocate to round out this august gathering of women leaders.
What happened was divinely inspired and compared with previous revivals that could go back as far as a decade, there was well over a 300% increase in attendance.
Bishop Sean F. Teal, lead servant of Oakland’s “Prayereverywhere. org,” was heard to say, “Oakland will never be the same.” We concur.
Curtis O. Robinson, Sr., M.A. is senior pastor of Faith Church and a 2019 resident fellow at Harvard Divinity School.
In addition, according to Bradford, “This legislation will also provide a simple way for the prospective students or their parents to know which colleges and universities have created environments where Black students are holistically embraced, enriched and empowered.”
The legislation outlines criteria for institutions to qualify as a Black-Serving Institution, including enrollment thresholds, mandatory Black student success programs, and robust African American studies offerings.
Advocates for SB 1348 underscore its significance. Dr. Keith Curry, President of Compton College, voiced support, saying, “It is important that we, as institutions of higher education, make bold statements and commit ongoing resources to improving student outcomes for all post-secondary education students, but most notably Black and African American students.”
SB1348 has been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further deliberation.
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ous essential industries, oil companies, and prisons. The 32-year-old lawmaker made these observations at the California Budget and Policy Center (Budget Center) annual Policy Insights conference held April 16 at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento.
“(California) has the 4th or 5th largest economy in the world. There will be $300 billion coming out of California State government,” Bryan said. “So, you can’t tell me that we don’t have the resources to foundationally begin reparations conversations or to start to make amends to start to do the repair work when we can invest in these institutions.”
The Budget Center is a nonpartisan, research and analysis nonprofit dedicated to advancing meaningful public policies that enhance the lives of Californians.
The Budget Center’s Policy Insights 2024 conference brought together diverse stakeholders, including community advocates, government officials, nonprofits, and members of the media. The conference featured 11 workshops and plenary sessions covering topics in tax and budget policy, poverty, racial equity, housing and homelessness, child development and more.
During the conference’s luncheon plenary session, titled “Pol-
icy Pathways to Reparations,” discussions were centered around the topic of reparations.
The session explored courses of action for securing reparations, guided by a 2023 task force report that examined the damages endured by African Americans as a result of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and legal and illegal discriminatory practices that were a part of the country’s culture for centuries.
Bryan was joined by Felicia Jones, the Director of Programs and Operations for Social Good Solutions and The Black Equity Collective; James Woodson, from the California Black Power Network and African Americans and the Alliance for Reparations, Reconciliation, and Truth (ARRT); and Don Tamaki, a former member of the California Reparations Task Force and Senior Counsel, Minami Tamaki LLP. The moderator was John Kim, a member of the Budget Center Board of Directors and President and CEO of Catalyst California.
Gov. Gavin Newsom presented a $291 billion spending plan to the California Legislature on Jan. 10. None of CLBC’s package of bills is tied to direct cash payments but Bryan did ask supporters at the conference to keep the conversation going about reparations.
“Don’t let the legislature or the governor off the hook,” Bryan said.
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innocent against overwhelming odds.
Simpson died of cancer on April 10, 14 years after Cochran’s death, but the arguments rage on in both white and Black communities, "Did OJ do it, Yes or No!"
Many whites believed that he was outraged by high alimony payments to his ex-wife and that she was letting her male friends drive around in the Ferrari that OJ had given her. Those in the Black community felt that OJ couldn't be that stupid to murder his ex-wife just outside of her apartment, no matter how angry he had been. Plus, the jury found him innocent in October 1995.
So, later in 1995-96, Johnnie Cochran, my friend, and a passionate advocate for civil rights, gave me an office in his Los Angeles law complex to organize Southern California to defeat Proposition 209 on the California State ballot. (Proposition 209, which voters approved in November 1996, eliminated affirmative action for minorities and women in education, business, and employment.)
I had just resigned as president of the San Francisco Parking and Traffic Commission and was serving as chairman of the California Business Council for Equal Opportunity consisting of 80 California groups organized to defeat Prop. 209. Johnnie was a supporter and financial contributor to the campaign to preserve affirmative action for minorities and women.
Johnnie Cochran’s entrance as
the lead attorney for the defense of OJ Simpson was formidable! He had defended Michael Jackson, Sean Combs, Tupac Shakur, Stanley ‘Tookie’ Williams, Todd Bridges, football player Jim Brown, Snoop Dogg, former heavy-weight champion Riddick Bowe, 1992 Los Angeles riot beating victim Reginald Oliver Denny and inmate and activist Geronimo Prat.
I was always astonished at how he was so successful, but at night when I was leaving the office at 10 p.m., he would have a full staff in his conference room preparing for trial. He was one of the most serious and hardworking people that I have ever met, a signature of his success.
One day Johnnie was having a party at his office for Michael Jackson. This was such a treat to be with such a humble person as Michael Jackson while we all were expecting OJ Simpson. OJ was not able to attend for some reason. Later, I was invited to attend a major star-studded event where OJ Simpson was present.
Being in the company of a lady well known as the grand-niece of former Under Secretary General of the United Nations and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Dr. Ralph Bunche, OJ Simpson came across the room and joined our table. He was so cordial and genuine among friends that believed in him that it would seem implausible that such a person could do such a thing as kill his ex-wife.
Did OJ do it - Yes or No? I say NO!
The above essay is excerpted from the memoir of Fred Jordan.
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will vigorously defend our right to claim our spot on the San Francisco Bay. We are standing up for Oakland and our East Bay community,” a Port spokesperson told the Post. Critics of the name change have suggested that the Port consider placing “Oakland” before “San Francisco Bay” in order to avoid confusion, keep the city at the forefront of the conversation, and preserve their legacy in the Bay Area.
Many have accused Oakland of attempting to hide its recent issues, such as crime rates, departing businesses, and concerns for public safety, by adopting a false makeover that the community is not asking for.
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in Sociology and was one of the first five Blacks to graduate from Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology in 1955.
Williams moved to San Francisco in 1963 to lead the church and community division of what was then called Glide Memorial United Methodist Church. At the time, the church population was dwindling at its location in the poor Tenderloin neighborhood.
According to the church web site, Williams became pastor in 1966. A year later, saying it was a symbol of death, Williams famously removed the cross from the church’s sanctuary in 1967 saying that the members should celebrate life and living.
In that vein, under his leadership, the church choir retreated from hymns and gave way to a gospel chorale called the Glide Ensemble accompanied by the Change Band.
Williams welcomed speakers from the Black Panther Party, Gay rights organizations and more.
Renowned visitors to Glide included Maya Angelou, Sammy Davis Jr. and Angela Davis.
With Mirikitani, whom he married in 1982, the church eventually had 10,000 members.
“Glide Memorial Church grew taller than a Christianity that did not hold those who are suffering at its center, LGBTQ folks at its center, people of varying faith paths, and people who believe in the power of people, women and multi-racial, intergenerational, creatives at its center,” the website says.
Glide Memorial Church left the United Methodist Church and became an independent church in 2020.
According to Hoodline, Glide Foundation was particularly known for its high-profile holiday meals, including the traditional Thanksgiving dinner that brought together the city’s diverse populace in the spirit of togetherness and celebration.”
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to Glide’s accomplishments and to its impact on her.
“It was my honor to call Reverend Williams a dear friend,” Harris said in a statement. “I have many fond memories over the years of attending GLIDE’s morning sermon on Thanksgiving — and then, joining Rev. and Jan downstairs to serve meals to members of the community. Cecil offered every person who walked through his doors a warm smile, a hot meal, and unconditional love.”
San Francisco Mayor London Breed spoke of Williams’ many contributions to the community.
“Rev. Cecil Williams was the conscience of our San Francisco community,” said Breed. “He spoke out against injustice, and he spoke for the marginalized. He led with compassion and wisdom, always putting the people first and never relenting in his pursuit of justice and equality. His kindness brought people together and his vision changed our city and the world.”
Breed also explained how Williams not only served the unhoused, but community leaders.
“What he created at Glide Memorial Church, along with his partner, Janice Mirikitani, saved and transformed countless lives ... showing how supportive housing, wrap-around programs and love can uplift troubled communities and create dignity, hope and opportunity.”
Breed further reflected on how Williams inspired a generation of Black community leaders and servants.
“Growing up, there were members of the African American community that inspired us to dream, and to serve, and Cecil Williams was at the top of that list.
“Cecil mentored generations of San Francisco leaders, many of us emerging from the most difficult circumstances. As a young girl, I would never have dreamed I’d grow up to work with him. We all benefited from his guidance, his support, and his moral compass. We would not be who we are as a city and a people without the legendary Cecil Williams.”
Congresswoman Barbara Lee reflected fondly on Williams.
“Rev. Williams has been a friend and a mentor since I was in college. His decades-long leadership of GLIDE Church made an enormous impact on our community,” Lee said. “I remember taking Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm to GLIDE and the excitement and love Rev. Williams displayed to her. His presence in our community will be deeply missed. May he rest in eternal peace and power, reunited with his beloved wife, Janice.”
California State Controller Malia Cohen remembered Williams for his activism.
“I’m saddened to hear of the passing of the great Rev. Cecil Williams. For over 60 years, Rev. Williams was a humble servant who prayed for so many, spoke out against injustices & became a voice for the voiceless. Rev. Cecil Williams led an impactful life & will be deeply missed,” said Cohen.
Community activist Irene Williams Doss said, “It is with profound sadness that our beloved Rev. Cecil Williams has ascended to his heavenly home as he’s welcomed by his beloved wife, Janice Mirikitani.”
“Reverend Williams truly embodied the California values of unity, generosity and acceptance,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom.
“All of us can take inspiration from his legacy and renew our commitment to one another.”
For Velma Landers, vice president of the Enterprising Women Networking SF Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA), Williams embodied a love for all mankind.
Celebrate the life of Rev. Cecil Williams and continue to interact with each other let us take a lesson from his playbook, “it all begins and ends with unconditional love for ALL people.”
Williams was preceded in death by his first wife, schoolteacher Evelyn Robinson, to whom he was married from 1956-76 and second wife Janice Miritkitani, who passed in 2021. He is survived by a son, Albert, and a daughter, Kim.
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owners, taxpayers, victims here in Alameda County. The damage that has been done so far is tremendous,” Brenda Grisham, principal officer of SAFE, said.
Grisham stated they are fighting for families and victims who have allegedly been neglected since Price took office last year. She stated they should not have to wait until November to vote her out.
Because the Secretary of State has yet to approve the results of Measure B, which will change the county recall charter to mimic the state’s guidelines, it is unclear whether the Board will have to follow the current charter in determining the timing of the election.
If the State certifies the measure by the April 30 meeting, the election could take place in the late summer or by the November election, per state law. If the measure is not certified by the end of the month, the Board will have to follow the current county charter and schedule a special election by early summer.
Recall proponents submitted their signatures on March 4, the day before their deadline. It took almost six weeks for the Alameda Registrar of Voters (ROV) to verify the signatures. The ROV announced last week that out of the over 120,000 signatures submitted, only 74,757 were valid for the recall.
Chris Moore, campaign manager for SAFE, explained that the Board could’ve certified the signatures and set the special election date at their April 16 meeting, but failed to do so. He urged Board President Nate Miley to do his job and schedule the election within 35-40 days at the next meeting.
“You have hundreds of 1000s of people that want this on the ballot and want to constitutionally have [Price] recalled, and we need that done as soon as possible,” Moore said.
Crystle Santos shared with the Post that she was supporting the recall against Price because she does not want to see families continuing to suffer because Price is too lenient on sentencing perpetrators of crimes.
She finds it hard to believe that a person can commit murder and receive less than 10 or 15 years in
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Abyssinian Baptist Church, and author of the Amazon Bestseller Successfully Raising Young Black Men. He spoke on Successfully Raising Young Black Men and Fatherhood. He is also president of the nonprofit Raising Communities Higher, Inc.
prison when that is time that the victim could’ve been spending their life with loved ones were it not for the perpetrators.
Santos’ brother, 20-year-old John Creech Jr., was killed in 2019. He was walking in a Hayward neighborhood when he was shot by 23-year-old Emmanuel Padilla Maciel for reasons unknown.
Although Price has had no personal involvement with Creech’s case as the trial is still pending, Santos said her mother had previously reached out to the DA’s office looking for support but received no answer. Many other families of victims have claimed they’ve experienced similar treatment from the DA.
Price supporters in attendance at the press conference say the recall is “unnecessary.”
Lynn, who asked to not use her last name for anonymity, said that Price has been doing her job correctly since entering office last year and claimed the recall proponents are only spreading a false narrative.
“The people voted [Price] in, and they voted her in with 53% of the vote,” Lynn said.
She added that because the ROV was not able to initially validate the needed signatures within the 10 day deadline after the submission from the recall campaigns, the process should’ve been stopped and deemed invalid to move forward. Lynn placed similar blame on the Board for not appropriating enough money to the ROV to hire additional staff in order to verify the signatures before the deadline.
Price’s legal counsel, Jim Sutton, expressed similar concerns in an interview with the Post last week, stating that the recall process has not abided by the county charter and should not proceed.
Sutton shared that Price will “consider all of her legal options” should the Board schedule a special election for the recall against her.
Miley told CBS that the Board has never had to handle a situation like this before and will ensure they have all the information beforehand to make a decision. He added that regardless of how the Board members vote, he anticipates litigation from either the proponents or opponents of the recall.
have for getting families, young men, fathers, and sons together who can receive benefits from meeting together to learn, share and bond through attending a social event just for men.”
“We are standing up for Oakland and the East Bay; this will boost inbound travelers’ geographic awareness of the airport by highlighting the airport’s location on the San Francisco Bay,” Port Commissioner Barbara Leslie said in a statement after the first meeting. “This name will make it clear that OAK is the closest major airport, for 4.1 million people, three national laboratories, the top public university in the country, and California’s Wine Country.”
The Port of Oakland has scheduled a second reading of the proposed airport name change on May 9.
The Port agreed at their April 11 meeting that they would delay the second reading of the proposed name change until May, so that commissioners may have time to discuss concerns with members of the community.
Additional speakers were Bishop Keith Clark, Pastor of Word Assembly who spoke on Prayer; Troy Finley, President of Bay Area National Action Network; Carl Vinson, CEO and Founder of Man Made Protection who spoke on Entrepreneurship; and Pastor Anthony Summers of Health Vallejo who employs young men. There were heartfelt testimonies by older men who underwent incarceration, each sharing how they have persevered.
Food for the conference was prepared and provided by Bishop Barnes’ son Chef KB, Vallejo, CA.
“The Men’s Conference that I started eight years ago, was born out of a passion and vision that I
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The Fab Lab was born at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The group’s principle is to give possibility to any individual to create a passive or intelligent object. Funding launched the project with a grant from the National Science Foundation in Washington, D.C., in 2001.
There are currently over 1750 Fab Labs in over 90 countries. San Francisco has one at Brandeis
“I understand that all too often, there are men who have never been taught or experienced how to be a man, and they have never been taught how to be fathers or how to be husbands. My sons have never been in trouble, despite my challenges, and I share that with other men. We speak about quality and quantity of time that should be devoted to family. Kids do not need a friend; they need a father. These are simple principles that we share,” said Rev. Barnes.
During these events, there are often testimonies from men who have attended in the past regarding how their lives have changed since participating. It’s A Man Thing Men’s Conference will always include free food, free gifts, free raffles with many prizes, fellowship, and fun.
School of San Francisco and there is one at Laney College in Oakland, among others. The Fab Lab reflects the interests and needs of the community that hosts it. Managers of the labs are trained by MIT. Chevron assists in funding Fab Labs in areas where Chevron operates across the country. Believing in its potential to empower communities, MIT professors Neil Gershenfeld and civil rights activist Mel King created the first Fab Lab.