Oakland Post, week of May 22 - 28, 2024

Mayor Sheng Thao: ‘City Will Sell Coliseum to African American Sports and Entertainment Group’

History-making sale could bring $105 million to boost city’s budget. AASEG also wants to buy A’s and Alameda County’s portion of the property. Deal would bring development, affordable housing and jobs.

Mayor Sheng Thao announced the plans to sell the city’s coliseum ownership portion to the Black-led AASEG development group. City Councilmembers Treva Reid, Kevin Jenkins, Castlemont High students and community representatives heard the mayor say the aaseg would develop long-awaited affordable housing, jobs and minority-owned businesses to helpbrevitalize East Oakland. Photo courtesy aaseg.

Special to The Post Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao joined members of the African American Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG) to announce a historic agreement between the City of Oakland and AASEG to sell the City’s share of the Oakland Coliseum property.

The mayor said the sale and future development are decades in the making and will catalyze investment and economic opportunity for East Oakland, the city, and the region.

“The City of Oakland is committed to bringing new investments to our communities to help boost economic growth that includes strong community benefits, builds desperately needed affordable housing, and invests in local jobs for Oaklanders. This agreement puts us on a path towards a more

equitable and resilient Oakland,” she said.

“Collaborating with Ray Bobbitt and the AASEG team, we are determined to ensure that this project serves as a catalyst for positive change in historically underinvested areas. We are encouraged

by AASEG’s local leadership and their unwavering focus on the wellbeing of our City,” Thao said.

Ray Bobbitt, founder and managing member of AASEG, echoed Thao’s sentiments: “We are thrilled to partner with Mayor Sheng Thao and the City of Oakland to bring this vision to life. This project is not just about building structures; it’s about building communities and opportunities for future generations.”

AASEG has agreed to terms to purchase Oakland’s share of the Coliseum property for a minimum

of $105 million. The Purchase and Sale Agreement (PSA) with AASEG, Land, LLC( AASEG) on the purchase of the City’s interests in the Oakland Coliseum site paves the way for future development of thousands of new units of affordable housing, increased outdoor space, and the preservation of the Continued on page 10

City Councilmember Noel Gallo congratulated AASEG member and former Oakland City Manager Robert Bobb for their well-organized financial plans.

Photo by jonathanfitnessjones.

Oakland Post “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18

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61st Year, No. 21

Weekly Edition.

Edition. May 22 - 28, 2024

Mayor Sheng Thao Highlights Priorities for the Midcycle Budget Adjustment

Special to The Post

LeRonne Armstrong announced his candidacy at Oakland City Hall on Wednesday. Courtesy photo.

Former Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong Files to Represent All of Oakland on the City Council

By Post Staff

Former Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong filed his intention to run for the Oakland City Council AtLarge seat Wednesday at the City Clerk’s office.

Surrounded by more than 15 radio, TV and print media representatives, Armstrong, a West Oakland native and graduate of McClymonds High School, announced that he had “answered the call from Oaklanders across the City to employ my experience and leadership to help solve the City’s toughest problems, which are rising crime, increasing homelessness, declining public school enrollment, and the shuttering of small

businesses.”

“At a time when Oaklanders are demanding stronger public safety solutions to address quality of life concerns, there is no one running for City Council who knows more about keeping Oaklanders safe,” said Armstrong.

Armstrong said he understands the pain and trauma of crime victims. He told how he was traumatized as a teenager by the death of his brother who was shot in the hallway of Oakland Technical High School.

His grief became the catalyst for him to pursue a career in public service and to support communities that are most impacted by crime and violence, he said.

Armstrong served in the Oakland Police Department for 24 years. He became police chief in 2021 and managed the city’s largest department with 1,100 employees and a budget of over $300 million.

As chief, recalled how he fought against drastic cuts to the department and how he had faced many challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Armstrong said that as the atlarge representative he would build upon his experience and relationships with residents and businesses to bring Oaklanders together to inform key policy decisions.

He said he’s aware of some of the Continued on page 10

Ready 4 Life: Oakland Reentry Program Gives Formerly Incarcerated a Fresh Start

CROP organization, a non-profit aimed at helping formerly incarcerated people have a successful reentry into society after their release from prison, held their first Oakland cohort graduation for their Ready 4 Life fellowship. From left to right: Lamar Simms, Jereme Lavergne, Stanford Chatfield, Xaivier Speare, Ronald Scott, Julio Santos, Michele Scott, Joseph Beaman. Photos courtesy of CROP Organization.

By Magaly Muñoz

After a long 12 months of vocational training and life skills development, 10 formerly incarcerated participants graduated from an Oakland-based reentry program last Saturday for a start at a new beginning.

Creating Restorative Oppor-

tunities and Programs, or CROP, is a reentry program rooted in a housing-first approach enabling recently released individuals the chance to build technology-centered expertise without having to worry about keeping a roof over their heads.

CROP helps up to 30 participants for the Ready 4 Life fellow-

ship, from diverse backgrounds and justice-involved histories.

These cohorts are divided between two cities, Los Angeles and West Oakland, with a mix of hybrid and fully in-person work.

The program is structured into four “pillars” as CROP likes to call it: Leadership 4 Life, Skilled 4 Life, Equipped 4 Life, and Home 4 Life. Each pillar navigates the different challenges that individuals face when reintegrating into society, including employment, housing, and personal mindset.

The cohort is also taught and mentored by formerly incarcerated people, a feature that many at CROP say is crucial to the program’s success. It has allowed people who were so used to being isolated or made to feel like a burden, experience a sense of community for the first time in many years.

“I believe that CROP not only gave me the skills to be able to succeed in life, but I also gained a famContinued on page 10

On Wednesday Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao outlined her priorities for the midcycle budget adjustments in a press conference at Oakland City Hall.

The adjustments will address the City’s projected $117 million budget shortfall for this fiscal year and a $175 million shortfall for the next while maintaining essential services and prioritizing public safety, economic development, and community support.

“The financial challenges we face are significant but not insurmountable,” said Thao. “With strategic adjustments and prioritization, we can ensure the continued delivery of essential services, support our most vulnerable communities, and lay the groundwork for a stronger economic future for Oakland.”

Like many cities across the state, Oakland is grappling with high interest rates that have slowed building construction and real estate sales, slow return to work, and increased costs.

Despite these challenges, Oakland is committed to delivering core city services while maintaining a balanced budget.

Key highlights of the proposed midcycle budget adjustments include these priorities: 1) A Clean and Safe City 2) Economic Development, 3) Community Services 4) Achieving Efficiency and Reducing Costs 5)Addressing Oakland’s Long-Standing Structural Budget Deficit Thao said history has demonstrated that the best strategies to address structural deficits are to reduce costs; invest in economic growth; and pursue policy or rate changes to tax revenue Thao has directed the City Administrator to begin Oakland’s biennial budget process in September 2024 three months earlier than normal.

“Oakland must get a head start and work collaboratively to address its long-standing structural budget deficit,” she said.

The proposed midcycle budget adjustments reflect Thao’s commitment to balancing fiscal responsibility with the need to support critical services and community well-being. The mayor said she will continue working closely with labor partners and community stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of these budgetary changes.

The Proposed Midcycle Budget Adjustment will be transmitted to the Oakland City Council on Friday, May 24, and is available at oaklandca.gov/ budget.

Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price announcing at a news conference on Tuesday that her office had sued insurance carriers for fraud. Courtesy photo.

Alleging Widespread Scheme to Defraud Homeowners, DA Pamela Price Sues Farmers Insurance, Others

DA’s Press Office

Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price held a press conference Tuesday to alert homeowners that she had directed her Criminal Justice Bureau to sue multiple home insurance carriers that serve 15% of the state’s home insurance market.

She also alleged that the Farmers Insurance Exchange “operated a widespread scheme that knowingly and systematically” underinsured homes.

“When an insurance company

provides a homeowner with a replacement cost estimate, that estimate must pertain to the homeowner’s actual home, not some hypothetical home that suits the insurance company’s bottom line.

“Insurance companies must disclose all facts known only to them that are material to a homeowner’s policy, and they owe prospective clients 65 or older an additional duty of honesty, good faith, and fair dealing.

“This lawsuit will ensure that Continued on page 10

Homelessness in Alameda County Decreases by 3%, Oakland Sees a 9% Rise

Volunteers conducting the 2024 Point In Time Count in West Oakland homeless encampments. Oakland saw a 9% overall increase in homelessness compared to data in 2022. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

By Magaly Muñoz The Alameda County Health Department and the City of Oakland released their Point In Time (PIT) Count data taken from surveys conducted earlier this year to assess the homelessness population in the region.

The PIT Count is the tallying of sheltered and unsheltered homeless

people. The Count is conducted across the country every two years on a single early morning in January. Along with the initial count, surveys and questionnaires were also administered to better understand who is experiencing homelessness, how someone became homeless, how long, and other related topics.

Continued on page 10

THE POST, May 22 - 28, Page 2

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Legislative Analyst’s Office: California’s ‘Budget Problem’ Is Bigger Than Governor’s Estimate

California’s Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) logo. Courtesy photo.

Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media

In a report released May 17, California’s nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) released a report stating that the state’s budget problem is $55 billion. That figure is nearly double the estimate of $27.6 billion that the Governor announced in his May revision of the state budget last week.

“Based on the administration’s revenue estimates and proposals, we estimate the Governor addressed a larger deficit than this — $55 billion,” read a statement from the LAO. According to the LAO, although it’s calculation of the deficit is significantly higher, “these scoring differences do not reflect substantive differences in our views of

the state’s fiscal position.”

“The difference is attributable to what our offices consider to be current law, particularly for school and community college spending,” the LAO statement continued.

A number of California officials, including Treasurer Fiona Ma and Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, as well as several advocate groups, agree that the state remains on strong economic footing.

This is a serious plan to address a difficult situation and I commend Governor Newsom for tackling it head-on, said Ma. “His budget provides a practical path forward that doesn’t sacrifice California’s commitment to critical policy agendas like climate change and housing. Unlike deficits of the past, the state’s underlying fundamentals are solid. The economy is strong, the agreed-upon early actions were

real and significant, and the state has ample reserves and available cash to draw on if needed.”

According to the LAO, the structure of the Governor’s spending plan will strengthen the state’s economy in several ways.

“First, by proposing the state use less in reserves, the Governor preserves an important tool to address budget problems, which are likely to continue to emerge,” the LAO statement continued. “Second, by further reducing one-time and temporary spending, the Governor leverages a ‘use it or lose it’ tool that improves budget resilience. Finally, the Governor proposes new statutory language that would temporarily set aside anticipated surplus revenues for at least a year.”

The LAO also offered advice to the Legislature as it enters deliberation before presenting a final draft of the 2024-25 state budget to the Governor for approval.

“The Legislature will need to decide how to address prior-year funding for schools and community colleges,” the LAO warned lawmakers about cutting or delaying spending on education.

The LAO also urged policymakers to consider reducing spending on some long-standing programs instead of primarily focusing on new spending and to also be mindful that its estimates on revenue generation or more modest than the Governor office’s projections.

Photo: iStock photo image.

Calif. Senate Advances Bill Addressing Cyberbullying, School Fight Posts

By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media

On May 16, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted 5-0 to advance legislation that would require social media platforms to report cyberbullying incidents and remove posts depicting youth violence online.

Senate Bill (SB) 1504, titled “Cyberbullying Reporting and Accountability,” “addresses the online safety for youth,” said the bill’s author Sen. Henry Stern (DCalabasas).

“We must do everything in our power to protect our children from the dangers of social media,” Stern said. “By establishing a mandatory process for removing and blocking cyberbullying material and providing transparency to survivors and parents, we aim to create a safer online environment for all.”

Senators Brian Jones (R-San Diego) and Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) abstained from voting. California Legislative Vice Chair Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) was one of five Democrats who voted for the bill. It now moves to the Senate floor for a full vote.

SB 1504 is designed to make social media platforms such as Insta-

gram, TikTok, Facebook and others “respond compassionately and predictably” to reports of cyberbullying or they must explain why the content is “aligned with their platform’s policies,” Sen. Stern said at a May 14 news conference in front of the State Capitol.

Another child safety focused bill, SB 1444 — titled the “Parents Choose Protection Act of 2024” — died in committee on May 16 “due to fiscal implications,” Stern stated. This bill would have required companies to issue alerts to parents about potentially harmful content.

According to Stern’s office, 56% of teens have reported being cyberbullied, and that youth are likely to struggle with depression and substance abuse due to online intimidation.

Black or Hispanic teens are more likely than their White counterparts to be targets of cyberbullying, according to the California Department of Justice (DOJ).

Black teens are about twice as likely as Hispanic or White teens to express that their race or ethnicity made them a target of online mistreatment, according to a 2002 survey by the Pew Research Center.

Stern said the legislation will help combat the growing popularity of “fight pages” created by adolescents and uploaded to social media platforms.

Those fight pages feature videos of elementary, middle school and high school youth physically fighting in bathrooms, classrooms, lunchrooms, playgrounds and other places. In many cases, campus violence happens in unsupervised spaces and in the presence of adults.

The popularity of the videos caught the attention of Stern. He shared the story about a teen from a local high school in his area who was paralyzed after three of his peers approached him “out of the blue” while he was walking down a street, Stern said. The aggressors were members of a “knockout club.”

“It was three kids. One with a camera and one got their phone on,” Stern said. “They cold clocked him. Not just knocked him out but paralyzed him and put him in a life of trauma that he can never recover from.”

President Joe Biden speaks at Morehouse College graduation on May 19.

OPINION:

Biden Defends Record at Morehouse as Trump Fights Charges in Court

By Emil Guillermo

Young Black men in protest turned their backs on President Joe Biden during commencement at Morehouse College last Sunday.

What would they do to former president Donald Trump?

Leave or not show up at all?

This is the dilemma for the African American community and the general BIPOC population.

Dump Biden and Trump wins.

At his Morehouse College speech, Biden showed he understood the actions of protesters.

“I support peaceful, nonviolent protest,” the president said.

“Your voices should be heard, and I promise you I hear them. I am determined to make my administration look like America. I have more African Americans in high places, including on the Court, than any president in American history — (applause) — because I need the input.”

The President addressed other issues like violence in the African American community. “If Black men are being killed on the streets, we bear witness. For me, that means to call out the poison of White supremacy, to root out systemic racism.”

On economic opportunities: “Instead of forcing you to prove you’re 10 times better,

we’re breaking down doors so you have 100 times more opportunities: good-paying jobs you can raise a family on in your neighborhood — (applause); capital to start small business and loans to buy homes; health insurance, prescriptions drugs, housing that’s more affordable and accessible.”

More than empty words.

While Biden was speaking to all at Morehouse, Trump was occupied by his criminal hush money trial concerning the falsification of business documents.

That “side by side” comparison is all you need.

Trump isn’t thinking about you. Just himself.

Issues? Trump is clueless and would be a disaster in Gaza.

You can criticize Biden for not being more pro-actively humanitarian to stop the bombing of innocent Palestinians in Gaza. But at Morehouse, Biden said he was working on a permanent ceasefire to bring the region together through a two-state solution. He even showed heart.

“This is one of the hardest, most complicated problems in the world,” he said. “And there’s nothing easy about it. I know it angered and frustrates many of you, including my family. But most of all, I know it breaks your heart. It breaks mine as well. “ Is your complaint economic?

You can even scapegoat the Democrats for inflation, or the status of our lives, but I assure you the Republicans are not the answer. The GOP wants to cut taxes, budgets, and make you fix your own problems. Don’t turn to the government for help. Remember, they want to end Obamacare.

Biden may have been pandering on Sunday, knowing he can ill afford the defection of Black voters, let alone young Black voters ages 18-34.

But Biden understands. He loses the Black vote, the Democrats lose the election.

And then the road is cleared for Trump, the man who says he only wants to be a dictator on “day one.”

That would be all he needs.

Biden knows how dangerous a second Trump term would be.

“When he lost in 2020 and I mean it something snapped,” Biden said, and added, what would Trump have done on Jan. 6 if Black Americans were the majority of protestors?

“I can only imagine,” Biden said.

We can all imagine.

About the Author Emil Guillermo is a journalist and commentator on race and society. See him at www.amok.com or on YouTube.com/@emilamok1

Morehouse students President Joe Biden speaks at Morehouse College graduation on May 19.

Oral Lee Brown Foundation Announces 37th Annual Banquet

By Oakland Post Staff

The Oral Lee Brown Foundation has announced its 37th Annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet for 2024. The event will be held at 6 p.m. on Aug. 10, at the Oakland Airport Hilton located at One Hegenberger Road. Tickets and sponsorship information can be obtained by calling (510) 2074176 or from the organization’s website at www.OralLeeBrownFoundation.org.

The annual scholarship gala recognizes the accomplishments of its graduates and raises funding for current students enrolled in the program. Of the twenty-three students in its first group, nineteen

graduated and enrolled in college.

Nearly all of the Foundation’s students are low income and live in the violence plagued flat lands of East Oakland.

The Foundation started in 1987 when Mrs. Brown adopted an entire first grade class from Brookfield Elementary School in Oakland. Her vision was to provide the students with the support essential for them to obtain a quality education. The Foundation provides after school tutoring and mentorships, Saturday school, test preparation, and assistance with CAHSEE and SAT/ACT exams.

Students receive college scholarships for remaining in the program

through high school graduation.

Financially disadvantaged students residing in the Oakland Bay Area who are enrolled in first, fifth, or ninth grades are eligible to apply to the program. Candidates are expected to maintain a 3.0 grade point average (GPA), graduate from high school, and enroll in a college of their choice.

The Oral Lee Brown Foundation has had more than 150 of its students graduate from colleges and universities nationwide; including UC Berkeley, UCLA, Morehouse College, San Francisco State University, Jackson State University, Dillard University, and many more.

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THE POST, May 22 - 28, Page 3

THE POST, May 22 - 28, Page 4

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Sen. Steve Bradford: ‘The Time is Right’ to Run for Lieutenant Gov.

BOOK REVIEW:

‘Ella: A Novel’ by Diane Richards

Cover of “Ella: A Novel.”

Courtesy of Amistad Books.

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

Beyoncé does it.

So does Misty Copeland, Drake, Alicia Keyes and Chaka Khan. You’d do it, too, if you thought you could sing and dance and make a living at it. Alas, not everyone can be a paid performer on a big stage, but Whitney Houston was. So was Ray Charles and Michael Jackson. Katherine Dunham did it, and as you will see in the new novel, “Ella” by Diane Richards, so did a little girl from Yonkers.

You can do anything.

That’s what Ella’s mother, Tempie, always said, and Ella took that to heart. She decided that she was going to make a living with her feet by dancing at the clubs in her neighborhood. Ella loved to dance, and she was good at it.

But everything changed in the winter of 1932. Times were hard and Tempie had to tell Ella that she couldn’t dance at the clubs anymore. Doing laundry brought in more cash, so Ella had to help Tempie with White folks’ wash.

The two clashed. They yelled and screamed at one another. Ella couldn’t have regretted her words more when Tempie died, and everything changed.

Dancing? No more, said Ella’s stepfather, and he followed it up with punches. You need an education, said Aunt Virginia, who

took Ella in when she ran away from that man. Here’s where real money is, said the man in charge of numbers running, just before Ella skipped school to break the law.

Get to work, snarled the supervisor at the New York State Training School for Girls, a sort of juvenile hall where Ella was sent for truancy.

Get outta here, said the bouncer at a club, after Ella escaped the school and made her way to Harlem.

One day, she’d have lunch with Marilyn Monroe. She’d perform with Duke Ellington and she’d appear on TV and in movies. But when she finally landed a spot on “Amateur Night at the Apollo,” she didn’t dance.

No, Ella Fitzgerald, who became a famous jazz performer, opened her mouth and sang...

Based on a few years in the life of the real singer, “Ella” is great for readers who like a deep dive into historical fiction. Author Diane Richards says in her Author’s Notes that she holds a long-time fascination for the singer, and it shows in Richards’ detailed retelling.

Covering about twenty-two important months of Fitzgerald’s life, Richards gives readers a subtle sense of the tough times that surrounded her subject. With the Great Depression as a backdrop, we get to know a determined Fitzgerald, a teenager who’d do anything to follow her dreams, but who needed to make money first — and we meet the women who launched her. It’s a story you’ll like, with highs and lows that will make you happy and make your heart pound.

Don’t be surprised if you forget that this book is a novel; if it turns you into a fan, check out the resources near the back cover for more. For you, “Ella” is a book that’ll make you sing.

Narissa L. Harris, LMFT. Photo by Art Harris.

OPINION:

Black Mothers and Postpartum — Let’s Talk About It

By Narissa L. Harris, Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

In light of Black Maternal Health Week last month, let us not forget about our Black mothers and continue to advocate for them.

It should come as no surprise that Black women have higher rates of postpartum depression and anxiety, just like we have higher rates of maternal mortality and infant mortality, among other health disparities. The call to support Black mothers during postpartum (and beyond) runs deep. This article offers you tips on how to support the Black mothers in your life.

The Postpartum Timeline We must recognize that postpartum symptoms are not normally present within the first six weeks after birth and may last much longer than the assumed year after birth. Many Black women go through traumatic experiences during pregnancy and childbirth, and it often takes longer than six weeks to overcome the shock, as we are immediately thrown into a lifestyle shift of being responsible for a little human being.

Tip 1 – Validate Black Mothers The myth of the “strong Black woman” and her perceived strength makes it challenging for our communities to know how/ when to support us as Black mothers when we feel weak acclimating to motherhood. Whether this is a mother’s first or fourth child,

adjusting to having a new baby can be difficult. When supporting Black mothers, refrain from saying: “If my momma could do it with three, you can do it with one.” and “At least you have some support, I didn’t have any.”

These well-intentioned comments may actually invalidate the struggles mothers are experiencContinued on page 9

Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Inglewood).

By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media California State Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood), 64, says the “time is right” and he is “up to the challenge” of becoming the next Lieutenant Governor of California.

Bradford, who serves as the Vice Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC),

announced his bid for the second highest office in the state on April 22. The election will be held in 2026.

“I think it’s time we need someone in that office who is committed to doing the work. It’s not a glamorous job. It’s an in-the-weeds job but it’s a job that impacts us every day,” Bradford told California Black Media (CBM).

“I want to do the work that is in front of me,” said Bradford, who has served in the Legislature for 15 years as an Assemblymember and State Senator and will be term out at the end of this year.

“That’s what my career has been about: doing the work of the position I’ve been elected to do.”

In the Legislature, Bradford represents Senate District 35. It is home to nearly one million residents, and it includes the communities of Inglewood, CompContinued on page 9

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THE POST, May 22 - 28, Page 5

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THE POST PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY 360 14th Street, Suite B05, Oakland, CA 94612 TEL: (510) 287-8200 FAX:: (510) 287-8247 info@postnewsgroup.com www.postnewsgroup.net

Paul Cobb - Publisher Brenda Hudson - Business Manager Wanda Ravernell - Sr. Assoc. Editor Ken Epstein — Writer and Editor Maxine Ussery - COO Jack Naidu - Production Manager Conway Jones - Editor, Capitol Post

Photographers: Zack Haber, Amir Sonjhai, Auintard Henderson Contributors: Zack Haber, Tanya Dennis, Kiki, Godfrey News Service, Robert Arnold

Distribution: A and S Delivery Service abradleyms72@gmail.com (415) 559-2623 Godfrey News Service eelyerfdog@juno.com (510) 610-5651

This newspaper was incorporated on June 8, 1963. It is published by The GOODNEWS Is..., LLC, 405 14th Street, Suite 1215, Oakland, CA 94612.

The contents of the POST Newspapers are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any form without the advance written consent of the publisher.

THE POST, May 22 - 28, Page 6

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With Medi-Cal Update, More Californians Can Tap into Behavioral Health Care

By Edward Henderson California Black Media

iStock Photo.

As the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) continues to transform Medi-Cal, the state is expanding coverage to include behavioral health needs, like mental health care and substance use disorder services.

Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, provides coverage for one in three — or 15 million — Californians. About 40% of California youth is also covered by the program.

Paula Wilhelm, Interim Deputy Director of Behavioral Health Services at DHCS recently spoke at a digital press conference hosted by Ethnic Media Services to discuss some of the expanded services.

“As a department, we know that mental health is just as important as physical health, and all of our health outcomes are intertwined,” Wilhelm said.

Some expanded services include prevention and wellness, screening and assessment, outpatient and community-based treat-

ment, and group/family therapy.

More intensive services are covered as well: crisis care, residential treatment, inpatient, mental health and substance use medication.

Individuals dealing with postpartum depression, anxiety, and stress due to school or work, drug or alcohol addiction can also receive services.

“We want to improve the quality of care that we offer in Medi-Cal and create a more person-centered delivery system,” said Wilhelm.

“Our overarching goal is to make

it easier for Medi-Cal members to access behavioral healthcare and all the services they need to live healthier lives.”

Recent changes to the Behavioral Health Services Act, which voters approved as Proposition 1 in March, will reform behavioral healthcare funding and prioritize care for people with serious conditions. The new law also focuses on adding diversity to the behavioral healthcare workforce to promote equity. Culturally responsive serContinued on page 8

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THE POST, May 22 - 28, Page 7

Maggie Lena Walker: First Woman in America to Become a Bank President

By Tamara Shiloh

Courtesy of Women’s History Museum.

The first American woman of any race to become a bank president was Maggie Walker.

Her achievements and successes inspired African Americans to become self-sufficient entrepreneurs. A lifelong resident of Richmond, Virginia, Walker worked to bring change to the lives of African Americans throughout the state.

Walker was born Maggie Lena Mitchell in 1867 in Richmond.

Her parents, Elizabeth Drap-

er Mitchell, an assistant cook, and William Mitchell, a butler in a mansion owned by abolitionist Elizabeth Van Lew, were former slaves emancipated through the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Maggie’s biological father, however, was Eccles Cuthbert, an Irish American who had met Elizabeth on the Van Lew estate.

Following her stepfather’s death, Walker took on a number of jobs to help support her family.

By 1883, Walker graduated at

the top of her class, having been trained as a teacher. That same year, she began working at the Lancaster School. Walker also attended the school, taking classes in accounting and business. She taught there for three years before accepting a job as a secretary of the Independent Order of St. Luke in Richmond, an African American fraternal organization based in Richmond that assisted sick and elderly members of the community. As grand matron of the Independent Order, Walker

established the Juvenile Branch to help instill a sense of community and confidence in young African Americans.

While working for the Order of St. Luke, Walker was appointed secretary-treasurer of the organization. Employing her organizational and teaching skills, Walker was successful at increasing the order’s membership by encouraging African American women to save their money. She also assisted with the purchase of an office building for $100,000, a move Continued on page 8

THE POST, May 22 - 28, Page 8

Maggie Lena Walker ...

Continued from page 7 that boosted the staff to more than 50 employees.

In 1886, Walker (then Mitchell) married Armistead Walker Jr., an African American contractor. The couple had two sons, Russell and Melvin.

In 1902, Walker successfully published the St. Luke Herald, an African American newspaper in Richmond. Shortly after, Walker became the first female bank president when she opened St. Luke Penny Savings Bank with the goal of providing loans to members of the community.

Walker was a true advocate for the rights of not only African Americans, but women as well.

In 1912, she helped establish the Richmond Council of Colored Women and was elected president of the organization. With her guid-

Medi-Cal Update ...

Continued from page 6 vices and a workforce that reflects the diverse communities served under the plan will be prioritized.

Wilhelm also mentioned the state’s “No Wrong Door Approach” to mental health care in her briefing. This initiative focuses on behavioral health payment reform that aligns payment models that reward quality.

Medi-Cal is also expanding services for children and youth in California. Gov. Newsom’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative is a $4 billion investment into strengthening existing mental health services.

Autumn Boylan, Deputy Director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships for DHCS also spoke at the digital conference. She focused on the expansion of services to meet the growing mental health needs of youth.

“Half of all lifetime cases of diagnosable mental illnesses emerge for our young people by the age of

ance and leadership, the organization raised money to support Janie Porter Barrett’s Virginia Industrial School for Colored Girls as well as other philanthropic endeavors.

In 1920, the bank helped members of the community purchase an estimated 600 houses. The bank’s success fueled the Independent Order of St. Luke’s continued growth. In 1924, it was reported that the order had 50,000 members, 1,500 local chapters, and estimated assets of at least $400,000.

During the Great Depression, St. Luke Penny Savings merged with two other banks in Richmond to become The Consolidated Bank and Trust Company. Walker served as chairperson of the board.

One of Walker’s many accolades is that the City of Richmond named a street, theatre and high school in her honor.

14 and 75% of diagnosable mental illnesses begin by the age of 24,” she said. “Focusing on children and youth from ages 0-25 is critically important to ensure that we are providing preventative services and intervening early.”

In California, almost 300,000 youth are coping with major depression and 66% of those young people do not get treatment access in the way they should.

To combat this, the act focuses on strengthening the network of support for youth through county offices of education, and school districts throughout the state to increase care at school settings.

Funding will bring more school counselors, psychologists, wellbeing and mindfulness programs, social and emotional learning, and support.

The BrightLife Kids App (012), and Soluna App (13-25) provide free mental health support.

If you or a loved one could benefit from Medi-Cal’s services, you can access the DHS 24-hour access line to get connected to care.

postnewsgroup.com

Support Your College-Bound Graduate with a Gift that Matches Their Major

As your favorite student heads off for their freshman year of college, you can help pave the way for their academic success with the perfect graduation gift. iStock image by stockakia.

By StatePoint Media It’s graduation season, and if you have a college-bound student in your life, you’re probably looking for great ways to honor all their achievements of the past four years while helping prepare them for future successes.

Consider this round-up of high school graduation gifts, by intended college major: Music College dorm rooms don’t always have a ton of space. For music majors, this can be a problem.

Provide a solution with the CT-S1, a 61-key ultra-portable keyboard from Casio.

Available in black, white, or red to suit different styles, this greatsounding, stylish keyboard is designed for beginners and seasoned players alike, particularly for those who want to record their music and perform it live.

An easy one-button recorder allows players to capture their musical ideas, while strap pins and

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battery-operated capabilities mean they can take their songs anywhere they go, whether that be to a battle of the bands event, or to perform a set at the campus coffee house.

Foreign languages Will your student be majoring in a foreign language? With all those language labs in their future, they’ll need a great set of headphones that keeps their ears comfortable, minimizes distractions by cancelling outside noise, and offers amazing sound quality so they can perfect all those tricky pronunciations. Look for long battery life, high fidelity audio and Bluetooth capabilities.

Health care A new nursing and pharmacy calculator, the SP-100USNU from Casio, is a practical calculator featuring quick operations that will

assist in dosing of intravenous drip medication, finding body mass index, and calculating body surface area and estimated glomerular filtration rate.

This model is one of the first calculators to be constructed inside an antimicrobial case approved to ISO 22196 standards and features an easy-to-sterilize silver-colored front plate. Ready for use right outside the box, your student will be prepared to both learn, as well as to apply their knowledge in laboratory work right away.

Art history Bring your art history major’s studies out of the textbook and into the real world with a membership to the premier art museum in the city closest to where their campus is located.

Memberships often provide not only free admission to the museum, but exclusive invitations to one-of-a-kind events with artists, historians, and other speakers, as well as special off-hours access to exhibits so they can get up close and personal with the artwork, without having to fight the crowds.

Journalism In today’s multimedia landscape, budding journalists need to be more than crackerjack writers, they also need to be well-equipped to produce engaging video content. A subscription to video editing software will help them acquire and maintain the skills they’ll need to succeed in the classroom now, and on-the-job when they graduate.

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaking in San Mateo County. Photo courtesy of Governor’s Office.

Gov. Newsom Updates State on Mental Health, Homelessness Efforts

By California Black Media

On May 14, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that his office will speed up the delivery of $3.3 billion in funds allocated to counties and other partners across the state as they work to transform the state’s mental health care system and address the homelessness crisis.

The state aims to build more behavioral health treatment centers and housing units in partnership with cities, counties, tribes and property developers under Proposition 1.

The state law, which voters approved through a ballot measure in March amends California’s Mental Health Services Act by authorizing of up to $6.8 billion in Continued on page 9

postnewsgroup.com

THE POST, May 22 - 28, Page 9

Black Mothers and become depressing for mothers. To combat this depression, Postpartum ... we suggest that our Black moth-

Continued from page 4 ing. Instead, validate mothers with phrases like: “I know this is hard” and “It’s okay to cry.”

Tip 2 – Pay Attention to Her Level of Functioning We must pay attention to how a Black woman is functioning during the postpartum period. For many Black women, our hair is a sign of how we are functioning.

The key to assessing how a Black mother is truly functioning is the assessment of her hair before and after the baby. Was this a Black woman who expressed herself through her hair? Changing her hairstyles often? Is she now wearing only ONE hairstyle? Is it a TRUE reflection of who she is? If not, she may be in the thick of postpartum struggles and APPEAR to be functioning well.

Tip 3 – Change The Scenery When you enter into motherhood, your life instantly becomes mundane, and your schedule revolves around your child and his or her needs. Imagine feeding, washing bottles, changing diapers/clothes, and doing it all over again — ALL day and night for weeks to months. This can

ers change their scenery. Being richly melanated people, we are deeply connected to nature and spirit, so Black mothers must get out of the house and into the sunlight. Encourage her to sit outside on the front stoop, walk around the block, gaze at the clouds in the sky, focus on the butterfly flying by, and to take in the beauty of the Divine’s creation. These moments of respite offer mothers time to breathe, ground, and center while adapting to motherhood. For more information on Black motherhood, visit www. bloomintoyourbestself.com About the Author Narissa Harris, LMFT, is the current CEU Coordinator of The Association of Black Psychologists 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 and contact us at bayareaabpsi@gmail.com

Senator Steve Bradford ...

Continued from page 4 ton, Gardena, Torrance, Carson, Harbor Gateway, San Pedro, Hawthorne, and Lawndale in Los Angeles County.

Under California’s Constitution, the Lieutenant Governor serves as Acting Governor whenever the Governor is absent from the state, and automatically becomes Governor if a vacancy occurs. The Lieutenant Governor is the President of the California Senate and votes in case of a tie. Currently, Eleni Kounalakis is the current Lieutenant Governor. However, her term in office is set to expire in 2026 due to term limits.

California State Treasurer Fiona Ma has also declared her candidacy for the Lieutenant Governor’s office and has launched her campaign.

Bradford told CBM that he intends to visit every corner of the state to make the case that he is the person for the job.

“I have two years to touch all 58 counties. It’s not going to be an easy task, but I am up for it,” Bradford said. “We have to let the people know what I’ve done and what I plan to do as Lt. Governor. I am excited about the opportunity.”

Is Gov. Newsom Running for President? Calif. Republican Slams Governor

California Gov. Gavin Newsom. iStock Photo.

By California Black Media Republican Congressmember Kevin Kiley (D-CA-3) blasted Gov. Gavin Newsom in a blog post he published last week.

Once again calling up the lingering speculation that Newsom will either run for president — or eventually be selected as the Democratic Party’s 2024 presidential candidate — Kiley argued that the Governor is problematic choice. He cited the Newsom administration’s track record on resolving the housing crisis, lowering taxes, and settling the state’s $68 billion debt.

“Having our taxpayers fund free healthcare for everyone here illegally, amidst an unprecedented budget deficit and border crisis

— while cutting support for foster kids and other vulnerable groups — is not who we should be as a state or country,” Kiley said in the blog post.

Kiley also said Newsom’s visit to the Vatican last week to discuss climate change was a strategy to avoid addressing California’s economic state.

“The latest example: we’ve gone from a $98 billion ‘surplus’ to a $73 billion deficit, while enduring the nation’s highest taxes.

To escape his own mess, Newsom is now jetting off to the Vatican to talk ‘climate,’” Kiley wrote.

Kiley also recalled a feud with the governor in his effort to overturn Proposition 47, an amendment that reclassified some felonies to misdemeanors for non-violent crimes. Kiley said Newsom filed a complaint filed against him “through a crony” but it was rejected by the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission.

When asked about four weeks ago about running for president, Newsom reiterated his support for President Biden and his confidence in his ability to govern.

Gov. Newsom Updates State on Mental Health, Homelessness Efforts...

the footsteps of Mervyn M. Dymally, his mentor. Dymally was a trailblazing federal and state elected official representing Southern California. In 1974, Dymally made history by becoming California’s first Black Lieutenant Governor.

A member of the Democratic party and the CLBC, Dymally served in the U.S. House of Representatives and both houses of the State Legislature. He passed away in October 2021 at the age of 86.

“More importantly, that’s why I am running,” Bradford said of Dymally. “I want the challenge and I want to pay homage to the individual who got me involved in politics — that’s the state’s first and only African American Lt. Governor, Mervyn Dymally,” Bradford said.

Over the years, Bradford has championed legislation aimed at addressing racial disparities and advocated for justice in housing and property rights, police reform, as well as making the case for reparations for the descendants of enslaved Black Americans. said. “You asked for these reforms, we’ve provided them. Now it’s time to deliver.”

However, some community and local government leaders opposed

Continued from page 8 to Prop 1 argue that the new fundbonds to build mental health treat- ing structure to tax millionaires ment facilities to support people jeopardizes housing programs struggling with substance use dis-

order and mental illness. Under Prop 1, developers can build up to 4,350 housing units and counties

that exclude drug or mental illness treatment. Advocates for disability rights also argue that more people

are required to spend two-thirds

will be held in these state facilities

of revenue collected from taxes

against their will.

on millionaires to develop housing

The Newsom Administration

and behavioral health programs.

insists that the state will monitor

Visiting a behavioral health treatment center undergoing renovations in San Mateo County on May 14, Newsom announced his plans to fast track the funding.

“People are demanding more accountability, with real results,”

Asm. Corey Jackson: Gov’s Budget Cuts Must Be ‘Rooted in Justice’

Bradford said he is following in

programs based on gaps in local services.

Counties, cities and developers with project proposals can apply for funding when applications open in July this year.

Asm. Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) attended a rally at the State Capitol on May 15 to express his opposition to cuts in the state budget.

Jackson said some of the Governor’s proposed cuts affect low-income communities and social programs. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

By California Black Media

aims to protect domestic violence

At a rally held by the Service Employees International Union California (SEIU) at the State Capitol on May 15, Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) expressed his concerns about budget cuts proposed by Gov. Newsom.

The rally was a response to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s revised budget, which he presented last week. Newsom proposes spending delays and making cuts to existing programs to address the state’s budget shortfall, which the Governor’s office estimates at $27.6 billion.

“To make sure that we are clear, and I am clear: these cuts to our social safety net are simply not acceptable. We are not going to repeat the mistakes of the Great Recession,” Jackson said. “We are not going to balance the budget on the backs of our marginalized, poorest residents, neighbors, and brothers and sisters.”

California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and Sen. Susan Rubio (D-West Covina) also spoke at the rally.

Rubio told the audience that she

programs from being on the chopping block.

SEIU members and youth advocates at the rally voiced their opinions about proposed cuts to CalWorks, childcare programs, CalFresh, child welfare programs and in-home support services.

In addition, proposed cuts are expected to impact public health, behavioral

health, homelessness

and affordable housing programs, and delayed expansion of the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP).

Newsom’s revised proposal to balance the state budget cuts onetime spending by $19.1 billion and ongoing spending by $13.7 billion for fiscal years 2024-2025 and 2025-26.

Jackson

emphasized,

“This

budget process and this budget must be rooted in justice, which means we are not going to just look at the numbers and say that ‘this will be cut and that will be cut.’ We will make sure that we consider the harm that is being done with each cut.”

Newsom said.

“The state will provide counties and cities with resources and tools to foster safer and healthier communities across the state,” Newsom added.

“It’s time to do your job. It’s time to get things done,” Newsom

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11-23

THE POST, May 22 - 28, 2024, 2024 Page 10

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DA Pamela Price Sues Farmers Insurance, Others ...

Continued from page 1 homeowners receive the information they are entitled to receive before purchasing coverage so that they can adequately protect what are often their most valuable assets,” said Price.

Price said the insurance carriers misinformed homeowners and consumers by providing them with “inaccurately low replacement cost estimates.

She said the low replacement cost estimates communicated to the homeowner violated state regulations. Price said under the insurers’ scheme “if a disaster happened the property owners would not have sufficient coverage to rebuild in its entirety.”

The “insurers’ scheme” was often based upon their use of thirdparty software that presented “very little information about the specific home:” instead they relied upon some generalized features like zip codes, which allowed home insurance providers to offer lower premiums to increase their competitive position in the marketplace.

“This scheme also leads to systemic underinsurance in California, leaving homeowners without the means to replace what are often their most valuable assets,” said Price.

The complaint alleges that despite home insurance companies’ duty to deal in good faith with consumers, the home underinsurance scheme violates numerous California laws, including Insurance Code regulations and California’s Unfair Competition and False Advertising Laws.

The lawsuit seeks civil penalties and injunctive relief prohibiting home insurance carriers from continuing their conduct harming homeowners across California.

“The relationship between an insurer and the homeowner is necessarily one of unequal knowledge, expertise, information, and bargaining power, with homeowners depending on the insurance company to act in good faith,” said Price.

Homeowners in California who believe they were told an inaccurately low replacement cost estimate by their home insurance company, resulting in insufficient coverage, are encouraged to fill out a Consumer Fraud Complaint Form with the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office Consumer Justice Bureau.

To file an Alameda County District Attorney Consumer Complaint Form contact: damedia@ acgov.org.

Continued from page 1 outside influencers who try to get a majority of the council to steer the city and the budget away from adequate public safety policies.

Armstrong said he pledges that his commitment is first and foremost with Oakland residents, families, and businesses rather than to participate in “petty personal attacks that prevent sound policy and drive away qualified city employees.

“As city councilmember at-large, I will continue to promote and support community policing as I did as police chief. Community policing is essential to building trust, especially in communities that have a historic and genuine distrust of law enforcement and are the most impacted by crime.

“During my tenure, I increased the number of walking officers in our commercial corridors and will continue to support those and other community policing policies.

Trust is built between community and law enforcement by increasing positive contact and relationship-building with residents, businesses, trusted community members, and community-based organizations, he said.

“I would increase the number of walking officers, community resource officers, and encourage hiring officers who are representative

of and from the community they serve.

“As a native West Oaklander, I am deeply connected to the Oakland community and a former resident of subsidized housing” Armstrong said. “I understand the importance of providing opportunities for our youth and young adults.

As a councilmember, I will support job training and resource programs that bring out the talent in youth and adults and help them to thrive to support themselves and their communities. “ Armstrong earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, and he holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Currently, he is a law enforcement and public safety consultant and coaches basketball at Bishop O’Dowd High School.

Armstrong has four daughters and lives with his wife in East Oakland.

“The Oakland that raised me is spiraling downward and repeated calls from residents expressing their frustration with status-quo politicians motivated me to continue to serve the city I know and love. I am running for Oakland City Council At-Large because all Oaklanders deserve a better quality of life, and I have the experience to make tough budget and policy decisions to ensure that Oakland is thriving, vibrant, and equitable,” Armstrong said.

Continued from page 1 Oakland Arena as a vital entertainment hub for the East Bay region.

AASEG has expressed a commitment to engaging with East Oakland residents to develop a strong community benefits agreement.

“This is a momentous occasion for the Black community in Oakland,” remarked Carolyn “CJ” Johnson, CEO of the Black Cultural Zone. “The proposed sports and entertainment mecca, a cornerstone for our vision of a revitalized East Oakland, perfectly complements the momentum of the RISE East Investment Plan.

“We applaud Mayor Sheng Thao and AASEG for prioritizing equity and inclusion in this future development, and we are eager to see the positive impact it will have on our neighborhoods. This isn’t just a win; it’s a building block for a brighter future filled with opportunity!”

At-large Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan, a longtime, avid supporter of AASEG with Councilmember Noel Gallo, said she and her colleagues are “thrilled at the opportunity to move this important project forward - to develop and revitalize the large and centrally located Coliseum property in Oakland.

This partnership with the African American Sports and Entertainment Group will be transformative in terms of community opportunity and racial equity in development, Kaplan said.

“We have been working for years to build a stronger future for this vital site, with jobs and revenue and housing and sports and entertainment and commercial and more” she said.

She noted that it has easy access to the region by BART, bus, Amtrak, airport, freeway and more, and is a designated priority development area. This history includes work by the City of Oakland adopting the Coliseum Area Specific Plan years ago.

“These steps include our prior Council item from 2021 which started down the path of this development partnership. The proposal will not only preserve vital public services in this moment, it will also strengthen our economy, jobs, activation, affordable housing, and our city revenues for decades while building the largest Black-run development!”

The capital needs for the project will be led by Loop Capital LLC, the largest African American-owned investment bank in the country. Loop Capital LLC (“Loop Capital” or “LC”) is a member of AASEG and intends to support this plan fully, including the proposed financing for the Coliseum site.

The City of Oakland entered into an exclusive negotiating agreement with AASEG in January 2023. The Oakland City Council must now pass an ordinance authorizing the City Administrator to sign a PSA with AASEG.

Former Police Chief LaRonne Armstrong ...

Oakland Coliseum Site Redevelopment ...

FACES AROUND THE BAY:

Eloise Middleton

Local realtor ‘shouts out’ for Pamela Price

Jason Bryant, director of programs at CROP Organization, speaks at the Ready 4 Life graduation on Saturday, May 18. CROP is a non-profit aimed at helping formerly incarcerated people have a successful reentry into society after their release from prison. Photo courtesy of CROP Organization.

Ready 4 Life: Oakland Reentry Program ...

Continued from page 1 ily, especially being so far away from my family,” Julio Santos, a CROP alumnus, said.

Santos, originally from Los Angeles, spent 16 years in prison before his release in 2022. He believes that unlike many other reentry programs that limit what you can do and who you can see, CROP allows fellows the freedom to be themselves, helping them break free from the prison-like mindset they’re accustomed to feeling even after being released.

Santos shared a story from a traumatic experience while working at a homeless shelter in San Francisco that took a toll on his mental health. He said that prior to CROP, he might’ve turned to drugs or alcohol to cope, but the caring and compassion that many at the program showed him after the incident gave him the opportunity to reflect on his emotions in a healthier way.

“The challenges without something like CROP, without a group of people that have really been in your shoes and know what it is that you need, and they know that you don’t know it, [can be frustrating],” Joseph Beaman, another CROP graduate, said.

Beaman was incarcerated for almost 24 years before being released in 2022. He paroled into a transitional program in Orange County for six months where the conditions were basic and offered no support on how to re-enter society after more than two decades of incarceration.

Beaman explained that CROP not only prioritized housing and basic necessities, but geared their program in a way to empower these newly out individuals to succeed emotionally and financially.

CROP assists in tech and sales centered skillsets knowing that many formerly incarcerated people are often relegated to work in physically demanding, low-wage fields. These pathways allow graduates to pursue higher-paying jobs to lighten the financial burden that

many face upon release.

During the Equipped 4 Life pillar, CROP fellows meet with tech companies for training and resume-building workshops to give them guidance and job opportunities for when they graduate. The fellowship also teaches the tech companies about fair-chance hiring practices to dispel the stigma businesses have about individuals with a criminal record.

“What we found is that the majority of tech companies that we engage with are extremely interested in partnering with us. They just don’t know where to start,” Terah Lawyer, executive director of CROP, told the Post.

One in three adults in the U.S. have criminal records, according to the Brennan Center for Justice, making the barriers to housing, employment, and public benefits all the more exacerbating. These barriers also contribute to the high rates of recidivism, almost 82% commit an offense within 10 years of being released.

Despite all that, the Ready 4 Life program impressively has a 0% recidivism rate and 95% of graduates obtain a full-time job after completing the fellowship.

Graduates are also given lifetime mentorship and benefits beyond their time in the program so that fellows do not feel like they are being “tossed into the street and forgotten about.”

Lawyer shared that she would not have been able to find success after being incarcerated for 15 years had someone not opened that door for her and allowed her to showcase her skills. This is the type of opportunity and hope that she wants to give the CROP fellows.

“If I can get my fellow’s foot in the door, they can show you how hard of a worker they are. They can highlight their skill sets and contribute to a workforce or an organization or community that is unparalleled with other people,” Lawyer said.

Continued from page 1 The Count is crucial for determining funding and policy changes locally and nationally.

The 2024 data shows that although the county has seen an overall dip of 3% from the 2022 Count, Oakland had a 9% increase of homelessness. However, this increase is much lower than the previous count’s comparison from 2019 to 2022, which showed a 24% surge.

Alameda County saw a 19% increase in people living in sheltered spaces, meaning 33%, or 3,017 people, of those experiencing homelessness were sheltered in 2024. On the flip side, that means 67%, or 6,343 people, are living unsheltered in Alameda County, an 11% decrease from 2022.

Family homelessness had the largest decrease from 2022 to 2024.

Exactly 699 people in families were estimated to be experiencing homelessness in 2024, a 17% decrease from the last count where 844 people in families were homeless.

Eighty-five percent, or 593 people in families, are living sheltered in 2024, with only 106 living unsheltered. Unsheltered people in fami-

lies had a 67% decrease from 2022.

The Alameda County Health Department released a statement along with the data, emphasizing that the investments in temporary and transitional housing are proving to be effective in helping individuals living on the streets move into safer living conditions.

“Recent PIT Count results demonstrate the effectiveness of investing in programs that work,” Alameda County Board of Supervisors President Nate Miley said in the statement. “While we’ve made progress in some areas, there’s much more work to do. The Board, along with City and community leaders, must redouble our efforts so that all Alameda County residents can enjoy the improved quality of life that comes with reducing homelessness.”

Eight cities in Alameda County saw a decrease in their homeless count, while seven, including Oakland, saw an increase. Although places like Albany and the City of Alameda saw the highest overall percentage changes from 2022, it’s important to note that their population sizes are much smaller than cit-

Homelessness in Alameda County Decreases ...

Brady Thomas Photography.

By Barbara Fluhrer

Eloise Middleton is a Local realtor and a Realtist, a licensed member of the national association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB).

Middleton is also a member of Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland, where she sings and facilitates a class in the church school. Born the 10th of 14 children, Middleton was raised in North Carolina. She moved to the Bay Area more than 30 years ago and has been a realtor and a Realtist since 2004. She has a passion for helping others and believes in speaking up for her friends.

“I met Pamela Price, now the DA of Alameda County, 20 years

ago when she had her own law firm.

Unlike many lawyers, Pamela was friendly and approachable, and we quickly became friends. She is an amazingly powerful woman, dedicated to making others’ lives better,” Middleton told the Oakland Post.

“From a young age, inspired by the civil rights movement and Dr. King’s legacy, Pamela fought for justice, even facing jail for her beliefs,” continued Middleton. “Her bravery and unwavering commitment to justice are the reasons I trust and believe in her leadership for Alameda County.”

Middleton encourages all to vote to retain Price as the DA of Alameda County.

California Moves Closer to Formal Apology for Slavery

Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles) is the author of AB 3089 or the “California Apology Act for the Perpetration of Gross Human Rights Violations.” On May 16, the California Assembly approved the bill with a 64-0 floor vote. Photo courtesy California Black Media.

By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media

California is moving toward officially apologizing for the hor-rors African Americans endured during chattel slavery after the State Assembly voted unanimously to approve Assembly Bill (AB) 3089 on May 16.

Authored by Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), the “California Apology Act for the Perpetration of Gross Human Rights Violations” sailed through the Assembly with a 64-0 floor vote.

AB 3089 is one of 14 reparations bills supported by the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) this legislative session.

“Not only is the apology letter important, but it’s also what we do after it becomes law,” JonesSawyer said of AB 3089 after the legislation passed.

“It’s whether or not we go ahead and fulfill the dream of what my ancestors wanted, which is fully to make us part of the American dream. And most importantly, get rid of the river of racism that has been running through our communities for so many decades and centuries.”

Assemblymembers Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa), Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), and Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) — all members of the CLBC — spoke on the Assembly floor before the historic vote.

Former Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) spoke in support of the legislation.

“This is a statement of our values, this is a statement of who we are and what we think at this moment and that’s why it is so important to all of us,” Rendon said of the legislation.

Current Assembly Speaker

Robert Rivas shared his thoughts about the historical bill. Rivas invoked the words of Dr. Martin Luther King from a letter he wrote commending the sacrifice and success of Cesar Chavez after he staged a 300-mile walk from Delano to the State Capitol in 1966.

“As we know that it is undeniable that our systems of government have been complicit in the oppression of African Americans,” Rivas said. “Our courts, our schools (and) even this Legislature, California history is tarnished by the subjugation of Black people.”

AB 3089 mandates California to recognize and accept responsibility for “all of the harms and atrocities committed by the state, its representatives thereof, and enti-ties under its jurisdiction who promoted, facilitated, enforced, and permitted the institution of chattel slavery,” as stated in the bill’s language. It also addresses the enduring legacy of “ongoing badges and incidents from which the systemic structures of discrimination.”

AB 3089 would require a plaque memorializing the apology and “publicly and conspicuously installed and maintained” in the confines of State Capitol.

“AB 3089 recognizes the harm that slavery had and continues to have on Black Californians and takes the important step of acknowledging and formally apologizing for the state’s role in harming the descendants of enslaved people slavery,” McKinnor said.

“This is sacred work,” CLBC member Sen. Lola SmallwoodCuevas (D-Ladera Heights) said of the Black caucus’s efforts.