Oakland Post
“Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18 postnewsgroup.com 61st Year, No. 28
By Magaly Muñoz
The California Department of Justice (DOJ) released its 2023
Hate Crimes report in late June revealing that while some years had drops in crime including between 2022 and 2023, overall hate crimes rose by 159% since 2013.
A hate crime is defined as a criminal act or attempted criminal act against an individual or group because of their actual or perceived race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender or disability.
The DOJ is required to collect and
review hate crime cases on a regular basis, and publish that data in an annual report. The data is evaluated and investigated only by crimes that are reported to law enforcement, so the data may appear different from other agencies who collect this information.
Underreporting of hate crimes is a larger issue across the country because many people often do not know that they are a victim or do not feel safe reporting to the authorities.
The DOJ data showed several increases and decreases over
Faith Leaders to End Gun Violence Convene at White
House
Special to The Post
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy announced on June 25 a Surgeon General’s Advisory on Firearm Violence, declaring “firearm violence in America to be a public health crisis.”
A Surgeon General’s Advisory is a public statement that calls the American people’s attention to an urgent public health issue. This advisory is the first publication from the Office of the Surgeon General dedicated to gun violence, and it outlines the devastating and farreaching consequences that firearm violence poses to the health and well-being of the country.
The advisory states since 2020, firearm related injury has been the leading cause of death for U.S. children.
On June 26, Live Free CA Cler-
gy Table served as co-conveners of a National Clergy Emergency Strategic Planning Meeting at the White House with Gregory Jackson, Jr., special assistant to the President and deputy director of The Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Rev. Thomas Bowen, senior advisor for Public Engagement for the White House and over 40 faith leaders from around the country to begin the process of developing a wholistic plan of action.
Local clergy leaders Pastor Michael W. Wallace, Pastor Zachary Carey, Bishop Keith Clark of Impact Oakland Now (ION), and Pastor Darnell Hammock of Oakland and Pastor Les Simmons of Sacramento participated in the meeting.
Pastor Wallace spoke at the White House meeting to emphasize
By Rev. Dr. Lawrence E. VanHook Special
to the Post
My East Bay community is struggling to get by. A proposed State Senate bill would set us back even further.
Serving the East Bay community has been my life’s work and my greatest joy. After leaving the Bay Area to complete my seminary, I returned home to found The Community Church in Oakland.
From the outset of my time as the church’s pastor, I have been guided by the belief that my service
must extend beyond the pulpit, because the health and economic needs of my community are so great. Our church has organized free food banks, COVID-19 testing clinics, and a housing and re-entry program for those suffering from addiction. Through my service, I have seen the challenges that our community members are facing. Oakland, my hometown, has the third-highest rate of violent crime in the state. The local economy is strained. Oakland-based businesses are leaving our community because they’re struggling to get ahead.
By Magaly Muñoz
The group advocating for the recall of Mayor Sheng Thao held a press conference Thursday morning defending themselves on why they will not hand over documents the Public Ethics Commission (PEC) requested for an investigation on the group.
Oakland United to Recall
Sheng Thao (OUST) is the focus of an investigation by the PEC for
allegations that the group violated campaign finance laws.
Simon Russell, the enforcement chief for the PEC, filed a complaint in May that suggests that OUST used Foundational Oakland Unites (FOU), a newly founded nonprofit and alleged political action committee (PAC), to hide the origins of certain donations which would be in violation
Special to the Post
Courtesy of the Mayor’s Press Office
By Magaly Muñoz
Four years after passing Measure QQ, which advocated for youth voting in school board elections, Alameda County is progressing towards granting 16 and 17 year olds the opportunity to vote for their district directors in the upcoming November election.
The process for this outcome has been frustrating and somewhat slow for those who advocated for the measure. Two school board elections
a special election in 2023- with many saying that would’ve been the
opportunity to test
the
process. At the time of the fall special election, the county Registrar of Voters (ROV) missed the deadline to introduce new voting systems, which were required in order to register the eligible teens for the election.
Sources
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has awarded the City of Oakland $15 million as part of the $2 billion Last Mile Federal Funding Account Grant Program.
This significant investment aims to enhance broadband access for underserved and unserved communities across Oakland, bringing the city one step closer to achieving digital equity.
Mayor Sheng Thao expressed her gratitude for the grant, emphasizing the collaborative efforts that led to this achievement.
“This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and partners. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the CPUC
for their investment in Oakland.
“I also want to recognize Tony Batalla, our chief information officer, for his leadership and Patrick Messac from OaklandUndivided for his relentless commitment to bridging the digital divide," said Thao.
“Last Fall, I hosted a meeting in my office with the CPUC, City, and community partners to discuss our vision for a more connected Oakland. This grant is a significant milestone in making that vision a reality.”
Batalla stated, "I am extremely proud of the team that worked on this. I also want to thank the CPUC for selecting our project and providing this incredible opportunity to invest in underserved communities in
Brea Nicole Hammonds is no stranger to the Oakland community. Over the years, the West Oakland native has had her significant achievements highlighted across various editions of the Oakland Post.
From her first feature at age 11 as the Miss Pre-Teen American State Finalist, to her time on the Golden State Warriors Junior Jam Squad, to her departure for Loyola Marymount University in 2012 to pursue acting and filmmaking, Hammonds’ journey has been well-documented. Over a decade later, the rising filmmaker is now headed to the Oscar-qualifying Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival.
Hammonds has immersed herself in playwriting, filmmaking, and acting since leaving Oakland and pursuing her dreams in Los Angeles. She graduated from Loyola Marymount with a double
major in Communication Studies and Theater Arts. Like many young artists, she’s juggled more than one day job while honing her craft.
The young artist still managed to write a play nationally recognized by the Kennedy Center for its exploration of the Black experience within predominantly white institutions. She released the documentary “Growing Up a Black Girl in America,” which delves into the experiences of Black women from childhood to old age and earned the University’s first St. Ignatius Award for Theatre for Social Justice. Her efforts in challenging fellow artists to address societal issues commemorated the conclusion of her collegiate chapter.
After a decade in the entertainment industry, Hammonds shifted her creative focus to a business venture. In 2022, she and her busi-
Rev. Dr. Lawrence E. VanHook. Courtesy photo.
While crime rates have decreased in many areas, hate crimes have increased over the last decade, Rob Bonta’s DOJ report reveals. File Photo
(From left:) Patrick Messac, Oakland Undivided director. OaklandUndivided photo. City of Oakland Chief Information Officer Tony Batalla. Courtesy photo. Mayor Sheng Thao. File photo.
Oakland pastors at the White House to End Gun Violence. (L-R) Pastors Darnell Hammock, Bishop Keith Clark, Pastor Michael Wallace, and Pastor Zachary Carey. Photo courtesy of ION (Impact Oakland Now).
Leaders of Oakland United to Recall Sheng Thao, Brenda Harbin-Forte and Seneca Scott, held a press conference Thursday, July 11 to call out Oakland’s Public Ethics Commission for using their recent investigation against the group for political gain. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.
Brea Hammonds has returned to Oakland after 12 years in Los Angeles to help boost filmmaking in the Bay Area. Courtesy photo.
Betty Harris: Inventor of Spot Test That Revolutionized Chemical Detection ... see page 7 The Center for ArtEsteem Opens a New Space in West Oakland, Returning Home ... see page 8
OPINION
Senate Bill 966 Threatens Health Equity in East Bay
Continued from page 1
Both East and West Oakland have disproportionately high rates of respiratory illness due to heavy air pollution. While our local efforts have brought some aid to those in need, we are also counting on our state elected officials to help us address the systemic health disparities afflicting the community.
Chief among the health concerns of community members is having reliable and affordable access to prescription drugs. Equitable access to medications gives us the peace of mind that we can keep ourselves and our families healthy and safe. Our community should not have to choose between paying rent or purchasing prescriptions.
Unfortunately, rather than taking action to combat soaring pre-
scription drug prices, some California lawmakers are pushing legislation that could raise patient costs at the pharmacy counter.
The Legislature is currently considering SB 966, a bill backed by special interests that would undercut the few tools we have to keep prescription drug costs contained, letting big drug companies increase their prices, profiting on the backs of working families –some of whom already live paycheck to paycheck.
SB 966 would target the fundamental programs through which small businesses, unions, and government health programs are able to offer their employees and members quality and affordable healthcare. Millions of Californians rely on these plans to obtain essential medications at the lowest possible cost.
The bill would make it ille-
gal for employers and unions to incentivize the administrators of their prescription drug plans to negotiate for the lowest possible cost for prescriptions. Right now, small businesses and unions can choose to pay these administrators more for taking on big drug companies and securing discounts – a choice that will be outlawed under this bill.
As a result, employers will have no leverage to stop big drug companies from setting sky-high prices, disproportionately impacting working families.
As these health costs quickly add up, employers will have little choice but to pass the increases down to their employees. That means California patients will see higher healthcare costs and copays.
From my perspective, most concerning is that the bill would exacerbate the health disparities impacting my community and other underserved populations. If SB 966 becomes law, the most vulnerable may be forced to skip prescription doses, stop filling their prescriptions, and avoid essential care.
By rejecting this cash grab by big drug companies, our state elected officials can send a clear message that they stand with the community, patients, and working families.
We cannot afford SB 966.
Rev. Dr. VanHook is the founder and pastor of The Community Church in Oakland and the founder of The Charis House, a re-entry facility for men recovering from alcohol and drug abuse.
By Emil Guillermo
Joe Biden often says when he is in fine fettle, “Look folks, we have reached an inflection point.”
The president applies the geometric metaphor “inflection” to many of the issues he deals with. If we apply it to his current presidential crisis, is he heading upward? Or is he stuck in the mire of public anxiety? Is Biden strong enough to beat Trump and preserve our democracy?
After nearly two weeks, Biden has yet to extinguish the questions about his ability to lead the country — his age, his mental capacity, his ability to communicate without stumbling. The misspoken moments are happening often enough to make one wonder if the president is in tip-top shape, more so mentally than physically.
A RADIO MOMENT
Last week, Biden was listing his accomplishments to an African American talk host. He didn’t make sense.
Biden: “By the way, I’m proud be be, as I said, the first vice president, first Black woman, to serve with a Black president, proud of the first Black woman in the Supreme Court. There’s just so much that we can do because together we—there’s nothing. Look, this is the United States of America.”
Biden sounded, if not lost, then certainly at a loss. He was neither sharp nor clear.
Reports say Biden’s handlers have too often protected him to keep public lapses to a minimum. At this point, to rid Biden of his doubters, may require him taking a cognitive test.
This week, the New York Times
scoured the White House visitor’s log. The Times revealed a Parkinson’s specialist visited the White House several times in the recent past. Smoking gun? The White House said the visit wasn’t for Biden, and it was a routine call for a doctor responsible for hundreds of patients in the White House medical unit.
ESSENCE FEST DEFENSE
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA43) continued to have Biden’s back at the Essence Fest in New Orleans last weekend. “People are talking about ‘Biden is too old’ — hell, I’m older than Biden,” the 85-yearold Waters said to festivalgoers. She got a standing ovation and didn’t let up. “I get up every morning. And I exercise. And I work late hours. I take care of Black people. Trump has told you who he is. He
By Bo Tefu
California Black Media
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) as acting governor while he traveled to Washington to support President Biden and travel with him on the campaign trail.
In his capacity as governor, McGuire signed Senate Bill (SB) 867 that clears the way for a ballot measure to appear on the November ballot that connects communities with clean drinking water and protects residents from floods and threats of wildfires.
As part of the climate bond agreement, California taxpayers are expected to pay back the bond with interest. Financial analysts estimate that the bond repayment will cost approximately $650 million per year over the next 30 years, costing taxpayers an estimated total of $19 billion.
According to the bond measure, the state is required to invest nearly half the funds in disadvantaged communities disproportionately impacted by climate change.
“The safe drinking water and wildfire prevention bond will sustain and enhance the quality of life in the Golden State by providing communities the resources they need to protect themselves from the growing threat of wildfires and floods and help protect them from the impacts of extreme heat,” said McGuire. If voters approve the ballot measure that is based on SB 867 — also known as the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 — the State will provide up to $10 billion in funding to help communities avoid and recover from the harmful impacts of any wildfire, flood, and drought. With the water and wildfire bond, the State is making one of the largest public funding investments in climate change resilience. McGuire views the bond measure as a critical investment.
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA-43) at the Essence Festival in New Orleans. Courtesy photo.
Mike McGuire, California Senate President pro Tempore, signed the bond bill in his role as acting governor while Gavin Newsom was out of state last week. Photo courtesy Senate Rules Photography.
Rev. Dr. Lawrence E. VanHook. Courtesy photo.
Hundreds Come to Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Assembly Hall for Three-Day Program of ‘Good News’ in Fremont
Special to the Post
Two weeks into summer’s official start, the Thomas family could have headed to a theme park, the beach, or even visited family for the weekend of July 5-7.
also a great way to enjoy a weekend getaway in a wonderful nearby city.”
One of the largest convention organizations in the world returned to the Fremont Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses with a much-anticipated motivational program to comfort and encourage the public.
In a world where bad news endlessly streams on social media, TV and radio, Jehovah’s Witnesses presented their 2024 “Declare the Good News!” convention series which began the weekend of May 24-26 and will run to Sept. 8-10.
“We are excited once again to bring our venue to Fremont to host our conventions,” said Alan Mobley, local spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “These conventions are a highlight of the year for thousands of people who want to experience some positivity in their lives, and we are happy to enjoy the program once again in this hospitable city.”
“This isn’t just a convention,” said Thomas, of San Jose, CA.
“It’s a time to be together as a family and with friends and to be part of a happy and hopeful occasion. It’s
Instead, Daniel, Alana, and daughter Tatiana, were looking forward to a three-day convention with a few thousand people who coming to hear exciting good news!
The free, three-day live event was expected to draw more than 26,000 attendees to the city of Fremont over the course of 16 weekends – fueling the city’s economy with local spending at stores, hotels and restaurants.
The “Declare the Good News!” convention presented Bible-based videos, discourses and interviews on topics such as… How the Gospels Present an Accurate Record of the Life of Jesus.
Why We Can Trust the Prophecies About Jesus’ Birth and Childhood.
• Why Millions Today Are Confident and Do Not Fear “Bad News.”
Tesfaye family of Oakland flank images of video characters ‘Caleb and Sophia’ while attending the “Declare the Good News” Convention at the Fremont Assembly Hall. (For more information on Caleb & Sophia see www.jw.org) Courtesy photo.
Saturday featured a baptism of candidates from surrounding communities, while a captivated audience viewed a two-part video feature on Friday and Saturday mornings. Prior to each convention, local congregations have engaged in campaigns to invite community members to this free event.
Last year, nearly 13
three-day conventions
More than 1,300 delegates from several Bay Area cities enjoy the keynote address, “Why We Don’t Fear Bad News.” Courtesy photo.
Public Notices, Classifieds & Business
Praxis Labs, Inc. seeks an Interactive Engineer, in Oakland, CA, and various unanticipated locations throughout the U.S., to independently conceptualize, design and develop interactive features from prototype to product release; Conduct platform and technology research to deliver products that conform to high industry performance and quality standard. Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Digital Media Technology, Interactive Media, Game Design & Development, or similar, plus 2 years of experience in job offered or related plus experience with Unity 3D; C#; Git or similar version control systems (VCS); Building and developing for Virtual Reality (VR) headsets; Designing of interactive media user interfaces (UIs) for Virtual Reality (VR) headsets; and traditional web browsers; in the alternative, Praxis will accept a Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Digital Media Technology, Interactive Media, Game Design & Development or similar. Any suitable combination of experience of education, training, or experience is acceptable. Salary: Range $ 121,742.00-$133,000.00/yr. 40 hours per week. Submit resume: Karrington Christina Norris, 8605 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 93497, West Hollywood, CA 90069.
Reflexion, Inc. has an opening for a Senior Software Test Engineer - Applications in Hayward, CA (Telecommute/hybrid position, in office req. 3 days/week). Salary: $168,418. Duties include: Analyze and review prod. specf. to ensure testability. Dvlp and docu. test protocols for manual and automated test cases. Perf. test case dry runs and work with dvlprs to clarify intended functionality and identify deviations. Execute formal verification test runs on configuration-controlled sys. Interpret test results, and identify & docu. encountered defects. Other duties as assigned. Min. Req.: Bachelor’s degree or foreign equiv. in Sftwr. Eng., Comp. Sci., or a related field and 8 yrs of exp. as a sftwr eng., test eng. or a related occupation. Exp. must include: 5 yrs. of exp. in sftwr. testing. And 2 yrs. of exp. in the following: testing FDA Class II or Class III medical device sftwr. Testing PET imaging sys. and PET emission sources. Working with diagnostic images. Working with Linux (Ubuntu) or equiv. Unix variant. Writing and executing automated test scripts. Requirements-based testing. Employing ALM tools for managing reqs., test, and issue tracking (e.g., HP/ALM, Helix, Rational, etc.). Writing technical docu. for medical device design history files compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 820. Applicants may email resumes to HR at hr@reflexion.com or apply online at: https://reflexion.com/ourcompany/careers/.
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR STUDIO UNITS ONLY
YWCA APARTMENTS SENIOR HOUSING 940 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA
JULY 22 TO JULY 26, 2024
YWCA Apartments is an Affordable Low-income Senior Housing property located at 940 Powell Street in the Nob Hill area with access to MUNI.
YWCA Apartments has both studio and one-bedroom apartments. Building amenities include a laundry facility, community room and lounge located area as well as a Residents Services and Activities for residents who wish to participate.
All potential residents must qualify based on projected annual income, household size, criminal and rental history and one qualified person, either the head of household or spouse must be age 62 years or older. Please refer to the maximum income limits below.
MAXIMUM ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME (Subject to Change)
These income limits are adjusted periodically by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. All households will pay 30% of their combined monthly adjusted income for rent.
For more information or to pick up a pre-application for YWCA Apartments, please go to 940 Powell Street, San Francisco between the hours of 9:00AM to 4:00PM from July 22 to July 26, 2024. Deadline for application submission is August 2, 2024. You may also call (415) 345-4400 to receive a pre-application and instructions between July 22-26, 2024.
If you need language assistance or have a disability that prevents you from fully participating in this process, please call (415) 345-4400 by July 26, 2024 to receive an application and instructions by mail.
The John Stewart DRE #00654505
Gov. Newsom to Michigan Voters: Support President Biden
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
Gov. Gavin Newsom urged Michigan Democrats to back
President Joe Biden, despite wavering support in the key swing state.
Newsom asked voters in Michigan to push back on negative information about President Biden’s debate performance against former President Donald Trump debate on June 27 in Atlanta.
Since the debate, Democrats, including some influential party leaders, have raised questions about the Biden-Harris 2024 presidential ticket based on the President’s slow responses to questions and what appeared to be
memory gaps during his matchup with Trump.
Newsom reassured voters in Michigan, stating that, although Biden’s debate performance had a slow start, he presented a better vision for America than his opponent. He made the statement while addressing a group of voters at the Van Buren Dems BBQ for Biden-Harris in South Haven, Michigan, on the Fourth of July.
“I had a lot of talking points in mind, you may have noticed if you saw me, I didn’t bring them with me. And that’s to make the obvious point — things did not go as well as the campaign had hoped, and obviously did not go as well as President Biden had hoped,” said Newsom.
Newsom denied claims that he was running a “shadow campaign” in preparation for replacing Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee.
The governor’s recent visit comes at a critical time as Michigan is a battleground state whose vote will be determinant in the outcome of this year’s presidential election.
“What I need to convince you of is not to be fatalistic, not to fall prey to all this negativity,” Newsom said to supporters at a Democratic campaign event. “I believe in this man. I believe in his character. I believe that he has been one of the most transformative presidents in our collective lifetime.”
Betty Harris: Inventor of Spot Test That Revolutionized
Chemical Detection
By Tamara Shiloh
Our accomplishments never cease to amaze me. Imagine being a scientist who can detect hidden chemicals with just a simple test. Here’s another hidden gem.
Dr. Betty Harris is a brilliant scientist and inventor known for her work in chemistry. She was born on July 29, 1940, in Louisiana. From a young age, Betty was fascinated by science. She loved to learn how things worked and always asked lots of questions. Her passion for science led her to become a chemist.
By 1961, aged just 19, she had graduated from Southern University in Baton Rouge with a chemistry degree.
She did her research at Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico, where she worked in the areas of hazardous waste treatment
and environmental remediation as well as explosives chemistry. Areas of focus included explosives detection, synthesis and characterization of insensitive high explosives and sensitivity of weathered high explosives.
Her invention, a spot test for TATB, represents a significant advancement in the detection of this crucial but stable explosive compound.
TATB stands for 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene. It’s a type of explosive that is very stable and safe to handle, making it important for various safety applications. TATB is used in explosives because it doesn’t explode easily under heat or shock, which means it’s safer to store and use.
Harris invented a special test called a “spot test” to detect TATB. Before her invention, finding
TATB in materials was difficult and time-consuming. Her spot test made it quick and easy to detect this important chemical.
The spot test developed by Harris is a simple yet powerful method that involves a few straightforward steps. A small sample of the material in question is obtained. The sample is treated with a special chemical solution formulated by Harris. If TATB is present in the sample, the solution undergoes a color change, providing a clear and immediate indication of its presence.
Harris’s spot test is important for several reasons. The test helps ensure that explosives are safe to handle and store. By detecting TATB quickly, accidents can be prevented. It is easy to use and provides fast results, saving time and resources.
Inventions like Harris’s help science to progress by making it easier to work with important chemicals.
Her contributions extend beyond her scientific achievements. She is a passionate advocate for education and has been a mentor to countless young scientists, particularly encouraging girls and African American students to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields.
Her dedication to fostering the next generation of scientists has earned her numerous accolades and respect in the academic community.
Harris still lives in New Mexico.
President Biden and Governor Newsom visited the Baylands Nature Preserve, one of the largest tracts of undisturbed marshland remaining in the San Francisco Bay Area. Courtesy of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office.
Dr. Betty Harris
New California Laws Require
High School Classes on Drug Education, Financial Literacy and Ethnic Studies
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
Last week, California became the 26th state to require high school seniors to pass courses focused on finance literacy, coming behind recently added ethnic studies prerequisite and a health class requirement focused on the dangers of fentanyl use.
The senior class of 2031 will be the first group of students to take the mandatory financial literacy course. California school districts are required to implement Assembly Bill 2927, authored by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), at the beginning of the 2027-2028 academic year.
The bill works hand-in-hand with newly approved Assembly Bill 2429, authored by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego). That law requires students to take health classes that discuss the dangers of fentanyl use and illegal drugs commencing in the 2026-2027 school year.
Both bills require high school
seniors to complete the designated coursework during any semester between the ninth and 12th grades. High school students in charter schools are also required to complete the state-mandated coursework. Under this law, local educational agencies will impose the required courses using statemandated local programs.
McCarty said that the financial literacy classes will prepare students for the future and empower them to make smart money decisions throughout life.
“It’s such an important life skill,” he said. “The stressors that young people face today — especially student loans, renting, buying a house, credit cards all those things are so critically important. And if you fall behind, the consequences have a serious impact later in life.”
Unlike the bill on financial literacy that imposes classes as a graduation requirement, the bill on health education allows school districts to choose if health classes are a graduation prerequisite.
Alvarez said that health edu-
By McKenzie Jackson California Black Media
It was more than a simple walk in the park for exercisers pacing and jogging around Warner Center Park in the Woodland Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles around midday on July 4.
The weather was “sweltering,” according to one of the parkgoers, an African American man in his 40s who asked to remain anonymous.
“Working out around this time is a way hotter experience than a few weeks ago,” the man continued.
According to weather experts, Californians should not expect a break in the extreme heat any time soon.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration meteorologist David Lawrence said most of the Golden State is experiencing a heat wave.
“We will see daytime high temperatures for many interior areas reaching to 100 to 115 degrees each afternoon. Overnight low temperatures won’t provide much relief — only dipping into the 70s and holding into the lower 80s for some locations,” he explained.
Lawrence was speaking during a July 2 news briefing focused on the current weather conditions, their dangers, and what Californians need to know to stay safe in the blistering weather this summer.
The briefing was organized by Listos California, the state’s disaster readiness program, and hosted by Ethnic Media Services and California Black Media.
California Black Media Executive Director Regina Wilson said heat waves can create dangerous fire conditions and catapult temperatures in inland areas of the state into the triple digits.
cation can help address the state’s fentanyl epidemic, specifically among the youth.
“I think it’s important… that we share facts with young people, especially these days as they rely more and more on social media with misinformation,” said Alvarez.
“There’s still no better-trusted source than our schools for students and for families to receive the information that they need in order to make better decisions and better choices,” he continued.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state needs to help prepare young people in a statement backing the bills.
“Saving for the future, making investments, and spending wisely are lifelong skills that young adults need to learn before they start their careers, not after,” the Governor said in statement backing the education bills.
Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, the state will also require high school seniors to take an additional one-semester course on ethnic studies.
“As we move into the summer season, hotter and drier conditions mean California will likely face higher risk of wildfires — wildfire smoke, heat, power outages and dangerous water conditions,” she said.
Listos California, the state office in charge of emergency preparedness, has partnered with community groups and offers a resource hub built around an educational campaign to help Californians get ready for disasters related to extreme heat.
Dr. Rita Nguyen, assistant health officer for California and director of population health at the California Department of Public Health, said people underestimate how dangerous heat waves can be.
“Heat waves kills more people directly than any other weather-related hazard,” she said.
She said the people at most risk of experiencing heat-caused health issues include children and infants, senior citizens, pregnant people, people working outdoors or indoors without air conditioning, disabled individuals, unhoused persons, and lower-income people.
The warning signs of heat illness include confusion, vomiting, passing out, heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, headache, nausea, vomiting, paleness, tiredness, irritability, and dizziness.
Staying hydrated, cool, and informed about the weather forecasts are ways to prevent heat health problems. Nguyen recommended to not drink sugary, caffeinated, or alcoholic drinks, which can dehydrate a person.
The Center for ArtEsteem Opens a New Space in West Oakland, Returning Home
By Zack Haber
After moving into different rental units for the last seven years, The Center for ArtEsteem, a Black-led, West Oakland based non-profit, has bought and renovated a permanent space at 3111 West St.
On June 22, about 100 people celebrated the opening of the twostory, 1,500-square-foot space.
ArtEsteem Executive Director Amana Harris likened the move to “coming home.”
Founded in 1989, ArtEsteem, which used to be named Attitudinal Healing Connection, opened its first brick-and-mortar space in 1992.
It was located in the bottom unit of a duplex housing the nonprofit’s founders, Aeesha and Kokomon Clottey, who are Harris’s mother and stepfather. That space was located at the corner of 33rd and West Streets.
“We know this community,” said Harris. “We have kids that have grown up in this neighborhood. After moving around, now we see the greater value of returning here and being more accessible to the community.”
Kamilah Crawford, who is an alumna of ArtEsteem and a former employee, told The Oakland Post she’s happy the nonprofit has returned.
“ArtEsteem not only provided me with art classes and employment after graduating from the University of California, Davis, it provided me with a sense of com-
munity and social justice,” she said. “Deep down, I believe what I learned played a role in me becoming a physician’s assistant and my desire to give back to my community.”
Since its founding, the nonprofit’s mission has been to “address social ills by providing opportunities for creative expression and healing to children, families, and individuals.”
ArtEsteem has done programming at over 75 schools in West Oakland and the Bay Area. Currently, it serves about 2,500 young people a year in 25 different schools and has a staff of 20 people.
Each year, the non-profit works closely with about 15 to 20 Oakland high school and middle school students through its Oakland Legacy Project. During a 30week program each school year, ArtEsteem buses these students to its center two days a week after school to feed and educate them about art and environmental awareness and to build self-esteem.
“We don’t just do art for art’s sake,” said Harris. “We use art so young people can have a better understanding of themselves in the world.”
ArtEsteem got a lot of help to secure its new home. The Walter & Elise Haas Fund, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and an anonymous donor from the San Francisco Foundation provided the largest financial
By Edward Henderson California Black Media
California Attorney General Rob Bonta released the 2023 Hate Crime in California Report on June 29, providing data and resources to support ongoing efforts across the state to combat violence motivated by racial or other biases.
Overall, reported hate crime events in California decreased by 7.1% from 2,120 in 2022 to 1,970 in 2023.
Despite that general downward trend, anti-Black bias incidents in the state remained the most prevalent. Year after year, this disturbing statistic holds true despite a 20.6% decrease from 652 in 2022 to 518 in 2023. The next highest reporting of bias events was 199 Anti-Hispanic or Latino instances.
“The California Department of Justice has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to hate, and will continue working with law en-
donations. About 100 individuals donated $200 or more.
Artists and individuals have also helped to beautify the space and the nearby area. Students from McClymonds High School, Westlake Middle School, and Hoover Elementary School have collaborated with teams of a dozen or more artists to create four murals in the neighborhood through the Oakland Super Heroes Mural Project, which was originated by Harris, directed by David Burke, and funded by the San Francisco Foundation’s Bay Area Creative Core.
A new mural to be designed by former Oakland Legacy Project students, is in the works. The project also recently got help from Ken Houston and Beautification Council with cleaning up a mural that had been covered with graffiti.
In the building itself, one can see art everywhere.
“We want young people and their parents to feel uplifted by the beauty of the space when they come in,” said Harris. “We want to foster healing and resiliency.”
ArtEsteem is not done expanding its space. It is still fundraising and plans to build a new two-story building next door to its current space, set to open in 2027.
“Now that we own our space, we can dig our roots deeper because we won’t be uprooted,” said Harris.
forcement, elected leaders, and community organizations across the state to keep our communities safe through education, prevention, and enforcement,” said Attorney General Robert Bonta after releasing the report.
“We won’t let bigots and bad actors win. We will not let hate prevail,” said Bonta.
The report also found that prosecutions inched up by 5% (about 32 percentage points).
According to the Attorney General’s report, from 2022 to 2023, the number of hate crimes referred for prosecution increased from 647 in 2022 to 679 in 2023.
Of the 679 hate crimes that were referred for prosecution, 463 cases were filed by district attorneys and elected city attorneys for prosecution. Of the 463 cases that were filed for prosecution, 322 were filed as hate crimes and 141 were filed as non-bias motivated
iStock photo.
Artworks hang in The Center for ArtEsteem’s new space at 3111 West St. in West Oakland on June 24. Photo by Zack Haber.
Shutterstock photo.
Shutterstock photo.
Black Californians
Lead as Victims of Hate Crime ...
crimes.
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Under California law, a hate crime is a criminal act committed in whole or in part because of a victim’s actual or perceived disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or association with someone with one or more of these characteristics.
Aside from the information related to anti-Black hate crimes, other key findings in the 2023 Hate Crime in California Report include:
• Hate crimes fell by 7.1% to 1,970 events.
• Hate crime offenses dropped by 8.9% to 2,359.
Victims of hate crimes decreased by 6.9% to 2,303.
Hate crimes due to racial bias went down by 21.6% to 1,017.
• Hate crimes due to religious bias rose by 30% to 394.
Anti-Islamic bias events increased from 25 to 40.
Hate crimes due to sexual orientation bias went up by 4.1% to 405.
Anti-transgender bias events rose by 10.2% to 65.
• Anti-LGBTQ+ bias events surged by 86.4%.
The disproportionate number
Weather Experts:
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California Division of Occupational Safety and Health Program Senior Safety Engineer Charlene Gloriani said, under state law, businesses with employees who work outdoors — such as agricultural workers — are required to give plenty of access to free and clean water and shade to
of hate incidents recorded in the Attorney General’s report lines up with data released by the California Civil Rights Department (CRD).
Responding to a surge in hate crimes and hate incidents, in 2023, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration launched the “California vs. Hate” initiative, which includes a hotline and online reporting platform for victims.
“CA vs Hate is about recognizing and protecting the incredible diversity of our state and sending a clear message that hate will never be tolerated,” said Newsom.
If you or someone you know experiences a hate crime or hate incident, here’s how you can report:
CA vs Hate is a non-emergency, multilingual hate crime and incident reporting hotline and online portal. Reports can be made anonymously by calling (833) 866-4283, or 833-8-NO-HATE, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT or online at any time.
Hate acts can be reported in 15 different languages through the online portal and in over 200 languages when calling the hotline. For individuals who want to report a hate crime to law enforcement immediately or who are in imminent danger, please call 911.
For more information on CA vs Hate, please visit CAvsHate.org.
prevent heat-related illnesses.
“Shaded areas must not cause exposure to another health or safety hazard,” she explained. “When temperatures exceed 95 degrees a buddy system should be in place and employees must be monitored for signs of heat illness.”
To get more information on extreme heat and to access resources to help you stay healthy and cool.
“shadow” sports medicine practitioners and after he noticed a lack of Black people in medical careers, he saw his own future. Gore attended Morehouse College, with an eye toward helping Black and Brown people in crisis.
According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Gore says, “homicide... is the number-two cause of death for Black males ages one to nine...” but there are ways to identify issues before they become dangerous, out-of-control problems.
The process moves through examination of a person’s childhood traumas and what happened to them as adults, followed by listening, validating, and asking for calm.
Gore understood this as a young doctor, and he decided to do something about it.
November Election: Calif. Voters to Decide on $10 Billion Bond for Public Education Upgrades
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
By Terri Schlichenmeyer
The Bookwurm Sez
Well, thank you so much to your coworker.
That’s where you got this ick, this scratchy-throat, achy-body, upsetstomach, can’t-sleep virus. He sneezed and that’s all it took. Now you’ve got what he had and you’re trying not to spread it anymore.
As you know from experience, and as attested in the new book “Treating Violence” by Rob Gore, MD, epidemics affect everybody. In this book, the scourge is violence.
Once upon a time, Gore had a brother. Angel wasn’t biologically related to Gore, but within a short time after Gore’s parents fostered the young boy, they considered each other siblings. They tussled and played together. Gore watched over his “brother” and when Angel got older, he did the same for Gore. But Angel was anything but an angel and, slowly, he turned to hustling drugs.
Gore says he wishes he’d done more to stop him. Eventually, Angel went to prison.
Growing up in Brooklyn, Gore knew that the streets were not kind to people who looked like him, people with Brown or Black skin, and he understood early how privileged he was. He was granted – and sometimes squandered – the best education. In high school, after he was given a chance to
“Lack of funding was a roadblock” for it, he says, “but the seed was planted, and my conviction continued to grow.”
You’re tired of attending funerals, and tired of reading about another dead child somewhere. You’re ready to act. You’re ready to read “Treating Violence.”
Indeed, this book might light a fire under you.
Gore first explains what street violence does to Black communities and families, which is shocking and upsetting.
This begins his biography, which is a brief (too-brief!) set-up for how and why Gore ultimately founded Kings Against Violence Initiative (KAVI), an organization that uses trained volunteers to lower the anger level and any desires for revenge when someone is the victim of violence.
The story is a rousing one, but readers may feel a bit cheated by the rushed transition from Gore’s life and his work as an ER doctor, to KAVI. Information on KAVI and similar organizations may spur you to take action.
With the Surgeon General’s recent warning on gun use in mind, “Treating Violence” couldn’t be more timely or necessary. Find it, read it for the excellent biography and the ideas, statistics, and urgency – and get to work.
Last week, the California State Legislature approved a $10 billion bond proposal to modernize and repair K-12 schools and community colleges statewide.
The education bond measure, Assembly (AB) Bill 247, will appear on this year’s November ballot.
AB 247 aims to upgrade school buildings, allocating $8.5 billion to public schools and $1.5 million to community colleges across California.
Authored by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), the measure was authored in collaboration with Assemblymembers Mike Fong (D-Alhambra), and Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), and Senators Steve Glazer (D-Contra Costa) and Josh Newman (D-Fullerton).
Supporters of the proposition point out that schools in California are over 50 years old, raising safety concerns among community and school leaders. The education bond will provide matching dollars to K-12 school districts based on local priorities and it calls for monitoring spending for local taxpayer accountability.
“California urgently needs a statewide school bond to repair dilapidated and unsafe school facilities and to invest in our children to meet 21st-century educational and workforce needs,” said Muratsuchi, an author of the education bond proposal.
Since 1998, the state has been providing $54 billion in education bonds for K-12 schools and institutions of higher education. Voters approved the last successful bond, Proposition 51, during the 2016 November election. That proposition has provided K-12 schools with $7 billion and community colleges with $2 billion for repairs and construction to improve safety. However, some school district officials are concerned that funds from state and local bonds mostly benefited affluent districts, leaving rural districts disadvantaged.
A report by the Public Policy Institute of California stated that it is easier for the state to match funds from the district in wealthier areas. The report stated that voters in affluent areas are more likely to approve bonds making it easier to raise funds since their property values are higher.
Public Advocates, a nonprofit law firm, threatened to sue the State claiming that the bond system is unconstitutional.
“The Legislature is shooting itself in the foot. What they’ve proposed will only undermine support from voters,” said John Affeldt, an attorney who supports the bill. “But technically they still have time to fix this.”
State officials, on the other hand, remain optimistic about the outcome of the education bond during this year’s November election.
When you get a Flex Alert, reduce your power use to help ease the grid and avoid statewide outages. The more people that save their energy for later, the more likely we keep the lights on.
iStock photo.
Courtesy of Beacon Press. Author: Rob Gore, MD, c.2024, Beacon Press, $27.95.
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dinance to authorize teen voting, about when they would see tangible plans to make this happen. The ROV had allegedly not been very communicative with the city.
Now, the council has passed a first reading of the ordinance, and should everything run smoothly, eligible students could vote for one of the four school board seats in the fall.
Sam Davis, Oakland Unified District 1 director and board president, represented the students who participated in the voting initiative at the city council’s meeting. He told the Post he’s advocated for
this measure since the beginning and is excited to see their years of efforts come to fruition.
“There’s been some different hoops to jump through, but it makes it all the more rewarding that this actually happened,” Davis said.
Davis explained that lowering the age to 16 and 17 will allow teens to get a sense of how the democratic process works before they get to vote in larger elections once they turn 18. He said with the current political climate, it’s important that teens know how to make informed decisions about their representatives.
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Oakland.”
Patrick Messac, director of OaklandUndivided, added, "This represents the culmination of years of collaboration between the City of Oakland, Oakland Unified School District, Oakland Housing Authority, and many trusted community partners. The Oakland Connect project will promote a more connected and more equitable Oakland.”
The CPUC’s Last Mile Federal Funding Account Grant Program is
a crucial component of California's Broadband For All initiative, which aims to provide high-speed internet access to all Californians.
The program's first round of awards, totaling $88.6 million, will fund projects that build community-based, future-proof, and equity-focused broadband infrastructure across the state.
For more information about the CPUC’s Federal Funding Account Recommendations and Awards, please visit their webpage.
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ness partner, Taj Karee Shorter, launched For the Margin, a media company dedicated to giving biblical perspectives through marginalized stories.
They wrote and released their debut book, “For the Margin: Volume I,” and a podcast of the same name, garnering praise for highlighting the authentic experiences of young, Black Christian women.
For the Margin’s inaugural film, “No Love Lost”, marks Hammonds’ debut in filmmaking. As the writer, lead actor, and executive producer, Hammonds sheds light on the current housing crisis in the U.S. through the story of a young couple on the brink of losing everything.
The film is set to premiere on Aug. 8 at the 22nd Annual Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, alongside works by Colman Domingo and Sheryl Lee Ralph.
After 12 years in Los Angeles, Hammonds has returned to Oakland, where pivotal steps are being taken to enhance filmmaking in the Bay Area.
The East Bay Film Collective, launched by W. Kamau Bell and including members like Steph Curry (Unanimous Media and
Thirty Ink), Peter Nicks (Proximity Media), and Rafael Casal (Dreams With Friends), is working to remove financial barriers and make filmmaking more accessible, while boosting the local economy.
Reflecting on her return to Oakland as a full-time resident, Hammonds said, “…This is where I do my best writing and feel most creatively aligned. While “No Love Lost” is set in L.A., the pilot I’m currently writing, which continues the story, is set in Oakland and explores barriers to home ownership here. Seeing the East Bay Film Collective’s efforts to transform filmmaking has reaffirmed my decision to bring my artistry back to the city that raised me.”
Oakland is on the brink of a transformation in the arts that will positively impact the next generation of filmmakers.
For more information on the premiere of No Love Lost at the 22nd Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, visit: https://www.mvaaff.com/events/ event/no-love-lost/.
For more information on the “For the Margin” book and podcast head to: forthemargin.com
Lukas Brekke-Miesner, executive director of Oakland Kids First (OKF), the group that assisted in pushing the 2020 measure forward, told the Post that he won’t feel real victory until everything is set in stone and students are standing in the voting line.
He said the teen voting was vital because it allows students to hold the board accountable when making decisions that directly affect them. Students have shared with him that they often have felt like their words were going through one ear and out the other when addressing the board, but this new voting changes how their
voices are heard.
In 2022, Measure S for noncitizen parent voting, passed by 66% of the votes, but as of today, no word has been given on when that will see implementation in the city.
In 2016, San Francisco passed a similar measure for non-citizen school board voting but was quickly met with a lawsuit by the United States Justice Foundation and the California Public Policy Foundation, that is still ongoing. Results of that case will help determine what will happen in Oakland school board elections.
Domenichi Morris, lead organizer with OKF, said they try to involve undocumented parents’
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of finance reporting laws.
The complaint Russell submitted explained that there were a few discrepancies that prompted the investigation. OUST sent an email to potential donors saying they could contact FOU about “private” donations; the timing of FOUs creation to the quick $215,000 donation made to OUST for signature-gathering; and OUST and FOU having overlapping staff, such as Seneca Scott.
OUST refused to hand over documents that the PEC requested in order to conduct their investigation, which has now led to a lawsuit from the watchdog group for OUST’S failure to comply with their subpoena.
Brenda Harbin-Forte, former judge and leader of OUST, explained that while the group has nothing to hide, she believes the PEC is using this investigation for political purposes.
“The Public Ethics Commission is abusing its investigatory authorities. I don’t like bullies,” Harbin-Forte said.
The former judge clarified that FOU is not a PAC or an independent expenditures committee, but a multipurpose nonprofit. FOU is filed under a 501(c)(4).
In the documents attached to the PECs complaint, a screenshot of Scott’s X (formerly Twitter) account was posted with a tweet that FOU was going to be formed as a PAC in order to support candidates in 2024.
LeAnna Powell, a former City Council aide for Thao, also spoke at the press conference, explaining that she currently has the only open PEC case against Thao. Several complaints have been made against the mayor for various reasons, but none have been taken on by the PEC yet.
Powell alleges that Thao and her staff forced her to work concurrently as a council aide and on the mayoral campaign on city time, which is illegal.
Powell said it’s been almost two years since filing her complaint with the PEC, but no investigation has been initiated. She disclosed that she is battling cancer and would like results before her “time is up.”
Speakers accused Thao of using her political power to influence the PEC because, allegedly, union members who are in her pocket and have donated to her campaign are working at the commission, and therefore using this as a tactic to negatively impact the recall group.
“This [accusation] is completely false and baseless. The Mayor is focused on doing the work that Oakland voters elected her to do,” the office of the mayor said in an email to the Post.
Russell wrote in a 2023 report that the PEC’s staff is too small to handle the massive amounts of complaints they receive at any given time so some cases were put on an indefinite hold.
Investigations are chosen based on greater public interest involving high-ranked officials, larger sums of money, and public safety issues. The PEC may also look at how much evidence is readily available for a case and how much staff has already invested in their investigation.
Harbin-Forte told the Post that despite her current issues with the PEC, their group is “incredibly important” but the investigations should be fair.
“The PEC should not be used to give someone an unfair advantage in this recall, which is what they’ve done,” she said.
voices as often as possible through community forums because they value the care and input parents have in their child’s lives.
With the ordinance now approved, Oakland will enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the city of Berkeley, who also passed youth voting in 2016. The MOU states that the city of Oakland and Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) will take on the primary costs of youth voting.
While costs may vary depending on how many voters are registered or by type of election, standalone or special, the November election could cost Oakland $20,672 - $22,848, based on cur-
rent pre-registered voters. This number is expected to fluctuate now that youth voting is beginning its implementation in the city.
The MOU also states that Oakland and BUSD would be responsible to pay any litigation costs Alameda County might incur if sued for anything related to youth voting. The county would in turn compensate both parties due to Alameda’s negligence or willful misconduct performing its duties. A second reading of the ordinance in order to solidify teen voting in Oakland is scheduled for July 16.
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the importance of getting the resources to trusted and credible leaders and organizations in the most vulnerable communities and accentuating the critical role of the Black Church and that it must be included in the strategy.
“For the Black Church remains the trusted voice with trusted information and proven leadership in addressing the critical issues facing our communities,” he said.
After years of heavy lifting, relentless organizing, and unwavering advocacy through LIVE FREE, under the national leadership of Pastor Mike McBride, the proper designation of gun violence has taken place. These clergy leaders share the belief that a meaningful public health approach is critical to prevent gun violence and brings together a wide-range of experts across various disciplines—including researchers, advocates, legislators, community-based organizations, faith leaders and others—in a common effort to develop, evaluate, and properly implement equitable, evidence-based solutions to this national crisis.
Pastor Wallace of Oakland says, “the Live Free CA Table is fully committed to working to alleviate the Gun Violence Crisis in America that is having a devastating impact on our children, families, congregations and communities.”
Wallace further states, “This historic announcement by the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Advisory that “Firearm Violence: A Public Health Crisis in America” will cause a major shift in the approach to stop gun violence and the allocation of resources to directly address the real root causes to help to alleviate this crisis.” Studies have shown that such high levels of exposure to firearm violence for both children and adults give rise to a cycle of trauma and fear within our communities, contributing to the nation’s mental health crisis.
This Advisory describes the public health crisis of firearm violence in America and describes strategies for firearm injury and violence prevention, with a focus on the health and well-being of children, families, and communities.
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various sets of points.
Hate crime events involving a racial bias decreased 21.6% from 1,298 in 2022 to 1,017 in 2023.
Anti-Black bias events fell from 652 in 2022 to 518 events in 2023.
Anti-other ethnicity events fell 50% from 96 reports in 2022 to 48 in 2023.
But hate crimes involving sexual orientation, gender and religion increased overall since last year.
Hate crime events about sexual orientation bias increased from 391 in 2022 to 405 in 2023. AntiLGBTQ+ bias events rose an astounding 86% from 81 to 151 in the same year.
Anti-religion hate crimes rose 30% from 303 to 394 in one year.
Anti-Jewish bias rose over 50% from 189 reports to 289 in 2023 and anti-Muslim events rose from 25 to 40 in that same timeframe.
Bay Area counties as a collective also saw variations in reports of hate crime since 2022.
San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Sonoma were the only counties that saw slight drops in hate crime reports from 2022 to 2023. Alameda, Contra Costa,
Marin, Napa, San Francisco, and Solano all saw small to significant increases in that time frame. Napa went from two reports to 10; Marin increased from eight to 21; and San Francisco saw an increase of 41 reports to 64.
California offers a resource line that uses community-centered and culturally competent approaches in order to assist a victim that has experienced a hate crime. Victims can report a hate crime using an online form-available in 15 languages- at CAvsHate.org or by calling 833-8NO-HATE (833866-4283) - also available in 200 languages.
This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate program. The program is supported by partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to https://www.cavshate.org/
Oakland Youth First students and volunteers at the Oakland City Council meeting where members passed an ordinance that allows 16- and 17-year old teens to vote in the upcoming school board election. Photo courtesy of Oakland Youth First.
Brea Hammonds has returned to Oakland after 12 years in Los Angeles to help boost filmmaking in the Bay Area. Courtesy photo.
Leaders of Oakland United to Recall Sheng Thao, Brenda Harbin-Forte and Seneca Scott, held a press conference Thursday, July 11 to call out Oakland’s Public Ethics Commission for using their recent investigation against the group for political gain. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.