Oakland Post
The following letter to California’s elected leadership was jointly authored last month by Fred Blackwell, CEO of the San Francisco Foundation, and Miguel Santana, president and CEO of the California Community Foundation:
By Magaly Muñoz
Alameda County has received an $8.25 million grant from the California Department of State Hospitals (DSH) to expand residential care options for up to 88 people who have been found incompetent to stand trial after being charged with felony offenses.
The grant will support the Alameda County Behavioral Health Department (ACBHD) in its mission to ensure that those in the criminal justice system suffering from serious mental illness receive behavioral health services in non-prison settings.
Juan Taizan, Director of Forensic Diversion and Re-Entry Ser-
By Tuseda A. Graggs Special to The Post
vices, said that consideration for eligibility for these mental health services is determined by the judge, the district attorney and the public defender on the case. Once a person is accepted, the care is tailored to each individual’s mental capacity.
“A clinical team will meet with the client, assess for medication needs, assess for individual therapeutic needs, and then really work with them around education, and competency education in particular, to help them understand their role in the court process,” Taizan said.
How a court will proceed with an individual’s case is based on a
By Magaly Muñoz
After 12 hours of deliberation
over two days, the Oakland City Council passed their mid-cycle budget Tuesday afternoon. This budget is contingent on the city receiving $105 million from the sale of the Coliseum stadium.
Oakland is currently in the process of selling their half of the 112-acre stadium complex, where the A’s are playing their last season before heading to Sacramento, to
the African American Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG) as part of Mayor Sheng Thao’s plan to eliminate the over $100 million shortfall for this year’s budget.
Many residents and even a few councilmembers strongly urged the city to not depend on the sale of the stadium to balance the budget, saying that the sale was uncertain and could fall through at any moment. “Where
Interfaith Council Urges Comprehensive Approach to Issues Facing Oakland
By Pastor Jim Hopkins Lakeshore Avenue Baptist
Church
Special to The Post
The Interfaith Council of Alameda County will hold a community meeting on July 11 at Williams Chapel Baptist Church at 1410 10th Ave. to bring political, religious and community leaders together and call for a comprehensive, “working together works,” approach to the many issues facing Oakland and Alameda County.
It has been proven that municipalities benefit by taking a comprehensive approach to address various social issues like violence, housing, clean streets, sex trafficking, and others because these
are often interconnected and can have overlapping root causes. A comprehensive approach is helpful for the following reasons.
1. Interconnectedness of Issues: Problems such as violence, lack of affordable housing, dirty streets, and sex trafficking are often interrelated. For example, areas with high levels of poverty and homelessness may also experience higher rates of crime and violence. By addressing these issues holistically, municipalities can create more effective and sustainable solutions.
2. Resource efficiency: By addressing multiple issues simultaneously, cities and counties
Juneteenth Mass Shooting Suspect Charged with Multiple Counts of Felony Assault by Alameda County DA Pamela
Special to The Post Today, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price announced that an individual has been charged with shooting four of the 14 people injured during the Juneteenth mass shooting at Lake Merritt in Oakland.
The prosecution charged JaJuan Kelly, 23, with four counts of felony assault with a semiautomatic firearm for shooting four separate victims. In addition, defendant Kelly is also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of ammunition by a prohibited person due to
Councilmember Ramachandran Votes Against Oakland’s FY 24-25 Budget
Proposal Includes Oakland Coliseum Sale Funds Not Yet Received by the City
Special to the Post
Oakland City Councilmember Janani Ramachandran (District 4) voted against passage of the City’s mid-cycle budget, which the Oakland City Council
approved Tuesday by a 5-3 vote. This budget was balanced in part through the inclusion of anticipated proceeds from the sale of the Oakland Coliseum to the African American Sports & Entertainment Group (AASEG) despite the deal not yet being finalized and a Land Sale Agreement not yet being executed – a decision Councilmember Ramachandran believes could be devastating to Oakland’s future fiscal stability. Under the budget passed by a majority of Council Tuesday, the Coliseum sale deal must be finalized and the City of Oakland must receive the first $15 million payment from the Coliseum sale by Sept. 1st. If these sale proceeds do not reach the city by then, a contingency plan would be triggered, which would pose drastic
Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price. File photo. Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell. File photo.
John George Psychiatric Hospital. Photo: Alameda Health System.
Oakland City Councilmember Janani Ramachandran (District 4). Courtesy photo.
Shanga Goman, the City of Oakland’s past Youth Poet Laureate, speaks to students.
Nadirah Stills, LMFT, served as MC for the scholarship reception event.
Pastor Jim Hopkins, Lakeshore Baptist Church. Courtesy photo.
Fred Blackwell (left) is the CEO of the San Francisco Foundation.
Photo courtesy of the San Francisco Foundation. Miguel Santana is the president and CEO of the California Community Foundation.
Photo courtesy of the California Community Foundation.
California Commission on Aging Celebrates 50 Years with Visionary Gala
By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
Last week, the California Commission on Aging celebrated its 50th anniversary with a gala that recognized a half-century of service and offered a glimpse into the organization’s vison for the future.
The event was highlighted by a generous $50,000 donation from Sacramento-based AKT Investments, Inc., aimed at building California’s first multi-generational community center for health and independence. This initiative is set to become a new model for healthy aging in a digital world.
The evening’s keynote address was delivered by California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, who emphasized the importance of valuing seniors.
“It is imperative as we talk about this journey that we’re on, that we value seniors in every step of life,” Weber stated. “There’s a richness in this room. There’s a richness in California. There’s a richness in this nation that if we just stop and look around, see how far we’ve come, see who’s made it happen for us, we’ll find the joy in living, the joy in getting older and the joy of what we have to give.”
Weber’s words reflected the Commission’s history of addressing the needs of California’s ag-
ing population.
“Those of us who are considered older adults have to remind ourselves and our children how old we really are,” Weber continued. “When you’re so busy and life is busy and you’re doing things that are important, age becomes insignificant.”
The gala also featured remarks from the Hon. Cheryl Brown, Chair of the Commission on Aging (CCA), who highlighted the critical role of the Commission over the past 50 years.
“As the chair of the aging and long-term care commission and a current caregiver, I appreciate the value of providing quality and consistent core programs and services throughout California,” Brown said. “So much has changed in our state over 50 years. During my time as a legislator, there were times when I felt alone in my desire to focus on the anticipated growth of our aging population.”
California is experiencing a significant demographic shift, with its aging population growing rapidly. According to recent statistics, the number of residents aged 65 and older is projected to nearly double by 2030. This growth underscores the urgent need for comprehensive community infrastructure that addresses the specific challenges faced by older adults, such as physical
disabilities, healthcare needs, and fixed incomes.
California State University Sacramento (Sac State) President Luke Woods echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the role of education and community engagement.
“Older adults face specific challenges such as physical disabilities, healthcare needs, and fixed incomes, and we need to build the same community infrastructure that comprehensively addresses these challenges,” Woods said. “That is why this year, Sac State created the nation’s first Black Honors College to educate students about the experiences of members of the African American diaspora, supported by the AKT scholarship fund.”
Woods said at the heart of the celebration and forward-looking initiative is a spirit of partnership, and AKT’s support of the CCA exemplifies good corporate citizenship.
“AKT is really working to design and create a first-of-its-kind community for health and independence that can be a model for other communities around the country and around the world,” Woods noted. “This vision, in collaboration with the Commission on Aging, UC Davis, and other organizations, aims to foster healthy aging in a digital world and ultimately add life to years.”
agreement Newsom signed balances the budget, closing a $45 billion shortfall.
Cohen said although the budget will continue to support critical programs and services most Californians rely on, “its impact on economically disadvantaged communities is yet to be determined.”
“I commend Governor Newsom and the Legislature for including tools in this budget that would further protect the fiscal integrity of the budget in future years,” Cohen continued. “I look forward to providing California taxpayers and the Governor and the Legislature critical audit services to ensure that the money appropriated is used for its intended purpose.”
According to the Governor’s office, the budget will also maintain $22.2 billion in reserves at the end of the fiscal year.
Newsom called the agreement “responsible.”
“Thanks to careful stewardship of the budget over the past few years, we’re able to meet this moment while protecting our progress on housing, homelessness, education, health care and other priorities that matter deeply to Californians,” Newsom wrote in a statement. “I thank the Legislature for their partnership in delivering this sound and balanced plan.”
By Emil Guillermo
Big Dem donors and media are keeping alive a troubling narrative about last week’s debate: that Joe Biden isn’t fit to be president and should step aside.
Biden may have had a lousy debate night, but for our democracy and for all people of color, he’s still the best possible choice.
But now newspaper editorial boards, like the New York Times, have warned: For Dems to win, Joe must go.
What do they know? They aren’t doctors.
More irksome is that few are willing to say what should be obvious. If you replace Biden this late in the game, there should be no other person but his No. 2.
Oakland’s Kamala Harris.
They will mention Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom while too often overlooking Harris who was the best thing going for the BidenHarris ticket on debate night.
When Biden was down, Harris had his back.
“What we saw tonight is the
President making a very clear contrast with Donald Trump on all the issues that matter to the American people,” Harris said on CNN.
“Yes, there was a slow start, but it was a strong finish. And what became very clear through the course of the night is that Joe Biden is fighting on behalf of the American people on substance, on policy, on performance. Joe Biden is extraordinarily strong.”
Harris also looked strong. She was filled with an appealing youthful political vigor.
It was everything Joe Biden wasn’t on debate night.
She acknowledged the rough parts, which included a moment where Biden seemed to lose his thoughts. Was he talking about COVID? Medicare?
Still compare that one senior moment with Trump, who showed off his strength as a functioning pathological liar.
No. 45 sounded louder with a clearer voice than No.46, but that doesn’t mean with all his lies and 34 guilty verdicts he deserves to be No. 47.
Undaunted, Biden said last Fri-
day in North Carolina, he intends to stay in the race, pointing out he knows how to do the job and that unlike Trump, he knows how to tell the truth.
But the media continues to question whether Biden can do the job. A CBS poll found that only 27% of voters believe he has the mental health to be president. If more negative polling data comes in, Biden may be forced to decide whether this is the time to bow out and retire from public life.
I’m keeping my eyes on Harris. Think Biden must go? Remember, Harris is on the ticket that’s raised millions of dollars to fight Trump. With reproductive rights of women one of the strongest issues the Democrats have, leaning in on the first female African American/ Asian American vice president, may be the Democrats’ best, if not only, answer.
About the Author
Emil Guillermo is a journalist and commentator. He’s covered politics from Hawaii, California, to Washington, DC when he hosted NPR’s “All Things Considered.” See him on www.amok.com
Installation on July 14
By Tosha Stimage
Tosha Stimage stood on the new Presidio Tunnel Tops and took a breath. She inhaled the salty air, and her eyes wandered over the sparkling waters of the San Francisco Bay, and the Golden Gate Bridge, shrouded in mist. She delicately explored the nearby plants, their touch and their smell bringing a sense of connection to nature, she said, that resonated deep within her.
Tosha, a multimedia artist and floral designer, has translat-
ed those sensations into her new work, SUPERBLOOMS — a colorful ground mural installation on view to Presidio National Park Site visitors starting in mid-June.
Shapes referencing the delicate tendrils of the Chilean strawberry, the pink Checkerbloom and the fiery California poppy all express the resilience and beauty of these native plant treasures.
SUPERBLOOMS is the third installation of the Ancestral Futurism Public Art Mentorship program, a project led by Oaklandbased artist and environmental
justice activist, Favianna Rodriguez. It invites emerging and midcareer BIPOC artists to develop temporary installations at the Presidio Tunnel Tops.
“The model of indigenous/ community-led, environmentally informed practices in our public spaces is one example of how we might create more equity and inclusion in our world,” Tosha said. “Art can express the inseparable connection that requires us to consider not only ourselves but our fellow person and planet.”
There’s more to enjoy this summer at the Presidio Tunnel Tops, which opened in July 2022, and has since welcomed some 3 million visitors since. There are outdoor spots for family gatherings, the Outpost playground, views like no other, Presidio Pop Up food trucks, and plenty of free events.
Come to the free SUPERBLOOMS art launch party to enjoy hands-on artmaking, DJ music, plant starters, and more. Sunday, July 14, 12 noon - 3 p.m. at Presidio Tunnel Tops, 210 Lincoln Blvd. presidio.gov
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
California State Controller Malia Cohen said she is “cautious-
ly optimistic” after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the 2024-25 state budget on June 29. Cohen, who serves as the state’s chief fiscal officer, said the
Graphic Courtesy of California Commission on Aging
Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris.
California State Controller Malia Cohen. Official photo.
Left to right, Tosha Stimage and Favianna Rodriguez. Photo by Felipe Romero, Presidio Trust
Art Photo credit: Ariel Robins, Parks Conservancy
Rooted in Tradition: The Intricate History of Black Hair Braiding
By Tamara Shiloh
Braids are a multicultural hair fashion. Braiding has been identified in Africa, Greece, Italy and Egypt dating as far back as 2000 BC. Along with the many cultures, there are many types of braids including Micro braids, goddess braids, Ghana braids, snake, mohawk, Dutch, French, halo, fishtail, waterfall and so on. There appears to be as many types of braids as there are types of hair.
African American braids hold a rich and significant history that goes beyond mere aesthetics, deeply rooted in culture, tradition, and resilience. These intricate styles, which have adorned the heads of African people for centuries, carry with them stories of identity, resistance, and cultural pride.
The history of braiding dates back thousands of years to ancient Africa, with evidence of complex braiding found in ancient Egyptian artifacts dating as far back
as 3500 BCE. Braiding was more than a hairstyle in many African societies, serving to classify its practitioners, too. Different styles could communicate a person’s age, marital status, wealth and tribe. The Himba of Namibia are masters of elaborate braiding, employed to denote stages of a woman’s life.
The early Africans put to good use their ancient knowledge of coded languages against their masters. One of such means was through the multifaceted African black hair. It was in this time that the cornrows patterns on Afro hair became more complex. Communications between slaves were restricted but the braids and cornrows they wore could send the necessary messages where needed. These included locations to meet, thoughts, and responses.
African women would braid rice and other grains into their hair, or their children’s hair, to ensure they had food during the Middle Passage, the 80-day journey that transported enslaved Africans across the Atlantic to
America. This practice was called cornrows and involved hiding other seeds and grains, such as okra, peanuts, benne, and watermelon. The women would braid these items into their hair before traveling, or before separating children between plantations.
Enslaved Africans also used braiding to maintain a sense of community and to pass on traditions and knowledge through generations.
Braids are not just a style; this craft is a form of art. Women and men of all ages are getting their hair braided on a day-to-day basis casually or for an elegant event. The art of hair braiding has evolved beyond the original cultural purposes.
From ancient African societies to contemporary fashion runways, braids have remained a powerful symbol of identity and resistance. As we continue to celebrate and honor these intricate styles, it is crucial to remember and respect their rich historical and cultural significance.
By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
The California Senate voted 33-3 to approve Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8 (ACA 8), a proposition that would end involuntary servitude in state prisons. The state senate approved the ballot measure June 27, two years after a similar measure was rejected. ACA 8 would mostly impact all prisons in the state that currently use slave labor and indentured servitude as a punishment for crime. he same day, the bill’s author and California Legislative Black Cau-
Portrait of Ethiopian Emperor Yohannes IV. Public Domain.
Public Notices, Classifieds & Business
cus (CLBC) Chair Lori Wilson made amendments to the legislation before the Senate voted 68-0, clearing the measure to appear as a ballot proposition for voters to decide in the November elections.
ACA 8 is part of a 14-bill package sponsored by the CLBC to implement policy recommendations from the state-funded reparations task force.
“It is a testament to our collec-
tive resolve to correct historical wrongs and ensure that every individual in California is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve,” said Wilson.
“Now, as we look ahead to the November 2024 ballot, let us continue to work with the same spirit of determination and unity that has brought us to this moment,” she said.
A section of California’s Constitution state, “slavery and involuntary servitude are prohibited.”
However, state law makes an exception for incarcerated individu-
als. Inmates can earn as much as 48 cents per hour for working as technicians. Inmates working as firefighters earn approximately $5.80 per day to contain fires statewide.
Lawrence Cox, a former inmate and policy fellow with nonprofit Legal Services for Prisoners with Children said forced labor prevents inmates from focusing on rehabilitation. He shared in front of the senate committee that California designates approximately 65,000 work assignments
Continued on page 8
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
The Independent Watchdog Committee reviews Alameda County Transportation Commission 2000 Measure B expenditures and 2014 Measure BB expenditures and performance measures. The IWC invites the public to comment on its Draft 22nd Annual Report to the Public at a public hearing on Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. Check the Alameda CTC website using the link listed below for the location of the public hearing. The draft report is available on the Alameda CTC website at https://www.alamedactc.org/news-publications/annualreports. For more information, please call 510.208.7400.
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE CITY OF OAKLAND’S ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR FY 2024/25
The Public is invited to review and comment on the City of Oakland’s 2024/25 Annual Action Plan which will be submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This document provides a concise summary of the actions, activities, and the specific federal and non-federal resources that will be used in FY 2024/25 to address the priority needs and specific goals identified by the City’s 5-Year Consolidated Plan.
The AAP also serves as an application for funds under the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) grants below:
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
• HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME)
• Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)
• Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)
A Public Hearing for the AAP will be held in-person & virtually, on Tuesday July 16, 2024 during the 3:30 pm Council meeting via Zoom. The public will be able to view and participate in the public hearing made available via KTOP and Zoom. For public participation and viewing instructions go to: https://oakland.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx, select the “Agenda” icon for the City Council meeting on July 16, 2024. Translation services and assistance for persons with disabilities is available upon advance request. See details on the July 16, 2024, City Council Agenda.
Availability of AAP
The AAP is available online for public review and feedback between July 1, 2024 – July 30, 2024 at https://www.oaklandca.gov/documents/annual-action-plan-fy-2024-2025. Any modifications to public hearing or AAP will be noted on this site as well.
Submission of Written Comments
Public comments or requests for additional information on the AAP must be submitted by July 30, 2024, at CDE@oaklandca.gov with Subject: “AAP Comments”.
Asm. Lori Wilson (Suisun City), Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. The Senate advanced ACA 8, a bill authored by Wilson, with a 33-3 vote on June 27. The bill would remove language regarding involuntary servitude from the California Constitution. It will be placed on the November ballot for voters to decide. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.
‘End Slavery in California Act’ ...
Continued from page 4
Everyone knows that living organ donors save lives, but did you know that these common and safe procedures happen by the thousands each year? Stanford Health Care helps educate people about kidney, liver, and other living tissue donation because saving lives starts with understanding what is at stake.
Learn more about living organ donation at: stanfordhealthcare.org/livingdonor
How to Take Action and Help Protect Older Adults From Scams
a victim.
Know the signs of a scam
Anyone can be a victim of scams. They happen when scammers go after individuals of all ages, using tactics like phone calls, emails and messages to reel in unsuspecting victims to get to their money and personal information.
Older adults are often key targets, it is important to stay alert to common scams and financial abuse signs that can help protect older loved ones from becoming
Scammers have grown very convincing. They often can impersonate companies or organizations and make you believe the urgency or need behind their attempts. If you encounter the following signs, you’re likely dealing with a scammer.
1. Urgent demands to take action, send money and personal information requests. An imposter may demand quick action, claim that you will lose
money, and push for access to your personal account information, passwords or confirmation codes. Remember: neither banks nor the government will threaten you or demand money to protect your accounts. If you receive a call from your bank that you are unsure about, hang up and call the number on the back of your credit or debit card.
2. New relationships that take an interest in their money. Financial abuse often happens from
persons known to the victim, like a caretaker or a new acquaintance. Be wary of any new friends approaching you with investment “opportunities” or who take an interest in your financial information.
3. Unexpected contact from “loved ones.” Scammers can use artificial intelligence (AI) to replicate familiar voices, posing as friends or family. They’ll call you on the phone sounding like a loved one in danger and demanding that you send money. Hang up and contact your loved one directly to confirm it’s really them.
4. Unusual financial activity. Scammers could be accessing your account if you see withdrawals or changes to your accounts, such as new authorized users or missed bill payments. Also, be sure to keep your checkbook safe and keep an eye on check activity. Automate all the payments you can and discuss who are trusted contacts to support money decisions if you ever need help.
5. Changes in ownership and responsibility. If you notice changes to wills, power of attorneys or any other financial plans, it could be a sign of financial abuse. Take action to avoid scams
‘End
By Baba Dr. Wade Ifágbemì Sàngódáre Nobles
ABPsi-Bay Area Chapter Elder Emeritus
Climate change is a critically important issue for all people, especially Black people. As seen through the lens of Skh, The Science of Being and UbuNtu, the core grounding thought in African philosophy, climate as an expression of the eco-system is most important, yet least understood by every day, walk-around, regular Black folk.
Advanced African (Black) Psychology, Skh, recognizes that we are “Spirit Beings” just as the environment and its various climatic conditions are spirit-defined and spirit-driven. The “Ntu” in UbuNtu is the modal point at which all being assumes concrete form. Ntu is a mode of be-ing in the process of continual unfolding. Through UbuNtu, people are seen as MuNtu, intelligent beings that are living, the dwellers of the after-life (dead), those yet-to-be-born as well as the orishas, loas and ancestors.
The environment is seen as KiNtu, all the material, physical phenomena like mountains, animals, trees, rivers, plants, etc. Even feelings like joy, beauty, laughter, love, sadness, hate, etc. are considered spirit and called KuNtu. Time, place and space are called HaNtu.
At the level of spirit (essence), people (MuNtu) and plants (KiNtu) as ecosystems are the same. In
fact, the essential relationship we all learned in elementary school was that “people breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide; plants take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen.” Hence, people and plants need each other.
Black people (MuNtu) are inextricably related to everything in the natural environment (KiNtu). This oneness is also revealed in the statement “umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu,” meaning, it is in recognizing others as human and acting on those bases, that one becomes fully human. As equally spirit beings, our becoming fully human depends on our recognizing the spiritness of other beings (and nature). In fact, the natural world is a spirit-driven actor that responds to destructive and threatening treatment. Some even believe that the uncommon heat waves, floods, earthquakes, droughts, arctic storms and glacial meltdowns being experienced are spirit-defined consequences of a contaminated Earth and toxic environment.
If we look at today’s Oakland skyline with the imposition of highrise buildings, apartment complexes, luxury condominiums, and concrete parking lots, one can see that Oakland is or has become the epitome of a concrete jungle that is absent of or has minimal acreage dedicated to natural life.
Oakland as a “being” is screaming, “I can’t breathe!” Climate change, from this perspective, should be included in the compendium of anti-Black phenomena like government-sanctioned police killings, poorly funded schools, food deserts, unemployment, political disenfranchisement, cultural appropriation, classism, sexism, white supremist, etc. Though hidden right before our eyes, the most obvious visible climate assaults in the Black community are toxic waste dumps, poor sanitation, water pollution, asbestos infiltration, diminished Black farming, asthma corridors, and energy apartheid. These are ever-present yet invisible as the results of climate change in a spirit-defined ecosystem, an ecosystem that has been ‘de-spirited’ by a Western culture that sanctions these anti-Black phenomena. As these realities have impact on KiNtu (the natural environ-
ment), they also have negative impacts on Black people (MuNtu).
UbuNtu and Skh should be lifted up as critical meaning-making thought systems that can be used to change the fundamental understanding of our contemporary worldview and episteme. This will allow us to address the essence (spirit) of climate that is an expression of our ecosystem.
Accordingly, we can then see our relationship with the Earth and the destiny of its living resources. Understanding and sharing this should be the work of Black teachers, preachers, counselors, advisors, parents and those of us in every walk of life.
Black people as DEMM (divine energy made manifest) people cannot walk in the world as Dignity itself, if the planet is polluted. With or through UbuNtu, if the environment is not well, then the people cannot be well and vice versa.
Black people cannot live as beings characterized by confidence, competence, and a sense of full possibilities and unlimited potentialities who walk in the world with Dignity when the environment is being harmed and destroyed.
When we rescue and reclaim our way, the issue of addressing our ecosystem and preventing the deterioration of the climate will be the Black way of life. Climate change is Black people’s business. Locally, nationally and globally, Black people, with the help of the Bay Area Chapter of the Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi-Bay Area), the UbuNtu Climate Change Initiative, and like organizations, must organize and fight against the agents and agencies profiteering and orchestrating the harm and killing of Black people and the planet, ergo, climate change.
About the Author
The ABPsi-Bay Area is a restorative (healing) resource committed to providing the Post Newspaper Group readership with monthly discussions about critical issues in Black Mental Health. Join us at our monthly chapter meetings every third Saturday via Zoom and/or contact us at bayareaabpsi@gmail. com.
You and your loved ones don’t have to be victims. These steps can help reduce the chance of falling for a scam: Ignore and block calls and messages from numbers you don’t recognize and don’t trust caller ID alone. When in doubt, hang up and contact the company, bank or loved one directly to ask if there is a problem.
Throw away unsolicited mail and be careful with suspicious emails or messages on social media. Don’t answer questions about personal finances.
• Keep your personal information, account details and passwords safe so you don’t give scammers access to your money and identity.
• Be cautious when using checks. Digital payment methods or your bank’s online bill payment feature can help you get money to your intended recipient while eliminating paper checks that can be stolen and altered.
• Enable online alerts to be aware of large purchases. You can act quickly if you see fraudulent charges.
• Shred bank statements, receipts, unused checks and credit cards before throwing them away.
If you’re an older adult, have conversations with trusted family members about how they can support your money needs as you age, which can help protect you from being exposed to fraud and financial exploitation. For those with older loved ones, start the conversation now and use digital tools to help alert you to possible scams.
Remember that financial scams can happen to anyone. If you feel you’ve been scammed, contact your bank to verify recent transactions to ensure there is no unusual activity on your account. Don’t feel embarrassed if you become a victim, share your experience with friends and family and ask for help.
You can learn more about ways to detect financial abuse and to protect loved ones at chase. com/financialabuse.
For informational/educational purposes only: Views and strategies described may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice/recommendation for any individual. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/or subsidiaries do not warrant its completeness or accuracy.
Slavery in California Act’
...
Continued from page 6
to inmates, including high risk job tasks.
Cox was incarcerated for 17 years and shared that he was often forced to work and had no right to refuse dangerous work assignments.
“I have been forced to work jobs and had jobs where I couldn’t get out,” said Cox. “When I wanted to take my on-site college courses to complete my degree, forced labor was prioritized over my rehabilitation.”
Depending on the outcome of
the vote, the anti-slavery measure requires the state to pay inmates minimum wage $16 per hour for their job assignments. The California Department of Finance estimated that it would cost the state $1.5 billion to pay inmates at minimum wage.
If approved, California will join Alabama, Colorado, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah and Vermont in outlawing indentured servitude.
Jamilia Land, a Sacramentobased advocate who contributed to drafting ACA 8 and serves as Coordinator of the End Slavery in California Act Coalition, called the passage of ACA 8 “exciting news.”
Request for Qualification (RFQ)
ACA 8 was passed without requiring the approval of Gov. Gavin Newsom. The amendment qualified for the November ballot on June 28, the last day to finalize propositions for the November ballot.
Encouraging all Californians to support the measure, Land said, “In November, voters will have the opportunity to support the End Slavery in California Act directly at the ballot box. Stay informed and help spread awareness on ways to contribute to ending slavery in California. Visit our website at www.abolishslavery.us to join the effort.”
RFQ Period: July 1, 2024 – July 17, 2024
Turner Construction Company (Turner) is seeking qualified Subcontractors for the following project: Moffitt Library – University of California, Berkeley UCB Project No. 12738A
Turner has been awarded the UCB Moffitt Library project designed by BNIM Architects and MEP by Introba, located at the UC Berkeley Campus along University Drive, with Memorial Glade and Doe Library to the east, California Hall to the south, and Valley Life Sciences Building to the west.
This is a renovation of 3 full floors and upgrades to an additional 2 floors totaling 102,000 square feet within the existing Moffitt Library. These renovations will bring upgrades to the currently underutilized floors of the library, expanding the student’s study and collaboration spaces. This project is seeking LEED certification and is subject to Buy Clean California regulation. Trade Subcontractors who do not submit the pre-qualification information and are not pre-qualified will not be allowed to propose on the project.
Turner is currently seeking RFQs for the following Trade Packages:
Bid Package # Trade Package
Approximate Value
Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Photo courtesy JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Baba Dr. Wade Ifágbemì
Sàngódáre Nobles
60th Anniversary of Civil Rights Act: Reflecting on Progress and Persistent Challenges
The landmark legislation emerged from a period of intense struggle and demand for the fulfillment of the 14th Amendment’s promise of ‘equal protection of the laws.’
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire
As the United States commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the nation reflects on a transformative law that reshaped American society by prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The landmark legislation emerged from a period of intense struggle and demand for the fulfillment of the 14th Amendment’s promise of “equal protection of the laws.”
Due to widespread opposition to desegregation and the assassination of civil rights activist Medgar Evers, President John F. Kennedy urged Congress to pass a comprehensive civil rights bill in June 1963. After Kennedy’s death, President Lyndon B. Johnson, with crucial support from civil rights leaders Roy Wilkins and Clarence Mitchell, championed the bill’s passage.
On July 2, 1964, Congress enacted the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The law prohibited discrimination in hiring, promoting, and firing, extending these protections to public accommodations and federally funded programs. It also strengthened the enforcement of voting rights and mandated the desegregation of schools.
“The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the nation’s benchmark civil rights legislation, and it continues to resonate in America,” said Melanie Campbell, president of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation. The Act dismantled “Jim Crow” laws upheld by the 1896 Supreme Court decision in Plessy v. Ferguson, which had deemed racial segregation constitutional under the “separate but equal” doctrine.
The Act’s impact has been profound and far-reaching. “It pro-
pelled a movement that was able to make major civil rights gains,” stated Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League. “It has not only changed the arc for Black people. It has changed the arc for women and for other people of color in a profound way.”
Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, highlighted the tangible benefits of the Act, particularly in healthcare and education. “The Civil Rights Act of 1964 added years, literally about three to four years, onto the life expectancy of Black people when healthcare had to open its once-segregated doors,” Wiley explained. The Act also significantly reduced segregation in Southern schools, benefiting both Black and white students.
Despite these advancements, the 60th anniversary comes amid concerns over recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings perceived as eroding civil rights protections, including affirmative action, legalized abortion, and diversity initiatives. Critics argue that the Court’s favorable ruling in former President Donald Trump’s immunity case further threatens American democracy. The ruling, which rejected Trump’s sweeping immunity claim but maintained protections for actions tied to presidential duties, has sparked intense debate about the boundaries of presidential power and accountability.
“Securing our civil rights remains the unfinished fight of our time,” President Joe Biden said in a proclamation commemorating the anniversary. “Our country is still facing attacks on some of our most fundamental civil liberties and rights, including the right to vote and have that vote counted and the right to live free from the threat of violence, hate, and discrimination. That is why my
administration is remaining vigilant—fighting actively to protect the rights of every American.”
Biden emphasized his commitment to reversing the legacy of segregation and creating new opportunities for all Americans.
“My administration is investing more money than ever in Black families and Black communities,” Biden asserted. “We are reconnecting historic business districts and neighborhoods cut off by old highways, redlining, and decades of discrimination and disinvestment. We have invested over $16 billion in historically Black colleges and universities, which will help raise the next generation of Black leaders. At the same time, we are creating good-paying jobs on which people can raise a family; making capital and loans for starting small businesses and buying homes more accessible; and making health insurance and prescription drugs more affordable.”
In popular memory, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was seen as a legislative response to the demands of the March on Washington. “Sixty years later, we must be honest: the federal minimum wage, indexed for inflation, is lower than it was in 1964,” said Rev. William Barber, president of Repairers of the Breach and cochair of the Poor People’s Campaign. “What’s more, because the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act in its 2013 Shelby decision and Congress has failed to remedy it, we have less voting rights protections today than we did on August 6, 1965.”
The First Presidential Debate of 2024 Mired in Trump’s Lies, Poor Media Moderation
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire
Forget alternative facts and political spin: the first presidential debate of 2024 was an overwhelming flood of falsehoods.
The twice-impeached and 34-times convicted felon former President Donald Trump unleashed a torrent of misinformation on topics ranging from terrorism to taxes during the first debate of the 2024 general election.
Poorly moderated to the point of farce by two CNN anchors, the debate will likely go down in history for the sheer volume of lies broadcast to the American people.
Trump, who boasted that he could grab women by their private parts and later was found responsible for sexually assaulting a woman, lied about everything from the economy to racism and having sex with an adult film star.
“I spent 90 minutes debating on a stage with a guy who has all the morals of an alley cat. I mean, did you see Donald Trump last night? He must have set a new record for the number of lies ever told in a single debate,” President Joe Biden said after the June 27 debate.
“He lied about what a great economy he created when we all remember the pandemic. He lied about how great he was for veterans when we can recall how he called veterans who had given their lives for this country ‘suckers’ and ‘losers.’
And he even lied about how he had nothing to do with January 6,” Biden asserted.
Biden reminded debate viewers that they had all witnessed a Trump-supporting mob attack the U.S. Capitol, including assaults on police officers.
“The Capitol was ransacked,” Biden
said. “Folks, for all of Trump’s lies, we did learn some important truths. We learned he is still proud of being the person who killed Roe v. Wade. Donald Trump showed us who he is last night. We have to believe him.”
The litany of key questions Trump refused to answer on the debate stage further highlighted his evasion and dishonesty. Instead, Trump deflected, blamed others, and continued his pattern of misinformation.
He also made racially charged claims about immigrants taking jobs from Black and Hispanic Americans.
“They’re taking Black jobs now, and it could be 18, it could be 19, and even 20 million people,” Trump said, showing just how racist he can be. “They’re taking Black jobs, and they’re taking Hispanic jobs, and you haven’t seen it yet, but you’re going to see something that’s going to be the worst in our history.”
Derrick Johnson, CEO of the NAACP, responded succinctly, “There’s no such thing as a Black job or a white job.”
Although Biden received poor marks and criticism for his performance, backlash against Trump also proved swift and severe. Democratic Party of Virginia Chair Susan Swecker; Army veteran Terron Sims II, chair of the DNC Veterans and Military Families Council; and Air Force veteran Sean Monteiro, chair of the Virginia Beach Democratic Committee, all called out Trump for his long record of disrespecting Americans in uniform.
They criticized his efforts with MAGA GOP extremists to cut veterans’ benefits, which would have a significant impact on the Hampton Roads area — home to nearly 120,000 activeduty military members and 220,000
veterans. “Donald Trump’s record, rhetoric, and actions have all proved that he is against everything that our military stands for and works to protect,” Swecker stated.
“There is only one man on the ballot in November who has stood up for veterans time and again.” Swecker said. “That man is Joe Biden, a father who knows what it feels like to have a son fighting for his country, and a president who has delivered the most significant expansion of benefits and services for veterans.”
President Biden and Democrats are working to protect freedom and defend democracy, standing up against aggression abroad and hate at home,” said Monteiro.
“Donald Trump only cares about himself – and, with the backing of his MAGA Republican allies, he’s willing to insult service members and destroy the very ideals of democracy in his own pursuit of personal power, revenge, and retribution,” Monteiro said. “We have to defeat Trump and MAGA Republicans once and for all — so he doesn’t have a chance to do any more damage to our democracy and our values as a country.”
The debate has revealed the stark choice facing American voters. On one side is Biden, 81, who has spent four years cleaning up his predecessor’s misdeeds. Biden has worked tirelessly to rebuild the economy, navigate the country through a devastating pandemic, and restore America’s global reputation.
He has fought for healthcare, veterans’ rights, and the middle class, as well as relieving tens of millions of dollars of student debt.
On the other side stands Trump, 78, whose presidency nearly decimated the economy, whose inaction during the pandemic allowed countless people to die, who spews hate, racism, and violent rhetoric, and who all but ruined America’s standing in the
“For
Black workers as anything but American workers.”
COMMUNITY DESIGN WORKSHOP
Barber continued, “The celebration of historic wins alongside this egregious decay is a source of discontent among everyday Americans. But we have no time for despair. We are determined to channel discontent for a resurrection rather than an insurrection.”
Edith Lee Payne, of Detroit, was a young marcher participating in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. The march coincided with her 12th birthday. — Rowland Scherman, Getty Images, Aug. 28, 1963.
Former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden during the first presidential debate of 2024. Photo: CNN.
Marchers with signs at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. U.S. News & World Report Magazine Photograph Collection.
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cuts to vital City services – including reducing Oakland’s budgeted police force to 600 officers, temporarily closing five fire stations, and halting all City contracts.
“I am not only deeply disappointed but frankly shocked by the wildly irresponsible choice made today by the Oakland City Council to close this budget deficit with money we do not yet have,” said Councilmember Ramachandran. “With the sale of the Coliseum nowhere near being finalized, incorporating $63 million into this year’s budget from a future Coliseum sale is an ill-considered risk.”
Whether or not the Coliseum sale goes through, the incorporation of these funds into the FY 24-25 is expected to have negative financial implications for Oakland, including a decline in the City’s AA+ bond rating, which in turn would threaten $200 million in scheduled capital projects – including those providing desperately needed affordable housing for Oakland residents. In addition, Oakland would still face an estimated $100 million budget gap in next year’s biennial budget that will have to be closed through even more severe cuts or potentially layoffs.
“Our Finance Department was crystal clear on the risks of incorporating Coliseum sale proceeds into our budget,” Councilmember Ramachandran said. “Proceeds from this sale should have never
been incorporated into this budget by the Mayor and City Administrator given how uncertain the close of the Coliseum deal has been.”
While not supportive of balancing the budget with proceeds from the Coliseum, Councilmember Ramachandran has supported the sale of the Coliseum to AASEG and last month voted in favor of the deal between the two parties.
Mayor Sheng Thao originally proposed a mid-cycle budget for the City Council’s review on May 24 – significantly later than previous mayoral budgets in Oakland and giving the Council just over a month to review the proposal, have questions answered, and file amendments. In addition, an “alternative” proposal that excluded Coliseum sale proceeds was only presented to the Council and the public on June 25 - a few days before the budget vote.
“This situation could have been avoided if Council had received budget proposals that did not include Coliseum sale proceeds from the Mayor and City Administrator in a timely fashion rather than releasing it at the 11th hour,” Councilmember Ramachandran said. “This year’s budget process has been an insult to the residents of Oakland, and it’s our residents who now will have to bear the consequences of today’s failure of leadership.”
Juneteenth Mass Shooting Suspect Charged with Multiple Counts of Felony Assault ...
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“I am deeply relieved to announce that one of the individuals we believe to be responsible for taking part in the Juneteenth mass shooting at the Lake has been charged with a list of serious felonies,” said Price.
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At a time of record level homelessness rates and rising housing unaffordability our state cannot afford, nor can our communities accept in good conscience, these cuts. We must finish the work. California has made great progress advancing affordable housing solutions, and we must continue to drive that momentum forward by using all the tools and resources available to us.
As philanthropists working across California, our institutions are committed to creating thriving communities and central to that mission is access to fair, equitable and affordable housing. As our legislators and the Governor move through final budget negotiations, they must make big choices on how to invest our state budget dollars to sustain and increase Californians’ well-being. Housing must be a top priority.
Legislators and the Governor must work together to move forward on a final budget that restores funding for housing investments. This includes resourcing the Multifamily Housing Program (MHP),
the state’s largest and most flexible program for affordable housing production and core to the California Department of Housing & Community Development’s (HCD) ability to advance housing solutions for Californians.
And doubling down on a commitment to prioritize bold investments and structural change that can help us achieve housing justice and reduce racial disparities caused by decades of systemic racism and underinvestment.
Housing is deeply integral to our communities’ ability to live well and thrive. Without it, people face unemployment, limited opportunities, and poor health. When housing improves, everyone benefits.
Children do better in school, people live longer and it’s easier to find and keep a job. The California Community Foundation and the San Francisco Foundation have deepened our commitment to ensure everyone has a place to live – because the evidence is clear that housing is a prerequisite to establishing stable and thriving communities.
Yet, the level of funding re-
Interfaith Council Urges Comprehensive Approach ...
Continued from page 1 can optimize the use of limited resources. For instance, efforts to improve housing conditions in a neighborhood may also contribute to reducing crime rates and improving public health outcomes.
hensive approach facilitates coordination and cooperation among different entities, leading to more effective and sustainable solutions.
quired to ensure all people have a safe place to call home is beyond the capacity of philanthropies and nonprofits alone. Research confirms our daily experience – we have both the dire need and the deep public will to take action.
This is why we are seeing more donors funding housing, nonprofits shifting their focus, and local governments pursuing revenue and taking bold action. In both the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles County, for example, regional agencies and civic leaders are looking to advance local funding streams designed to invest in affordable housing solutions.
We need our state to do its part by investing boldly in affordable housing and homelessness solutions during the current state budget cycle.
We are at a key decision point where our ability to make a deep and lasting impact for our communities is on the table. In this moment, lawmakers must actively choose to prioritize solutions, progress, and our future.
California’s housing crisis is often framed in the numbers of people experiencing homelessness or tenants behind on rent, but these are more than just numbers. These are people. They are – and we are
Mentally
– all Californians. We are families, children, veterans, and seniors. We are neighbors.
We urge the Legislature and Governor, as they work to finalize a budget for Californians, to put our communities first– the people who are counting on them to do the right thing. Affordable housing solutions are what California’s residents need now, more than ever. The need for housing investment is clear and the choice is yours.
Fred Blackwell is the CEO of the San Francisco Foundation, one of the largest community foundations in the country. The San Francisco Foundation works hand-in-hand with donors, community leaders, and both public and private partners to create thriving communities throughout the Bay Area.
Miguel A. Santana is the president and CEO of the California Community Foundation (CCF), serving the Southern California region since 1915. CCF is committed to leading positive systemic change that strengthens communities, stewarding more than $2 billion in assets and delivering an estimated $300 million in grantmaking a year to hundreds of nonprofits.
Struggling Individuals in the Justice System ...
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psychiatrist’s recommendation regarding their progress in treatment or whether they will need additional mental health services.
ment they need and being restored to competency,” Taizan said.
Kelly is scheduled to be arraigned at Wiley Manuel Courthouse in Oakland on Wed., July 3. The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office is asking anyone with information about this incident to contact the Oakland Police Department at 510-238-3455 or 510-238-3744.
The media office for Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price is the source of this report.
“I thank the Oakland Police Department for their investigative work leading to this arrest and our prosecutors for their diligence in bringing charges forth in pursuit of justice on behalf of those injured and a community traumatized in the wake of such a senseless act of gun violence during the Juneteenth holiday,” she said.
Oakland Passes Budget with Uncertainty of Coliseum Funds ...
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Councilmembers Treva Reid and Janani Ramachandran criticized Thao and the city administrator for not allowing enough time for the council to review all budget possibilities in order to make the right decision for Oakland.
“This year’s budget process has been an insult to the people of Oakland,” Ramachandran said in a video on her Instagram. “I made the deep mistake of putting my trust in the mayor and the city administrator in their strong belief that the sale of the Coliseum would happen in time before our budget was passed.”
Noel Gallo, who also opposed using the sale as a fallback, asked over multiple meetings whether the city had a written guarantee that the developers were going to buy the site and had the money to cover the sale. Gallo received no definitive answer.
The council also received an alternative version of the budget, which would immediately cut funding to public safety but could be restored if the Coliseum money came in at a later date. Layoffs were not included in either option.
In order to avoid major cuts and possible layoffs, $63 million from the sale would need to come in by September 1. Should the funds not come in, sworn police positions would drop from 678 to 600, fire stations across the city would have to temporarily shut down, two police academies would close, and several other cuts in many departments
would have to be made to make up for the lost money.
Vice President of the Oakland Police Officers Association, Tim Dolan, said in a statement that the passing of this budget with the sale contingency puts the city and its residents in danger.
“These cuts would impact our response for availability to render service calls, directly impairing our ability to protect and serve. With fewer officers, response times will be slower, and our capacity to meet the community’s needs will be drastically diminished,” Dolan said.
Despite the widespread concern from many across the city, Thao praised the council for passing the budget.
“The City has just adopted a budget that invests in the future of Oakland. We must remain disciplined and address our deficit responsibly while maintaining our focus on the issues that matter most to Oaklanders, public safety and clean streets. This budget achieves that goal,” Thao said in a statement.
Programs like Ceasefire, the Film Attraction Initiative, and services to youth and elderly will continue to be funded under this passed budget.
Even if the one-time sale funds come through before the September deadline, Oakland will still have a shortfall of $175 million to deal with next year. But, city staff warned the council that there is no viable way to completely close this gap without cuts to public safety.
3. Prevention and early intervention: A comprehensive approach allows cities and counties to focus on preventing issues before they escalate. By addressing root causes and implementing early intervention strategies, cities can potentially reduce the likelihood of these problems arising in the first place.
4. Community well-being: Tackling multiple social issues together can lead to overall improvements in the wellbeing of the community. For example, clean streets and safe neighborhoods can enhance residents’ quality of life and foster a sense of community pride.
5. Collaboration and coordination: Addressing complex social issues often requires collaboration among various government departments, community organizations, and stakeholders. A compre-
6. Long-term impact: By taking a comprehensive approach, communities can work toward creating lasting changes and sustainable improvements in the community. This can help build resilience and create a more equitable and thriving city and county for all residents.
In calling for a comprehensive approach, even in a time of great financial strain, we remember that Jesus of Nazareth, honored as a prophet in Christianity and Islam, took a comprehensive approach to the issues of his time, promising in his first sermon - good news for the poor, freedom for the captives, sight for the blind and hope for the oppressed.
Join us on July 11 and support a comprehensive approach to solving the needs of our community and restoring the hope of our people.
Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church Pastor Jim Hopkins wrote this article with assistance from Chat GPT Jim@labcoakland.org
Friendship Christian Church and Affordable Housing Developers Break Ground for Senior Housing in West Oakland
By Carla Thomas
Donald Gilmore, executive director of the Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDC) and Rev. Gerald Agee, founder and pastor of Friendship Christian Church (FCC), recently hosted the groundbreaking of a property at 1904 Adeline St. preparing for a 50-unit affordable housing complex in West Oakland.
Special guests at the June 6 event featured Senator Nancy Skinner, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, Supervisor Keith Carson, along with representatives from Alameda County, the Oakland Housing Authority, and funders.
“In 2017, the community affordable housing developer and our faith-based organizations forged a partnership to collaborate on a common goal: to provide affordable housing to one of our
most precious, vulnerable, and underserved populations – the seniors of the West Oakland community,” said Agee.
Also known as the Friendship Senior Housing project, the affordable housing project is the realization of the vision of CHDC, a regional, Black-led community development corporation, and the Friendship Senior Affordable Housing organizing committee.
Located in the heart of West Oakland, construction of the project began in the Fall of 2023. The Friendship Senior Housing project will provide housing opportunities in a comfortable, convenient, and affordable contemporary style setting.
“This project represents CHDC’s first faith-based Initiative project to break ground. As well as the first State Tax credit,
James Wagner, Deputy Director of ACBHD, said the severity of the person’s crime does determine eligibility. The individual could have committed a minor crime, like theft, or a major crime where someone was hurt, but the determination comes from whether the person is stable and mentally competent to endure and participate in a trial. They also are required to have received a felony charge or are likely to receive one.
Mental health facilities already exist in the county, but facilities that cater to those going through the justice system are now in the process of being built and resourced through the multi-million dollar grant.
The treatment in these facilities will vary on a case-by-case basis, but they’ll likely mimic locked institutions or involuntary treatment facilities because most of the clients are not yet ready to be reintegrated into the community.
Wagner said treatment plans for the individuals will include participation with a social worker, therapist or case manager on developing their goals. They’ll also attend rehab classes, be allowed socialization with other patients, receive individual counseling, and participate in group meals as a collective.
Taizan emphasized the need to have these treatment facilities available to allow for individuals to grow and be given the resources to help with their mental health difficulties in a less restrictive environment than incarceration.
“This funding really allows us to get these specific clients who would otherwise be waiting in jail for a state hospital bed to open up. It allows us to divert them to a treatment facility, in their community, where they can be best served, and with a goal of getting the treat-
BIPOC project to be developed in the City of Oakland. The project is situated within one mile of the West Oakland BART Station, and steps away from DeFremery Park, West Oakland Senior Center and West Oakland Library Branch,” said Gilmore.
The Friendship Senior Housing Development will offer 50 units of modern, secure, and convenient living for senior households age 62 and older, earning at or below 50% Area Median Income (AMI).
The four-story, garden-style building provides a variety of unit types ranging from studios to onebedroom floor plans. The project will include 15 studio units, 34 one-bedroom units, and 1 twobedroom unit for the onsite resident manager.
Amenities include onsite parking, laundry facilities, elevators,
Imprisonment has historically been used as a solution to keep mentally ill individuals off the streets as opposed to giving them fair health treatment. Over 40% of people in jails and prisons have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, according to the Prison Policy Initiative.
Shannon Scully, Director of Justice Policy and Initiatives for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), told the Post that most states and local governments are grappling with how to go from using incarceration as a solution to making more beds available for treatment.
Scully said that a lot of the crimes that people who are experiencing mental health crises are petty crimes or homelessness, which many cities across the country have criminalized, but have largely affected vulnerable communities.
She added that if national and local municipalities focused more on investing in social programs centered around housing, food accessibility and affordable health care, along with prioritizing treatment with voluntary therapy and medication, we could avoid the mass incarceration of these mentally ill individuals.
“What we want to see is a mental health response when you know there’s behaviors happening in our community from people with mental health conditions that might be concerning to us, and we, as the public, identify this as a mental health issue and not as a public safety or crime issue,” Scully said.
Neither Taizan nor Wagner could provide a timeline for procuring the necessary beds for the treatment facilities, but the county has until 2028 to spend the funding.
community room with kitchen, computer lab, office space for the onsite manager and resident services staff, and indoor and outdoor common areas to promote social interactions between the residents. Development and construction of Friendship Senior housing is being made possible through a variety of financial resources, including, the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee & California Debt Limit Allocation Committee, City of Oakland, California Department of Housing and Community Development, Oakland Housing Authority, Alameda County Health Care Services, Citibank, CREA, Department of Toxic Substances Control and Local Initiatives Support Corporation.
The 50-unit Friendship Senior Housing Project plans at 1904 Adeline St. Photo courtesy of Friendship Housing Project.