30X30 Initiative Brings Bay Area Police Chiefs, Sheriffs, and D.A.s to
to Recruit Women to Law Enforcement Careers
On Sept. 18 the 30X30 Initiative Women’s Law Enforcement Symposium & Career Fair was
held in Oakland at the Uptown Building on Broadway. This event was held to raise the educational level of Oakland residents about jobs in policing;
more importantly it was to bring women into law enforcement careers, which is a nationwide endeavor. More than 300 people attended and dozens of law
enforcement officers – both male and female - were on hand. Among them were Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell. The 30x30 Initiative is a pledge
that has been signed by hundreds of police departments across the country to bring the staffing levels of women at police departments to 30% by the year 2030.
Oakland Post
“Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18 postnewsgroup.com Weekly Edition. September 18 - 24, 2024
Rep. Barbara Lee Named to Official Advisory Board for Vice President Harris’ Presidential Campaign
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
On Sept. 10, Congressmember Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) was appointed as a senior member of the National Advisory Board for Vice President Kamala Harris and Tim Walz’s 2024 presidential campaign.
Lee said she is proud to join the campaign supporting Harris, who is a Bay Area native.
“It is a responsibility I do not take lightly,” she said.
“We must work hard to spread Kamala Harris’ message and vision for the future of this country in communities everywhere from coast to coast,” said Lee.
“A vision of hope, of justice, of making it easier for low-income people and working people to not only get by, but to get ahead,” she added.
Lee recalled her long-term friendship with Harris highlighting that she would make an excellent president.
“I look forward to working with her and her team so that she becomes the first Black woman, first South Asian woman, and the first woman from the Bay Area to sit in the Oval Office,” said Lee.
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Address Food Insecurity’s
By Nico Ballón Special to The Post
Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced the National Food as Medicine Act on Wednesday. Food as Medicine affirms the connection between food and health and recognizes that access to high-quality nourishment is essential for wellbeing.
This legislation would reduce nutrition-related chronic diseases and food insecurity and improve health and racial equity in the
By Magaly Muñoz
Families in Action hosted one of the many candidate forums being conducted locally with less than two months left before Election Day on Nov. 5. Families and students piled into the auditorium of Learning Without Limits Elementary School to hear directly from candidates for both City Council and Oakland Unified School District seats about issues plaguing students and families in Oakland.
Seats up for grabs this November include City Council districts 1, 3, 5, 7 and at-large and OUSD districts 1, 3, 5, and 7. Because candidates were limited to a minute and a half for responses, and many gave similar remarks to others, here are the main highlights from the forum: College and Career Readiness Most of the candidates agreed that communication was essential when preparing students for their journey into higher education.
Oakland Environmental Justice Advocates Want A Seat at the Table to Fight For Healthy Neighborhoods
Part 1
By Magaly Muñoz
Families living in East and West Oakland neighborhoods have long been the victims of pollution due to major interstate freeways, the San Francisco Bay Oakland International airport, and the seaport. Despite their pleas for a better living environment, their concerns have long gone ignored.
At an Oakland City Council meeting last month, environmental justice advocates and affected residents gathered
to ask the Council to reconsider mayoral appointments for the Port of Oakland Board Commissioners in order to allow for climate justice experts to represent the community. The Council voted against taking more time to hear from community-elected candidates and instead accepted the two appointments from Mayor Sheng Thao. This decision left advocates disappointed by the lack of consideration for local representation in their fight
By Lynette Hart Special to the Post
From left: City of San Leandro Chief of Police Angela Averiett moderating the all-male panel of chiefs. Chief of Police, City of East Palo Alto, Jeffrey Liu; Chief of Police, City of Milpitas, Jared Hernandez; Chief of Police, City of Oakland, Floyd Mitchell; Chief of Police, City of Alameda, Nishant Joshi; Chief of Police, City of Hayward, Bryan Matthews; and Chief of Police, City of Fremont, Sean Washington. Photo by Kevin Hicks.
Pictured left to right: Vice Mayor Kimberly Mayfield, Gay Cobb, Ray Langford, Tanzanika Carter, San Francisco Assistant Sheriff, San Francisco Sheriff, San Leandro Chief of Police Angela Averiett, Richmond Policee Chief Bisa French, City of Napa Police Chief Jennifer Gonzales, BART Deputy Chief of Police Gina Galetti, Ret. Assistant Chief, California Highway Patrol Jonni Redick, and Lynette Hart. Photo by Kevin Hicks.
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) File photo.
Congresswoman Barbara Lee. File photo. Courtesy photo.
Radio personality Miranda Wilson. Courtesy photo.
Left to Right: Lynette Hart, Tanya Fuller Bryant, Ray Lankford, Mayor Sheng Thao, Chief Floyd Mitchell. Photo by Kevin Hicks.
Supervisor Nate Miley’s Office
Supports
Special to The Post
Ninth Annual BlackEyed Pea Festival
A day before the Ninth Annual Black-Eyed Pea Festival took place at West Oakland’s Marston Campbell Park at 17th and West streets, the office of Alameda County District 4 Supervisor Nate Miley came through with a much-needed donation of $750.
Wanda Ravernell, the execu-
tive director of the sponsoring organization, Omnira Institute, accepted the check from Miley at his office in Eastmont Mall on Friday.
The festival, a celebration of African American legacy through food, music and art, took place on Saturday, Sept. 14, headlined by second-line band MJ’s Brass
Boppers and Andre Thierry’s Accordion Soul Music. Hundreds came out to attend the festival at its new location in the middle of a residential neighborhood after several years on the front lawn of Oakland Technical High School.
It was the first time a public event had been held there: the square was full of vendors of African descent who sold handmade wares from soap to wallets, jewelry, and clothing. With black-eyed peas on the menu, Ate o’Clock sold oxtails and mac and cheese, and the Cocobreeze restaurant’s plate had Hoppin’ John Trinidadian style.
Representatives from The Alameda County Registrar of Voters, KIPP Public Schools, and Bay Area United Academy were among the community resources present.
Besides dancing to the bands and DJ’s music, attendees kept things moving with the 510 JumpSquad who helped oldsters and youngsters gain jump rope skills.
Besides Miley’s office, the festival was sponsored by the Post News Group, The San Francisco Foundation, California Arts Council, The Oakland Cultural Development Fund, the Center for Cultural Power and the Alliance for California Traditional Arts.
Foothill Missionary Baptist Church
Foothill Missionary Baptist Church: Is prayerfully seeking a Pastor/Teacher, a man, called by God and set apart for the Gospel ministry in accordance with the Baptist faith as well as committed to living and serving in a manner consistent with the standard set forth in scripture of such a leader, 1 Timothy 3: 1-7. The qualified candidate is responsible to God and the church to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Effectively teach the Bible and preach the Word of God, provide Christian leadership in all areas of the church and to engage in pastoral care for the congregation.
Pastor Qualifications:
• Be led and guided by the Holy Spirit to seek this position.
• Be licensed and ordained with a minimum of 5 years ministerial experience.
• Have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited University or College, a Master of Divinity degree from an accredited theological seminary.
• Work collaboratively with the deacons, trustees, various ministries and congregation as well as engage in community outreach programs.
• Be a visionary leader who embraces the church’s mission, goals and membership growth and retention.
• Be a teacher of the word of God, a leader with sound biblical doctrine as listed in 2 Corinthians 6: 1-10 & 1 Timothy 3: 1-7.
• Possess effective leadership, administration, organization and managerial skills.
• A servant leader who has a commitment to program development, evangelism leadership and assure that the church is challenged and equipped to be disciples.
The following must be submitted and or postmarked by October 15, 2024 to Foothill M.B. Church 1530 Foothill Blvd., Oakland, CA. 94606: a recent photo; cover letter detailing how the candidate meets the above required qualifications; resume, transcripts, 3 letters of recommendations including name, telephone number, and email address.
For questions please e-mail the Pulpit Committee: FMBC1536z@gmail.com.
Black Caucus Members Weigh Next Steps for Reparations in California
By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
For more than two weeks now, members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) have been facing sharp criticisms from frustrated advocates and other Black Californians after the State Assembly failed to bring up two reparations bills for a floor vote on Aug. 31.
On Sept. 14, Assemblymembers Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley), and Kevin McCarty (DSacramento) participated in the “State of Black California 2024: Listening Session Tour” in Sacramento. During the session they heard from people who said they felt let down that the bills did not
pass the Legislature and advance to Newsom’s desk for his consideration.
The three-hour event was held at the Secretary of State’s office building, one block south of the State Capitol. Amid interruptions and disruptions from the attendees during the event, Bonta said she appreciated the feedback.
“I got out of it what I expected. We have a lot of diverse thoughts and opinions about how to proceed,” Bonta told California Black Media (CBM). “It was helpful to hear directly from people without the constraints of hearing rooms and formalities. I heard a lot of frustration and concerns.”
On Sept. 12, CBLC member Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-
Los Angeles) called in to Dominique di Prima’s radio show on KBLA 1580 AM in Los Angeles to share her perspective on reasons the CLBC did not to bring the bills to the Assembly floor. She also shared that there needs to be better communication with the community in the future.
The State of Black California Listening Session tour is a community conversation on reparations and the state of the Black community. The tour is an opportunity for the public to learn more about the 2024 legislative report that is an initiative of the University of California, Los Angeles’s Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies, and the reparations package.
Continued on page 9
Black and Hispanic California Residents Exposed to the
Highest
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
Levels of Air Pollution
Environmental researchers confirmed in a study released last week that people in California breathe cleaner air today than they did 25 years ago, but Black and Latino residents are exposed to the highest levels of vehicle pollution in the state.
According to a new study published in Science Advances, large and longtime racial disparities in exposure to vehicle air pollution persist statewide. Scientists defined air pollutants as fine particulate matter in the air. Those pollutants are mostly emitted by cars, trucks, and other vehicles.
However, the study revealed that low-income communities, where residents are mostly Black and Latino, have the dirtiest air due to high levels of air pollution.
Joshua Apte, a senior author of the study acknowledged that California has implemented effective laws and policies to control emissions from cars as well as lightduty and heavy-duty vehicles.
“This is a tremendous win for public health, but our work isn’t done, because there’s been no narrowing of the relative gap between the most exposed and least exposed racial and ethnic groups,” he said.
The fine particulate matter pol-
luting the air is linked to a variety of negative health effects and is estimated to cause over 5,000 premature deaths in the state each year. Cars and large vehicles are the main sources of exposure, trucks have a higher impact on low-income communities.
Researchers attributed the poor air quality in communities of color to racist housing policies such as redlining that people of color live closer to highways and ports, far away from predominantly white communities. Recent findings in the study indicated that only reducing car emissions is not enough to improve the air quality
Chris Lodgson of CJEC hosted a community meeting in South Sacramento on Sept. 13, to provide an update on the two reparations bills that were denied a vote on the Assembly floor. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.
Omnira Institute Executive Director Wanda Ravernell, left,accepts a check from Alameda County District 4 Supervisor Nate Miley to support the Ninth Annual Black-Eyed Pea Festival. Photo by Nate Miley staff.
Mandisa Snodey, a volunteer at the festival, smiles with her daughter Amina, a member of the Prescott Circus which performed at the festival. Courtesy photo.
iStock photo..
California Warns State’s Big Tech Giants About Election Disinformation
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
California Attorney General
Rob Bonta wrote a letter to exec-
utives at big technology companies last week reminding them that current state laws prohibit certain types of voter intimidation, deception, and dissuasion.
Bonta clarified that state laws may apply to content posted on social media platforms and content generated by artificial intelligence.
In his letter, Bonta urged executives at eight of the largest social media and AI companies to address the spread of false and misleading information regarding this year’s general election. The companies addressed in the letter included Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, Open AI, Reddit, TikTok, X Corporation, and YouTube. The attorney general raised concerns over
the spread of misinformation due to the enhanced capabilities to create deceptive content due to improvements in generative AI.
“The California Department of Justice is charged with protecting the rights of our residents. This is a responsibility I take seriously,” said Bonta. “That is why I am urging social media and AI companies to understand existing Cali-
fornia laws and address the deception that our voters are being exposed to when it comes to their constitutional right to vote. Those deceptive activities must be better identified and reported to law enforcement. I am fully committed to working with the companies to that end. We cannot allow bad actors, whether foreign or domestic, to continue to threaten the sanctity
of our democracy.”
Bonta’s letter highlighted the impact of social media and AI during the 2020 general election with an increase in the distribution of misinformation about voting on different platforms. Furthermore, various social media platforms either got rid of their international content-moderation policies or reduced resources to enact policies.
The California Department of Justice welcomed the opportunity to work with the tech companies in addressing misinformation about the upcoming elections. The state recommends that the companies set aside tools to detect, prevent, and report intentional interference with voting rights when users violate state laws using AI and social media.
New California Law Enforces Tougher Penalties for Retail and Property Crime
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill enforcing tougher criminal penalties targeting large-scale theft crimes and smash-and-grab robberies to help law prosecutors hold criminals ac-
Gov. Gavin Newsom signs a bill enforcing tougher criminal penalties targeting property crimes in August. Photo Courtesy of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office.
Public Notices, Classifieds & Business
It’s Time to Address the Disproportionate Impact of the Opioid Crisis on Black Californians
COMMENTARY
By Dr. Le Ondra Clark
Harvey Special to California Black Media Partners
The opioid crisis, once perceived as predominantly affecting rural, white communities, disproportionately impacts Black Americans. This is a result of long-standing health equity barriers, documented in both local reports and federal studies.
As overdoses continue to rise statewide and fentanyl continues to wreak havoc in our communities, California policymakers must take action. Slight declines or plateaus are not “wins.” We need proactive, comprehensive solutions that improve education, provide wraparound services, and increased access to proven treatment methods like medication assisted treatment and overdose reversal agents.
As an advocate, psychologist, and mother of two young children, today’s fentanyl crisis is difficult to process. On one hand, I understand how challenging it can be to pass meaningful policies that will save more lives — whether those of individuals injecting drugs on sidewalks or suburban teenagers poisoned by counterfeit pills they bought on Snapchat. These challenges are compounded by critical deficits, such as workforce shortages, minimal treatment beds and facilities, and a lack of culturally competent care, all of which disproportionately affect Black Californians.
I have witnessed the devastating impact of fentanyl on Black families. These deaths shatter families, destabilize communities, and perpetuate cycles of trauma and socio-economic hardship. For Black Californians specifically, grief is compounded by helplessness and frustration, knowing that more could – and should – have been done to prevent these tragedies.
As I sit in numerous health policy workgroups, task forces, and legislative hearings, I hear
Bo Tefu
California
Black Media
policymakers request more studies to better understand how vulnerable communities are impacted. This is critical, and it is not enough.
We don’t have time to waste.
Naloxone, a well-known opioid reversal medication, has saved hundreds of thousands of lives. However, as the opioid landscape evolves, so too must our response. California must adopt flexible policies that evolve with the rapidly changing drug landscape. We cannot rely on outdated, productspecific policies when the illicit drug landscape is changing faster than we can blink.
Efforts to do just that at the statewide level have been aggressively rebuffed by the Administration. Last year, Senate Bill 641, authored by Sen. Richard Roth (D-Riverside) would have expanded California’s statewide standing order for naloxone to encompass all FDA-approved opioid reversal agents. It passed out of the Legislature unanimously, yet Governor Newsom vetoed the bill.
Several months after the veto, Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains, (D-Delano), a physician who treats substance use disorder (SUD), led a sign-on letter among her colleagues calling on the California Department of Public Health to update the statewide standing order to no avail.
Fortunately, Los Angeles County has stepped up in the
absence of statewide legislation being signed into law.
For decades, Dr. Brian Hurley, medical director of the Bureau of Substance Abuse Prevention and Control for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and President of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, has taken a comprehensive approach to addressing substance use disorder.
He has increased access to proven treatment models and implemented innovative initiatives to save lives. His department’s efforts have contributed to the plateau in overdose rates, and we hope to see further improvement through the expanded standing orders for the Los Angeles Unified School District and the LA County Sheriff’s Department, ensuring access to all FDA-approved reversal agents.
The time for action is now. With a united and informed approach, we can turn the tide on the devastating impact of opioid overdoses in Black communities.
About the Author
Dr. Le Ondra Clark Harvey is the chief executive officer of the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies and executive director of the California Access Coalition.
California community leaders denounced the comments of San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan regarding Proposition 36, demanding that he disavow his “woefully ignorant” statements in a recent interview with Elex Michaelson of the Fox network.
The community advocates said Prop 36 is a dangerous measure on California’s November ballot that aims to restart the failed War on Drugs.
During the interview, Mahan said that Black and Brown communities stood to benefit from Prop 36.
Advocates opposing the measure argued that passing the law would cut money for drug treatment and make simple drug possession a felony, increasing mass incarceration affecting communities of color.
“Mayor Matt Mahan’s comments are woefully ignorant of the ways that decades of failed criminal justice policies destroyed
Black, Latino Leaders Denounce San Jose Mayor’s Comments on Prop. 36
thousands of lives in California,” said the Rev. Jethroe Moore, president of the NAACP San Jose-Silicon Valley Branch.
“This is especially true for Black men, who are ten times more likely than their White counterparts to be incarcerated. We are not going back to Proposition 36’s failed approach and the harm those policies inflicted on so
many families across our state.” Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), agrees with Moore.
“I was a mayor, and I know the mayor knows better. It is clear what will happen if Proposition 36 is passed - thousands of lives will be destroyed, and most
CITY OF OAKLAND REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR Translation, Interpretation, and Bilingual Testing
Contract Amount: TBD
Terms: Up to 5 years, with the option to extend for up to two additional years
Project Description: This Request for Proposal (RFP) is being issued to identify qualified firms and solicit proposals to provide on-call translation, interpretation, and bilingual testing services. Proposals should clearly indicate the proposed approach to providing these services. The City intends to award multiple contracts and reserves the right to award any number of contracts it deems necessary. Proposers can bid on any one or all of the tasks.
Proposal Submittal Deadline: Friday October 18, 2024, by 2:00 p.m., PT via iSupplier
Reminders:
• All who wish to participate in this RFP must register (at least 5 days prior to submittal due date) through iSupplier at (https://www.oaklandca.gov/services/register-with-isupplier) to avoid last minute submittal complications and receive addenda/updates on this RFP. For additional help registering and submitting your proposal to iSupplier please watch the user guide videos at (https://www.oaklandca.gov/documents/isupplier-user-guides).
• Did not receive and invitation? Start early with iSupplier registration. Upon completion of registration, send an email to iSupplier@oaklandca.gov listing “RFP Translation, Interpretation, and Bilingual Testing” as the subject and request an invitation to the RFP. The Procurement Specialist will add your business to the RFP invitation.
• The following policies apply to this RFP: Equal Benefits • 0% L/SLBE • Living Wage • Campaign Reform Act • Professional Services Local Hire • Prompt Payment • Arizona Boycott • Dispute Disclosure • Border Wall Prohibition • Sanctuary City Contracting and Investment Ordinance.
Answers to Questions:
1. Contact Information: The following City staffs are available to answer questions regarding this RFP.
a. Contract Admin: contractadmin@oaklandca.gov
b. Contract Compliance Officer: Sophany Hang at shang@oaklandca.gov or 2. For iSupplier related questions after registration, contact iSupplier@oaklandca.gov
Asha Reed, City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council, (Friday, September 20, 2024) The City Council reserves the right to reject all proposals.
Le Ondra Clark Harvey, PhD, is the chief executive officer of the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies and executive director of the California Access Coalition.
iStock.
ADVERTORIAL
Launched in 2018, the Medically Tailored Meals pilot program was designed to help Medi-Cal patients with congestive heart failure by reducing hospital readmissions and emergency department visits by providing tailored meals meeting specific dietary needs.
The program’s success in improving health outcomes and reducing costly emergency room visits encouraged the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to expand the Medically Tailored Meals program to all 58 counties through Medi-Cal transformation and a new set of services called Community Supports.
Medically Tailored Meals are one of 14 new services offered through Medi-Cal that provide members with access to new and improved services to get wellrounded care that goes beyond the doctor’s office or hospital.
Medically Tailored Meals: Overview
Malnutrition and poor nutrition can lead to severe health outcomes, especially among MediCal patients with chronic health conditions. Medically Tailored Meals aim to improve health outcomes, reduce hospital readmissions, and enhance patient satisfaction by providing essential nutrition.
Key Features:
1. Post-Discharge Delivery: Meals are delivered to patients’ homes immediately following discharge from a hospital or nursing home.
2. Customized Nutrition: Meals are tailored to meet the dietary needs of those with chronic dis-
eases, designed by registered dietitians (RD) or certified nutrition professionals based on evidence-based guidelines.
3. Comprehensive Services: Includes medically tailored groceries, healthy food vouchers, and food pharmacies.
4. Educational Support: Behavioral, cooking, and nutrition education is included when paired with direct food assistance.
Key Benefits: Address Food Insecurity: Mitigates poor health outcomes linked to food insecurity.
Support Complex Care Needs: Tailored to individuals with chronic conditions.
Improve Health Outcomes: Studies show improvements in diabetes control, fall prevention, and medication adherence.
Patient Testimonial:
“My diabetes has gotten better with the meals. I’ve kept my weight down, and I feel much better now than I have in a long time. I’m one of the people this program is meant for.” — Brett
Eligibility:
Eligible Populations:
Eligible Medi-Cal members include those with chronic conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, congestive heart failure, stroke, chronic lung disorders, HIV, cancer, gestational diabetes, and chronic mental or behavioral health disorders. Also, those being discharged from a hospital or skilled nursing facility or at high risk of hospitalization or nursing facility placement are also eligible.
Service Limitations: Up to two meals per day for up to 12 weeks, extendable if medically necessary. Meals eligible
for reimbursement by alternate programs are not covered.
Cost Savings and Improved Health Outcomes:
• Health Outcomes: Research indicates a 22% to 58% decrease in emergency department visits and a 27% to 63% decrease in inpatient admissions among Medically Tailored Meals recipients, translating to significant health care cost savings.
Project Open Hand: A Success Story
Project Open Hand has been a leader in providing Medically Tailored Meals, significantly impacting the lives of Bay Area MediCal patients with chronic illnesses. Since its inception, Project Open Hand has delivered nutritious meals to individuals with diabetes, HIV, and other serious health conditions, demonstrating remarkable health improvements and cost savings.
Key Achievements:
• Improved Health Outcomes:
Project Open Hand’s research found a 50% increase in medication adherence among recipients of Medically Tailored Meals.
Reduced Hospitalizations: Their program showed a 63% reduction in hospitalizations for patients with diabetes and HIV.
• Enhanced Quality of Life: Patients reported better health and increased energy levels.
Project Open Hand ensures that each meal is prepared using fresh, wholesome ingredients tailored to meet the specific dietary needs of its clients. By partnering with Medi-Cal managed care plans, Project Open Hand continues to provide life-saving nutrition to those who need it most.
Join Us in Our Mission You can experience the pro-
found impact of Medically Tailored Meals by joining the MediCal Community Supports services initiative. Your involvement can make a difference in promoting your health through nutrition.
Learn More
For more information about Medically Tailored Meals and how to get involved, call the state’s Medi-Cal Health Care options at 800-430-4263 or contact your local managed care plan.
In Alameda County, Medi-Cal recipients can contact:
* Alameda Alliance for Health: 510-747-4567
* Kaiser Permanente: 855-8397613
In Contra Costa County, MediCal recipients can contact:
* Contra Costa Health Plan: 877661-6230
* Kaiser Permanente: 855-8397613
In Marin County, Medi-Cal recipients can contact:
* Partnership Health Plan of California: 800-863-4155
* Kaiser Permanente: 855-8397613
In Solano County, Medi-Cal recipients can contact: * Partnership Health Plan of California: 800-863-4155 * Kaiser Permanente: 855-8397613 Your health and well-being are your health care provider’s top priority. Medically Tailored Meals are designed to enhance quality of life
David Crosthwait: A Pioneer in Heating and Ventilation
By Tamara Shiloh
David Crosthwait Jr. was an American engineer and inventor whose contributions to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems helped shape modern building climate control. His work revolutionized how we regulate indoor conditions, making them more comfortable and energy efficient.
David Crosthwait was born on May 27, 1898, in Nashville, Tennessee. Growing up during a time when African Americans faced significant racial barriers, Crosthwait’s intellectual curiosity and determination to succeed led him to pursue a higher education. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1913 and, later, a Master of Engineering from Purdue University, where his interest in mechanical systems deepened.
After completing his education, Crosthwait began his ca-
reer at the C.A. Dunham Company (now Dunham-Bush), a company that specialized in heating systems. During his time there, he worked on a wide variety of projects, including heating systems for large buildings like theaters, department stores, and office buildings. He was particularly interested in making these systems more efficient and effective.
Crosthwait made several important contributions to the development of HVAC technology. His work focused on improving heating systems for large buildings, especially high-rise structures. He developed new designs for thermostats, vacuum pumps, and air ventilation systems. Over his career, he was awarded 39 U.S. patents and 80 international patents for his inventions.
Some of his most important work was related to the heating and air conditioning systems in Radio City Music Hall and Rock-
efeller Center in New York City. These systems were revolutionary at the time, and his designs helped maintain consistent indoor temperatures for large, public spaces.
In addition to his engineering work, Crosthwait also wrote technical papers and textbooks on heating systems, and he was a teacher in mechanical engineering at Purdue University. He was a recognized expert in the field and held memberships in several professional organizations, including the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
As an African American engineer working in the early 20th century, Crosthwait faced significant racial discrimination. However, his expertise and innovations allowed him to break through many of these barriers. He was often one of the few, if not the only, Black engineers in many of the professional spaces he entered. His success served as an inspiration for future generations of engineers of color.
He was granted an honorary doctoral degree in 1975 from Purdue University. In 1971, Crosthwait was elected as a fellow of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), making him the first African American fellow. Crosthwait was also named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
He died in West Lafayette, Indiana, on Feb. 25, 1976.
Harvard’s
Black Admission Numbers Show Affirmative Action Should Have Been Spared
OPINION
By Emil Guillermo
Now that all the data is in, a small group of Asian Americans should hang their heads in shame.
The group with the ironic and hypocritical name, Students for Fair Admissions, was corralled by anti-affirmative action advocate Ed Blum. He effectively duped and used them to sue Harvard over race-based admissions.
The result? After six years of litigation that went all the way to the Supreme Court, we are further from equity and fairness than we’ve ever been.
Admissions processes that included race as a factor may not have been perfect. But we are left with that old familiar “colorblind” option.
The numbers for Harvard help us realize that what we had before wasn’t so bad if the goal was racial justice and equity.
What we have now is … Who knows?
It’s inconclusive, with racial stats are all over the place, leaving the best way to describe the aftermath for now as “nuanced.”
After the first affirmative action numbers were released from other institutions, Harvard finally released its numbers last week.
What they show is Black student enrollment declined from 18% to 14%. That’s more significant than it sounds.
Asian American numbers stood at 37%, same as last year.
Hispanic enrollment increased from 14% to 16%.
That’s 65% for the big three.
That leaves Whites, but Harvard doesn’t give their total. And you can’t infer it must mean a white population at 35%, because the rules have changed as to disclosure of race or ethnicity.
The number who declined to state race rose from 4% to 8% this year.
That won’t stop anti-affirmative action advocates from applauding this “nuanced” reality. They will see the new system as a success that shows you can still have diversity without considering race in admissions.
But that does nothing for those Black applicants at Harvard who were rejected as the acceptance rates went down there.
Still, the reported results from
other schools vary so much. More selective schools seemed to do better because Black students accepted those schools as their first choice. Other schools did worse. That doesn’t inspire confidence. Instead of fixing the affirmative action we had, anti-affirmative action activists swung the pendulum the other way with this system that blindfolds us all.
Hopi Hoekstra, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, sent a message to the Harvard community and admitted: “We anticipate its full impact on the class composition at Harvard College may not be felt for several more admissions cycles.”
Or maybe never under this new colorblind system. Under the faux cry for meritocracy, we dumped fairness and equity.
At this point, we are further from those ideals than we’ve ever been in the last 50 years. And that’s just the way opponents of affirmative action wanted it.
About the Author
Emil Guillermo is a journalist and commentator. He does a micro talk show on YouTube.com/@ emilamok1
David Crosthwait. Public domain photo.
iStock.
Next Steps for Reparations in California ...
Continued from page 2
In collaboration with the California Black Freedom Fund (CBFF), the tour has made stops in San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Fresno. The next destinations for the Listening Session are Oakland on Sept. 28 and Moreno Valley on Oct. 5.
CBFF Executive Director
Marc Philpart, who oversees the organization’s five-year-long initiative to raise and distribute $100 million, served as the moderator in Sacramento.
Philpart, who has worked closely with the CLBC and whose organization was the benefactor of $3.5 million in state funds last year, has also been under fire from advocates.
Highest Levels of Air Pollution ...
Continued from page 2
to healthier levels.
Apte, an associate professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California at Berkeley School of Public Health, said that disparities in air pollution have remained constant in Black and Brown communities.
In a letter obtained by CBM and dated May 24, the CLBC requested that the state provide $6 million to assist funding efforts related to SB 1403 and direct the remaining $6 million to the CBFF. That CLBC letter stated that the money would be “utilized for community-level outreach and engagement efforts and to provide organizational support essential for the effective implementation of Reparations initiatives.”
CBFF granted CBM $25,000 of that money to fund its Capitol correspondent. The night before the State of Black California event, Philpart was questioned by Chris Lodgson, a reparations advocate and member of the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California (CJEC), about allegations that $6 million in state funds requested by the legislative Black caucus to implement reparations legislation had been designated to CBFF.
California Emerging Technology Fund Awards $20,000 Grants to 36 Local Governments
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
Last week, the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) launched a program awarding grants worth $20,000 to 36 jurisdictions in the state to participate in the Local Government Best Practices Check List Project.
Under the program, local governments can use $20,000 in grants to help close the digital divide in their communities. The counties and cities are encouraged to distribute affordable internet service plans and available digital literacy training resources in digitally disadvantaged neighborhoods.
innovation that emerges when we join forces to deploy high-speed internet infrastructure and get all residents online — especially the most digitally disadvantaged residents in low-income communities,” said McPeak.
are: City and County of San Francisco; City of American Canyon; City of Artesia; City of Bell Gardens; City of Bellflower; City of Brawley; City of Cathedral City; City of Citrus Heights; City of Inglewood; City of Isleton; City of Long Beach; City of Los Angeles; City of Maywood; City of Moorpark; City of Ontario; City of Palmdale; City of Placerville; City of Rosemead; City of San
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of those lives will be Black and Brown men,” said Wilson.
Diego; City of San Luis Obispo; City of Sand City; City of Santa Paula; City of South El Monte; City of West Sacramento; County of Del Norte; County of Inyo; County of Marin; County of Mono; County of Napa; County of Nevada; County of Plumas; County of San Benito; County of Sierra; County of Sonoma; Town of San Anselmo; and County of Yuba.
Brown communities need real solutions from leaders who understand the problems that people experience statewide.
“One of the things that we’ve learned through this work is that we’re not actually going to get rid of the relative disparities from vehicles, even when they’re all electric because things like tires and brakes will still give off emissions,” he said.
New California Law Enforces Tougher Penalties
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der the law, the courts are mandated to impose an enhanced sentence when suspects take, damage, or destroy property valued over $50,000 during the commission of any felony, including retail theft. Similar sentences will apply to people who knowingly receive stolen property or resell such property, targeting largescale criminal operations.
“California already has some of the strictest retail and property crime laws in the nation -- and we have made them even stronger with our recent legislation,” said Newsom. “We can be tough on
The researchers stated that reducing air pollution requires paying more attention to systemic factors such as shifting where emissions occur. The scientists recommended that the state accelerate the adoption of zero-emission cars and trucks to reduce disparities in low-income communities.
crime while also being smart on crime -- we don’t need to go back to broken policies of the last century.”
“Mass incarceration has been proven ineffective and is not the answer – we need true accountability and strategies that enhance our nation-leading efforts to address crime. I thank Speaker Rivas for his leadership in strengthening law enforcement tools in California,” Newsom said.
After signing the new bill, Gov. Newsom announced that the state’s $267 million investment in local law enforcement has produced strong results in tackling organized criminal activity. According to state data, law enforcement agencies arrested more than 6,900 suspects for retail and property crimes statewide.
Sunne Wright McPeak, president, and chief executive officer of CETF, expressed gratitude to its partners for promoting digital inclusion in efforts to achieve digital equity statewide.
“There is so much power and
The collaborative Digital Equity Leadership Grants aim to expand the adoption of the policies and practices to accelerate progress to reduce the digital divide across the state. The grant program was created as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the CETF and the telecommunications company T-Mobile. The network company committed to public benefits in affiliation with its acquisition of Sprint in 2020. The partnership included a $5 million contribution from T-Mobile for the grant program and CETF committed over $1.1 million to the local government project.
The 36 local governments awarded $20,000 grants include
“We need to increase money for treatment programs that work, not make the deep cuts to drug treatment that Proposition 36 would inflict,” she added.
Hilda Solis, member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, stated that Black and
“Proposition 36 is nothing but a bunch of empty promises, proposing cuts to proven treatment programs, while wasting billions of dollars on additional jail and prison spending. Incarceration strategies have proven ineffective, and treatment and jobs are better ways of addressing systemic poverty and crime,” said Solis.
On Your November Ballot: Is Prop 36 the Right or Wrong Solution for Retail Theft?
By Edward Henderson California Black Media
Prop 36 would increase drug crime and theft penalties and allow a new class of crime to be called “treatment-mandated felonies,” which also require some offenders to participate in drug and mental health treatment.
It would also make the crime of shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders and increase penalties for some drug charges, including those involving the synthetic opioid fentanyl. It would also give judges the authority to order those with multiple drug charges to get treatment.
Supporters of the proposition say that it is a good balance between California’s ‘tough on crime’ days and the passing of prop 47 which they blame for creating loopholes in state law that criminals use to avoid accountability for drug trafficking and retail theft. They also claim it will combat homelessness which has risen 50% since the passing of prop 47.
The intent of Prop 47 was to reduce spending on imprisonment in California and reduce the state’s prison population as mandated by a United States Supreme Court in 2011. During the pandemic, the rate of shoplifting and commercial burglaries increased statewide. The Public Policy Institute of California found that reported shoplifting of merchandise worth up to $950 increased 28% over the past five years.
“As a strong advocate for both public safety and comprehensive treatment programs, I am proud to support Proposition 36,” said Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona), a supporter of prop 36.
“This measure strikes a necessary balance between accountability and rehabilitation, ensuring that repeat offenders of retail theft and
serious drug crimes are held responsible while also offering a path to recovery for those struggling with addiction,” Rodriguez wrote.
“It’s time we prioritize the safety of our communities and provide the resources needed to help individuals turn their lives around,” he added.
Opponents of the proposition argue that it is misleading to present idea tough-on-crime policies as a solution to homelessness. They, instead, directly link so-called “tough” polices of the “War on Drugs” to the overcrowding of prisons in the state and the over-incarceration of Black Californians.
California Black Media spoke with Eric Harris and Carolina Valle of Disability Rights California who strongly oppose the Prop 36.
“The kind of rush to panic at this time is misplaced and misguided based on the actual data,” said Harris. “The first folks who are going to get penalized by these types of policies – and we know this based on our long history of criminal justice work in this state – will be Black people, Latinos, and people with disabilities.”
While supporters claim crime is increasing in California, Valle points to statistics that say otherwise. The Center on Juvenile &
Criminal Justice released a study that shows the latest crime trends for 48 California cities clearly show significant declines. The data show crime declines across almost every major crime category, including an 11% decline in theft and a 17% drop in burglary, in the first three months of 2024 compared to the first three months of 2023.
A “yes” vote on Prop 36 supports making changes to Proposition 47, which was approved in 2014, including:
• classifying certain drug offenses as treatment-mandated felonies; increasing penalties for certain drug crimes by increasing sentence lengths and level of crimes;
• requiring courts to warn individuals convicted of distributing illegal drugs of their potential future criminal liability if they distribute deadly drugs like fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine; and
• increasing sentences for theft based on the value of the property stolen.
A “no” vote opposes changes to Proposition 47 (2014), thereby maintaining certain drug and theft crimes for items valued below $950 as misdemeanors.
At Black Caucus Conf. in D.C., Sen. Laphonza Butler Talks About AI, Jobs, Black Newspapers, and More
By Tanu Henry California Black Media
At the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference, held from Sept. 11 through the Sept. 15 in Washington, DC, Sen. Laphonza Bulter (D-Calif.) participated in a number of panel discussions covering a range of topics, including Artificial Intelligence and Black women’s health and empowerment.
On Sept. 12, Butler hosted a panel discussion titled “AI and Economic Empowerment in Black Communities.”
During that discussion, Butler joined other leaders in AI to emphasize the importance of embracing AI in Black communities and using the technology to create economic opportunities. Other panelists included Megan Holston-Alexander, partner and head of the Cultural Leadership Fund at Andreessen Horowitz; Tyrance Billingsley II, founder and executive director of Black Tech Street; DeVaris Brown, CEO and co-founder of Meroxa and John Hope Bry-
ant, founder, chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE.
“Fewer people are going to be required across broader industries, particularly those in traditionally white-collar positions,” said Butler to conference attendees. “Let’s take this moment today to get ahead of some of those workplace challenges.”
That same day, Butler and Sen. Mazie Horono (D-Hawaii) introduced a bill in the U.S. Senate called the Workforce of the Future Act. That bill proposes a $250 million federal government investment in educating and preparing students and workers in marginalized communities for jobs in AI.
“The purpose of this legislation is to solidify our commitment to today’s— as well as tomorrow’s —workers, preparing them to work in tandem with AI and to be ready for the jobs of the future” said Butler in a statement released Sept. 12.
That evening, the National Newspaper Publishers Association, an organization serving and
representing historically Black news outlets around the country, also honored Butler for her support of Black-owned media over the years.
Butler said she is intimately aware of the critical role Blackowned newspapers have played in informing the communities they have served over the last 197 years since the first Black-owned newspaper, Freedom’s Journal, was published in the United States.
“Thank you for bringing us this far. And thank you for what you will do to continue to inform our communities, making sure our voices are represented in the publishing and media space,” said Butler.
At the conference, Butler also participated in a panel discussion on the Black women’s maternal health crisis and delivered remarks about Black communities gaining access to the financial sector and capital at an event hosted by the Connective Capital Consortium Braintrust.
Toxic stress can lead to permanent brain changes that have a lifelong impact on your child’s health. But your support can keep them safe.
Overcoming toxic stress sets them up for future success.
Members of the Black press met with Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-CA) last week. Left to right, they are; Southern California Observer News Group Publisher James Lucky, LA Focus Publisher Lisa Collins, Senator Butler, Sacramento Observer Publisher Larry Lee and Brian Townsend, precinct reporter.
“ I started vaping to try to deal with stress. I quit because of my son.
Isaiah joined the military to provide for his family. While deployed, he tried vaping for the first time. “That’s how a lot of us tried to deal with mental issues. I was hooked like that.”
When Isaiah came home, his addiction followed. “I was collecting vapes like shoes.” Everything changed when he caught his 7-year-old trying to hit his vape. “My son’s like a little me. He does everything I do. That was it. I had to quit.”
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to mitigate the city’s growing environmental problems.
Pollution from diesel trucks on the freeway, emissions from passing airplanes, and water quality concerns have caused decades-long problems for those living in these highly impacted areas with solutions remaining scarce, according to activists.
Margaret Gordon, co-founder of the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project, told the Post that having experts with a justiceminded background allows for proper communication among the board members, helping them understand the biggest challenges the community is having with the Port’s projects.
“[The Port Commission] only has two people doing environmental work... But if environmental justice activists are not on the Board then there is no plan of total engagement [between agencies and the community] at the Port, it’s not an ongoing thing,” Gordon said.
Gordon was seemingly the last Port appointee to have experience and ongoing concern for the human impacts of the worsening climate problems in Oakland since her departure from the commission in 2012.
Alongside her colleagues at the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project, the group has been fighting for 20 years to secure healthy neighborhoods for people living and working in the city.
The Interstates
Oakland’s history with harmful environmental impacts near lowincome zones with majority people of color goes back almost 100 years to redlining practices.
A map of Oakland reveals two major interstates- the 580 and 880running through East and West Oakland neighborhoods. These areas are home to thousands of residents who suffer from lung diseases such as asthma, housing insecurity, and low wages, a huge difference from the affluent homes of those in the north towards the Oakland Hills.
“You look at that [redlining] map, and that pretty much tells you where all the asthma is. It's all the low-income areas near factories, near the freeways, near pollution. That's the only place people of color were allowed to
live,” Jack Fleck, president of 350 Bay Area, told the Post. “It's like environmental injustice was inbred into the zoning of Oakland, the whole history of it.”
The emissions from large semitrucks, often coming from the Port of Oakland, and the constant Bay Area traffic, approximately 80,000 vehicles a day, have caused small particles to pollute the air, posing a danger to those working and living in the area.
Asthma rates are two times higher in West Oakland than anywhere in Alameda County, according to county health data. Because of this, West Oaklanders also have higher rates of emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
Environmental data from CalEnviroScreen shows that people living in the homes along the interstates are 60% to 95% more likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases, which can be contracted from poor air quality.
One in two children in West and East Oakland are likely to be brought in for asthma-related reasons. Comparatively, 1 in 5 kids in the Oakland Hills are likely to have asthma problems.
The characteristics of individuals in West and East Oakland versus the Hills are drastically different. For example, families in the West and East often have an annual median household income ranging from $75,000 to $85,000, according to Census data.
The people living there are also largely Black and Brown.
In the Hills, the median household income is upwards of about $160,000 and the population is 70% white.
The Port of Oakland Expansions In the last few years, the Port of Oakland has settled on two major projects that, in their words, would “bring economic prosperity” to the city and larger region. The projects being an expansion of the turning basins at the seaport and constructing more terminals at the Oakland airport.
EarthJustice, a nonprofit environmental justice law organization, works closely with groups like West Oakland Indicators to fight against local actions that harm residents.
EarthJustice and activists insist that expansions like the turning basins at the Port will further exacerbate the health and climate
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Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame (BARHOF).
A Skyline High School graduate, Wilson attended San Francisco State University where she majored in the Theatre Arts and Broadcast Communication Arts before embracing a career in radio.
According to her biography, Wilson is a two-time winner of the Golden Gate Chapter of American Women in Radio and Television Award as Best Midday Host and recipient of numerous honors from organizations including the NAACP, 100 Black Women SF, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., San Francisco Alumnae Chapter’s Delta Image Awards.
Her radio career spanned more than 30 years, working in promotions/marketing at KSOL, as public affairs director at KDIA, 18 years as midday host at KKSF 103.7 in San Francisco, and former host of Sunday Morning Inspiration on 102.9 KBLX San Francisco.
A nationally known voiceover actress, Wilson can now be heard on the nationally syndicated Smooth Jazz Network, WJZA Smooth Jazz 101.1 Atlanta and on Florida’s 106.3 The Seabreeze. Every week, Wilson also shares the inspiring social media feature
Oakland Celebrates 50th Anniversary of the The Black Cowboy Parade
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United States, and would increase Americans’ access to healthy, nutritious, organic, and affordable foods, as well as behavioral services such as health coaching and nutrition counseling, especially in low-income communities.
“Sunday Morning Coffee Moment” on Instagram and Facebook.
Wilson is one of three program hosts being honored. The categories of award and honorees include:
• Program host: Trish Bell, Marvelous Mark McKay, and Miranda Wilson
• News: Liz Saint John
• Sports: Tom Tolbert
Engineering: Kent Hedberg Management: Richard Sands
• Specialty: Sandee Althouse
• Educator: Kevin Gorham
CHRS Board Honoree: Larry Bensky
• Plus the 2024 BARHOF legends (recognized for lifetimeachievement): Clarence Cassell, Bonnie Chastain, Frank Knight, Dick Leonard, For details of options to attend, go to https://califomiahistoricalradio.com/barhof-luncheonform/ and book to join! You do not have to be a member of CHRS to attend, but advance reservations are required.
Sources for this story include Rachel Lee, California Historical Radio Society executive director and Miranda Wilson.
“Good, nutritious foods are the cornerstone of good health,” said Lee. “Yet far too many Americans, especially in low-income communities and communities of color, lack access to affordable, nutritious food. A national Food as Medicine program will reduce health care costs, improve health outcomes, and improve the quality of life for generations to come, especially for patients with dietrelated chronic diseases. It is our responsibility to end hunger and begin to transform our “disease care system” to a true health care system. Food as Medicine is the path to do just that.”
In 2023, over 18 million U.S. households were food insecure.
A landmark 2018 study demonstrated that an unhealthy diet is the leading cause of death in the United States, surpassing tobacco use, high blood pressure, and obesity, and causing more than half a million deaths per year in the United States. A growing body of research demonstrates that using healthy food, termed “medically supportive food,” in a clinical setting helps the healthcare system address food and nutrition insecurity, chronic disease, racial and health equity, and the intersections between them. This is further evidenced by work being spearheaded in Alameda County and their Recipe4Health “Food as Medicine” model.
The National Food as Medicine Act would:
• Establish a Food as Medicine Waiver Grant program to establish, implement, and expand Food as Medicine interventions to reduce nutritionrelated chronic conditions and improve health
• Establish a USDA Food as Medicine Technical Assistant Program to support producers to connect with local health care systems to provide for FAM interventions
Direct the HHS Secretary to develop and issue Food as Medicine guidance to states and counties to aid in the implementation, planning, and expansion of Food as Medicine
programs
• Require a report to Congress from the HHS Secretary regarding the impact of Food as Medicine programs
Steven Chen, chief medical officer for Alameda County Recipe4Health, said: “Alameda County Recipe4Health applauds Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s leadership to amplify the benefits of Food as Medicine through equitable sourcing, which will ensure multiple benefits such as healthy soil, nutritious food, a healthy economy, healthy people, and a healthy planet for all.
“The National Food as Medicine Program Act will prioritize food grown regeneratively and organically by a diverse group of local and regional farmers. Patients with limited financial resources will be prescribed high quality nutrient-dense food by their health care teams to treat and prevent chronic conditions and food insecurity.
“Local farmers, farmworkers, food hubs, and community-based organizations in rural and urban America will have new economic incentives to grow and provide nutritious vegetables, fruit, and meals to benefit their communities,” Chen said.
“At Alameda Health System, we commend and stand with Congresswoman Barbara Lee in her efforts to champion the vital role of Food as Medicine and promote equitable access to healthy and nutritious food,” said James Jackson, CEO of Alameda Health System.
“Food insecurity disproportionately impacts low-income communities and communities of color. In Alameda County, we have partnered with the Alameda County Health and community farmers to address those health disparities by offering patients a prescription for healthy, nutritious, locally grown foods. communities.”
Alameda County Health Director Colleen Chawla said she was incredibly grateful to Lee for her unwavering support of their Food as Medicine Program, Recipe4Health. Alameda County has been a leader in the Food as Medicine space for years, and Recipe4Health is a prime example of how innovative programs can reduce food
and improve health
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Currently, women make up only 12% of sworn officers and 3% of police leadership in the U.S.
The 30x30 Initiative is a pledge many police departments locally and nationally have signed that they agree to have 30% of their Police Officers recruits be women by 2030.
Research shows women officers use less force and less excessive force; are named in fewer complaints and lawsuits; are perceived by communities as being
more honest and compassionate; see better outcomes for crime victims, especially in sexual assault cases; and make fewer discretionary arrests.
The 30×30 Initiative is a coalition of police leaders, researchers, and professional organizations who have joined together to advance the representation and experiences of women in policing agencies across the United States.
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Several emphasized the importance of early education literacy programs and continuing to cater as much as possible to individual students’ needs as they arise.
Candidates like Charlene Wang, at-large candidate, and Warren Logan, City Council District 3 candidate, mentioned traditional investment methods of preparedness such as summer internship programs so that students can gain experience as young as possible.
Patrice Berry, running for OUSD District 5, suggested the district implement a data transparency system that tracks where the funding is going and how much; where is their need for funding, and what resources are and aren’t working for students across all Oakland schools.
“We should know the extent to which [resources] are successful so that we can make decisions about how we can leverage the limited resources we do have to make sure every student’s needs are met,” Berry said.
Noel Gallo, incumbent for City Council District 5 and a former school board member, suggested using resources outside of school hours to allow students a place to study or interact with their peers.
He recalled his own experience attending Oakland schools and how having access to recreational centers and libraries after schools closed helped shape him as a student.
Gallo said he’s working on a plan with Parks and Recreation to keep facilities around the city open longer for students to be able to get out of the house because they are not getting their education by staying at home all day. He’s also urging schools to have their campuses open longer and have after-school assistance available for those who need it.
“We need to get our educational system back in order and open, so all of our children are able to learn, read or write, and at the same time enjoy the city,” Gallo said.
City and School Deficit
The City of Oakland and the school district are both dealing with budget deficits of well over $100 million. The city was able to reduce losses through the risky Oakland Coliseum sale, which was officially signed earlier this month.
OUSD has resorted to closing schools and cutting resources in order to reduce their debt to the state after being in receivership for 20 years.
LeRonne Armstrong, former Oakland police chief and candidate for the at-large seat, said he wants to conduct an independent
audit of city resources to understand where the money is going and what is actually working. He believes the city needs to prioritize public safety and housing for residents.
Candidates Wang and Logan echoed similar ideas for an audit, insisting that people need to know how funds are being budgeted.
Several candidates, such as Berry and Dwayne Aikens, also suggested finding ways to bring in more revenue into Oakland, as opposed to only thinking about how the city can cut essential programs.
Gallo claimed that the current budget crisis is due to poor leadership in city government. He added that the City and County also need to do a better job at communicating because, as it stands, there is no cooperation, alluding to how the two governments handled the Coliseum deal.
Gallo, who previously worked in OUSD, said they also need to find a way to keep students in Oakland schools because the district is hemorrhaging in enrollment every year.
Candidates Upset by FIA Choice
After the forum concluded, Merika Goolsby, who had not originally been asked to speak at the event, told the Post that FIA excluded many City Council candidates from the discussion. She spoke only because fellow opponent Marcie Hodge gave up her spot for her.
Goolsby said FIA had chosen the “top two” candidates from each race and invited them to speak. She expressed disappointment that the organization would essentially “make a choice for voters” instead of creating an opportunity for each candidate to campaign to residents.
FIA said in an email that because of the large pool of candidates, only two to three people per race were asked to speak. The organization narrows down which candidates to pick “through a process of evaluating fundraising to date, endorsements and campaign infrastructure.”
“Unfortunately, with up to nine candidates in each race, we were unable to host all candidates due to time limitations of one hour to host candidates in seven races. This is a very common challenge for organizations who host forums,” Kimi Kean, CEO of FIA, wrote.
insecurity
outcomes.
Ballón is a member of the staff of Rep. Barbara Lee’s media relations office.
Pictured Left to Right: Annette Cary, Duane Whaley, Rick Fortenberry, Raymond Lankford, Yawo Tekpa. SF District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, Lynette Hart, Tonj Fuller-Bryant, Ariel Moore, Xiao Feng Lin, Debra Kenison, Ariel Leiadi, Ejigayehu Atlaw, Mayra Ramirez, Hiwet Hambir. Photo by Kevin Hicks.
The Black Cowboy Parade began 50 years ago in West Oakland at DeFremery Park. Wilbert F. McAlister, president of the Black Cowboy Association, announced that this year’s celebration will take place on Oct. 5 and run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1651 Adeline St. and feature cowboys (and girls), trick riders. Kids get a chance to ride a horse led by a cowboy in western gear.
