Oakland Post, week of October 18 - 24, 2023

Dis What You Should Know About California’s New Malvin Russell Goode: Black Radio Reporter Gun Laws ... see page 6 Who Covered Cuban Missile Crisis ... see page 6

State Memorial Honoring 35 Firefighters Who Died on Duty ... see page 2

Newsom Signs Bill Transforming California’s Healthcare System ... see page 6

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

Weekly Edition.

Edition. October 18 - 24, 2023

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60th Year, No. 40

Alameda County D.A.’s Office Adds $2 Million to State Funds for Fighting Organized Retail Crimes

Sojourner Truth Manor Tenants Meet Face-to-Face with Landlords Tenants want 4 residents added to the housing complex’s board of directors

Mayor Sheng Thao introduced several initiatives that include more community policing. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

Oakland Mayor largest-ever single investment

By Magaly Muñoz by the state.

Post Staff Lays Out Agenda for The Board of State and ComAlameda County Dismunity Corrections (BSCC) Attorney Pamela Price Community Safety in trict awarded grants to 55 local law matched the $2 million Orenforcement agencies across Retail Theft Vertical State of the City Address ganized California as part of the GovProsecution state grant that her Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price. Screenshot photo.

Tenants at Sojourner Truth Manor in North Oakland met with their owners and management on Oct. 13. Photo by Ken Epstein.

By By Ken Epstein About 100 tenants of Sojourner Truth Manor, joined by community supporters and local political leaders, packed into the lobby of one of the buildings of the nonprofit senior citizens’ complex in North Oakland last Friday to meet with their landlords to seek solutions to residents’ concerns about deteriorating living conditions, lack of communication on the part of management and ongoing bullying and intimidation.

“Sojourner Truth was founded in 1974 by 15 strong, Black community-minded women, who would be raising hell about the conditions that currently exist here at Sojourner Truth Manor,” said Beverly Colston, chairperson of the tenants’ association, who chaired the meeting.

Among those who attended the meeting of the 85-unit, three-building housing complex at 6015 Martin Luther King Jr. Way were

Dan Kalb, District 1 Oakland City Councilmember and candidate for State Senate; Lisa Williams, senior field representative of Assemblymember Mia Bonta; Romario Conrado, representative of State Senator Nancy Skinner; and Breeanna Decker, representative of Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson.

Also at the meeting were members of the Berkeley branch of the NAACP; Friends of Adeline, a community organization that has been supporting the tenants; Oakland Post Publisher Paul Cobb; and residents of a nearby Berkeley senior residence, Harriet Tubman Terrace, who came to show solidarity with their neighbors.

One of the tenants’ major concerns, said Colston, was the closing and demolition of the community room nearly a decade ago, a central place where residents and their families could come together, learn about each other’s cultures Continued on page 8

By Magaly Muñoz

At a special City Council meeting in City Hall Tuesday afternoon, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao laid out her current and future plans for community safety.

For some time, public safety has been a major issue in Oakland.

City leaders and business owners have been critical of the city’s lack of initiative in responding to their

concerns.

Thao reflected on the initiatives she has implemented during her first 10 months in office. She mentioned the increased investment in the Mobile Assistance Community Responders (MACRO) program which sends trained mental health professionals to non-violent mental health and non-criminal situations.

Continued on page 8

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao Launches Human Trafficking Advisory Council

office was awarded in September with an additional $2 million. This raises the total funding to combat organized retail crimes within the county to $4 million.

The funds came from the Budget Act of 2022 (Senate Bill 154) that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed last year, which allocated a total of $267,118,293 to fight organized retail crime, the

ernor’s Real Public Safety Plan.

These grants, aimed at preventing, investigating, and prosecuting cases of organized retail theft, will be distributed among 31 police departments, seven sheriff’s departments, one probation department, and 13 district attorneys’ offices.

In Alameda County, the Newark and Fremont police Continued on page 8

Special Library Card Contest celebrates the contributions of African Americans to the arts in Oakland. Courtesy Oakland Public Library.

Oakland Public Library Announces Limited Edition

By Magaly Muñoz cil President Nikki Fortunato Bas, Library Card Contest the Alameda County District AtPost Staff Celebrating African Americans On Wednesday, Oakland Mayor torney’s Office, the Oakland Police Sheng Thao launched her Human Department, the Oakland Departand the Arts in Oakland ment of Violence Prevention, Al-

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, center, with members of her new Human Trafficking Advisory Council. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

East Oakland Youth Development Center Executive Director Serena Wilson oversees a project with children. Courtesy photo.

Trafficking Advisory Council.

Collaborating with several agencies, the council aims to devise strategies to prevent and investigate human trafficking crimes, as well as assist victims in healing from these crimes.

Thao was joined by City Coun-

ameda County Sheriff’s Department and a coalition of survivor advocate groups and community organizations.

“It is our job as a whole community, as neighbors, as stewards

Continued on page 8

RISE EAST PROJECT

East Oakland Youth Development Center Assures Youth Have Input in the Future of Their Neighborhood

By Tanya Dennis Part 5

Rise East is a $100 million privately funded initiative that will rebuild Black neighborhoods in a 40x40 block area in East Oakland over 10 years. Project partners are Oakland Thrives, the 40x40 Council and Blue Meridian Partners.

East Oakland Youth Development Center and Roots Clinic are other supporters.

In 1855, abolitionist Frederick Douglass said, “It is easier to build strong children than repair broken men.”

The sentiment is no less apt today as the East Oakland Youth Development Center (EOYDC) offers programming that has strengthened the minds and hearts of kids in East

Oakland.

Over the course of 45 years, 27 of them under the leadership of recently retired Executive Director Regina Jackson, EOYDC gained national recognition as a youth development model.

Serena Wilson, its current executive director, and Chief Programming Officer Landon Hill are former EOYDC participants who had access to training in visual and performing arts, wellness and career development at the building at 82nd and International Boulevard when they were young.

Already a member of the Black Cultural Zone organization, EOYDC brought to Rise East the vital component of youth-oriented culContinued on page 8

By OPL Media Office

The Oakland Public Library is thrilled to announce the special limited-edition Library Card Contest, a creative initiative celebrating the contributions of African Americans to the arts in Oakland.

Courtesy image created by Nikolitsa Paranomos for Oakland Public Library.

This contest will run from Oct. 15 to Nov. 15 with the winning designs featured on library cards

available to patrons Feb. 1, 2024, in celebration of Black History Month.

Oakland has a rich history of artistic innovation by African Americans that has shaped the culture, political landscape, and social justice movements in the city. This contest celebrates these contributions in the arts highlighting literature, poetry, visual arts, music, theatre, and the performing arts.

Continued on page 8

Wilfred Tibbs Ussery Celebrates 95th Birthday: “Have a Purpose”

FDA May Issue Ban on Chemicals in Some Hair Straighteners

Special to The Post

Citing possible links to uterine and other cancers, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced this week that it is considering a ban on chemicals in some hair straightening products.

According to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, “this proposed rule would ban formaldehyde (FA) and other FAreleasing chemicals (e.g., methylene glycol) as an ingredient in hair smoothing or hair straightening products marketed in the United States.

“Use of hair smoothing products containing FA and FA-releasing chemicals is linked to short-term adverse health effects, such as sensitization reactions and breathing problems, and long-term adverse health effects, including an increased risk of certain cancers.

Although these studies don’t say that the rate of cancer is higher for Black women, it is noted that Black women are more likely to use them and start at an earlier age.

Two African American ConContinued on page 8

(Left to right) Wilfred Tibbs Ussery at his 95th birthday celebration at Geoffrey’s Inner Circle in Oakland, Mrs. Gay Plair Cobb, Dr. Paul L. Cobb, and Mrs. Maxine Ussery. Photograph by Conway Jones.

By Conway Jones

Wilfred Tibbs Ussery celebrated his 95th birthday at Geoffrey’s Inner Circle in Oakland with his family and friends on Oct. 8.

Dr. Paul L. Cobb, publisher of the Post newspapers, served as

the “Master” Master of Ceremonies as he welcomed guests to the

stage to talk about Ussery. Geoffrey Pete, owner of Geoffrey’s,

and Ussery’s old friend, provided the soul food refreshments.

Continued on page 8

THE POST, October 18 - 24, 2023, Page 2

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National Union of Healthcare Workers Hosts U.S. Senate Candidate Forum

By Tanu Henry, Antonio Ray Harvey and Joe W. Bowers Jr. California Black Media The top three Democrats running to become the next U.S. senator to represent California participated in a candidate’s forum at the National Union of Healthcare Workers’ Leadership Conference on Oct. 8, at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles.

The participants were U.S. Reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), Katie Porter (D-CA-47), and Adam Schiff (D-CA-30).

They are all running for the Senate seat previously held by Sen. Dianne Feinstein and is currently occupied by Sen. Laphonza Butler, who Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed after Feinstein passed

away on Sept. 28.

The debate was moderated by Lisa Matthews from the Associated Press. The panelists answered inquiries posed by members of NUHW and a team of journalists.

On this team were Melanie Mason from Politico, Benjamin Oreskes from the Los Angeles Times, and Sandhya Raman from Roll Call.

The candidates responded to 20 questions on topics ranging from healthcare, minimum wage, the current Israel-Hamas war, and the potential of Butler joining the race.

During the forum, all three politicians expressed their disapproval and commented on Gov. Newsom’s decision to veto Senate Bill (SB) 799. The bill would have provided striking workers access to unemployment benefits.

“You get what you paid in,”

Lee said of striking workers’ unemployment benefits.

“We need to make sure that the

working people are protected,” Schiff said.

“Nobody should go hungry for

using their legal rights to better themselves and better our entire country’s economy,” Porter said.

The National Union of Health-

care Workers represents more than 16,000 union members.

“Our union’s endorsement

is in the hands of our members,” said NUHW President Sal Ros-

selli. “After we get a chance to

hear from the candidates, we’ll

take a transparent, democratic and informed vote, and the winner will have NUHW’s full support.”

Magaly Muñoz is a graduate of Sacramento State University where she was the managing editor for the student-run newspaper. Courtesy photo.

Reporter Magaly Muñoz Begins 2-Year Fellowship at Oakland Post

By Ken Epstein

Magaly Muñoz recently began a two-year fellowship covering local news for the Oakland Post as a full-time reporter, supported by the California Local News Fellowship.

“As a journalist of color from an immigrant, low-income background, I’ve seen firsthand how little vulnerable communities are covered in the media,” said Muñoz, who is settling into her new job in the Post newsroom in downtown Oakland.

“Throughout my own journey as a journalist, I’ve been determined to elevate the voices of the unheard so that they may one day feel comfortable telling their, often neglected, truth,” said Muñoz.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have helped share these communities’ stories at both the local and national levels over the course of my career and cannot wait to continue to do that for the next two years through this fellowship,” she said.

A graduate of Sacramento State University, Muñoz’s journal-

ism experience includes working for the State Hornet, the university’s student-run newspaper and conducting research and producing projects for “All Things Considered” at National Public Radio.

She also was a community reporter for El Timpano, serving Latino and Mayan communities, and contributed to the Sacramento Observer, the area’s African American newspaper.

Muñoz is one of 40 early career journalists who are part of the California Local News Fellowship program, a state-funded initiative designed to strengthen local news reporting in California, with a focus on underserved communities.

The fellowship program places journalism fellows throughout the state in two-year, full-time reporting positions.

“This program directly addresses the crisis in local news across the nation. In California alone, a quarter of news publications ceased operations between 2004 and 2019, as reported by the University of North Carolina Hussman School of Journalism

and Media,” according to a written statement on the fellowship’s website.

A 2022 study from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University found that three of California’s 58 counties have no local newspapers, and 13 counties have only two, according to the fellowship’s statement.

Among the negative consequences of the decline in local news reporting on local communities are reduced accountability, increased borrowing costs for municipalities, elevated government expenditures and deficits, as well as fewer people running for public office and lower voter turnout, according to the fellowship’s research.

The loss of news reporters and news outlets also means that local communities are more vulnerable to disinformation, and many people – especially those historically underrepresented in decision making – are deprived of information and therefore less able to advocate on their own behalf, the research said.

The family of Ronald Yale Wiley visits the California Firefighters Memorial Wall to trace his name engraved on the monument. Wiley, who died in the line of duty in 2007, was a deputy marshal for Richmond’s Fire Department. Photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

Survivors, Officials Attend State Memorial Honoring 35 Firefighters Who Died on Duty

By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media The California Fire Foundation hosted its 2023 Annual California Firefighters Memorial and Procession Ceremony on Oct. 14 at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Sacramento.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond attended the event, which was organized to honor 35 firefighters who died in the line of duty. Among the honorees was Ronald Yale Wiley, an African American deputy fire marshal from Richmond who died on duty in 2007.

The state formally presented a United States flag to each of the families of the honorees, whose names are being added to the Fire Fighter’s Memorial Wall in Capitol Park on the east side of the State Capitol.

“We’re recognizing and celebrating the life and times of people who tried to make the world a little bit gentler,” Newsom said of the fallen. “They stood tall because they bent down on one knee to help lift other people up. People that came from every conceivable walk of life, political background, and different generations. The 35, we memorialize here today — all with a singular love, and that is a love for public service.”

Nearly 1,000 people attended the ceremony. The procession showcased firefighting apparatuses and was marked by the presence of hundreds of active-duty firefighters from all over California, forming a “sea of blue.”

Accompanying them were the Pipes and Drums of California

Professional Firefighters, honor guards from dozens of fire departments, the families of fallen firefighters from across the state, and various state officials and guests.

The ceremony commenced with a bagpiper playing at the Memorial Wall, a monument built in Sacramento in 2002 to honor the memory, sacrifice and bravery of firefighters who paid the ultimate price while keeping Californians safe.

“When they were called to duty … they came through and they gave as much as anybody is expected to give for their community,” said Brian K. Rice, the president of California Professional Firefighters. “This ceremony is a tribute to that selfless dedication, and more than that, a tribute to the families that stood behind these men.”

In 2007, honoree Wiley was returning to his office from a meeting in Vallejo when the city-owned vehicle he was driving crashed and burned on the Carquinez Bridge on I-80. Wiley, 47, was 16 years into the profession when the incident happened, his son Dante told California Black Media. Dante Wiley attended the ceremony with his wife, children, uncle, and other family members.

“This was a powerful event,” the younger Wiley said of the ceremony. “I brought my three children out here with me so that they can have a better understanding of who my father was.”

Dante Wiley is one of the 20 Black firefighters among Richmond’s 97 firefighters. He said his uncle also spent 30 years as a firefighter in Oakland.

Nationwide, the number of

Black professional and volunteer firefighters is relatively low. According to Data USA, there were 324,149 firefighters in the United States in 2021. Of this figure, 4.38% were women and 95.6% were men. Black firefighters represented 7.4% and Hispanics made up 11.2%. White firefighters were 82.2% of the total.

California has around 35,000 firefighters, Rice said at the ceremony. In many jurisdictions the workforces do not reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. During a 12-year stretch from 1993 to 2005, for example, the San Bernardino City Fire Department (SBCFD) did not hire any Black firefighters.

Now, SBCFD, one of the oldest and largest fire departments in San Bernardino County, has hired a total of 19 Black firefighters, according to Factors Affecting the Hiring of Black Firefighters, a report by James M. Fratus. The late Jimmy Jews became San Bernardino’s first Black firefighter in 1971.

Dante Wiley is actively involved in recruiting efforts.

“I do believe representation matters and so does education,” Wiley said. “When I mean education, I mean outreach.

“I was fortunate because I saw it every day with my father and, before him, my uncle. A lot of people don’t have that exposure,” Wiley continued. “One of my goals is to get out there and talk to people at high schools, junior colleges, or colleges. Is it for everybody? No. But there are different ways you can go out there and help people.

For me, I just want to be of service for my community.”

Thomas Jay, retired Fire Battalion Chief for Riverside, leads the indoor procession at the California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento. The event honored 35 firefighters who died in the line of duty. Photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

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THE POST, October 18 - 24, 2023, Page 3

postnewsgroup.com THE POST, March Aug. 10-16, 2022, Page 66 THE POST, 16-22,, 2022, Page THE POST, October 11 - 17, 2023, Page 4

THE POST, March 25-31,, 2020, Page 5 postnewsgroup.com postnewsgroup.com

Representatives Lee,Month: García Introduce BillGroup Prohibiting Rental The Monkeypox Health Crisis: How California Is Responding Women’s History California Honors Leaders, Discusses For Renowned Peloton Instructor, a Series of Failures Led toPriorities Success

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Evictions During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Latter-day Saints AC President Russell NelsonAwarded Speaks at NAACP’s Convention in Detroit SafeM.Place $180,000 Grant from Broadway Hustlers, Mob’s A PILGRIM CHURCH HAYWARD 5th Annual Family Reunion The Blue Shield of California Foundation

the county’s response is that Among Black Californians,

By Tanu Henry, THE POST, Aug. 26-Sept.

1, 2015, Page 55 government also declared postnewsgroup.com POST, 2019, Page www.postnewsgroup.com

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Driver’s license. Dependable and efficient. in the communities I represent Wharfcases in there.

Charleston, shelter and Phone: (510) 272-4747 growth—and without it, ment courses and resourc168 IV monkeypox “Our team is also commitfeeding may be more likely Jackson California Department in impacted communities, ad- GDP They were also friends and as- 5404 or Michelle Murray aka of The a public health crisis – that’s Because of that, Toussaint was South Carolina. in Chicago the ratio is much es, and to prevent violence women between the ages of Background check.

Physical exam and TB ted test.to reducing Brother Fax: (510) 743-4178 Congresswoman Barbara we would have neared a doubledoses of tecovirimat to health stigma among to get seriously ill or die,” the “The governor has declared of Public Health (CDPH) has ministering the limited numPresents sociates with with the Rep. Broadway at (510) 472-5255. why I worked Garcia “Niecey” sent to “a military in what through outreach and higher. Working-class people, 15-44. educaMore thanschool one million Training available.

Decent wages.

Please call (510) 690-9570.

Email: tonya_peaLee, Chair of the House Approdigit recession.

Compared to centers in various locations CDC reports. a state of emergency as of last begun to collect and report ber of vaccine doses we have, Hustlers.

Former AC Mob For thoseBaptist who wish to suffer con- San Amos Brown (left), pastor of Third Church, and president the NAACP, San Francisco toRev. introduce the Rental Eviche Francisco referredeach to asyear the middle of Noimmigrants, and renters children witness the oftion. cock@dailyjournal.com priations Subcommittee on State previous economic recoveries, Continued on page 8 across the state.

According to the governight and constituents deserve racial and other demographic and raising awareness about members hold top social sertribute food or funds to support President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Russell M. Nelson the A 110th annual branch greets where, victimization Missouri...” which made tion Moratorium Act. This im- disproportionately from eco- brutal Since at 1976, Safe Place of been a classifieds parBrother All other conand Foreign Operations, issued this past year’s has also far So far, CDPH has received nor’s office, CDPH has taken People to knowHenry the truth about this vidata, tracking howensures the disease prevention measures vice positions today. efforts ofAssociation their streetand minisnational convention ofthat the the National foractheent Advancement of Colored (NAACP) Sunday in George him hate his father.

Nevertheless, portant legislation By Brandon White in 1900. has offered a 24-hour crisis at the hands of an intimate nomic recessions like the one tact the POST: Phone the following statement on groups March more equitable in terms proga little over 109,000 mon- White, a number ofand steps to ofexpand rus in who our represented region,” said Harris is impacting various cess toLake treatment,” The Family Reunion will tries, send donations to Aragón Urojas partner.

Detroit.

Photo courtesy of The Salt Tribune. he grew there, learned, but he line, renters in the Bay Area and the Patterson North Caremergency 20-bed shelJesus isPresents the Rooms forWay Rent this country will likely be fac(510) 287-8200 Fax 11, marking one year since the ress against child poverty, food keypox vaccines — of which access to vaccinations and the feature music, food, spoken speaking at a press conference. across the state. said, before adding that CaliCommunity Services’ corpoAlex Toussaint describes his journey to success in “Activate Your eventually decided to force the nation cannot be evicted from olina, was the House’s only Black ter, a children’s program, comThe faith environment can ing, and they needWashington the financial Thea president thestate Church (510) 287-8247 for each don’t even They have customized the Sunday. doses “May have we gobeen forward American Rescue Plan Act of Grace Church of Richmond has several insecurity, and word, kid zoneof and 51,000 dis- lawmaker state has launched a public in- munity “My office led time. this argument office, 1271We The Governor’s of rate fornia is other. “well-positioned” to be Greatness.”

Courtesy photo. school expel him –unemployment which landed their homes during the guest COVTheto exemplify Senate counseling, support a safe and natural place to at the Democrat rooms for rent, including it’s church. Sanctusecurity this bill would provide, Presents of Jesus Christ of Latter-day have to agree with each other Church’s self-reliance services doing our best Email: 2021 was signed into law: speakers. for low-income communities and Ave., Suite 452, San Leandro, tributed to local health departformation campaign, mostly during COVID that we needed emergency follows similar actackle the outbreak. community education address family violence andtore-be groups, ID-19 pandemic.

WeNelson must enpassed a bi-par- Sen. Cory Booker and Republican ary rents negotiable. Call for more informaSaints Russell M. reimmediately.” to love each other.

If we have materials and programs the two great commandments For taken information, call Rev. CAAlthough communities of color. and 94577. ments acrossas the state. relying on webinars town and more demographic data, and tion at (510) 499-2838. tions in Sanhas Francisco, monkeypox is lated ads@postnewsgroup.com outreach, well as a crimiTeen issues, including children sure that everyone accessfor to any tisan minded those assembled Thehope Rental MoratoofEviction reclaiming the hall most effective for the initia— to love God andbill love each Senator Tim Scott, both of whom Ron “aka” Poison at OneLinzie year ago today, President With that said, we still have a meetings to get informaNew York City, and Illinois. not considered deadly, the Prevention exposed to violence in Violence quality housing nonational matter contheir goodwill and sense of human- that nalizing lynching at Program. the federal are Black, introduced the legislathe 110th annual Jesus is the Way tive.are of His children.

Biden signed the American Res- disease long way toAs go on all of there these istion about monkeypox out to On July 23, the World Health can be fatal for some Request forthis Proposals Carolyn Russell, whothehas the home. a result, is financial situation.” level thisinweek, sending bill tion together time around.(RFP) vention of the National Asso- ity for which we yearn, it must The two organizations also Arm arm and shoulder to cue Plan (ARP) into law followToo many lack access people across the state.

Organization declared of people, accord- sues.

Jesus Rush, is thewho Wayrepas executive director great need tostill strengthen theto served forlegislation will Rep. Bobby “No one should lose montheir categories to President Biden’s desk “Although no ciation for the Advancement beginCongresswoman with each of us, one per- athe came together on to Temple strive toafter lift ing passage by Congress, catahealth care they need live a shoulder, may we “CDPH is also expanding keypox a “public health emering to public health authoriBarbara Lee San Pablo Avenue Parallel Improvements Project home duringPeople the COVID-19 House approved the bill of Colored (NAACP) son at a time. reverse the painBike and fear felt by resents the Chicago district Square life. last Millions May toof call all the our brothers and sisters everypulting a historic recovery that fulfilling Ameritreatment options. Access to gency.”

Symptoms of months, the disease Sunday inwhich Detroit that Idifferpandemic is why intro- ties.

January.

The way Emmett Till those victims, their loved ones, Services and where Emmett Till lived, and Over the past 18 the people, Construction Management organizations and Oakland, gov- in New Hope Baptist Church, CA where, in every we can. has led need to one ofundermine the are struggling to put food on the last of 2021. the antiviral prescription drug On Aug. the strongest federal — lesions andhalf blisters — For can cans ences not4, so- during duced the Rental Eviction MorAnti-Lynching Act, named for Black communities, this legislation Los Angeles Rep. Karen Bass First (the executive ernments to work together towho This never be the (RFP No. R24-0001) NewPresidency Hope Baptist Church of Oakland, CAamid seeks a Senior Pastor will world provide Spirit-directed, periods of economic growth in a 10619 McArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA will 510 689-9544 the table rising costs, from thousands of families in our comciety’s shared atorium Act, to humanity. prohibit evicting administration of the church) achieve greater civility and ra- the 14-year-old Chicago boy is a necessary step America must with a photo of Emmett Till same.” visionary leadership forthe ourdifchurch; and possesses excellent in thebyareas of preaching, century. housing toskills the this money meant “Weduring are allthis connected, and munity, “Acrisis church driven Christ has made its partnership with the cialongoing harmony. renters crisis. Famiwhose brutal MisEarlier this murder year,County thein Church take to healCommission from the racialspeaking the House The Alameda Transportation (Alameda CTC)before is seeking Many Americans had been recent spike in gas prices to the ference between having childcare should havecatalyze five plus teaching, counseling and congregational leadership development.

Candidates we are have a God-given responLast July,focused Elder Jack N. Gehonored the NAACP’s comlies hurting -- they are wor- the NAACP a high priority. sissippi in 1955 helped the ized violence that has permeon the kingdom” passed the bill last month. proposals for a contract to commence services on May 1, 2024, or as indicated left to fend themselves costtheof childcare. not, healthy food the ever-growing Pastoral experience (preferably beNAACP’s licensed andCivil ordained by aadvance recognized sibility tofor help makehealth, lifeduring better Thehaving groups have met on severrardSenior spokePastor), at mitment toMovement, equality ried about their jobs, and oryears Rights allows a ated its history,” Booker said Photo courtesy of Rush press one the worst publicus,” health and table in justice the RFP and/or appropriate addenda. theM racial andfrom genor not, having secure place forofthose around NE EaW PeducaROand GAnd R A S convention Ordination Committee have apervasive Bachelor Degree accredited Bible College times to pursue joint 109th annual inan crime and in society. childcare and deserve thePresicer- alLicense to be prosecuted as a lynch- in a statement on March 7. office. economic crises in history.

The der inequities laid bare by COliveefforts or not.seminary.

Sunday schoolTexas.

9 :00 dent Russell Nelson said totion in Our Chicago and San San Antonio, honored The including Email a cover letter, biography, resume and ministerial license(s) toto have tainty that theyM. won’t be kicked ing if“I’m aam victim is killed or injured Specialty is: "No Income Rep. Bobby Rush, who Key Dates: ARP expanded access to vaccines VID- “I arepray deeper thanwe ever.may in- 10:00 Through my Covid Commu-Programs" during a nine-minute evening To read the full story, go to andQualification employment that Church of of Jesus Christ Lat-a represents part of Chicago, Worship am for to the curb and left homeless if Francisco nhbcpastoralsearch@gmail.com onSunday or before April 2, 2020.

For additional information please see as the result a hate crimeofwith and testing; provided economic I urge Americans to look at nity Care Act, we also delivered speech.

“We don’t have to be postnewsgroup.com initiatives in Houston and creasingly call each other dear ter-day Saints stand in unity - Owner SFR's, 2- 4Family Units, 5+ “pastor”. they can’t make their rent,” said sentence of up to 30 years in prison. where TillOctober lived before was at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time our website Non nhbcoakland.org under the heading No phone calls please.

Bible Study Wednesday 7:00 pm • Mandatory Online Pre-proposal: 25,he2023 relief keptalike millions outlove of vital alikethat or look to have what the American Plan with funding to support commu- Buildings, Charlotte. friends,” Nelson Rescue concluded the NAACP tobill advance Unit Apartment The Senate passed the unaniSenior Pastor Prayer Service Thursday and poverty; prevented a catastrophic nity-based effortsMixed did in just a single year as a tes- 6:00pm(PT) to hireUse and and mo- Commercial mously, though three Republican Phyllis Scott L.C.Sunday Fuller Jr. wave of evictions and foreclo- bilize community outreach work- tament to the transformative im- 8:30 am members of the House — from • 0 DOWN VA/USDA/FHA Broker • Proposal due date: November 17, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. PT sures; helped small businesses ers, community health workers, pact governmentOwner/ can have when Georgia, Kentucky, and Texas — 580 FICOMcArthur PROGRAMS DREPresiBlvd., Oakland, CA 510 689-9544 and•10619 schools stay afloat; and made I thank social support specialists, and it prioritizes people.CA voted against #01Democratic 201700 This RFPit.has a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise contract goal of 20.0%. All • JUMBO LOANS TOin $5the critical investments expan-driven others increase vaccine access dent Biden and my “AMILLION church bytoChrist The bill’s passage by Congress NMLS#358884 sion• Bank of health careLoans/P&L coverageStatement and for for their the hardest-hit and highest- colleagues in Congress RFPthedocuments are on the Procurement Portal at https://alamedactc.

Statement Loans marks end of hundreds of available failed focused on the kingdom” reducing costs for millions. steadfast leadership and look risk communities through highbonfirehub.com.

All questions regarding this RFP must be submitted in via the • PRIOR BK or SHORT SALE attempts to pass anti-lynching legLoans In my district in California’s touch, on-the-ground 24-7 forward to continuing to work tooutreach toMortgage • Borrowers with LOW or NO FICO’s islation over more than a century.

Procurement Portal, no later than 3:00 p.m. PT on October 31, 2023.

1556 Drivefor #271 East Bay, the ARP has been trans- educate gether to deliver the American and assist individuals in Fitzgerald Sunday school 9 :00 am • Borrower s w/Work Permits, Non- Resident Congress failed to pass such legisformative, especially its expan- getting people.”

Alien OKWorship CA 94564 Submittals must beover made Sunday 10:00 the aminformation they need Pinole, lation more than 200 times the in accordance with the instructions in the RFP. Any Send your church sion• of the Child TaxDEVELOPMENT’s Credit. Fam- about vaccinations.

Sean Ryan is a member of Financing in NEW 510-757-3659 Mobile 122 years,awarded according must to USAbe in compliance with the local, state, and/or federal Bible Study Wednesday Looking 7:00 pm back on its impact, Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s lastcontract ilies•Family in my district alone received FIRST TIME BUYERS SPECIALIST 510-200-9714 Office - 877-247-7009 Efax Today. notes, stories and requirements.

A Next Level for Church Seniorshowing Pastor Prayerindividual Service Thursday 6:00pm 74,000 payments media relations office. we Ministering nowand have analyses The first piece of anti-lynching • PRIVATE and HARD MONEY…10 Day Closings www.24-7mtgloans.com Phyllis events to Post News themillion Spirit of that Excellence a total of close to in $160 the in Scott 4 milSunday 8:30 amARP resulted legislation was introduced by Rep. Rev. J. L. Porter, Group, Email at Senior Pastor/Teacher info@ ads@ 3601 Cutting Blvd, A Next Level Church Ministering postnewsgroup.com Richmond, 94804 in the Spirit ofCA Excellence Continued on on page Continued page88 Rev. J. L. Porter, 510-680-5031

Will Launch Faith and Domestic Violence Project

Chairwoman Barbara Lee Notes Anniversary of American Rescue Plan

Send your church notes, stories and events to Post News Group, Email at ads@postnewsgroup.com ALLEN

Congress Passes Anti-Lynching Bill After 200 Failed Attempts Over 100+ALLEN Years Jackson ALLEN Jackson

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Tree of Life Empowerment Ministries

“YOUR LENDER OF CHOICE”

Tree of Life Empowerment Ministries

Send your church notes, stories and events to Post News Group, Email at ads@postnewsgroup.com

Destiny Christian Fellowship

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Destiny Christian Fellowship

Senior Pastor/Teacher Sunday 10:00 am………Sunday School Sunday 11:00 am………Morning Worship 3601 Cutting Blvd, Wednesday 6:30pm……Intercessory Prayer Richmond, CA 94804 Wednesday 7:00 pm …..Wednesday Worship Experience 510-680-5031 Wednesday 7:30 pm…...Choir Rehearsal Sunday 10:00 am………Sunday School Sunday 11:00 am………Morning Worship Wednesday 6:30pm……Intercessory Prayer Wednesday 7:00 pm …..Wednesday Worship Experience

CHURCH OF ALL FAITHS 2100-5th Ave., Oakland, CA 94606 510-452-2578

Reverend Joe L. Smith, Pastor

Wednesday 7:30 pm…...Choir Rehearsal

Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church

BibleWay Missionary Baptist Church

5717 Foothill Blvd, Oakland, CA 94605 510-569-7814 * 510-568-4408 fax A church that prays together, stays together.

1077 13th St., Richmond, CA 94801 Nathan P. Whittom Sr., Pastor Sunday School…………….…………9:30 AM Worship Service….…………….….11:00 AM Monday Bible Study………….…...5:30PM Wednesday Bible Study…………11:30AM

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so....” Psalm 107:2.

Rev. Dr Jeffrey M. Parker First Lady Princess W.Parker

Weekly Services

Order of services Sunday school 9:30 Sunday Celebration of Praise 10:30 Wednesday Night Pastoral Teaching 7 p.m -8:30 p.m.

Free Food Giveaway Every Saturday 12 noon-4 pm

Sunday: Early Morning Worship ......................8:00 a.m.

Sunday School .....................................................9:30 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship ................................ 11:00 a.m.

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Saturday: Prayer Hour..................................... 11:00 a.m.

SEVENTH AVENUE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 1 7 4 0 7 th A V E N U E OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA 94606 510-834-4273

Rev. Jeffrey Kirton, Pastor Mrs. Jamar Kirton, First Lady

Rev. C. T. Johnson, Pastor Emeritus 43 YEARS OF SERVICES

"

"

"

EMAIL:seventhavenuebapchurch.com …

ON THE WEB www.seventhavenuebaptistchurch.com SUNDAY SERVICES BTU AND SUNDAY SCHOOL------------------------------------------9:15 MORNING WORSHIP SERVICES----------------------------------10:45

" "

WEDNESDAY SERVICES NOON DAY PRAYER AND BIBLE STUDY----------------12:00 – 1:00 P.M. BIBLE STUDY------------------------------------------------------6:30 Church Motto: “There Is Joy In Serving The Lord”

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THE POST, October 18 - 24, 2023, Page 5

Public Notices, Classifieds & Business To place a Legal Ad contact Tonya Peacock: Phone: (510) 272-4755 Fax: (510) 743-4178 Email: tonya_peacock@dailyjournal.com All other classifieds contact the POST: Phone (510) 287-8200 Fax (510) 287-8247 Email: ads@postnewsgroup.com

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

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Gov. Newsom Signs Bill Transforming California’s Mental Health Care System

California Legislative Analysts Office logo. Wikimedia Commons

LAO Asks Legislature to Establish New Formula for Funding County-Level Corrections Program

By Tanu Henry, Antonio Ray Harvey and Joe W. Bowers Jr. California Black Media

The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) released a report on Oct. 10 recommending that the

The Lookout: What You Should Know About California’s New Gun Laws

State Legislature establish a new formula to provide funds to counties through the County Probation Grant Program.

The program was designed to help keep people convicted of felonies out of prison and reduce incarceration costs by supporting county-level community corrections programs.

The program was established

by Senate Bill (SB) 678, introduced by former Sen. Mark Leno, who represented San Francisco. It became state law in 2009.

To make sure the program is effective and sustainable, the formula the LAO is advising the state to create would base the monies counties receive on state savings and established metrics used to assess the performance of local programs. It would also target funds to specific practices whose success is “evidence-based.”

Photo: iStock photo

By Tanu Henry, Antonio Ray Harvey and Joe W. Bowers Jr. California Black Media Californians with relatives suffering from severe mental illness or chronic substance use disorders, including alcoholism, will soon be able to make decisions on their behalf after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 43 into law Oct. 10.

In some instances, conservatorship may be assigned to county health departments, courts or other third parties to temporarily direct the care of affected persons, connect them to treatment or involuntarily detain them.

“California is undertaking a major overhaul of our mental health system,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom in a statement. “The mental health crisis affects us all, and people who need the most help have been too often overlooked.

We are working to ensure no one falls through the cracks, and that people get the help they need and

the respect they deserve.”

Under current law, the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (LPS Act), which former Gov. Ronald Reagan signed into law in1967, authorities may serve as conservators for no more than 72 hours.

“The LPS Act was adopted at a time when public policy was essentially to warehouse people that were mentally ill. The Act established strong and important civil liberty protections to ensure individual rights are protected,” said Sen. Susan Eggman (D-Stockton), who authored the bill. “Like many things that are decades old, it has long been time to make some adjustments to the law to address the realities we are seeing today on our streets.”

While some advocates are applauding the passage of SB 43, some disability rights groups are concerned that authorities may abuse the rights of patients.

SB 43 will take effect Jan. 1, 2024.

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaking at a gun safety legislation press conference in February. Photo by Sheila Fitzgerald.

By Tanu Henry and ntonio Ray Harvey California Black Media Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed new legislation enhancing gun safety measures, further solidifying California’s position as a national leader in implementing controls on the use and distribution of firearms.

Joined by Attorney General Rob Bonta, lawmakers, gun safety advocates and gun wound survivors, Newsom introduced at a press conference several of the gun laws he signed.

They included Senate Bill (S.B.) 2, authored by Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank), which reinforces the state’s public carry regulations; and S.B. 452, authored by Sen. Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas), which mandates the use of microstamping on handgun cartridges to help trace guns used in crimes.

S.B. 2 imposes new restrictions for obtaining a concealed-carry weapons (CCW) permit. According to Portantino’s office, the law ensures licensees are law-abiding citizens over 21 years of age; establishes an appeal process for denied CCW licenses; introduces gun handling, loading, unloading and storage training requirements; and restricts locations where people can legally carry firearms.

In 2022, California’s gun death rate was 43% lower than the national average, according to the Centers of Disease Control (CDC). The Giffords Law Center also ranked the state number one in the United States for gun safety.

“While radical judges continue to strip away our ability to keep people safe, California will keep fighting — because gun safety laws work,” Newsom said in a Sept. 26 statement.

Newsom also signed bills introduced by California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) members

Mike Gipson (D-Carson), Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) and Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles).

Assembly Bill (A.B.) 1406 (McCarty) gives the California Department of Justice the authority to postpone firearm delivery if additional time is required to do background checks.

A.B. 1089 (Gipson) adds new regulations and guidelines for the ownership and operation of computer numeric control milling machines, commonly used to manufacture “ghost guns.” Ghost guns are untraceable firearms sold in parts and assembled at home.

A.B. 574 (Jones-Sawyer), which goes into effect in March 2025, requires gun dealers making any sale of a gun — or overseeing the transfer of ownership — to confirm that both the buyer and seller “confirm possession of every firearm they own or possess.”

A.B. 28, which is authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), was also on the list of gun legislation Newsom approved. The law imposes an 11% excise tax on gun vendors and gun manufacturers across the state.

The revenue collected will be used to improve school safety, behavioral health and gun violence intervention.

“How about a little damn accountability,” said Newsom at a press conference. “You’re selling a product, a leading product, a purveyor of death for our kids.”

Gabriel shares the Governor’s perspective. “It’s shameful that gun manufacturers are reaping record profits at the same time that gun violence has become the leading cause of death for kids in the United States,” he said.

The same day Newsom signed the package of gun laws, the Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC), a non-profit focused on advancing gun rights, announced that it filed a complaint challenging some parts

of S.B. 2.

“SB2 restricts where persons with licenses to carry a concealed weapon may legally exercise their constitutional right to wear, carry, or transport firearms. And it does so in ways that are fundamentally inconsistent with the Second Amendment and the Supreme Court’s decision in Bruen,” the complaint states.

Three groups — Orange County Gun Owners, San Diego County Gun Owners, and California Gun Rights Foundation — have joined FPC in the lawsuit.

“With Gov. Newsom’s signing of SB2 today, California continues to exhibit its disdain for the rights of Californians, the U.S. Constitution, and the Supreme Court’s Bruen decision,” said Cody J. Wisniewski, FPC Action Foundation’s General Counsel and Vice President of Legal, and FPC’s counsel.

“Unfortunately for California, and contrary to Governor Newsom’s misguided statements, the state does not have the power to unilaterally overrule individual rights and constitutional protections.”

Bonta disagrees. “Addressing gun violence is critical to protecting public safety; we cannot pretend that they are distinct problems,” he said. “In California, we won’t settle for inaction when it comes to saving lives.”

On Oct. 10, Newsom scored another win on gun control. The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the California state law that bans guns with high-capacity, detachable magazines can remain in effect while California appeals a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals September ruling that declared that law unconstitutional.

Malvin Russell Goode had been a steelworker, probation officer and YMCA director before entering the field of journalism at age 40. Public domain photo.

Malvin Russell Goode: Black Radio Reporter Who Covered the Cuban Missile Crisis

By Tamara Shiloh

About 80% of Black adults expect that national news stories will be accurate. About 53% feel connected to their main news source overall. One in three say they have a lot of trust in the information they get from local news organizations. These facts aside, Black people have historically been underrepresented in the newsroom.

Malvin Russell Goode (1908– 1995) ignored the cultural roadblocks preventing minorities from entering and having success in the field of journalism.

After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh in 1931, Goode continued his employment as a steelworker for five years. He then worked at various jobs: a probation officer, director for the YMCA, manager for the Pittsburgh Housing Authority, and eventually in the public relations department of the Pittsburgh Courier, where, at age 40, he moved into the position of reporter.

He later took a leap into radio broadcasting, beginning with a 15-minute, twice-weekly com-

mentary for KQV Radio in Pittsburgh. His popularity began to soar.

After 13 years in broadcasting, Goode was hired by ABC in 1962, making him the national news network’s first African American correspondent. He dove at the chance to present all sides of news coverage.

Seven weeks into Goode’s network career, the Cuban Missile Crisis developed. The lead ABC correspondent for the United Nations was on vacation, so Goode reported on the entire story for the network. He continued to cover the U.N. until his retirement in 1973.

Throughout his career, Goode also reported on political conventions, and civil and human rights issues during the 1960s.

Goode was jailed many times in attempts to harass and intimidate him for his involvement with civil rights issues. He was active with the NAACP and traveled across the country to give speeches for more than 200 local chapters.

He knew and interviewed many prominent civil rights leaders and athletes such as Martin

Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Jackie Robinson.

Post retirement, he worked for the National Black Network, again covering the U.N., civil rights, and politics, a move that proved challenging.

Goode was born in White Plains, Va. His grandparents had once been slaves, and their history informed Goode’s entire family life, giving them ambition and determination.

His mother attended West Virginia State University, and often stressed the importance of education to her children. Goode would remember these lessons for the rest of his life. This can be seen by his determination and his interest in events that affected the world.

About Goode, former ABC anchor Peter Jennings, who considered him a mentor, once said: “Mal could have very sharp elbows. If he was on a civil rights story and anyone even appeared to give him any grief because he was black, he made it more than clear that this was now a free country.”

Goode died of a stroke on Sept.

12, 1995, in Pittsburgh.

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THE POST, October 18 - 24, 2023, Page 7 T:12"

Over half of small businesses experienced a cyberattack last year

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F25178_61a_Oakland_Post_12x20_5_240u-SMB_R1.indd 10.05.2023 RQD EPSON

T:20.5"

So we’re providing the advanced tools and trainings to defend them

2023 Page 8 THE POST, October 18 - 24,, 2023,

State of the City Address ...

demic.

This plan includes launching “Five after Five,” a pilot program Continued from page 1 to allow parking in the 19th Street She also highlighted the addi- Garage from 5:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. tional funding for six new police for only $5, Thursday through Satacademies and the expansion of foot urday, to bolster Oakland’s nightlife, concert venues, and weekend patrol police throughout the city.

Her new efforts are to enhance shopping.

“All of these investments we’re 911 police dispatching, add 300 making in Oakland are contributnew license plate readers and put ing to making more businesses stick community ambassadors, security here in Oakland, more businesses personnel, security cameras, and expanding in Oakland, and more other additional infrastructure in businesses coming to Oakland,” high-traffic areas of the city.

Thao said she’s been listening to Thao said.

Thao took responsibility for the concerns of the community and missing out on the Organized Reunderstands that things like viotail Theft Prevention Grant, statlence prevention and community ing “I own that, the buck stops with safety contribute to the overall imme.” She declared that she is fastprovement of the city.

“I know we have work to do, but tracking the recruitment of a grants we can only do it if we all come to- coordinator and bringing in more grant management expertise. Adgether,” Thao said.

The mayor also committed to in- ditionally, she announced plans to vesting in homelessness and hous- upgrade and modernize the city’s ing issues in Oakland, and to col- grant management software tools.

Thao concluded her address by laborate with as many officials and communities as possible to combat saying, she’s “up for the challenge” to make Oakland a better place to the housing crisis.

According to a 2023 article by live. Her final words were, “Let’s Business Insider, Oakland ranks unite for Oakland. Let’s fight for among the largest cities in Califor- Oakland. This is our city. This is our nia with the highest cost of living, fight, and this is our future. Thank with rent averaging about $2,700 you all so much for joining me.”

Despite the extensive commitper month and four-bedroom homes ments Thao made in the agenda to priced at approximately $900,000.

One of Thao’s initiatives involves ensure Oakland’s safety and succollaborating with other Bay Area cess, people questioned her absence mayors to place a housing measure during the public comment, bypasson the November 2024 ballot to ex- ing the opportunity to hear commupand the construction of affordable nity feedback.

“You need to be here to listen, housing throughout the region.

The plan also includes $200 mil- you gotta listen to what we’re saylion for creating affordable hous- ing,” Edwin Escobar said. “Hear us ing units over the next two years; because we need you to do your job. $53 million in state grant funding People are dying, businesses are to construct 1,000 new affordable closing. This is real, the struggle is housing units; and preservation of real.”

Councilmember Nikki Fortu134 affordable units through Oaklands’s Acquisition and Conversion nato Bas said that the city officials have been working and will continto Affordable Housing program.

As businesses continue to strug- ue to work to give the community gle to stay open, Thao affirmed that the basics, making sure that everyshe’s committed to revitalizing the one from kids to seniors feel safe, city’s tourism. She has partnered and that businesses feel like they with Visit Oakland and Activate have a place to thrive.

Oakland to reinvest in the com“We have to do better because mercial areas to promote economic we all deserve a stronger and safer, recovery from the effects of the pan- more united Oakland,” Bas said.

The Oakland City Council held a special meeting Tuesday afternoon at City Hall. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

Rise East Project ...

programming in Rise East structure, Wilson said.

Continued from page 1 EOYDC has its own advisory ture that builds community leaders council internally and the youth work with everything within EOYand business-oriented youth.

EOYDC Executive Director DC’s other initiatives. “It was natuSerena Wilson, a member of EOY- ral that they also work with Oakland DC since age 4, says, “With the Rise Thrives on their advisory council.”

Wilson indicates that the pledge East Project comes the necessity to have not only the voice of adults liv- by philanthropists Blue Meridian to ing in the ‘40 by 40’ zone designated invest $50 million into East Oakfor development, but also that of our land has upped the ante for the 40by-40 Council, as the council must youth.

“We help youth maximize their now raise $50 million in matching potential and be the best version of funds.

“Thus far, we have raised $20 themselves. With Rise East addressing environmental and historical million, and we are hosting a prifactors that have led to the depriva- vate, invitation-only fundraiser at tion of this population, it is vital we the end of this month,” said Wilcultivate a culture of support where son. “I’m confident we can raise the the voices of the once voiceless are funds required to match Blue Meridian.” heard,” Wilson said.

Wilson is the first alumni to run EOYDC’s youth have been weighing in as part of the ‘40 by the youth organization, and 50% of 40’ Steering Committee and have a EOYDC staff are previous memformal role co-designing the actual bers.

Limited Edition Library Card Contest ...

Continued from page 1

Additionally, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop, a special category is dedicated to this groundbreaking art form.

“We are excited to provide a platform for artists of all ages to celebrate the cultural heritage and artistic contributions of African Americans in Oakland,” said Library Director Jamie Turbak.

“This contest allows OPL to showcase the incredible talent and creativity of Oaklanders of all ages; I hope people will collect all six cards,” she said.

The contest is open to visual artists of all ages (children, teens, and adults). There will be six winners, two selected from each age group.

Artists are encouraged to submit original, digital, or traditional artwork that represents their chosen category and reflects the theme.

A panel of judges, including representatives from the Oakland Public Library and local artists, will evaluate submissions based on creativity, relevance to the theme and artistic skill.

The winners will be officially notified on Dec. 5, and their art will be featured in an exhibit installation during Black History Month 2024.

Additionally, winners will receive special recognition and prizes.

For more information, official rules, and submission guidelines, please visit: www.oaklandlibrary. org/artcontest #OakLibraryArtContest, @OakLibrary

postnewsgroup.com

Sojourner Truth Manor Tenants ...

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and “exchange laughter and joy: cooking, playing games, knitting and crocheting, dancing and exercising.”

Colston asked management a question: “What is the timeline to start, and what is the timeline to finish construction on building our Community Room?”

HumanGood, the property management company hired by the board of directors that owns the complex, was brought in a year ago to revitalize Sojourner Truth after years of neglect under the past property managers.

The new company said it has been trying to renovate the community room for the past year but told tenants it was unable to obtain city building permits. However, during last week’s meeting, it appeared that HumanGood had not yet applied for permits.

HumanGood is the sixth-largest nonprofit senior living provider in the country, operating nearly 100 affordable housing communities, serving about 8,880 residents.

Another major tenant concern was the elimination almost a year ago of the position of Social Services Coordinator, who used to help organize social events, provide counseling, and help tenants prepare for the annual recertification of Medicare, Medi-Cal, and housing requirements as well as help with their phones, tablets and other issues.

Colston also said communications between the board and the tenants would improve if four of their residents were added to the board of directors.

Tenants have said that the former social services coordinator helped alleviate stressful situations. “Since she’s been gone, mental and emotional stress have had an adverse effect on all aspects of our lives,” said resident Nancy Delaney.

Another tenant, Joyce Rodriquez, also voiced tenant concerns.

“We need security and safety,” she said. “Our residents are feeling unsafe in our own apartments.”

Communication is minimal or nonexistent, she said. Information from management arrives on tenants’ doors written only in English and often not comprehensible, though there are six different languages spoken at Sojourner Truth.

“Tenants need translation in all their languages,” she said.

Not all entrances and exits are wheelchair accessible to the residents, Rodriguez continued.

There is also a lack of pest cont-

Human Trafficking Advisory Council ...

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of humanity to ensure that we are protecting our boys and girls, men and women, to ensure that they do not have to face a life of being trafficked,” Thao said.

Earlier this month, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price unveiled six new billboards at Oakland International Airport that are part of her campaign against to human trafficking in the Bay Area.

The billboards will feature QR codes and phone numbers, offering victims and survivors access to helplines and resources. The information displayed on these billboards will be available in three languages.

Thao said they are looking into the option of putting up additional billboards around the city, but will leave it up to the Council to find the best solutions to raising awareness about sex trafficking.

Alameda County is identified as the third-largest hub for sex trafficking in the country, with 4,700 youth victims.

“It [human trafficking] is a billion-dollar industry, and our efforts have to step up to that,” Price said during her press conference.

The council identified the streets and neighborhoods between International Boulevard, East 14th Street, and East 15th Street, also known as “the blade,” as the most active zones for trafficking in Oakland.

Oakland Police Department, also a part of the advisory coun-

rol. “We have infestation problems in the buildings: rodents, roaches, and bedbugs, and they’re not being addressed properly.”

Walter Johnson, president of the Sojourner Truth board, criticized tenants for not communicating with him or telling him about Friday’s meeting, which the tenants denied.

“I’m insulted,” he said. “No one has contacted me to see the status of the things that were going on here. I never stopped trying to work for Sojourner Truth.”

Johnson, who worked for many years as an administrator for the City of Oakland, said he was committed to improving conditions at Sojourner Truth.

But the way forward is not to blame anyone or hold large meetings with outsiders with lots of shouting. What is needed is a small group of tenants who will work with the board to see solutions and ensure “the correct information gets in the newspapers.”

“I want to work with Beverly (Colston) and whoever else she wants to put in the group, but we’re not going to solve this with 100 people in the room,” Johnson said. (We need) a committee that’s committed to do what needs to be done.”

Kendra Roberts, who oversees operations for 100 senior communities for HumanGood, said the first time she walked through Sojourner Truth Manor, “our hearts were broken,” seeing a construction project that had begun years ago was never completed.

Along with the Community Room, “a total of five apartments have been off-line for five years, which has had “a tremendous financial impact to the community,” meaning that there is not sufficient income to pay the salary of a social services coordinator.

However, tenants said they spoke with a HUD supervisor in April, and he said to tell HumanGood to hire a social services coordinator and pay for the position from the money paid to HUD. However, tenants were told the board had to make the decision, and nothing more was said about the matter.

Wrapping up the meeting, Colston said she was pleased with what had been accomplished.

“We have the city, we have the state, we have the county, we have the federal government – all here in one room,” she said.

“I have accomplished what I wanted to do. We live here, and we have been here. Let’s have communication,” Colston said.

“Now let’s move forward.

Let’s get this building back where it should be.” cil, shared that in partnership with the FBI, they completed 26 critical investigations where 14 minors were rescued, 27 individuals were arrested for solicitation and 14 individuals suspected of human trafficking were arrested.

When asked how she will assure that the community doesn’t see an increase in police presence in the streets as a negative, Thao said there’s two sides to the issue.

First, the role of police partnerships is to look out for pimps and perpetrators of sex trafficking and to enforce the relevant laws. Second, victims need resources like housing, jobs and food. This is where community organizations come into play.

Venus Morris from Survivors Healing Advising and Dedicated to Empowerment (SHADE) shared that the isolation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic made it easier to exploit people because of idle time that perpetrators’ had coupled with the lack of resources accessible to survivors and victims.

She said her work with SHADE goes towards diffusing the epidemic of sex trafficking and helping kids feel like selling their bodies and walking the streets is not the only option to getting some kind of stability in their lives.

“Awareness isn’t a campaign.

It’s an action,” Morris said.

The mayor stated that the council will regularly convene to discuss strategies concerning resources for victims, proper intervention and enforcement of these crimes, and examine what are the underlying issues that make victims vulnerable.

FDA May Issue Ban on Chemicals ...

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gresswomen supported the FDA’s move, having written a letter to the agency earlier in the year requesting an investigation into the health impacts of the hair products.

One is Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), who went public with her alopecia diagnosis a few years ago, and the other is Rep. Shontel Brown (D-Ohio). They released a joint statement.

“The FDA’s proposal to ban these harmful chemicals in hair straighteners and relaxers is a win for public health – especially the health of Black women who are disproportionately put at risk by these products as a result of systemic racism and anti-Black hair

Wilfred Tibbs Ussery ...

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Ussery has dedicated his life’s work to civic engagement and the advancement of the disenfranchised.

He served as the chairman of the San Francisco Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). He was also the president of Black Urban Systems, a firm that consulted African Americans on getting control of services, institutions, and resources in their communities.

He served for 18 years as an elected director and president of the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) District Board.

He was an active member of many national and local social change organizations.

He helped organize non-violent, civil disobedience sit-ins including the successful 1963 demonstration at Mel’s Drive-In and the 1964 Automobile Row demon-

Fighting Organized Retail Crimes...

Continued from page 1

departments were among the 31 police offices that were awarded the state grants. They received $986,444 and $2.5 million respectively.

With the allocation of the new funds, Price was able to add more staff for theft prosecution, including an additional deputy district attorney and an inspector. The team will be overseen

by Otis Bruce Jr., the chief assistant district attorney, who will also be in charge of the prosecutions for the crimes.

“I’m focused on solutions, which is why we’re here today.

The people of Alameda County elected me to do this work and we’re doing it,” Price said in a press conference last Thursday.

Although the county at large will benefit from these funds, attention has turned to the city of Oakland, which missed the deadline for the state grant.

During a press conference last month, the Oakland NAACP chapter called out the city and Mayor Sheng Thao for their failure to apply in time for the state grant, missing out on almost $15 million in funding that could be used to prosecute retail crime with extra police patrols, squad cars, and automated license plate readers to track down suspected perpetrators of crime.

In response to the missed deadline, small business owners in Oakland staged a one-day strike to show solidarity with the community and call for the city to intensify efforts to ensure public safety and combat retail crime.

“Every single day I wake up to phone calls, e-mails, texts about new businesses in my district getting hit with break ins, and it’s very overwhelming for longtime, legacy Oakland businesses to feel like they’re not going to be able to stay here,” Oakland Councilmember Janani Ramachandran (D4) said.

In May, Ramachandran had proposed funding a grant writer within the Oakland Police Department to focus on all public safety related grants.

She said that up until that point, staff members across departments had been tasked with grant writing on top of all

sentiment,” the statement read.

“Regardless of how we wear our hair, we should be allowed to show up in the world without putting our health at risk. I applaud the FDA for being responsive to our calls and advancing a rule that will help prevent manufacturers from making a profit at the expense of our health,” Pressley said in the statement. “The administration should finalize this rule without delay.”

Some manufacturers of these products are already facing legal battles by users reporting health issues. More than 250 lawsuits have been filed recently against hair product producers like L’Oreal USA. Sources for this report include WebMd, Reuters, and Rep. Ayanna Presley’s press office. strations in San Francisco.

Norman Brown and Dr. Oba T’Shaka spoke of his skills in architecture and his ‘people skills,’ teaching how to “put your ego aside” and let organizations be administered by the best qualified.

Among those present enjoying, bringing greetings, and reminiscing were his son, Wilfred R. Ussery, and old friends: Altheda Carrie, Norme Rogers Jackson, Rhonda Benin Long, Sophia Maxwell, Carol Tatum, Kitty Epstein, Dr. Lynette McElhaney, Merlin Edwards, and Troy Belton.

Ussery thanked his wife, Maxine, for her more than 50 years of love and support. He also thanked the assembled guests.

He challenged the next generation to “have a purpose,” to do something with their lives that will make a difference.

Wilfred Tibbs Ussery is not retiring. His last remark was that he was preparing his speech for his 100th birthday celebration.

the other work that they were already managing and making it harder to meet deadlines like the one set by the state.

Councilmember Treva Reid (D7) said she’s been working in conjunction with Ramachandran and Councilmember Kevin Jenkins (D6) to establish a regional public safety task force to foster collaboration and invest in short- and long-term strategies that can achieve community safety goals.

Their plan is to leverage technology and resources to enhance communication systems overall.

Reid said her district has been plagued with crime and not only are her constituents suffering greatly because of it, but it’s hitting every corner of the city.

“We live it [crime]. We endure trauma daily,” Reid said.

She stated that she’s been able to get a policy in the budget that directs the city administrator to return to the council with a report to develop written policy frameworks for equitable service delivery in every city department, so that resources and services can be allocated out in the community.

Reid emphasized that city leaders need to be more involved with the community. She pointed out a gap in trust that people have in their leaders and the leaders’ follow-through on delivering community priorities, such as public safety.

In a special City Council meeting on Tuesday, Mayor Thao laid out her plan for community safety in her State of the City address and took responsibility for missing the deadline for the state grant.

She stated that her office is now fast-tracking the hiring of a grant writer, bringing in people with grant writing expertise and upgrading these management tools.

Her address included plans for more police presence on the street, more 911 dispatchers for improved answer times, and new technologies like 300 new automated license plate readers throughout Oakland to collect evidence quicker.

“Oakland, we will learn from this experience and do better for our city and for everyone that does business here,” Thao said.