Barbara Lee, Leaders:‘No Recall of Pamela Price, Sheng Thao”
Supervisor Keith Carson, Senator Nancy Skinner, former
Congresswoman
in
“Whether it’s two governors or local elected officials, I’ve always opposed recalls, and oppose the recalls on our Nov. 5 ballot,” wrote Lee.
“They’re undemocratic, costly, and chaotic,” she said. “They prevent our officials from governing and deplete badly needed resources from our
communities.” Lee continued: “The voters – through regular elections, not billionaires – are the ones with the power to ensure our democratic
process remains strong and in place.”
“Now is the time to come together and work to address the
Oakland Post
By Walter Riley Attorney at Law
It has long been known that the criminal justice system needs to be reformed. Pamela Price campaigned on a promise to reform Alameda County’s criminal justice system. She ran a grassroots
campaign, largely funded by small donations.
Despite being outspent nearly 4 to 1, she won decisively with 53% of the vote. She took no money from police unions, freeing her to hold law enforcement accountable, something voters consistently identify as a major issue.
Recall organizing began before she even took office, showing that the recall is not about her performance.
The job of the District Attorney’s Office is to do justice, not revenge. Since I was an NAACP leader and then a Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) Field Secretary in my home of Durham, North Carolina, in the 1960s, I have fought for prosecutorial justice of the kind
Said William Fitzgerald, campaign spokesman of Oaklanders Defending Democracy, which opposes the mayor’s recall, “One rich guy in Piedmont thinks he could buy himself a mayor of Oakland. What we’re seeing this week is a tidal wave of support rejecting the premise that the ul“Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18
By Post Staff
Since its official launch on Sunday, Oct. 6, the campaign to reject the recall of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao has received a surge of support. Many local organizations with deep roots in Oakland and very prominent elected officials are getting the word out, saying Oakland is not for sale.
Prominent local political leaders have issued strong statements urging voters to oppose the recalls, including Rep. Barbara Lee, State Senator Nancy Skinner, Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, and Sandré R. Swanson, a former member of the California State Assembly (see their statements elsewhere in this issue of the newspaper).
Oakland City Councilmember Carroll Fife also condemned the recalls. “The financial and moral cost of these recalls is more than our city can bear. In the face of a budget deficit, a $10-million special election would be painful in more ways than one. Ten million (dollars) could go a long way to addressing some of the issues in Oakland people care about.”
Special to The Post
Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price announced Tuesday that her office was awarded a $6 million grant by the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) to expand the Community Assessment Referral Engagement Services (CARES) Navigation Center diversion program.
Alameda County was one of 27 government and community-based organizations in the state award-
ed the grant after a highly competitive process. This is the largest grant ever awarded to the Alameda County District Attorney’s office.
The CARES Navigation Center is the only pre-arrest diversion program in Alameda County. It is currently jointly administered by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office and the County’s Behavioral Health Department.
Located in Oakland, the CARES Navigation Cen-
By Post Staff
The Oakland Police Department its thanking community and media partners in finding Edward Haynes, 32, and African Ameri-
can man who had been reported missing on Tuesday and was at risk due to unusual circumstances. He has been safely located.
Richard “Razor” Johnson
By Ken Epstein
Barbara Lee
a strongly worded statement this week opposed the recalls of both Alameda County District Attorney
Pamela Price and Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao in campaigns lavishly funded by a handful of out-oftown billionaires and backed by corporate media.
Weekly Edition. October 9 - 15,
(From Left:) U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee. File photo. Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson. File photo.: Former Assemblymember Sandré Swanson. Courtesy photo. California State Senator Nancy Skinner. Courtesy photo.
The Post endorses Noel Gallo for City Council, serving District 5. Gallo
Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price. File photo.
Mayor Sheng Thao spoke Sunday, Oct. 6 at a campaign rally to reject the billionaire-backed recall on the Nov. 5 ballot. Photo courtesy of Oaklanders Defending Democracy.
Walter Riley. Courtesy photo. By
Oakland Police Department image.
Gov. Newsom Approves Key Legislation Backed by Black Caucus in 2024 Session
By Joe W. Bowers Jr. California Black Media
In 2024, the 12-member California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), introduced nearly 600 bills aimed at improving the lives of all Californians, many with a particular focus on addressing inequities faced by Black citizens. Of these bills, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed 230 into law and vetoed 50.
The following are some of the key bills taking effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
Education Reform for Black Students
Senate Bill (SB)-1348 by CLBC vice-chair Sen. Steven Bradford (D- Inglewood) designates California Black-Serving Institutions (BSIs), an effort to provide additional resources and support to higher education institutions that primarily serve Black students.
Assembly Bill (AB)-51 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (DOakland) makes sure that Black families from low-income communities have access to critical early childhood education.
AB-1113 by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D–Sacramento) expands the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) to include data on expanded learning opportunity programs. This bill improves the state’s ability to track student outcomes.
Health and Human Services: Improving Health Outcomes for Black Californians
AB-2319 by CLBC chair As-
semblymember Lori Wilson (D–Suisun City) mandates implicit bias training for healthcare providers, addressing disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes, especially affecting Black women.
AB-3059 by Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D–La Mesa) requires commercial health plans to cover medically necessary pasteurized donor human milk for infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
Tackling Job Security
SB-1089 by Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D–Los Angeles) requires grocery stores and pharmacies to provide advance notice to workers and the community before closures.
AB-647 by Assemblymember Chris Holden (D–Pasadena) strengthens grocery worker protections by preventing mass layoffs and ensuring that trained and skilled grocery store and pharmacy workers are rehired.
Environmental Justice for Black Neighborhoods Bonta’s AB-2851 mandates air quality monitoring near metal shredding facilities, protecting the health of Black communities.
Bradford’s SB-1130 prevents low-income Black families from being left out of the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program, which subsidizes electricity costs.
Criminal Justice and Civil Rights Advocacy
AB-1986 by Assemblymember Issac Bryan (D–Ladera Heights) bans certain books in state prisons, addressing concerns over materials that perpetuate racial stereo-
types and divisive ideologies.
AB-3089 by Assemblymember
Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D–South Los Angeles) issues a formal apology for California’s role in chattel slavery, calls for systemic reforms and reparative justice for Black Californians.
AB-2975 by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D–Carson) known as the Secure Hospitals for All Act, focuses on increasing hospital safety by requiring the installation of weapon detection systems at key entrances.
AB-672 by Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) would ensure that Black Californians and other underrepresented communities are able to alert authorities in a timely way regarding alleged violations of civil rights.
Economic Justice and Worker Rights
Bradford’s SB-1177 ensures that minority-owned businesses are prioritized for public utility contracts, helping to create more economic opportunities for Black entrepreneurs.
AB-1 by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) strengthens collective bargaining rights for workers in the California Legislature and protects Black employees, ensuring opportunities to advocate for fair treatment and wages.
A Continued Fight for Equity
The 230 CLBC bills signed into law represent tangible progress in education, healthcare, housing, environmental justice, and criminal justice reform.
Rep. Barbara Lee’s ‘Food as Medicine’ Vision Becomes Federal Program
By Bo Tefu
California Black Media
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12)
commended the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for launching the first-ever Food is Medicine (FIM) initiative virtual toolkit. The service is an interactive website with resources to advance the initiative nationwide to help communities reduce nutrition-related chronic diseases and food insecurity.
Lee applauded the HHS for supporting the development and expansion of the initiative across the country.
California Assembly Passes Bill
Price Spikes
$2.99
By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
On Oct. 1, during a special session, the California Assembly advanced Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to prevent gasoline price spikes, according to the Governor’s office and lawmakers backing the measure.
The Assembly passed Assembly Bill (AB)x2-1, authored by Assemblymember Gregg Hart (DSanta Barbara) and Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters). The bill is on its way to the Senate for consideration.
If approved, ABx2-1 will empower the state to require oil refiners to maintain a minimum inventory of fuel to avoid supply shortages that trigger higher gasoline prices for consumers — and leading to higher profits for the industry.
In addition, ABx2-1 would authorize the California Energy Commission (CEC) to require refiners to plan for resupply during maintenance outages. The bill
passed with a 44-18 vote, with 17 Assemblymembers not voting.
“Just last year, price spikes cost Californians more than $2 billion — forcing many families to make tough decisions like choosing between fueling up or putting food on the table,” Newsom stated. “This has to end, and with the legislature’s support, we’ll get this done for California families.”
Several members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) voted in favor of the measure, including Assemblymembers Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley), Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa), and CLBC chair Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City).
During the debate, before the vote, Jones-Sawyer said high gas prices are affecting the livelihood of his constituents in South Los Angeles. He told his colleagues that gas in Denver, Colorado, is
“I am hoping that in this legislation that we do have the teeth to ensure that people in South Los Angeles will be protected and that people will understand what we are doing today makes a huge difference in people’s lives,” JonesSawyer said.
Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) offered a solution to preventing soaring gas prices. He said the state needs more storage tanks and pipelines at oil refineries when they are conducting maintenance.
“If we are talking about having a reserve of gasoline so that we can help avoid price spikes, as has been purported, we need more storage, more infrastructure to do so,” Gallagher said. “Right now, the existing pie only takes you so far and if you hold gasoline back, prices will spike.”
Asm. Mike Gipson Hosts Hearing on Big Sports Events’ Impact on Calif. Economy
and tourism industry.
By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
During her time in Congress, Lee has been an outspoken advocate fighting for people to have equal access to healthy and nutritious food and resources to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
On Oct. 2, Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) led an Assembly Standing Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism hearing focused on the impact of various attractions, including large sporting events, on California’s tourism industry.
“I look forward to working alongside local, state, and federal stakeholders as we continue to work to ending hunger and to transforming our ‘disease care system’ to a true health care system,” she said.
The HHS hosted its first-ever Food is Medicine Summit in January 2024, developing the FIM initiative and raising $2 million secured by Lee to launch the national Food is Medicine Program.
“The online toolkit will go a long way in helping communities across the country understand how to implement FIM programs and why they are critical to the people they serve. To put it simply: Nutritious foods are the cornerstone of good health,” said Lee.
The FIM initiative was created building on the success of the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health hosted by the Biden-Harris Administration. The conference had various stakeholders from various industries including medical professionals, policymakers, advocates, researchers, and farmers. Attendees at the conference helped craft a national strategy to end hunger in the country.
Various guests testified about their experiences organizing events that draw large numbers of visitors to the state, including sports competitions like the NBA All-Star games, the Super Bowl, the World Cup, and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
Gipson said the committee aims to expand its partnership with businesses to help the travel
“The members of this body have dedicated a lot of time and resources to supporting our state’s travel and tourism industry,” said Gipson. “The Legislature did as much as we could to help the industry recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s important that we all have a conversation together to make sure that we move out a plan that makes sense, but also is very supportive of the work that we have ahead of us.”
Advocates and business leaders in the travel and tourism industry provided details on how the Legislature can support them with resources and opportunities to help grow the state’s economy in the next five years.
Emellia Zamani, the Director of Government Affairs and Public
Policy for the California Travel Association, an advocacy organization representing several businesses, outlined the hardships presented by COVID-19.
Data provided by the association revealed that the industry experienced a loss of nearly half of the state’s 1.2 million tourism jobs, a 59% decline in visitor spending, and a 52% reduction in state and local tax revenue. The association director stated that California’s spending is expected to increase to $157 billion next year.
“As we move forward, the industry is looking for ways to remain competitive as a destination and increase our economic impact,” said Zamani regarding the industry’s future.
During the Special Session on Oct. 1, Asm. Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles) tells his collegues that he learned that gas prices in South Los Angeles is much higher in the Colorado after recently visited the state. Screenshot.
Asm. Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) and Asm. Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, in Sacramento on September 26, celebrate after Gov. Newsom signed several CLBC bills into law. Photo by Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media (CBM).
Courtesy of Assemblymember Mike Gipson.
Adult Day Program
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Kamala’s Gun and the Men in My Lyft Focus Groups
OPINION
By Emil Guillermo
Kamala Harris started the week with a bang.
“I have a Glock, and I’ve had it for some time,” she told Bill Whitaker on the Monday special edition of “60 Minutes.” “I mean look at my background in law enforcement.”
Duh, right? But it’s a point she needed to address. Kamala is a bad ass with a gun.
Trump? He’s the big ass with a bag of burgers.
Voters need to know the things that separate the two candidates. Kamala is law and order. Trump is the lawbreaking felon with 34 convictions.
And that’s how Harris kicked off her media blitz that included “The View,” “Howard Stern,” “Call Me Daddy,” the Colbert late show, then ending up this week in Vegas for good reason.
She needs the guys.
Not the MAGA-prone White
guys, but the men of color apparently blindsided by a woman who is simultaneously African American and Asian American, and who is powerful and savvy enough to make history as the 47th president of the United States.
Some Black men and Latinx men I talk to get overly macho when you ask them about voting. They blurt out the name “Trump” as if in self-defense.
So, again, Harris was happy to wave her gun to attract the guys.
“Have you ever fired it?” asked CBS’ Whittaker.
“Yes,” Harris laughed. “Of course, I have — at a shooting range.”
My Lyft Focus Groups
When I visited Nevada recently, the freedom loving women there will have to carry that battleground state.
I talked to Nevadans during my “Lyft ride focus groups,” (the only times I had a real captive audience). One Black male driver was so anti-Harris when I pointed
out a previous passenger left a proHarris poster, he reached back, grabbed the sign, and ripped it to shreds.
He explained he wasn’t for anyone. He had no time for politics. He was just happy driving his
Lyft and being left alone.
In fact, few really wanted to talk about politics. There was a real disenchantment with government and our leaders. They just didn’t want to engage. Not even for a five-star rating.
Most
nese goods, that companies will pass on to consumers. Nobel economists say Trump’s economic plan guarantees greater inflation. No response. The guys
On
cerned about the economy.
The Latinx drivers were more willing to talk.
“Voting for Trump?” I asked.
“Look at the price of gas, the price of anything,” they said.
I
Vice President Kamala Harris on “60 Minutes.” Screenshot.
Public Notices, Classifieds & Business
Assemblymember Akilah Weber Applauds Signing of Bill Securing Milk for Infants in Intensive Care
By Bo Tefu
Akilah Weber (DLa Mesa) that ensures babies in neonatal intensive care units receive donor breast milk vital for their health. Under new guidelines set by Assembly Bill (AB) 3059, medi-
cal facilities will provide families donor milk for their babies regardless of restrictions their medical insurance might have.
Weber said that the bill represents the final step in expanding access to donor milk for all families, making a difference in health outcomes for newborns and their families. AB 3059 defines donor milk as “essential” under commercial insurance coverage – a desig-
nation that Medi-Cal requires as well for payment.
“Addressing disparities in health care starts with ensuring access to essential nutrition,” said Weber. “With the mortality rate for Black infants being three times higher than that of white infants, it’s crucial we address health care inequities beginning at birth.”
Dr. Michael V. Drake, president of the University of Califor-
nia, thanked Weber and Newsom for their leadership.
“Creating greater access to donor milk is vital for the health and well-being of newborns and their families,” said Drake.
Drake said that the University of California looks forward to supporting vulnerable families and their babies.
According to UC data, breast milk reduces some health risks in infants such as necrotizing enterocolitis, a life-threatening bowel disease that occurs 60% more frequently among Black and Latino children.
AB 3059 lifts a restriction that required hospitals to have a license to give donor milk to patients. The new law only requires that the milk be obtained from accredited sources such as the University of California Health Milk Bank.
Courtesy of the Office of Asm. Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa).
California Celebrates Native American Heritage with New Laws Addressing Violence, Hate and Social Supports
By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
As Native Americans celebrated 100 years of citizenship and the right to vote at the State Capitol, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a proclamation declaring Native American Day and signed bills aimed at pushing tribal priorities forward.
The package of bills, which includes policies to enhance laws for vulnerable Native American youth and increase access to social supports, was signed on Sept. 27.
“I’m proud of the progress California has made to reckon with the dark chapters of our past, and we’re committed to continuing this important work to promote equity, inclusion, and accountability for Native peoples,” Newsom stated.
Newsom signed seven tribalrelated bills introduced by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino), including Assembly Bill (AB) 2695, which helps California track trends in domestic violence and collect accurate information concerning violence in tribal lands.
AB 2695 will require the California Department of Justice (DOJ) to align its records and data with the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) to assist law enforcement agencies and other entities with identifying
where incidents related to Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) are taking place.
In addition, the bill requires law enforcement to document whether domestic violence incidents took place in Indian Country.
Ramos is the first Native American elected to the California legislature and the chair of the California Legislative Native American Caucus (CLNAC).
“This measure will help California deal with the lack of clear data about MMIP and where domestic violence occurs,” stated Ramos, a member of the SerranoCahuilla tribe. “That information will better inform us about how to deal with this issue as California ranks fifth in the nation in MMIP unresolved cases.”
Underreporting, racial misclassification, bias, and lack of resources to follow through and properly close cases are also obstacles when working on MMIP cases. The DOJ will now have the assets to address those issues.
“For the first time in California, law enforcement agencies will be required to collect data on crimes occurring on Indian lands and report that information to my office,” Attorney General Rob Bonta stated. “(AB 2695) will help all of us develop data-driven strategies to end the MMIP crisis in our state and improve justice for tribal
citizens.”
As part of the CLNAC’s priority package, Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 2795 authored by Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno). Ramos is the co-author of the legislation.
AB 2795 lowers administrative barriers to CalWORKS and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) services at Indian health clinics in the state.
“It is vital that we ensure members of tribal communities have equitable access to safety net programs when needed,” Arambula stated.
Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instructions, co-sponsored AB 1821.
“This initiative supports California’s diverse students to be seen, heard, and understood in their instructional materials, and to foster a deeper appreciation for our Native communities’ history and cultures,” Thurmond stated.
This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.
By Bo Tefu
California Black Media
On Oct. 4, the Governor’s office announced that the state has launched a new revamped digital portal at CA.gov where Californians have access to “hundreds of state services and programs.”
“This overhaul is the latest milestone in the state’s ongoing digital strategy to improve user experience, accessibility, and service delivery for millions of Californians,” read a press release.
“A big part of the work we’re doing to build a “California for
All” is rooted in how accessible our government is to the people. As part of our ongoing work to connect people to their government, today we’re introducing a new CA.gov — California’s ‘homepage’ that serves as a portal to state services and programs,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom.
State Chief Information Officer and California Technology Department Director Liana Bailey-Crimmin said, “We will continue to ensure timely and accurate government information is just a click away. Whether you’re looking for assistance with essential services
California Community Colleges Launch Season 2
Black Student Success
By
The California Community Colleges’ ICanGoToCollege.com campaign has launched the second season of its EDUCATE. ELEVATE. podcast series, which focuses on promoting Black student enrollment and retention. Season 1 had over 60,000 listeners, and the new season aims to build on this success by featuring inspiring student stories and expert advice.
The first episode of the new season brings together former foster youth Kevion Louis-Hernandez, Mt. San Antonio College alum; and Junely Merwin, a NextUp Project Expert, with host Danny Morrison. The conversa-
tion explores the challenges foster youth face and highlights the transformative impact of community college programs like NextUp, which help students overcome obstacles to reach their higher education and career goals.
“This season continues our commitment to addressing barriers faced by Black students and increasing equitable access to higher education,” said Paige Marlatt Dorr, director of Communications and Marketing for California Community Colleges.
EDUCATE. ELEVATE. is part of a broader initiative to reverse the significant enrollment declines experienced by Black students during the pandemic. Black student enrollment dropped by
25% system-wide between 2019 and 2022, but outreach efforts and support services have helped increase enrollment by nearly 15% over the last two years, bringing the total to almost 114,000 Black students in the 2023-24 academic year.
The podcast series features candid discussions on overcoming systemic barriers, educational resources, and strategies for student success. Season 2 offers a new visual style and will release episodes every two to three weeks through May 2025.
To listen to the podcast and learn more, visit the Black Student Success page at ICanGoToCollege.com
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
The California Latino Legislative Caucus (CLLC) announced new leadership last week as the community celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month.
or want to learn about what the Golden State is doing for climate action, new business development, or California government – this site has it.”
“Using advanced technology, the site has a greatly improved search feature, works well on mobile devices and meets modern web standards. The previous version of CA.gov was launched in 2017, and as user needs and technology evolved, the state implemented the work to revamp it,” Bailey-Crimmin added.
The CLLC elected Sen. Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) as the next Chair. The group also elected two vice-chairpersons: Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro) will serve as the Northern California Vice Chair and Assemblymember Juan Carrillo (D-Palmdale) will serve as the Southern California Vice Chair.
The CLLC has 37 members including senators, assemblymembers, and constitutional officers. The legislative group seeks to advance policy and develop ways that empower the Latino community statewide. Gonzalez, the newly elected chair, made history in 2020 when she served as the first Latina to chair the Senate Transportation Committee and the
only woman to hold the position in the past 20 years. Before becoming chair, Gonzalez served as the Majority Whip in 2021, Senate Majority Leader in 2024, and later became the Vice Chair of the Latino Caucus in 2022.
“As Chair, I remain committed to advancing policies that support our communities and uplift future generations on such seminal issues as health equity, climate action, worker’s rights, economic opportunity, and more,” said Gonzalez.
Ortega is a veteran labor leader and activist from an immigrant family. She has dedicated her career to advocating for working-class people in Alameda County. Ortega was the first Latina elected to the Alameda Labor Council representing 135,000 workers in the East Bay. She also became the first Latina Chair of the Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment.
“I know the work we do has a lasting impact that carries on
for generations, and I’m ready to tackle the many challenges our Latino communities face,” said Ortega. “I am committed to making a change that will benefit working families and communities, who are the backbone of our economy and part of the rich cultural fabric that makes California so vibrant and diverse.”
Carrillo is an outspoken advocate for affordable housing to address the homelessness crisis and environmental issues. Before his current role, he was a member of the Palmdale City Council and worked as a city planner for 15 years.
“It’s a profound honor to step into this role and champion meaningful initiatives that will shape a brighter future for our diverse Latino communities,” he said. “I’m excited to continue working to empower immigrant families, workers, small businesses, students, and parents across California.”
Asm. James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino), Chair of the California Legislative Native American Caucus, addresses attendees during the event held at the State Capitol. Photo by Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media (CBM).
Courtesy of the Office of Sen. Lena Gonzalez.
Danny Morrison, host of ICanGoToCollege.com, EDUCATE. ELEVATE. podcast.
Courtesy
Bo Tefu California Black Media
“ When I quit smoking, I committed to something bigger.
Keenan grew up watching the older cowboys smoke. “I didn’t even know it was addictive,” he says, “I just thought it was cool.” At 13, he picked up his first cigarette.
As an adult, Keenan witnessed his mother grow sick from smoking.
“I realized I can’t continue to treat my body like this.”
Keenan turned his focus to his community work with the Compton Cowboys, deciding to set a positive example for the next generation.
“I chose a different legacy. I chose to live.”
A California without Big Tobacco isn’t just possible. It’s already happening.
Keenan · Compton, CA
By Edward Henderson, California Black Media
Prop 4 proposes issuing $10 billion in bonds to fund state and local parks, environmental protection projects, water infrastructure projects, energy projects, and flood protection projects. Additionally, 40% of the bond revenue would be used to fund activities that benefit communities with lower incomes or that are affected by environmental changes or disasters.
$3.8 billion would help pay to improve drinking water systems and prepare for droughts and floods. Another $1.5 billion would go to programs focused on wildfire preparedness and $1.2 billion would go to programs combating the rise of the sea level. The remaining funds would be divided up.
Supporters of the proposition argue that the threat climate change brings to the state is an immediate one. Issues like wildfires, water pollution, and extreme heat call for funding to be directed towards countering the effects of climate change. Several environmental groups are backing the measure as well.
Supporters say urgency to push for the proposition increased even more when Gov. Gavin Newsom scaled back the “California Climate Commitment,” which originally was a $54.3 billion spending package. In the most recent budget,
it was cut to $44.6 billion.
Katelyn Roedner Sutter, State Director of the California Environmental Defense Fund, is on record saying, “We need to be not only helping communities adapt to climate change right now, but we also need to be reducing our climate pollution. This is not a problem that can wait until it’s convenient to fund in the budget.”
Ariana Rickard, public policy and funding program manager for Sonoma Land Trust, added, “Every Californian has felt the impact of the climate crisis, whether it is wildfires, extreme heat, flooding, sea level rise. I feel like this will resonate with voters who want to protect themselves and their communities.”
The bond measure would also require the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency to publish a list of programs and projects on the agency’s website for the public, increasing transparency and accountability with the public. The measure would require the report to list the project’s location, objective, status, anticipated outcomes, total cost, amount of bond funding, and any matching funds.
Opponents argue that using bonds to pay for what they call “unproven technologies” is not the most prudent way to approach the issues. They believe the state should pay for projects like this
without taking on more debt.
Governments, corporations and municipalities issue bonds when they need capital. An investor who buys a government bond is lending the government money. If an investor buys a corporate bond, the investor is lending the corporation money. Like a loan, a bond pays interest periodically and repays the principal at a stated time, known as maturity. Taxpayers eventually are burdened with paying for the bonds the Government issues.
Howard Jarvis of the Taxpayers Association is on the record stating that “These bonds will be paid by people decades from now that didn’t even get to vote for their authorization.”
A “yes” vote supports the state issuing $10 billion in bonds to fund state and local parks, environmental protection projects, water infrastructure projects, energy projects, and flood protection projects.
A “no” vote opposes the state issuing $10 billion in bonds to fund state and local parks, environmental protection projects, water infrastructure projects, energy projects, and flood protection projects.
Report: Number of Black Students in Dual Enrollment Programs Decline
By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
Participation in dual enrollment high school and community college programs has increased among students in California. However, the percentage of Black and Latino high school students enrolled in dual enrollment programs has decreased in recent years, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of California Davis.
California policymakers and educators are integrating dual enrollment as a key mechanism for improving educational attainment, ensuring students have equal access to postsecondary opportunities. State legislators increased funding to expand dual enrollment programs under As-
sembly Bill 288 authored by Assemblymember Chris Holden (DPasadena), a law that helps facilitate collaboration between high schools and community colleges. California made an annual investment of $200 million for high school students. The state also allocated $10 million for the STEM Pathways Grant program that supports creating 6-year programs for students to graduate with a high school diploma and an associate degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics within 2 years of graduating high school.
Despite California’s investment over the years, the study revealed that the number of Black and Latino high school students enrolled in community college courses has declined since 2020. The enrollment gap between
ADAM SCHIFF
A RECORD OF RESULTS
“Probably the most prepared Senate candidate that
Californians
have considered in decades.”
Asian-Pacific Islander students, who have the highest participation rate, and Black students doubled from 7 % in 2019 to 14.5% in 2022.
“For students whose life circumstances, such as economic hardship, may inhibit educational pursuits, opportunities to enroll in community college while in high school may be less accessible,” researchers stated.
Participation rates in dual enrollment programs are lower among socioeconomically disadvantaged students, English learners, youth in foster care, and students with disabilities compared to their counterparts. The research study attributed the steady decline in enrollment rates to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Capable,
experienced and politically ‘battle tested
“He knows
the problems facing California, and unlike his opponent, he has viable solutions.”
Augusta
By Tamara Shiloh
Augusta Savage was a prominent sculptor and activist of the Harlem Renaissance, known for her artistic talent and dedication to encouraging and supporting African American artists.
Augusta Christine Fells was born on Feb. 29, 1892, in Green Cove Springs, Fla. She later took the name of her second husband as her Savage began sculpting as a child using natural clay found near her home. Her father, a Methodist minister, didn’t approve of her sculpting and did whatever he could to stop her. She once said that her father “almost whipped all the art out of me.” Despite her father’s objections, she continued to make sculptures.
When the family moved to West Palm Beach, Fla., in 1915, she encountered a new challenge: a lack of clay. She eventually got some materials from a local potter and created a group of figures that she entered in a local county fair. Her work was well received, winning a prize and along the way the support of the fair’s superintendent, George Graham Currie. He encouraged her to study art despite the racism she encountered.
In the 1920s, Savage moved to New York City, where she attended Cooper Union, a prestigious art school that provided free tuition. She excelled there, completing her studies ahead of time and receiving scholarships for living expenses. Despite being rejected for a summer pro-
gram in France because of her race, she persevered, using the incident to highlight discrimination. She gained recognition during the Harlem Renaissance, creating sculptures of prominent African Americans, including W. E. B. Du Bois and Marcus Garvey.
In 1929, Savage received a Julius Rosenwald fellowship, which enabled her to study in Paris, where she exhibited her work at the Grand Palais, a famous exhibition hall and museum in the French capital.
When she returned to the U.S. during the Great Depression, Savage turned to teaching and founded the Savage Studio of Arts and Crafts, mentoring young artists like Jacob Lawrence and Norman Lewis. She played an active role in the Harlem Artists’ Guild and worked with the Works Projects Administration (WPA) to support struggling artists.
One of Savage’s most celebrated works was The Harp, created for the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Inspired by James Weldon Johnson’s poem “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the monumental sculpture depicted twelve African American youth as the strings of a harp. Although it was highly acclaimed, The Harp was destroyed after the fair ended.
In her later years, Savage retreated to a quieter life in Saugerties, New York, teaching children and creating art as a hobby. She was married three times and had one child, Irene.
Savage passed away on March 26, 1962, in New York City after battling cancer. Although she was nearly forgotten at the time of her death, today Savage is recognized as a pioneering artist, educator, and advocate for African American art and artists.
Biden-Harris Executive Order Reinforces California Gun Laws
By Terri Schlichenmeyer
then that’s what you’ll do. You’ll volunteer where you’re needed. You’ll offer up your time to organize events and gather other helpers. You’ve dedicated your life to public service because, as in the new biography, “John Lewis: A Life” by David Greenberg, you’ve got it to give.
Born into a large but poor family in 1940, John Lewis became a widely respected U.S. Congressman who represented Georgia and fought to advance civil rights legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1987 through 2020.
Lewis grew up dodging chores in his father’s fields. Instead, he spent most of his time reading
anything he could get his hands on. Lewis’s extended family –numbering in the hundreds –never minded much. They knew young John as someone who had big plans for getting off the farm and making something of himself.
Though he was already a victim of Jim Crow laws, and racism kept him from the books and education he craved, Greenberg says that “John’s teenage years coincided with the emerging civil rights movement,” and that became Lewis’s focus. He avidly followed the radio broadcasts of Martin Luther King, Jr., who became a beacon for him.
When it was time to choose a college, Lewis attended the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, but he “began... to ‘drift away’” from the church because it frowned on his interest in the NAACP. He chose anoth-
er church and eventually made a name for himself there as a gentle, level thinker and a leader.
By 1960, Lewis had become more active in the effort for equality. In 1961, he met King, who “had a high opinion of Lewis.” King, in fact, offered Lewis a job but Lewis “felt committed to SNCC,” and turned the great man down.
Still, Lewis kept in contact with King after he went to work with Robert Kennedy in 1968. He was organizing on behalf of Kennedy in Indianapolis when Dr. King was assassinated; he was in New York when Kennedy was shot.
It’s almost impossible in a small article like this to explain the breadth and depth of John Lewis’s days, or of this book. There’s so much to learn, so many anecdotes to explain his work and his life. Since distilling what author David Greenberg offers won’t do justice to either subject or saga, just know that “John Lewis” is about as comprehensive as it gets.
Using archives and other, newer sources, Greenberg dives into Lewis as a whole, taking us back even before he was born. Readers who’ve spent considerable time studying the politician will be pleasantly surprised to find new information here; those who are familiar with Lewis’s Civil Rights work or his politics will devour the until-now unfamiliar parts, making each page a pleasantly dramatic new discovery, like a treasure hunt with an old friend.
Be aware that Greenberg peoples this account of Lewis’s life and his career abundantly, which can be overwhelming unless you devote your time well. “John Lewis” is a book for students, historians, biography-lovers, political fans, and activists.
Find it for yourself. Consider it for gift-giving.
Savage: A Sculptor, Activist and Renaissance Woman
Book Cover. Courtesy of Simon & Schuster.
Augusta Savage with her sculpture Realization, ca. 1938. Photo by Andrew Herman, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution (2371)
D.A. Price Has Done Nothing Wrong ...
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Price tries to model.
She is wrongly accused of not arresting criminals, (not her job), wrongly accused of letting criminal out of jail once arrested (not true) and failing to charge enhancements (part of a state reform movement).
Oaklandside reported, “In April 2020, a growing number of COVID-19 cases pushed the state court system to lower bail to $0 for most misdemeanor and lower-level felony offenses. The emergency bail schedule, the list setting bail at nothing for most types of crimes, was intended to help reduce the number of people being booked into county jail” during COVID.
It was the Judicial Council Order that released arrestees, not Price!
Sentencing reform makes all our communities safer. Price referred all her attorneys to guidance from the California Commission on Revision of the Penal Code where charging and enhancements were addressed for reform at the state level.
California state law limits prosecution of youth as adults. Diversion typically yields better outcomes than arrest and prosecution in juvenile courts, including far lower likelihood of subsequent arrests.
Price’s directive to limit sentencing enhancements is a step toward creating a more just and fair system. Enhancements have disproportionately targeted marginalized communities, leading to excessive sentences without addressing the root causes of crime.
By limiting enhancements, Price is creating more balanced sentencing, focusing on rehabilitation over harsh punishment.
Her broader actions in office have shown a commitment to making Alameda County safer.
According to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, crime in Oakland has dropped by 33% since DA Price took office, underscoring the effectiveness of her approach.
Her administration also expanded mental health courts, ensuring individuals with mental health challenges receive appropriate treatment, reducing recidivism.
In addition, she increased victim advocacy by 38%, providing support to over 22,500 victims.
The recall effort is premature and unjustified. DA Price has been in office for just over a year and a half, and despite significant opposition from the start, she has made transformative changes.
Some key achievements include:
• Holding corporations accountable has been a central pillar of her work, bringing in over $20 million in settlements and judgments, five times as much as previous administrations.
• Securing a $4 million settlement holding Safeway, Vons, and Albertsons accountable for overcharging customers,
• Filing 12 felony charges against a man accused of multiple armed robberies.
• Investigating and prosecuting police misconduct.
Her approach is focused on long-term reform, and residents deserve the chance to see these policies take full effect before casting judgment.
Media coverage has largely focused on sensational stories about crime, often overlooking the broader reforms and successes achieved by Price. Fear-driven narratives about crime spikes— many of which are linked to the pandemic—have often obscured her efforts to make the justice system fairer and more effective.
DA Price’s 40 years of experience as a civil rights attorney, including a win before the U.S. Supreme Court, has been foundational to her efforts to reform the criminal justice system.
Her deep understanding of justice, fairness, and accountability is precisely why she’s the right person to lead Alameda County’s justice system into the future. We can't go back.
$6 Million Grant for CARES Navigation Center ...
Continued from page 1 ter, in partnership with the UnCuffed Project and Market Street Seventh Day Adventist Church, provides resources and referrals to services to residents as an alternative to incarceration and/or prosecution for substance use and mental health-related misdemeanors.
“This is the largest grant investment in the history of the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. I want to thank my team for making it happen: Amanda Thomas, director of Grant Development and Compliance; Tara Anderson, assistant chief of Administration and Operations; Mas Morimoto, the director of our Collaborative Courts; and Dr. Raymond Landry, CARES Navigation Project coordinator,” said Price. “This grant will allow our CARES Navigation Center to expand our existing services across the County.”
CARES gives law enforcement agencies across Alameda County the option to refer individuals suffering from drug or mental health-related issues directly into treatment and related services in the community without having to go to jail or court
OAACC Holds 21st Annual Business Awards Luncheon
By Carla Thomas
The Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce hosted their 21st Annual Business Awards Luncheon at Scott’s Seafood Restaurant in Jack London Square.
Themed “Forging Innovative Paths for a Successful Oakland Now,” the event featured a special presentation from Oakstop Founder and Director Trevor Parham. Parham reiterated the recently unprecedented announcement by NBA icons Jason Kidd and Jaylen Brown to raise $5 billion for Black businesses throughout the nation starting with the newly minted Oakland XChange and Boston XChange.
By bridging the racial wealth gap and investing in small businesses and land, Parham says it will generate a strong local economy. Presenting sponsor Isaac Kos-Read of Kos Read GroupBecker Boards shared insights on the power of community and how change generates community benefits packages that serve all.
The 2024 awards presentations included honoring Congresswoman Barbara Lee with the Special Recognition Award, Yvette Radford of Kaiser Permanente with the Corporate Award, and Danny Williams, an OAACC Board member, the Chairman’s
Award.
The Oscar J. Coffey Entrepreneur Award was presented to Chef Michele McQueen of Town Fare, and Allegra Brandy of Oddua Audio LLC received the Startup Business of the Year Award.
Dee Johnson, founder of Lend A Hand Foundation received a grant award. Danny Williams is also owner of D Monaghan’s on the Hill and shared how he opened his restaurant just weeks before the pandemic and thanked supporters who continue to support the Oakland establishment.
Community photographer Auintard Henderson of Images By Auintard thanked all the historic and current business owners that hired him, including the late publicist Ave Montague of the San Francisco Black Film Festival and C. Diane Howell, deceased publisher of Black Business Listings. Henderson also thanked business owners Cathy Adams, the 100 Black Men Organization and his two adult children in attendance.
Chef Michelle McQueen of Town Fare expressed thanks for the support of her family and the instant gratification she receives when patrons appreciate a meal she has prepared. OAACC President Cathy Adams encouraged the community to continue to support Black businesses.
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real and serious issues facing our communities.”
Echoing Lee’s comments, State Senator Nancy Skinner agreed. “As she does on countless other issues, Barbara Lee speaks for me on recalls as well – past & present. I oppose them on principle.
“Except in rare circumstances of serious misconduct, recalls are undemocratic and a waste of public funds. That's especially true in the case of the Nov. 5 recalls, when the incumbents have only been in office for two years and will be up for reelection just two years from now,” Skinner said.
“Wealthy interests should not be able to circumvent the regular democratic process and pay to put a recall on the ballot. Let’s come together and work on the issues facing our communities,” she said.
Alameda County Supervisor
Keith Carson also urged a “no” vote on the two recalls. “When voters elect their representatives, they expect them to be given the time necessary to adjust to their roles and deliver on their responsibilities,” he said. “Both of the recall efforts we’re seeing now began within a year of the Alameda County District attorney and the Oakland Mayor assuming office.
“It’s simply too soon,” he said.
Carson added, “It’s worth noting that 11 states don’t even allow recalls, and in the 39 states that do, malfeasance is generally required for the process to begin.”
Sandré R. Swanson, who served in the California State Assembly from 2006-2012, said, " I will never support a recall supported and motivated only by political objectives. I believe this runs counter to the Democratic process and the importance of an election by the people.”
2024, a recall group raised $605,000. “Every single dollar came from Dreyfuss, who is a partner in the San Francisco Farallon Capital Management hedge fund,” according to Oaklandside. Contributions helped pay for the company that gathered signatures to place the recall on the ballot.
The campaign against Pamela Price raised $1.1 million in the first three months of 2024 and over $3.3 million since the summer of last year, according to an Oaklandside report in May of this year.
Farallon Capital’s Dreyfuss, along with “Isaac Abid, a real estate investor for HP Investors,” which owns numerous properties in downtown Oakland, established the ‘Supporters of Recall Pamela Price’ committee, which has raised most of the big dollar contributions for the campaign. Their committee has also paid for the signature-gathering bills for the Save Alameda for Everyone (SAFE) committee, which is the public face of the campaign,” the May 8, Oaklandside article said. Besides the deep pocket funders, the forces lined up to unseat Price and Thao include police unions in Alameda County, who Price says desire to return to the “Good Ole days” when previous district attorneys did not hold them accountable for their actions.
first.
The program saves people with substance use disorders or mental illness from spending time in jail and saves police and County resources by eliminating costs related to booking, incarceration, and charging. Under Price’s leadership, CARES includes a robust and expanded mobile unit to ensure service delivery across the entire County.
The grant funding was made possible by Proposition 47, a 2014 voterapproved initiative that reduced the penalties for some nonviolent crimes from felonies to misdemeanors and directed the state’s incarceration savings to help system-involved people rehabilitate their lives.
Proposition 47 savings have created approximately $800 million in available funding, with 65% of state savings going towards mental health treatment, substance use disorder treatment, and diversion programs, 25% going to K-12 schools, and 10% going to victim services.
District Attorney Pamela Price’s media relations office provided this report.
UPCOMING EVENT: Surge of Support... Breaking Down The Ballot
By Oakland Post Staff
On Saturday, Oct. 12, , “Breaking Down The Ballot (BDTB)” will be held at Everett and Jones BBQ in Oakland’s Jack London Square from 2pm to 5pm.
BDTB will feature a moderator and guest panelists to review and discuss the state and local elected positions and measures of the November 2024 election. Breaking Down The Ballot is a partnership between Oakland-based organizations, Deeply Rooted, Moods Beauty Bar, Tyehimba & Associ-
ates and the League of Women Voters – Oakland, under the umbrella name of We Ride We Vote.
The event will address the common questions of “What is on the ballot?” and “Why should I care?”
The objective of the BDTB is to encourage voters to be informed and engaged. Breaking Down
The Ballot is free for all attendees. Space is limited. Please register at weridewevote.eventbrite.com. For more information, email weridewevote@gmail.com or www. facebook.com/weridewevote”
Wealthy hedge fund managers and real estate developers have bankrolled the campaigns to unseat both Thao and Price, and many observers expect them to have an outsize influence on local policies and priorities should these campaigns prove successful, and their favored candidates are elected.
Phillip Dreyfuss, who owns a home in Piedmont that is listed as his residence, contributed 4 out of 5 dollars raised by the campaign to oust Thao as of Aug. 1, according to Oaklandside.
Between January and June
In a press statement released by the Oakland Police Officers Association this week, distributed by public relations operative Sam Singer, the OPOA opposed the sale of the Coliseum, claiming without evidence that the city is heading toward “insolvency” and proposed that hiring fiscal consultants would be a solution. Singer, who has a long history defending Chevron against environmentalists and the oil pollution impacting indigenous people of the Amazon in Ecuador, currently represents the OPOA.
In a press conference Thursday at Everett and Jones in Jack London Square, Price criticized the “cowardice and opportunism of those who seek to recall rather than solve and fight for second chances.”
She said, “The police unions want to control the justice system and the DA’s function by blaming the prosecutor for the causes of crime and (long-term) failed policies and failed policing tactics.”
Surge of Support for Vote ‘No’ on Recall ...
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tra-wealthy can hijack the democratic process. The facts are clear: Mayor Sheng Thao has massively reduced crime in Oakland and is bringing business opportunities to the Town.”
Pastor Servant BK Woodson, a steering committee member of the “Respect Our Vote – No Recalls!” coalition, said, “It is entirely reasonable to fear the continuing accumulating of power into fewer and fewer hands. History is replete with examples of the despotism, destruction and harms that oligarchs, dictators and demigods bring into the lives of ordinary people.
“The privilege to struggle to make these United States of America a more perfect union has taken the form of this consequential election. In Alameda County we must reject the recalls and elect our forward-thinking and progressive candidates,” Pastor Woodson said.
Oakland Rising Action wrote on its website, “(The) recent recalls have been led by a small group of millionaires and conservatives, and their agenda is to undermine our democracy.”
The Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club wrote on its Facebook page, “Deny the Lies.”
“Crime increased during the pandemic, and Oakland and Alameda County were not spared. Both recalls have claimed otherwise and placed the blame on District Attorney Pamela Price and Mayor Sheng Thao, even while crime is on the decline,” the club wrote.
Other organizations opposing the recall of Thao include the Alameda County Democratic Party, SEIU 2021, Alameda Labor Council, Oakland Tenants Union, Nor Cal Carpenters, East Bay for Everyone, Local 21, Oakland Firefighters 55, eVolve California, National Union of Healthcare Workers, John George Democratic Club, Latine Young Democrats of the East Bay, APEN Action, Block by Block Organizing Network and East Bay Young Democrats.
Honorees pose together at the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce 21st Annual Business Awards Luncheon. Photo by Carla Thomas.
