Votes Three-Year $600,000 Salary for Superintendent’s
Election Contract with Schools Closing and a Looming $95 Mil.
Her contract was extended three years, while the District
By Ken Epstein
The
Unified
also recently gave the superintendent a three-year contract extension, raised her salary package to a total of $602,000 a year, and relieved her of most duties managing the district.
The school mergers, mostly of
flatland elementary schools, would mean that 10 schools that are co-located would be merged to become five schools. In one case, a school would probably lose its identity, with its student body absorbed into another school.
In the other schools, the mergers would run into difficulties trying to combine classes in dual immersion Spanish-English programs with schools that do not have these programs. This would mean that some
Oakland Post
As Trump Regime Takes Shape, Local Activists Organize to Defend Democratic Rights
By Ken Epstein
Reacting to President-elect
Donald Trump’s hate-filled rhetoric and his growing cohort of extremist appointees, activists are making plans to build broader and stronger local, regional, and statewide alliances to defend Oaklanders’ democratic rights and organize networks of protection for community members who are vulnerable to persecution.
Viewing the fight for democratic rights as intertwined at the national and local levels, some of these activists came together in the recent efforts to expose the political agendas behind the recalls of the Alameda County district attorney and Oakland mayor.
These organizers say they were able to create an unusually multi-
racial grouping, and they are committed to extending that spirit and practice.
Here is what some of them said this week in interviews with the Oakland Post.
Civil rights attorney and activist Walter Riley emphasized the importance of enforcing the City of Oakland’s sanctuary city ordinance which prohibits the Oakland Police Department from collaborating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“Federal authorities that are doing their sweeps and mass deportation should be aware that there are groups of people who will mobilize every time they know that this community is targeted,” said Riley. “There are Black ministers
By Magaly Muñoz
Students in the San Francisco Unified School District received disturbing racist text messages in the days following the Nov. 5 general election.
The messages specifically targeted Black kids with texts saying “you have been selected to pick cotton” and “you are in Plantation Group X”.
The Associated Press reported that these types of messages have been sent to dozens of Black youth and adults across the country. The FBI and other government agencies are investigating the texts.
Schools have reported that students were already feeling uneasy and anxious after the announcement of former President Donald Trump winning the presidential election and the texts added to their stress and high emotions.
SFUSD Superintendent
Dr. Maria Su and SF NAACP
President Dr. Amos Brown issued
a joint statement condemning the racist attacks, saying “we will not tolerate hate in our city.”
The statement said the district will be partnering with the Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families (DCYF) to provide support for those affected. Students who received the texts will have access to wellness support and resources from the community to foster inclusive environments.
Additionally, the district will be working with law enforcement to further investigate these messages.
“Racism of any kind has no place in our community. We do not tolerate any instance of hate, bigotry or racism in San Francisco schools and we actively work to support SFUSD staff with implementing anti-racist approaches both in and out of the classroom,” the statement said.
The SF NAACP held a town hall over the weekend to further
Oakland Baseball Native Returned to the Bay to Give Back to The Town
By Magaly Munoz
If anyone knows the struggles of breaking into minor league baseball, it’s James Harris.
Harris, an Oakland native, was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2011, starting a tumultuous 10year career of jumping from one team to the next and health problems that would hinder his career progress.
After dedicating almost his entire life to playing baseball, Harris never imagined he would be released and signed to 11 different teams over a decade.
“The experience is humbling,” Harris explained.
“I think that for most people, [the emotions] goes both ways, where you probably start off with a little bit of anger because you feel like you’re better than other guys that are staying. But then you have to humbly look in the mirror and say, ‘Well, what do I need to do differently if given the opportunity again?’” Harris said.
Midway through his career, Harris experienced episodes of
passing out while on the field, leading to several weeks of testing with multiple cardiologists. This caused him to miss six weeks of the season.
He was diagnosed with a form of heart arrhythmias, which led to his release from the A’s. Other teams unfortunately could not be convinced to take a chance on him due to heart problems, so he spent no more than a season with any organization over the next five years. In 2021, now heartbroken over what had transpired throughout his career, he decided to retire from playing baseball. Despite being frustrated, he wanted to have fun during his last season.
“As an athlete, you never want to feel like the game is kicking you out. You want to walk away on your own terms,” Harris said. “I wanted to be in a position where I can transition my life from being a player to other opportunities.” And new opportunities were
a commitment aligned with California’s ambitious environmental standards and the Biden Administration’s focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The event attracted representatives from various influential organizations, including the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the California Department of Transportation. Their involvement underscored the im-
portance of partnerships between local and international stakeholders in sharing best practices for sustainable development in port operations.
“We are honored to host our colleagues from Ghana and to have this opportunity to collaborate on strategies for achieving zero emissions,” said a Port of Oakland spokesperson. “Our hope is to create a blueprint for global ports that aspire to be both economically viable and environmentally responsible.”
For GPHA, the visit was a valuable learning experience. “The Port of Oakland is setting a remarkable
example in sustainable port operations,” said one Ghanaian representative. “We’re excited to explore similar initiatives at our ports in Ghana.”
As international commerce continues to grow, collaboration like this emphasizes the global commitment to greener practices, ensuring ports around the world play a role in protecting the planet for future generations.
The Port of Oakland media relations office is the source of this report.
By Post Staff
AN APPRECIATION
Judith Jamison, who epitomized the soul of blackness as a dancer, choreographer, and artistic director of the world-renowned Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre, died on Nov. 9 after a brief illness. She was 81.
Raised in Philadephia, Pennsvlvania, her working-class parents enrolled their energetic 6-year-old daughter in the Judi-
mar School of Dance, where she explored ballet, tap and modern dance.
After high school, she attended Fisk University in Tennessee for a few semesters returning home to begin what would be a career in dance. At an audition in New York that she flubbed, Jamison nonetheless drew the attention of Alvin Ailey, a dancer and rising choreographer whose young
Pastor Servant B.K. Woodson, Stewart Chen, and Mariano Contreras speak at mass meeting organized by the Respect Our Vote coalition to oppose the recalls. Photo by Ken Epstein.
OUSD Supt. Kyla JohnsonTrammell’s new contract raises her salary to $602,000 annually and relieves her of superintendent duties for other projects after the first year. Courtesy photo.
James Harris coaching on the field for the Oakland Ballers, a new Pioneer League team in the Bay Area. Harris also coaches youth baseball in order to prepare them for sports after high school. Photo courtesy of James Harris.
Judith Jamison was honored by the Kennedy Center in 1999 and received the National Medal of Arts in 2001. Photo by Jack Mitchell/ Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
Members of a delegation from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority visited the Port of Oakland on Wednesday. Attendees include: Isaac Osei, Michael Achagwe Luguje, Mabel Asi Sagoe, Sandra Opoku, Baffour Okyere Sarpong, Clement Osei-Amoako, Adam Imoru Ayarna, Dr. Michael Adjei Anyeti, Hamida Nuhu, Peter Amo-Bediako, Eric Afreh-Mensah, Dr. Alexander Y0aw Adusei, Joshua Nimako, tella Toku and Barbara Aidoo. Photo by Fritz Jordan.
Oakland
School
California Voters
Reject Proposition 33, Blocking Expansion of Rent Control Protections
By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
California voters have rejected Proposition 33, which aimed to expand rent control protections by repealing the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act. With nearly 95% of precincts reporting, 61.6% of voters opposed the measure, while 38.4% supported it. The proposition would have allowed cities to extend rent control to properties not previously covered, such as newer homes and units with new tenants.
The initiative, backed by la-
bor unions and tenant advocacy groups, sought to ease housing costs for groups like seniors, low-wage workers, and veterans. However, it faced strong opposition from landlords, real estate developers, and property owners, who argued that it would worsen California’s housing crisis by discouraging new construction and lowering property values.
This marks the third failure of a similar measure, following two unsuccessful attempts in 2018 and 2020. Proponents of Prop. 33 raised $50.1 million, while opponents outspent them with $124.6
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2024 General Election: Black Women Make History as California and U.S. Senators
By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media
There is one African American woman currently serving in the California State Senate, Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Ladera Heights).
It’s the same in the U.S. Senate. In October of 2023, Gov. Gavin
Newsom appointed Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) to complete the term of Sen. Dianne Feinstein after she passed away. Butler will likely be replaced in January by Adam Schiff, who is projected to win the seat after the Nov. 5 general election.
It will be the first time in U.S. history that two Black women have served in the Senate at the same time.
“It is remarkable to think that in two years, America will celebrate its 250th birthday and in all those years, there has been more than 2000 people who have served in the United States Senate and only three have looked like me,” said Alsobrooks in her victory speech on Nov. 5.
In Southern California, as of Nov. 9, Laura Richardson leads Michelle Chambers with 107,255 votes to 103 638 votes in Senate District 35. Both women are Democrats. Senate District 35 encompasses an area in South L.A. County, including parts of Inglewood, Compton, San Pedro, Hawthorne, and Carson.
That seat is currently held by California Legislative Black Caucus vice chair Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood), who terms out in December and is running for lieutenant Governor in 2026. Richardson served in the California State Assembly in 20062007 before she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where she served from 2007 to 2013.
Chambers is a former Compton city Councilwoman who has worked for the State’s Attorney General’s office.
Now, two more Black women are on pace to become California State Senators.
In the United States Senate, two Black women have already won seats. Lisa Blunt-Rochester of Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland will be going to Capitol Hill in January after winning their respective races.
In San Diego, Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa), is leading her Republican opponent, Bob Devine, in the race for the 39th Senate District seat. Weber has 219, 465 votes (62.4%) so far to Devine’s 132, 044 (37.6%). Weber and Devine are vying for a seat that is currently held by Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), who will be running for governor in 2026.
Continued on page 8
Top row (left to right): Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles), Assemblymember Akilah Weber (DSan Diego), Laura Richardson – candidate for CA State Senate District 35. Bottom row (left to right): Lisa Blunt-Rochester (Delaware), Angela Alsobrooks (Maryland), and Michelle Chambers – candidate for CA State Senate District 35. Photos provided by California Black Media.
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By Emil Guillermo
It is time to meditate about the future of civil rights and diversity.
We used to agree that our government and other institutions should look like America.
Now, getting there will be harder after the 2024 Election.
This is what happens when Donald Trump trumps diversity, sells himself as America’s lead grievance peddler and attracts one out of three voters of color.
2024 showed us our origin stories, effective in the past, won’t win you an election.
SAN FRANCISCO’S BREED
In San Francisco, Mayor London Breed lost to Daniel Lurie, billionaire heir to the Levi Strauss fortune in a close race among an array of White Democrats from less to more progressive.
Breed’s last-minute pitch was
amplified by a New York Times story in which Breed stressed her upbringing as a poor daughter from San Francisco’s Fillmore. Her single mother was an addict, her father was absent. Her point essentially: vote for me, I have lived through the struggles of San Francisco.
That might have worked 20 or 30 years ago. Stories are great, but now it truly is “what have you done for me lately?”
Those stories used to be good enough to get people jobs, college admissions, or fast-tracked into various positions. Personable stories helped us to gain access to whatever that thing was we were going for that was formerly all-White until we showed up.
But now those stories are seen as too “affirmative-action-y.”
Meritocrats have taken over. Their cold hearts evaluate data,
Smart.
In the final week, she was quick to declare herself potentially “the first HBCU president” ever.
By the norms of the past, how could she lose?
She was also so likable. She beat Trump on all the likeability questions posed by pollsters.
But voters wanted answers. Forget identity, race, the past. What about my grocery cart and gas tank?
That’s the story Latino voters and enough Black voters gravitated to. Non-college-educated voters of all stripes also felt the same way.
The price of eggs was more important than the price of democracy.
resort to recall elections, but now they are used routinely to unseat opponents.
Both Thao and Price had great stories behind their previous electoral success. Price especially was seen as a longtime civil rights leader. But a broad coalition of Blacks, Whites and Asians looked at the current records of both electeds. Voter impatience, fueled by disgust over crime and homelessness, won.
It’s the
and— in the case of the San Francisco voters — they said to London Breed, “Nice story. But did you fix our problems?”
She hadn’t. And she got the boot.
In the case of the presidency, I saw Kamala Harris as the candidate who supercharged identity politics. She was the picture of diversity. Jamaican, Indian. Black. Prosecutor.
So, what happens when the price of eggs drop? Or when our civil liberties are slashed?
THE RECALL OF THAO AND PRICE
Which brings us back locally to the recall elections of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and Alameda County DA Pamela Price.
Only in emergencies should we
HARRIS
(From left to right): Vice President Kamala Harris; San Francisco Mayor London Breed; Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao; and Alameda County DA Pamela Price. Photos provided by California Black Media.
Public Notices, Classifieds & Business
COMMENTARY:
Some Original and Practical Uses of Imagination
By William A. Thomas, Ph.D.
Imagination is defined here as the faculty or action of forming new ideas, images or concepts of external objects, not present in the senses.
Do you remember some years ago when airlines turned their flight attendants loose to use their imagination in delivering the preflight instructions? I don’t know of anything more monotonous than those series of instructions that deal with seatbelts, air bags, floatation devices and emergency exits. After the first or second time in an airplane, no one bothers to listen anymore.
So, the airline management told their flight attendants to use their imagination in delivering the instructions, because as monotonous as they may be, those instructions are still very important. So, what did the flight attendants do?
Using their imagination, they told jokes, sang songs and told stories, and amazingly, people began listening again.
Baba Wade Nobles, a renowned Black psychologist, was once asked what advice he would give to students new to the field of psychology. He refused and stated that he was keeping quiet because ancestors were speaking to him.
Trained mental health professionals may employ imagination in the form of guided therapeutic imagery to treat people with emotional disorders, including grief, depression, stress and anxiety, substance use issues, relationship difficulties, family and parenting concerns, and PTSD. Guided imagery is a method for managing stress. It’s a relaxation technique that involves visualizing positive, peaceful settings
like a beautiful beach or a peaceful meadow. This technique is also known as visualization or guided meditation. According to research, guided imagery may help with the following: reduce stress and anxiety, promote relaxation, and ease various symptoms related to stress.
Typically, people show up at their therapist’s office with some
form of gloom and doom. Guided imagery has been proven to enable therapists to gain a more holistic understanding of difficulties for which people seek help. As an example, the therapist may ask “What would your ideal life be like if you didn’t have these difficulties?”
Summarizing, there are many original and practical uses of imagination. The goal of this article was to show how imagination may help people hear old stories in new ways and have their questions answered, their fears relieved, and their hopes realized.
About the Author William A. Thomas, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist with a private practice. He divides his practice between Beaumont, CA and the SF/Oakland Bay Area. Dr. Thomas is a member of the Association of Black Psychologist (ABPsi) Bay Area Chapter, a healing resource committed to providing the Post Newspaper readership with monthly discussions about critical issues in Black Mental Health. Readers are welcome to join us at our monthly chapter meetings every 3rd Saturday via Zoom and contact us at bayareaabpsi@ gmail.com.
MacArthur Fellow Ebony G. Patterson’s Multimedia Work Explores Layers of Living in a Postcolonial World
Their names are Ruha
8 Special to The Post When grants were announced Oct. 1, it was noted that eight of the 22 fellows were African American. Among them are scholars, visual and media artists a poet/writer, historian, and dancer/choreographer who each receive $800,000 over a five-year period to spend as they see fit.
and Dorothy Roberts. This is the fourth in the series highlighting the Black awardees. The report below is excerpted from the MacArthur Fellows web site.
Dr. Wiliam A. Thomas. Courtesy of Dr. William A. Thomas.
Emily G. Patterson. Photo courtesy of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
Benjamin, Jericho Brown, Tony Cokes, Jennifer L. Morgan, Ebony G. Patterson, Shamel Pitts, Jason Reynolds,
We Will Defend Our Constitution: Gov.
Newsom,
Other Calif. Leaders, Respond to Trump’s Win
By Tanu T. Henry
Early on Nov. 6 — shortly af-
ter 2 a.m. ET in Palm Beach, Florida — President-elect Donald J. Trump declared victory in the 2024 General Election. He thanked supporters and pledged to “fix” the United States with the support of “the biggest, the broadest, the most unified coalition” the country has ever seen.
“They came from all quarters,” Trump said to applause. “Union, nonunion, African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, Arab American, Muslim American, we had everybody, and it was beautiful.”
The next day, Gov. Gavin Newsom thanked Vice President Kamala Harris for a well-fought campaign and congratulated the President-elect, promising to work along with him.
However, Newsom put a stake in the ground with a pledge he made as well: to defend the Constitution of the United States and stand up for policies and values
that may be at odds with Trump’s politics but are supported by the majority of Californians.
“Though this is not the outcome we wanted, our fight for freedom and opportunity endures,” said Newsom in a statement. “California will seek to work with the incoming president — but let there be no mistake, we intend to stand with states across our nation to defend our Constitution and uphold the rule of law.”
Like Newsom, a number of California elected officials congratulated Trump last week but moderated their well wishes with a commitment to fight against the policies that they disagree with.
In anticipation, many have even begun to put forth counterproposals and organize their opposition to the incoming President and the policies he has promised to introduce to address various problems.
For example, On Nov. 8, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, who is running for governor, organized a press conference
PUBLIC NOTICE
with leaders and advocates in the California education sector to respond to Trump winning the presidential election.
“This week I heard from some educators in Special Education, and they shared with me their fears and their consternation because of what they heard about a threat to end the U.S. Department of Education,” said Thurmond. “They said, ‘If the U.S. Department of Education is abolished does that mean that they are getting rid of Special Education services for California students?’”
Thurmond addressed those concerns, “Let me be clear,” he continued. “We will not be ever getting rid of Special Education services in the great state of California. And we call on Presidentelect Trump and the members of Congress to reaffirm their commitment to public education.”
U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA12), who served as a surrogate for the Harris-Walz campaign, said in a statement, “We cannot hide our disappointment.”
“This is a dangerous and frightening moment for our democracy,” she continued. “I am fearful that the progress we’ve made over the past four years will be undone,” added Lee. “That said, we cannot lose sight of the fact that more than 68 million Americans voted to take our country forward. They voted for Vice President Kamala Harris.”
On Nov. 7, Lateefah Simon, who won the election to succeed Lee in the U.S. Congress, told KQED, a Bay Area news outlet, that “We have to fight like hell to ensure that the people of the United States have health care, that we push back on the Trump administration’s promise to gut Social Security.”
NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE CITY OF OAKLAND’S SECOND PUBLIC HEARING FOR FY 2024/25 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN and THE CITY OF OAKLAND’S CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT FOR FY 2023/24
The Public is invited to review and comment on the City of Oakland’s 2024/25
Annual Action Plan (AAP) as a second public hearing and the 2023/24 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) which will be submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The AAP document provides a concise summary of the actions, activities, and the specific federal and non-federal resources that will be used in FY 2024/25.
The CAPER document assesses the City’s performance and accomplishments in meeting its goals for the housing and community development activities described in the Consolidated Annual Action Plan for the period of July 1, 2023– June 30, 2024.
The AAP and the CAPER reflect plans and reports performance of the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) grants below:
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
• HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME)
• Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)
• Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)
A Public Hearing for both the AAP and CAPER will be held in-person & virtually, on Tuesday, December 17th, 2024, during the 3:30 pm Council meeting via Zoom. The public will be able to view and participate in the public hearing made available via KTOP and Zoom. For public participation and viewing instructions go to: https://oakland.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx, select the “Agenda” icon for the City Council meeting on December 17, 2024. Translation services and assistance for persons with disabilities is available upon advance request. See details on the December 17, 2024, City Council Agenda.
Availability of AAP
Both reports are available online for public review and feedback between November 15, 2024 – December 16, 2024. Any modifications to the public hearing, AAP, or CAPER will be noted on these sites: Annual Action Plan: https://www.oaklandca.gov/documents/annual-action-planfy-2024-2025.
Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report: https://cao-94612. s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/documents/FY-23-24-Consolidated-AnnualPerformance-and-Evaluation-Report-CAPER.pdf
Submission of Written Comments:
Public comments or requests for additional information must be submitted by December 16, 2024, at CDE@oaklandca.gov with Subject: “AAP/CAPER Comments”
Re-election of Donald Trump Sparks Fears of Conflict for California’s Schools and Immigrant Communities
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
The re-election of Donald Trump is set to create significant challenges for California, particularly in the areas of education and immigrant protections. Trump has threatened to cut school funding for states, including California, that uphold policies protecting transgender students and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools.
With federal K-12 public school funding in California totaling $7.9 billion annually, these cuts could have a major impact on the state’s education system. Additionally, advocates say, Trump’s promise to deport undocumented immigrants en masse threatens the stability of millions of California families, including students with undocumented parents.
Gov. Gavin Newsom and At-
torney General Rob Bonta have signaled their intent to resist Trump’s policies, with Bonta preparing for possible litigation against measures that threaten rights for transgender youth and undocumented individuals. In the past, California has sued the federal government over more than 100 of Trump’s actions, particularly during his first term.
Bruce Fuller, professor of education and public policy at the University of California Berkeley, stated that Trump’s tax cuts to the rich will be paid for by budget cuts in public education.
“The president-elect’s commitment to cutting taxes for affluent Americans means there will be no new funding for public schools,” said Fuller. “Watch out for efforts to expand vouchers and tax credits for well-off parents who opt for private schools.”
Education experts also worry that Trump’s proposed tax cuts for the wealthy could lead to budget cuts for public schools, while his push to expand school vouchers and tax credits could divert funding away from public education. Trump’s proposals to reduce federal involvement in education, such as cutting teacher tenure and introducing merit pay, also conflict with current federal law.
The potential deportation of undocumented immigrants is a significant concern for many families in California, where an estimated one in 10 children has an undocumented parent. This has already caused anxiety among students and teachers. Educators fear Trump’s policies will undermine public education, with some predicting a backlash against teacher associations and unions that support Democrats.
California Voters Embrace Stricter Crime Laws with Prop 36
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
California voters have approved Proposition 36, a ballot measure imposing stricter penalties for retail theft, property crimes, and drug offenses, effectively rolling back aspects of the state’s 2014 Proposition 47.
Prop 47 aimed to reduce California’s prison population by reclassifying some non-violent felonies as misdemeanors, shifting funds from incarceration toward drug treatment and victim services. However, supporters of Prop 36 argue that Prop 47’s leniency has contributed to increased property crime, homelessness, and drug addiction.
Mike Gatto, a Democrat-
ic former state assemblymember from Los Angeles is a proponent of Prop 36 and anticipates that the initiative will curb retail crime in the state.
“The voters recognize that Prop 36 is a sensible measure and that it will be the first step in stopping the retail thefts that make shopping miserable,” said Gatto.
Backed by law enforcement, business groups, and a mix of political leaders, including outgoing San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Prop 36 seeks to address homelessness and the fentanyl crisis through longer prison sentences for drug dealers and a mandatory treatment program for individuals with addiction issues.
Opponents say the measure will increase California’s prison
population and court system costs, estimated in the tens of millions.
Critics, including social justice groups, warn that Prop 36 undermines the progress achieved under Prop 47, which has reallocated over $800 million to treatment and behavioral health initiatives. Opponents like Californians for Safety and Justice argue the new law preys on public fear, exacerbated by viral retail theft incidents, to push a “tough-on-crime” agenda that may drain resources from essential support programs.
Proponents, however, contend that addressing rising crime rates justifies these increased expenses, with Gatto expressing confidence that the legislature can allocate funding to offset any cuts to treatment services.
California Black Media
MacArthur Fellow Ebony G. Patterson ...
Continued from page 6
Ebony G. Patterson is a multimedia artist creating intricate, densely layered, and visually dazzling works that center the culture and aesthetics of postcolonial spaces. Patterson’s practice includes painting, photography, video, performance, sculpture, textiles, and installation. Across media, her works address themes of postcolonial space, visibility and invisibility, regeneration, and mourning.
She was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1981, receiving a bachelor of fine arts degree in painting form the Edna Manley College in her home town in 2004 and a master’s degree in fine art from Sam Fox College at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, two years later. She divides her time between Kingston and Chicago, Illinois.
In early works, such as the “Gangstas for Life” series (initiated in 2008), Patterson explores ostentatious adornment—“bling”—
loss in the context of the colonial past and to imagine a restorative future.
For a 2018 survey exhibition, “…and while the dew is still on the roses…”, Patterson created an immersive “night garden” environment to present works she created in the previous decade. The visual splendor of the installation demands close attention and prompts viewers to engage with the social histories she addresses in the earlier works also on display.
For Patterson, the garden is an embellishment on the land concealing what we have chosen to neglect. In a 2023 exhibition at the New York Botanical Gardens, “…things come to thrive…in the shedding…in the molting….”, she interspersed hundreds of glitter-encrusted vulture forms amid the plantings on the conservatory lawn.
Patterson presents the vultures as both scavengers and caretakers, underscoring the idea that gardens are sites of regeneration. Inside the conservatory, recreations
Guidance from Black Ministers Offers Strength and Unity for the Road Ahead
By Joe W. Bowers Jr California Black Media
With Donald Trump recently elected as the 47th President, many Black Californians are feeling a mix of concern and uncertainty, especially with Project 2025 — a conservative plan poised to impact social services, voting rights, education reform, and environmental protections — areas that support the well-being of Black communities across the state.
At the November meeting of the Inglewood Area Ministers Association (IAMA) held two days after the General Election at the Center of Hope Church, IAMA charter member retired Rev. William Thurmond said he is comforting family members troubled by the election’s outcome.
Thurmond turned to the Book of Samuel, recounting how Samuel, a prophet and leader, anointed
continued. “This isn’t the time to sink into worry or feel defeated.”
Facing Project 2025 and Trump’s Leadership
Responding to Thurmond’s reflections, the ministers shared concerns that Trump’s authoritarian leadership style, marked by divisive rhetoric, along with Project 2025’s proposed policy changes, could pose significant challenges for Black Californians.
“We have every reason to be
Support
Organizing community events, supporting Black-owned businesses, and participating in local groups can foster resilience and provide resources for those impacted by policy shifts.
3. Engaging in Civic Life
The ministers expressed that everyone should get involved in local government, vote, and participate in advocacy efforts. Every voice counts and Black Cali-
ties by staying engaged.
4. Fostering Unity and Resilience
The ministers suggested regular gatherings, community circles, and cultural events to build hope, foster unity, and create a foundation of resilience during uncertain times.
Moving Forward with Purpose
One minister shared, “Just as Samuel guided the people through turbulent times, we have the chance to guide each other. This is not a time for fear but a call to face the future with confidence, grounded in faith, community, and purpose.”
Facing the changes ahead, Black Californians can draw upon a legacy of resilience, transforming uncertainty into strength. With faith as a guiding light, the community can move forward,
Black Women Make History as California and U.S. Senators
states attorney and a County Executive in Prince Georges County before running for the Senate.
...
Continued from page 2
“I am extremely humbled and incredibly grateful for the support you’ve shown me throughout the election,” Weber posted Nov. 6 on the X platform. “San Diego has just made history by electing the first African American woman to the CA State Senate south of Los Angeles. Thank you for believing in me. Now let’s get to work.”
Eight years ago, Blunt-Rochester first made history in Congress as the first Black person and woman elected to represent Delaware. Alsobrooks was a Maryland
Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black person elected as U.S. Senator from California, served from 2016 to 2020. BluntRochester showed her appreciation to Harris.
“I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for stepping up to run when our country needed her leadership, tenacity, and commitment to serve the American people,” Blunt-Rochester stated. “Because of the trails she blazed, the lives she touched, the communities she fought for, we are better.”
Local Activists Organize to Defend Democratic Rights ...
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who are ready to be a part of that, there are Asian folks, Palestinian folks, and many in the Latino community.”
“Within every one of these communities, there are going to be some who move to the right (and support Trump), but the massive movement that we have to build and be a part of organizationally is going to be out there defending the values that we have,” he said.
Looking at the local situation, Riley noted that millions of dollars in campaign donations and a mass media campaign resulted in the success of the recalls, but almost all of the local candidates who backed or helped organize the recalls are behind in vote counts and are losing their races, including Brenda-Harbin Forte (city attorney), LeRonne Armstrong (city council-at-large), Warren Mitchell Logan (City Council District 3), and Len Raphael (City Council District 1).
Pastor Servant BK Woodson said he has been feeling a lot of grief following the local and national campaign losses. “I’m just beginning to put my mind to think about what the opportunities and potential are.
“There are a lot of reasons why this happened,” he continued, “but the fact of the matter is that the American people and the American system has clearly empowered and invited the chaos and the mayhem that the Trump administration promised to bring. So, we will soon inherit the wind.
“There are thousands, tens of thousands, maybe even more in this country and around the world who are going to suffer because America has abandoned democracy,” he said.
“I know that there is personal healing that we need, but more important than how we feel as individuals is how we feel as a collective,” said Woodson. “It’s very, very important that we don’t grieve or act alone, that we come together, maybe get off our social media platforms (and) into real physical conversations and community-building activities so we don’t get lost and so that we can
build power.”
Pecolia Manigo, interim executive director of Oakland Rising, said that Bay Rising was organizing for resistance:
“Our work now is to unite and organize our people into leadership,” she wrote in an email.
“Come together to:
• Build rapid response networks to protect our communities,
• Demand our local and state leaders take bold action to defend democracy,
• Organize our neighborhoods to take action and join the movement,
Show the nation how people power defends our communities.”
Mariano Contreras of the Latino Task Force said the recalls were successful because people “bought into the public safety fear narrative that was funded by the multi-millionaires, without really looking into the real facts.”
The recall backers are “a small group with funding from huge outside money. I think that they believe that they can move forward now and run a candidate for mayor.”
There are local Latino organizations, he said, that are “already organizing to revitalize the responses to any kind of ICE presence in the City of Oakland. They also have a network where they can distribute know-your-rights cards and where you can call if you need help.”
“The Latino Task Force is going to the City Council as soon as possible and request that they look at the sanctuary city ordinance that’s in the charter now and make sure that they mandate the Oakland Police Department to have zero cooperation with ICE.”
Stewart Chen, Oakland businessman and local political leader, said that although Trump has a lot of power, people “cannot just roll over.”
“We have too much to lose,” he said. “We need to come together, unite, and move forward. Not just Alameda County -- we can bring in more coalition members. We’re all in this together as a community, as a nation, as a state.”
Racist Texts ...
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renounce the racist attacks on Black families across the city.
Brown called on the community to come together to support those who received the messages.
Members of the community also attended the SFUSD Board meeting Tuesday night to express their anger over the situation.
“We should not take lightly those texts,” Brown said at the meeting.
He claimed that this is not the first time that students have been victimized with texts in the district.
Brown called on the board to bring back programs that were benefiting Black students but were cut along the way by “persons in high places” in the district. He said that they need to continue to try to make a difference in the lives of Black students and “do it with dispatch.”
The district is encouraging people to report the messages if they receive them.
“Anyone who receives these troubling text messages should contact local law enforcement or your local FBI field office at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-2255324) or visit FBI.gov/tips. You
Oakland Baseball Native ...
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exactly what he found, and not too far away from the field he knew and loved.
Soon after leaving baseball, Harris began working with kids during his off time, coaching and training players of all ages. This evolved into coaching travel ball teams and eventually partnering with BJ Boyd, his former A’s teammate, to start their own training team called Backyard Boyz.
Boyd knew from the start that the partnership would be able to build something big to give back to the community.
Harris and Boyd understood how expensive and time consuming the sport was, on top of how confusing breaking into the big leagues would be for the young players who had the drive to move to the next level beyond high school. They provide kids with mentorship and opportunities to play in front of college scouts at little to no cost.
This is not about money or building themselves up at others’ expense; they want to see Oakland kids thriving with opportunities that are not easy to come by without families paying exorbitant fees.
The players love Harris, Boyd said, because he’s been in their shoes before, so he understands what it really takes to go to the next level. The kids look up to them because they dream of being where the two have already been.
“The motivation and the goal behind [Backyard Boyz] is to help be a platform and a resource for as many kids as possible. Everyone doesn’t have an advocate speaking on their behalf [like this resource],”
Harris said.
Around the time of starting Backyard Boyz, Harris began working with a new pioneer league team, the Ballers, that came to Oakland during peak baseball desperation.
The A’s, Oakland’s major league baseball team since 1968, had just announced their plans to leave the city to find a new home in Las Vegas when the Ballers an-
nounced their plans to dig roots in the town. The B’s hoped to take away the doom and gloom that the A’s were leaving with fans and give locals something new to take pride in.
Oakland has gotten a reputation for losing professional sports teams. The longtime NFL team, Oakland Raiders, moved to Las Vegas in 2020, and the Golden State Warriors left their city arena empty to play across the bridge in San Francisco in 2019.
Harris first joined the growing B’s team as marketing and sales guy, promoting the team to locals and building up the hype the new team would bring. Midway through the team’s first season, Harris was asked to step up as an assistant coach.
Because of his background in running baseball camps and playing in the minor league, the change of position seemed like a no-brainer to Ballers Manager Aaron Miles.
“[Harris] would hang around the batting cage and talk ball with the players. He was another knowledgeable baseball guy for players to lean on,” Miles said.
The Ballers finished their season by making it to the Pioneer League playoffs, but ultimately lost 6-4 to the Yolo High Wheelers in the first round.
Although the coaching is at different levels, Harris is honored to be a part of maintaining the legacy of Oakland sports at a time where fans are feeling discouraged. The Ballers and Backyard Boyz are allowing him to impact the lives of players who are at unique stages of their careers, whether that’s starting out in high school or trying to use the Pioneer League as a stepping stone into something bigger.
“It means a lot to me to be a part of [the Ballers] and to see how it’s directly impacted people. The amount of people I’ve met doing this, and working with the little leagues has been extremely humbling,” Harris said. “I think that this is going to be huge for the community.”
Congresswoman Lee Passes Baton to CongresswomanElect Lateefah
Simon
can also forward the message to the Federal Trade Commission's reporting system at 7726, which helps your wireless provider block similar messages. Additionally, report the message within your messaging app by marking it as junk or spam, or submit a report to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.,” the district wrote.
People can also report hate incidents to visit CA vs Hate, which is a part of the CA Civil Rights Department. CA vs Hate can also be reached by calling (833) 866-4283 or 833-8-NOHATE, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.. The CA vs Hate line is available in over 200 languages.
This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate program. The program is supported by partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to https://www.cavshate.org/
At the Kaiser Convention Center, Congresswoman-Elect Lateefah Simon, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, D-12 at her District Download moderated by Aimee Allison, founder of She the People. Photo by Carla Thomas.
By Carla Thomas
At the Kaiser Convention Center on Friday, Nov. 8, U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-12, addressed her district constituents, supporters, and elected officials and passed the baton to Congresswoman-Elect Lateefah Simon at her District Download.
It was the last formal day for Lee to address her local community as congresswoman. A fireside chat between the two was moderated by Aimee Allison, founder of She the People.
Flown in from Washington, D.C., and heavily involved in Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign, Allison and each of the panelists tried to contain their grief and disappointment regarding the election outcomes.
While each provided hope for the future, all three pondered the message that was sent to young Black girls, women of color, Black people, and ultimately the entire country. Lee did her best to delicately articulate the climate the country must be in based on the voting outcomes. “You gotta wonder, just how people voted for a
Judith Jamison ...
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Jamison joined the company in 1965 when Black women were still rare in American dance.
With Ailey, she traveled to Europe and Africa where she was especially well-received seeing people whose elegance in movement mirrored her own. Unusually tall for a dancer, long-limbed and lithe, Jamison became Ailey’s muse as he choreographed several of his well-known classics on her.
In 1971, she premiered ‘Cry,’ a 17-minute solo that Ailey created as a birthday present for his mother and that he dedicated “to all Black women everywhere – especially our mothers,” and which became a signature of the company, according to its website.
Jamison, who had been the ‘umbrella woman’ in the Ailey classic “Revelations,” catapulted to fame in the dance world. After collapsing to the floor after ‘Cry’s first performance, stood up as the curtain rose to an ovation that lasted almost 10 minutes, bowing over and over again to thunderous applause.
This poignant piece, according to WHYY, transformed her instantly from dancer to icon. “It had nothing to do with how high I was raising my legs or how many pirouettes. It was about inner self and vulnerability,” she said during conversations about ‘Cry.’
Three of the Bay Area’s current and former Black dancers and choreographers agreed that Jamison was no less than an icon of Black dance.
Halifu Osumare, the founder of Everybody’s Creative Arts Center, now known as the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, A former dancer and choreographer herself, the author of the memoir “Dancing in Blackness,” Osumare saw Jamison perform in her heyday. Her influence was that “she moved beyond technique. She let me know what dance was all about. (As Jamison performed)
convicted felon as president compared to an articulate, well-educated woman of color,” said Lee.
Though deeply disappointed, the women shifted from hurt to gratitude for Lee’s three decades of legislative service and the excitement of Simon’s upcoming journey.
Each shared their deepest respect for one another while Simon praised Lee’s accomplishments and helping her to navigate her political road map.
Simon said she would fight for justice and dismantling systemic racism while in the U.S. Capitol, fueled by the memory of family strength, particularly an ancestor who served as a wet nurse her owner’s white babies.
“She was treated so insignificantly that when she passed away, the white family did not inform them of her death for several weeks,” shared Simon. Speaking passionately, Simon declared that she “knew the assignment,” a rallying cry that encouraged the audience to never give up, never stop fighting for justice and to relentlessly destroy systemic racism.
Allison founded She the People to further elevate the political voice of women of color to transform America, to build a multiracial democracy, and to usher in change expressed that she would continue her work.
Lee, who says she will continue to be active, heard audience members asking her to run for mayor of Oakland. “I will continue to support Black women running for office because we are capable and when we are in position we advocate not only for Black women, but for the state, country, and the entire planet,” Lee said smiling.
centuries in America,” Vaughan said. “I appreciate the fact that her contributions as a dancer, choreographer, and artistic director are significant and will continue to inspire the next wave of dance artists so they can also THRIVE!
Amara Tabor-Smith, the artistic director of Deep Waters Dance Theater, was born in 1965, the same year Jamison joined Ailey’s company. Although she never saw Jamison perform in person, Tabor-Smith regarded her as a ‘superstar.’
In the dance world, according to Tabor-Smith, the prima ballerina was the position that held the most renown. “Judith became the first Black version of a prima ballerina. She was that for African Americans.”
In expression, Tabor-Smith observed, Jamison “represented the breadth and scope of dance indigenous to the U.S. inspired by African form.”
Jamison left Ailey’s company in 1981, briefly forming her own company and creating her own works, before returning as artistic director upon Ailey’s death in 1989.
Deeply debt and organizational disarray, under Jamison’s guidance the company became not just successful but transcended its role, establishing itself as a cultural ambassador, showcasing modern dance along with segments of history and identity, WHYY reported.
Jamison herself recognized how pivotal Ailey’s vision was, commenting on the company’s 60th anniversary in 2018, “It’s amazing... and I think Mr. Ailey would be absolutely beside-himself happy.”
Jamison passed the artistic director baton to choreographer Robert Battle in 2011. Looking back, she has said one of her proudest moments at the company was the creation of the Joan Weill Center for Dance in 2005, a midtown Manhattan home for the company.
“you felt spirit in motion and that’s what I aspired to do as a dancer, going beyond technique.”
For Deborah Vaughan, cofounder of Dimensions Dance Theater, who encountered Jamison in the 1960s, described her as ‘strikingly beautiful’ and a dancer who captivated audiences as soon as she hit the stage.
“She was one-of-a-kind, especially when she performed “Cry,” which embodied the Black woman’s experience throughout
“Judith was a real visionary,” Osumare said. “As a leader and administrator, she helped [the company] become what it is today. She definitely did her job. She fulfilled her purpose.” But Osumare returned her thoughts to Jamison as a dancer, referencing Jamison’s 1993 autobiography “Dancing Spirit.”
“She was always magical onstage,” Osumare said. “Just like her book: She was like a spirit dancing.”
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classes could not be combined, and therefore little money would be saved.
Impacted schools: Manzanita Community School and Manzanita SEED Elementary
• Fred T. Korematsu Discovery Academy and Esperanza Elementary School
• Think College Now and International Community School
• Life Academy and United For Success Academy
• EnCompass Academy and Acorn Woodland Elementary Further, the $95 million deficit does not exist in the present. The district, under the watchful eyes of the Alameda County Office of Education, the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT), and the State of California, has a structural deficit, meaning it is spending more money than is coming in.
However, OUSD currently has a $306 million fund balance (restricted and unrestricted funds) and is therefore not in immediate financial danger.
Oakland Education Association (OEA) President Kampala TaizRancifer told Channel 7 News that a more thorough analysis of the budget shows the deficit may not be as big as the district claims and that officials should not rush to merge schools.
“The $300 million cash reserve that they have currently will actually cover any of those modest deficits,” she said. “So, we actually kind of are concerned about the analysis that they have.” The final vote on the school mergers is expected in December.
OUSD Supt. Kyla JohnsonTrammell’s new, three-year contract of $602,000 will include benefits. But after the first year, she will be working on special projects, and most of her duties as superintendent will be off-loaded to another staffer.
The district also gave its 126 upper-echelon staff a 10% raise.
