Oakland Post, week of March 20 - 26, 2024

By Ruth A. Davis Special to The Post Part One

About 55 African American women have served in the capacity of U.S. ambassadors.

As part of a work-in-progress, I wrote an article on 14 of them for Women’s History Month last year.

Now, the Post will publish in two parts a compilation of the “firsts” of 25 additional female ambassadors.

These ambassadors have established U.S. missions in troubled areas of the world and covered the legal and programmatic issues related to the genocide in Rwanda; served under fire and terrorist attacks; coordinated U.S. efforts on threat reduction globally and U.S. government programs in chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological security; saved innumerable lives by securing the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDs Re-

By Richard Johnson

The Formerly Incarcerated Giving Back organization and the Oakland Private Industry Council (PIC) want newly released, elderly ex-prisoners to be treated with respect and dignity. “It is a form of elder abuse to abandon elderly returnees. We should be treating them as prodigal sons and daughters,” said Ray Lankford of the PIC.

In my previous column, I wrote about the release of one of the elders from the clutches of the penal system.

The conversation was about his release; however, the focus

By Ricki Stevenson

Twenty-one years after her death, the sister friend I met in Nashville as broadcast newbies remains a warrior in the fight against

Weekly Edition. March 20 - 26, 2024

lief (PEPFAR) for Lesotho; and they count many other diplomatic achievements during, before, and after their service overseas.

Mosina Jordan was the first African American and the first woman appointed as an ambassador from the U.S. Agency of International Development (USAID). She was named to the Central African Republic by President Clinton and served from 1995 to 1998. According to Jordan, “It was a baptism of fire into U.S., Africa, and French foreign intrigue and diplomacy, as well as an unrelenting series of coup d’etats that created a dangerous, volatile, and unpredictable environment.” In the midst of dodging bullets, rockets, and mortars, she safely evacuated all Americans in the country – over 200 from religious groups, 100 Peace Corps volunteers, businesspeople, and Embassy personnel – all while influencing the peace process by promoting the principles and values that underscore democracy.

Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley “Where

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should’ve been on how the prison system is cruel in the way it treats the long-term elders who return to society with nearly nothing.

Unless this practice is addressed now, these men and women will undoubtedly find themselves living on the streets with nowhere to call home.

In most instances for long-term prisoners, such as lifers, certain restrictions are required in order to be released.

After having served their time, elderly former prisoners find life outside a challenging experience

made worse by not being treated in a humane and respectful manner. It is criminal.

There needs to be support mechanisms set in place for these new elder returnees, especially those that are physically handicapped and disabled.

I was classified as a “medical reprieve” when I came home from San Quentin. Even though I had to jump through a lot of hoops, it was worth it because Governor Newsom granted this as part of his efforts to fight the pandemic.

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61st Year, No. 12

breast cancer.

Faith Fancher came to mind after Friends of Faith gathered at her dedicated table at the Broadcast Legends Luncheon on March 13.

Born Aug. 23, 1950, in Franklin, Tennessee, Faith Baugh Fancher was adopted by the Bay Area, becoming a much-respected television reporter and award-winning journalist. A summa cum laude graduate of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, she launched her career in 1974 at WSM-TV in Nashville, followed by stints at National Black (Radio) Network in New York City and National Public Radio in Washington, D.C.

In 1983, she moved to Oakland with her husband, Bill Drummond,

and was hired as a reporter at KTVU-Channel 2 where she deftly reported on the most challenging disasters: earthquakes, fire storms, shootings and accidents.

It wasn’t a perfect relationship being the only Black woman reporter there for a time, but with her Leo determination and fresh baked cookies, Faith conquered the crew at Channel 2!

In Spring of 1997, Faith was diagnosed with breast cancer and made the difficult decision to go public with her battle. The result was the creation of an organization of Black women in media to help raise awareness and money to aid other Black women fighting the

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Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma

Theta Sorority, Inc. (BBAAC) will celebrate its 90th anniversary on Saturday, March 23 at Scott’s Pavilion in Jack London Square. It was chartered on March 30, 1934, by six members, including Vivian Osbourne Marsh, the sorority’s

seventh national president, and on this momentous occasion, the chapter is excited that the current international president and chair of the national Board of Directors, Elsie Cooke-Holmes will be present.

Cooke-Holmes will congratulate the chapter on its milestone

anniversary, speak about BBAAC's historical legacy and to the anniversary theme "An Enduring Legacy of Sisterhood, Scholarship, Service and Social Action."

Given that this is an election year and that Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a public service organization committed to social action, the chapter invited BART Board member Lateefah Simon to speak to the importance of civic engagement. Other special guests in attendance will be Sadé Ried, Delta Sigma Theta's national second vice president; Rob Bonta, attorney general of California; Terry Taplin, Berkeley City Council; Treva Reid, Oakland City Council; and Enikia Ford Morthel, Berkeley Unified School District Superintendent. The mistress of ceremonies is Cheryl Hurd. This is a sold-out event with 300 guests expected.

The 90th Anniversary

By Roberta Cobb

When Michael Tran closed his shoe store last week after 26 years, Amy Thieu, now, too, must consider how she can continue to make her manicure shop survive. Her business, known as Ann and Amy’s Nails is located at 412 12th St. in the heart of downtown Oakland with great access to BART and AC Transit bus services. She cites two major threats to her business – lack of parking and fewer customers.

Thieu and her five employees, who work from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, point out the loss of potential customers through diminished foot traffic arising from public safety fears. This writer saw Thieu’s two hammers behind the counter. But she agreed they need more than a hammer to protect their nails business: they need parking for their customers.

Many businesses suffered because of the lack of parking. When the city demolished the merchants’ garage to build the Atlas Skyscraper at 13th and Franklin Streets it left a garage that charges $350.00/month with no waiting list.

“If we are to be successful, the city must help us with safety and parking issues because that is the combination that can increase our customer numbers,” said Thieu.

Ann and Amy’s Nails can be reached by phone at 510-452-6485.

Thieu came to Oakland from Soc Trang, Vietnam, 16 years ago and is worried now for her economic future.

Continued

The Berkeley Bay Area

DisNiagara Movement Foundation Advocates for

Ambassador Ruth Davis (ret.) had a 40-year career in the U.S.

becoming the

photo.

Pastor Raymond Lankford, Sitawa Jamaa and Richard Johnson. Photo by Jonathan

Voting Matters to Young People, Survey of Students

By Zoe Jung

An online survey of seniors at one Oakland high school contradicts a common belief that young people are not interested in voting.

Two weeks ago was Super Tuesday, when California’s primary elections took place. On the ballot were selections for the U.S. president, Senate, and House of Representatives as well as those for the state Senate and state Assembly.

Oakland School for the Arts (OSA) is a charter school located in the Fox Theater in downtown Oakland. About a third of the class of 92 seniors were able to vote this month.

There is concern about young people’s willingness to vote, in California and elsewhere, the survey showed. “Youth” voters— generally defined as ages 18 to 24—have the lowest voter turnout of any age group, according to the University of Florida Election Lab.

However, a majority of the 66 OSA seniors who answered the survey said they think voting is important, either as a part of the democratic process or an actual way to get their voices heard.

Francesca Berlow, a senior of voting age, said in an interview that “Having yourself represented in government and expressing your needs to the government in any way that you can is a very important right to exercise.” But at the same time, “there’s just so much frustration” with candidates and with the way federal elections work.

“We don’t feel like our voices are being heard,” she said.

Despite generally supporting voting, many seniors expressed a feeling of futility, especially in federal elections, because of the Electoral College and because California usually votes Democratic already. A few said they felt neither of the available candidates represented their interests.

OSA has a fairly progressive senior class. According to Jack Blangy, who teaches AP U.S. Government and Economics there, OSA’s seniors are more leftist

overall than other schools in Oakland or even the Bay Area.

Several of the survey respondents expressed a desire to vote out of opposition to Republican candidates, rather than loyalty to Democrats.

The Democratic Party has more young voters than the Republican Party, so they have more of an interest in encouraging youth voting. A Tufts University survey of youth who didn’t vote in 2022 showed forgetting/business, feeling like it didn’t matter, and lack of information as the primary reasons.

For youth who didn’t register, the primary reason was feeling that voting was unimportant.

OSA backs up these statistics. Of the 20 voting-age seniors who responded to the form, 10 didn’t vote. Most of them were too busy, uninformed, or in some other way felt unable to vote rather than unwilling.

However, for the few seniors who don’t plan to vote in the general election later this year, the reasons given are more political.

In an interview, Karol Suarez, a senior who will be of voting age by November, said about President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, the Democratic and Republican party candidates, “I don’t really know if I want my vote to go to either of them.”

She said she was considering voting for a third party—though, when asked why she felt this would be more effective than voting for Biden, she answered, “I don’t know.”

Rainn Berhe, another senior, plans to vote for Biden.

“It’s very frustrating to see people say, like, ‘Oh, I don’t even want to vote’ or ‘Oh, who should I even vote for at this point?’ I feel like the options are pretty obvious,” they said in an interview. “Even in California, if you’re voting blue, even in the Bay Area, if you’re voting blue, your vote still matters.”

A few said they wanted to vote just to oppose Republican candidates, not because they felt like their candidates represented them.

OSA has a fairly progressive senior class.

Sponsored content from JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Women’s History Month is a time to come together to celebrate and recognize the achievements and contributions of women throughout the years. For this Women’s History Month, we spoke with Renée Horne, Chief Marketing & Experience Officer for Chase Auto at JPMorgan Chase, to discuss her career journey, share tips on taking charge of your finances and other recommendations for achieving success.

1. What has been key to your success throughout your career?

I think being curious and a bit adventurous has been a big part of my success. I’ve always had a passion for learning and a willingness to take on new assignments across functional domains and industries — including in finance, product, digital, marketing and communications. The combination of the functional rotations and continuous education beyond graduate school made me more versatile and able to take on complex challenges. I believe this is a significant part of what prepared me for joining JPMorgan Chase in 2021. And while self-initiative has always been at the core, I benefited greatly from the support of mentors and sponsors along the way. You need both to be successful and grow.

2. Looking back, what is one think you wish you knew when you were first starting out in your career?

One thing I wish I knew in the early phases of my career was to place equal, if not greater, focus on proactively building relationships. It’s easy to become fixated on meeting business goals and objectives. If I could do things over, I would have been more intentional about nurturing relationships more deeply at the onset. After all, relationships are what matters most. Knowing that, I would also have given myself permission to have more laughs and more fun.

intentional about your own life plan, networking and seeking out trusted advisors and mentors who can help you grow. Always ask for feedback; I view feedback as a gift.

As women, we are challenged with overcoming societal norms of what is expected of us. Sometimes, gender roles work differently from the norm and you may find yourself as the breadwinner of the family or the primary source of income. Be ok with that. Manage it well and protect your assets by saving for an emergency, having a will, investing in an estate plan, etc. As women, we have to think about and engage in these aspects and not defer to someone else to do it for us.

Taking charge of your career also means taking charge of your finances. Seek knowledge and support to effectively manage your income through budgeting, saving and investing—for short and long-term. There was a lot I did not know about managing finances until I entered the workforce. My first manager sat me down and explained to me the importance of investing into a 401K retirement savings account and the significance of the company match. This was the beginning of my journey to taking charge of my finances.

4. How has your local community shaped you and what are your recommendations to others for achieving success?

My community has been a lifelong collective network including my alma mater of Mizzou athletics, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and other non-profit associations which I have had the pleasure to serve. This collective community has been a key component of shaping my experiences, honing my leadership skills and building a lifelong network of friendships and support.

By Kathy Chouteau The Richmond Standard

Get a unique take on the Black Panther Party from the children born into it at “We Were There Too! Year of the Panther Cub” Saturday, April 13 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Richmond Art Center.

Community members can attend a free panel discussion during which six panelists will share “the blessings, challenges and healing of children born into the Black Panther Party.”

On the panel that day will be Meres-Sia Gabriel, daughter of Emory Douglas and “Asali” Dickson and a Richmond resident who’s also the organizer and moderator of the event; Ajuana Black, educator and director of “I Was There Too;” Hiroji and Shona Pratt, children of Geronimo ji Jaga Pratt; Patrice Lumumba, son of Vincent Lynch; and Attica Georges, daughter of Claudia Grayson, a.k.a. Sis Sheba Haven.

“These are complex experiences that we will handle with care and warmth,” Gabriel said about the panel discussion in a Facebook post. She added that all Panther cubs have unique and important stories to tell.

The panel organizer said she received funding from the California Arts Council and Center for Cultural Power to organize programming in Richmond based on her experiences growing up in the

By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media

On March 12, California for Financial Education,

3. What are some tips for women to take charge of their career and finances?

Taking charge of your career means you should unapologetically embrace the vision you have for yourself and your professional future. This includes being

And through it all, my mother has been my biggest influence and cheerleader. She instilled in me her values and ambitions to want to do more to reach my full God-given potential, while reminding me to give back to my roots and community.

For more information about JPMorgan Chase’s Women on the Move, visit https://www.jpmorganchase.com/impact/people/ women-on-the-move

By California Black Media Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) announced last week that he is backing Assembly Bill (AB) 1858, legislation that would standardize active shooter drills in California schools.

AB 1858, introduced by Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-El Cajon) would ban simulated gunfire and notify students in advance of the drills.

“I was honored to join Students Demand Action and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in

Black Panther Party.

Bobby Seale, cofounder of the original Black Panther Party, visited a free weekday breakfast program at Pullman Point in Richmond in 2017 that was inspired by his organization’s Free Breakfast for School Children Program.

He shared that, following Martin Luther King, Jr.’s death, young people flooded his organization, resulting in rapid growth and new chapters throughout the country. He said the importance of their collective work expanded beyond the programs they initiated.

Seale shared later that day at the Craneway Pavilion, that some of the Black Panther Party’s first community efforts occurred in Richmond. It went on to establish Richmond’s first youth jobs program, he said, as well as other social justice activities, eventually leading the City of Richmond to honor Seale with a proclamation for his work.

The Saturday event will give attendees an opportunity to hear about the Black Panther Party’s work from a unique perspective. Those wanting to submit potential panel questions in advance can do so via Gabriel’s post regarding the panel discussion on Facebook.

The Richmond Art Center is located at 2540 Barrett Ave. in Richmond. Questions? Contact hello@ lifechangingwriting.com.

America to speak about the importance of AB 1858, which will provide much-needed standardized guidelines for school shooter drills,” wrote Gipson on Facebook.

“The bill would require, on or before June 15, 2025, the State Department of Education to curate and post on its internet website best practices pertaining to school shooter or other armed assailant drills for use by school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools, as provided,” the language of AB 1858 states. “The bill would prohibit a school district, county office of education, or charter school from conducting a school shooter or other armed assailant drill unless it adopts policies that conform to these best practices.”

“When it comes to fire drills in California schools, we are not filling the halls with smoke and turning up the thermostat. We should not be subjecting our kids to fake gunmen and simulated gunfire when it comes to active shooter drills,” said Ward.

California State Controller Malia Cohen and

Tony

Renée

photo

Sacramento: Urban League’s Legislative Advocacy Day Highlights Justice Reform Bill

By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media

On March 13, advocates for criminal justice reform rallied at the California State Capitol to urge lawmakers to enact the SMART Act, legislation aimed at eliminating incidents of racial profiling.

The acronym in the name of the SMART Act, authored by Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Inglewood), stands for “Stopping Malevolent Altercations Regarding Traffic Stops.”

The rally was a part of the Urban League’s 21 Pillars Legislative Advocacy Day organized to demand justice reforms related to race, law enforcement and public safety.

National Urban League members and officers attended the day of activities at the State Capitol, including Jerika Richardson, National Urban League Senior Vice President for Equitable Justice and Strategic Initiatives.

“We need to change divisive policing policies. These low-level traffic stops can result in deadly consequences for Black and Brown people in our communities,” said Richardson, who was one of the rally’s speakers.

“They’re disproportionately

harming us,” Richardson added. “We also want to focus on prevention and SB 50 does that.”

The event at the State Capitol followed a Los Angeles Urban League Young Professionals networking reception held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton hotel near the Capitol on March 12.

In addition to the political activities, Caliph Assagai, Esq., California Policy Solutions Chief Strategist, and Jamal Burns, National Urban League Equitable Justice Legal Fellow and Weil Legal Innovator, led an advocacy training workshop.

The rally was organized by members from multiple Urban League affiliates across the state. Other notable attendees included Cynthia Mitchell-Heard of the Los Angeles Urban League, Dwayne Crenshaw of the Greater Sacramento Urban League, Al Abdallah of the Urban League of San Diego County, and Ken Maxey of the Urban League of the Greater San Francisco Bay Area.

California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC)Vice Chair Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) also attended the rally. He is the author of the SMART Act.

SB 50 would limit law enforce-

ment’s ability to use minor, nonsafety-related traffic infractions to conduct racially biased, pretextual stops. The bill provides technical clarification to ensure that cities and counties in California have sufficient flexibility to explore non-law enforcement approaches to traffic safety.

“We hope our colleagues in the Assembly understand the importance of moving forward with this legislation,” said Bradford. “Cities like San Francisco have already implemented these policies or reduced the numbers of interactions with law enforcement.”

The California Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory Board (Board) released a study on Jan. 2 revealing that a total of 4,575,725 stops were conducted by 560 agencies from Jan. 1, 2022, to Dec. 31, 2022.

The study identified disparities between the number of stops and the proportion per ethnic groups. Black individuals were stopped 131.5% more frequently “than expected.” Black individuals were also searched at a rate 1.66 times the rate of White individuals.

California vs. Hate Resource Line is Entering Second Year of Service

By McKenzie Jackson California Black Media

The California vs. Hate Resource Line, established to assist victims of hate crimes and hate incidents in the Golden State, received 823 calls from 79% of California’s 58 counties during its first nine months of operation. The telephone line’s first anniversary is in May. Since its launch, callers have

dialed the hotline at 833-9-NOHATE to report instances of prejudice motivated by a range of factors. Additionally, they have received help connecting with groups that provide support to individuals and communities targeted by hate.

“There is support, when you report,” said James Williams Jr., a community-based organization manager with the California Civil

Rights Department (CRD).

Recently, a Zoom meeting organized by Ethnic Media Services highlighted CRD’s non-emergency hate reporting system and efforts to combat discrimination in the state. State officials and community partners participated in the discussion.

Williams said the initial year has been successful.

“In year two, we plan to increase outreach and engagement, and we’re looking to data experts to assist us with data collection reporting efforts to provide transparency and public-facing reports,” he announced.

California vs. Hate Resource Line Senior Manager Chantel Bermudez said between the hotline’s launch in May 2023 and the end of last month, 42% of the calls received reported discrimination motivated by race, ethnicity, or country of origin. Callers also reported hate actions aggravated by religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity, she added.

Bermudez said the three main goals of the resource line are to identify options and next steps for

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The importance of teaching Black History all year!

Enroll in the Black History Professional Development Class

Just Imagine Books & Services, LLC & Just Imagine KidZ Multiculturan Children’s Bookstore, Richmond, CA,

Jerika Richardson, the National Urban League Senior Vice President for Equitable Justice and Strategic Initiatives, was one of the speakers at the Urban League California Legislative Advocacy Day rally in support of SB 50. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

Photo courtesy California Black Media.

Financial Literacy ...

Continued from page 2

supporters, submitted 880,000 signatures to Secretary of State Shirley Weber’s office to qualify the California Personal Finance Initiative (CPFEI) for the statewide November 2024 General Election ballot.

Next Gen Personal Finance is a nonprofit organization that provides curriculum and teacher training at no cost to nearly 100,000 educators nationwide, including 6,000 in California.

“According to an August 2023 poll from Binder Research, this initiative allows California to join 25 other states who have already made this commitment and are guaranteeing personnel finance education to high school students,” said Next Gen Personal Finance’s co-founder Tim Ranzetta. “It’s time that Califor-

The initiative would guarantee that every high school student in the state completes a one-semester personal finance course as a graduation requirement. If the proposal makes it onto the ballot and passed by the voters, the graduation requirement for a standard high school diploma could start as early as 20230.

nia Students receive the same opportunity to learn these essential skills.”

Ranzetta attended the news conference, held in front of the Secretary of State building. to announce the submission of the signatures with Cohen, and Berkeley High School personal finance educator Crystal Rigley.

The (CPFEI) addresses educational disparities while ensuring every California student can acquire critical life skills. Ranzetta said 546,651 valid signatures were needed to qualify an initiative for the November 2024 ballot.

Rigley said making the high school course a requirement in California exposes students to the necessities of using a budget, building a good credit score, investing in the stock market, and helping them understand the advantages of using an individual retirement account (IRA).

Rigley teaches the basics of personal finance literacy at Berkeley High School, where the student population hovers around 3,200 pupils.

“All our young people deserve to enter adulthood with the money skills and confidence they need to thrive as adults,” Rigley

said. “Although California leads the nation in many areas, we are severely failing our children with it comes to financial education.”

CPFEI first announced that it would gather the signatures for a ballot measure in September, Ranzetta said.

State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and Los Angeles Community College Board Trustee Nichelle Henderson also support the initiative.

Cohen said she has traveled across California to talk with parents about the importance of financial literacy. It’s an issue that “everyone agrees” with, she stated.

“What we are proposing here is an initiative that will continue to uplift and educate people but also reinforce critical thinking skills and good financial habits,” said Cohen.

According to (CPFEI), research shows that personal finance education results in fewer defaults and higher credit scores among young adults; lower usage of high-cost borrowing (e.g., payday loans); more students applying for scholarships and federal financial aid instead of taking out private student loans; and more people, in general, saving for retirement.

California vs. Hate Resource Line

Continued from page 4

callers, connect them with culturally competent resources, and improve hate crime and hate incident reporting and data to enhance prevention and response.

Notably, officials did not disclose any numbers related to the racial or ethnic background of the callers during the meeting but said more statistics will be available closer to the telephone line’s anniversary date.

Santa Barbara NAACP President Connie Alexander-Boaitey expressed concern about whether Black Californians were aware of the hotline. She said that Blacks are the victims of more hate crimes and hate incidents than any other ethnic or minority group in the state. Alexander-Boaitey stated that documented hate behaviors against Blacks increased 27% from 2021 to 2022, which includes a 29% increase in discriminatory crimes and incidents against members of the Black LGBTQ community. Alexander-Boaitey said despite Black students only mak-

ing up 6% of California’s publicschool population, they experience the highest rate of prejudiced bullying and harassment.

“That picture looks like the N-word being constantly said and even physical violence,” she explained. “If you talk to NAACP leaders around the state, we will tell you that this is the highest thing reported to our NAACP units.”

The California vs. Hate Resource Line is not a law enforcement platform. It is staffed 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday by care coordinators, who are individuals trained in responding to trauma. If an individual calls outside of the phone lines’ working hours, they can leave a message, and someone will call them back within 24 hours or the next business day. Californians can file a report by phone in 200 languages or online at CAvsHate.org in 15 languages. All calls are confidential, and victims can remain anonymous. Immigration status is not a factor.

Care coordinators have helped 66% of callers connect with community action and social advocacy groups, general counsel, and consumer complaint assistance.

Upcoming Event: Niagara Movement Foundation Advocates for Social Justice

California Secretary of Dr. State

Shirley N. Weber (Courtesy of the Office of the California Secretary of State)

By Conway Jones

Photo Caption: California Secretary of Dr. State Shirley N. Weber (Courtesy of the Office of the California Secretary of State)

The Niagara Movement Foundation’s mission is to uplift and empower disadvantaged youth. Their work in our community has helped break down barriers, eliminate obstacles, and create a world where every youth’s dreams

become a reality.

On Saturday, March 23, 2024, the Niagara Movement Foundation is hosting its annual fundraising dinner. The event will be held at 7:30 pm at Scott’s Seafood Restaurant, located at 2 Broadway Street, Jack London Square.

The Honorable Shirley N. Weber, California’s Secretary of State, will be the special guest.

“Shirley Weber has the highest integrity. She is compassionate in the discharge of her public duties as California’s Secretary of State and has always acted for the public good,” said Elihu Harris, former mayor of Oakland, Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown and EBMUD Director William Patterson will receive Legacy Awards.

For additional information about the Foundation please visit their website at:www.niagaramovementfoundation.org/

‘I Want TikTok’ Shouldn’t Be a Battle Cry

OPINION

By Emil Guillermo

I bought something from a Chinese company on social media recently. When I got the product, it didn’t work. I panicked, then relaxed, because I bought it through an American tech giant, which gives me recourse.

Going to the product company directly was a nightmare in communication. Most of the email

was in Chinese, a language I don’t speak. I mention this because the next big battle in Congress will be about TikTok.

Many of you use it. I am amused by the wacky recipes or wacky dances. There’s an African American woman who comments on all the mash-up recipes that always ends up lathered in cheese. And then there’s folks like my friend, Allison Collins, the

Continued on page 8

Photo: iStock photo image.

education activist who reports and opines on the latest moves by the anti-DEI movement.

Some say a “ban” would be a threat to free speech. But the current bill moving to the Senate isn’t really a ban. It’s more like a new requirement on how foreign governments can do business with U.S. residents.

Right now, using TikTok is like taking a ride on a Chinese weather balloon. Great views, great fun.

Until you realize it’s an espionage tool and you’re being taken for a ride literally and figuratively.

National security is serious business and people who are proTikTok are blind to the reality that ByteDance, TT’s parent company is beholden to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The party can demand ByteDance to dance on command.

If the CCP wanted something like your latest hip-hop moves, it would seem innocent enough. But it wants more than that. How about all your data, plus exposing you to propaganda as per the algorithm to undermine elections and the general well-being of our democracy.

Hyperbole? Not when you know how powerful social media and algorithms are when it comes to influencing human behavior.

Having TikTok on your phone is better than a spy balloon over America.

China knows it. Most in Congress know it. But most of the estimated 170 million users of TikTok in America don’t seem to get it yet. But they should.

“I want my TikTok” shouldn’t be a battle cry.

Some may point to Trump for their pro-TikTok ways. Trump

flipped on the issue from being against it to being TikTok OK. That could be because a recent major donor to his campaign is connected to TikTok. Just remember Trump is the man who says immigrants poison America’s blood. He’s the guy who boldly sells out our allies to Putin as the Russian annihilation of Ukraine picks up. He’s the guy so bankrupt morally and financially he’s capable of doing anything that serves him. Not you.

You want to follow that?

So, think national security. Not free speech.

Don’t be a sucker for an addictive app.

The U.S. is simply requiring that a U.S. company own TikTok and provide a buffer much like the U.S. tech intermediary from which I purchased that Chinese gizmo that didn’t work.

A U.S. owner of TikTok gives American users protection and some recourse from the CCP.

It makes perfect sense. In fact, it makes so much the House passed the bill on with bi-partisan support. When does that happen? You can’t get Congress to agree on the hard things like immigration. When you get them on board to make TikTok safer for Americans?

This issue is making Congress find common ground, for once.

Refreshing.

One thing for sure, leaving the situation “as is” only puts a spy balloon in every mobile phone in America.

About the Author

Emil Guillermo is an awardwinning journalist and commentator, a former host of NPR’s “All Things Considered,” whose work has appeared in publications around the country. He is a board member of PEN Oakland.

Alameda County Public Health Department Warns of Possible Measles Exposure

Special to The Post Alameda County health officials are advising persons who were at Sons of Liberty Alehouse restaurant in San Leandro, CA on Saturday, March 9, 2024, from 4:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. that they may have been exposed to measles. If you were at Sons of Liberty in San Leandro at 150 W. Juana Ave. on March 9 between 4:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and if you or your child are:

• An infant 11 months of age or younger

• Not vaccinated for measles

• Unsure for your measles vaccination status

• Pregnant

• Immuno-compromised (having a weakened immune system)

• A health care worker

• A childcare provider Please call your health care provider and the Alameda County Public Health Department at 510267-3250 right away.

Measles (rubeola) is highly contagious and is transmitted via direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. One person infected with measles can infect nine out of 10 unvaccinated individuals with whom they come into close contact.

All persons who were present at this San Leandro restaurant

California

Service Corps Announces Effort to Recruit Thousands of Young People

By California Black Media

California Volunteers, part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s California for All initiative, last week announced that it is recruiting hundreds of young people in the across the state to participate in its paid service programs aligned with opportunities to solve some of the state’s most challenging problems like climate change, hatred, education disparities, and more.

Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson joined Josh Fryday, California’s Chief Service Officer at the event organized to celebrate the first anniversary of California Volunteers launch of its Job Corps fellow program in Riverside and to announce the new recruitment.

Lock Dawson said in Riverside alone, 100 California Volunteer college job corps fellows have

been placed with a number of organizations.

“Governor Newsom and California Volunteers working in partnership with leaders like Mayor Lock Dawson believe that service has the power to connect us. Service has the power to teach us,” said Fryday.

“We are announcing today here in Riverside to recruit across the State of California over 10,000 members of the California Service Corps,” said Fryday. “We need your help getting the word out about CaServiceCorps.com where you can find out about all the opportunities to fit your needs and your passion.

“You don’t have to let your past define your future. In fact your future is now and it starts today with the Service Corps,” said Lock Dawson.

Black Caucus and Women Caucus Host Sacramento Screening of ‘Respect My Crown’

during the time indicated should watch for symptoms of measles which can appear in seven to 21 days (3/16 - 3/30) after the exposure. Those symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that can last up to a week. Some people may develop complications such as diarrhea, middle ear infection, and pneumonia (lung infection).

One in 1,000 people with measles may develop encephalitis (brain infection) and one to two children of every 1,000 with measles may die from lung or brain complications.

If you develop measles symptoms, call your medical facility before going there and inform them that you may have been exposed to measles so that the facility can take measures to protect other patients and visitors.

Measles is preventable with the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (or MMR) vaccine. Two doses of MMR are recommended for full protection and Alameda County benefits from high rates of vaccination against measles.

Check your immunization records or contact your provider to see if you are protected. You can visit the Alameda County Public Health Department website at www.acphd.org/measles for additional information.

By California Black Media

On March 12, the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) and the Legislative Women’s Caucus partnered to host a screening of the documentary “Respect My Crown: The Rise of African American Women in California Politics.”

The event, held at the Crest Theater in downtown Sacramento, was followed by a Q&A with the film’s director, Pamela BrightMoon, and its producer, Alisa Covington.

Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) was one of the organizers of the event cocreated with the California Black Women’s Collective Institute.

“It was about celebrating and uplifting women for Women’s History Month,” said McKinnor, a member of CLBC. “(This film) itself is powerful and dynamic. It really takes you across California’s history and It takes you across Black women’s political history in Northern and Southern California.”

By Edward Henderson California Black Media

According to the California Association of Realtors 2023 buyer snapshot, 36% of homebuyers were first-time buyers. However, only 3% of homebuyers were African Americans. Nationally, as of last year, the home ownership rate for Black households was 45.9%. This figure is 28.6 percentage points lower than the rate for Whites, at 74.4%.

Historically in America, homeownership has been one of the pillars for building generational wealth. That fact has led some advocates in California to argue that the alarmingly low home purchasing rates for Blacks signify a need to develop more programs and opportunities to expand access to home loans and down payments.

To that end, the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) is rolling out the California Dream for All Shared Appreciation Loan Program for qualified Californians. The program is specifically focused on including first-generation homebuyers in traditionally underserved communities.

“There are so many people in California that have a good income, who have good jobs, credit, all that, but haven’t been able to save up for a down payment,” said Eric Johnson, Information Officer for CalHFA Marketing and Communications Division during a news briefing on the subject hosted by Ethnic Media Services.

“Also, they haven’t had the benefit of that intergenerational wealth. Having parents — if your parents were able to buy home or your grandparents, even — being able to pass that down. So many members of the Black, Asian American, Latino and Native communities have not had that advantage. So, a lot of them are firstgeneration home buyers, the first

people in their own families who were able to buy homes. So that’s what we’re really trying to do with this program.”

The program is offering qualified applicants a loan of up to 20% of the purchase price or $150,000, whichever is less. For example, if a buyer is interested in a $600,000 house, CalHFA may offer them a loan of up to $120,000. It will bring down the amount of their first mortgage from $600,000 down to about $480,000, which would significantly reduce monthly payments.

Funds received from homes sold or refinanced will go towards funding the next round of applicants. The first round of loans issued in April 2023 helped about 2,000 home buyers. With an additional $250 million in funding from the California Legislature, CalHFA is trying to help another 1,600 to 2000 homebuyers.

Here are some qualifications for applicants:

• You must be a first-time home buyer.

• At least one person on the loan has to be a California resident.

• Your parents cannot currently own a home or at the time of their passing if deceased.

• If you were ever in the foster care system you can be part of the program.

• Income limit of $150,000 in Los Angeles County, $185,000 in San Diego, $234,000 in Alameda County

• You must have a credit approval letter from a partnered lender listed on the CalHFA website.

• You must submit your application between April 3 and April 29. You can watch a video on the CalHFA website to get additional information about the program and how to apply or learn more about the qualifications for and the partnering lenders who can aid you with the application process.

McKinnor said the film starts with former California U.S. senator Kamala Harris becoming the first Black woman Vice President and ends with labor activist Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Ladera Heights), who sworn in as a California State Senator in 2022. Between those milestones, the film traces the rich history of Black women in California politics, including the election of Yvonne Braithwaite Burke, the first Black woman elected to the California Legislature in 1966.

A number of state legislators and elected officials attended the event, including California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, who is featured in the documentary.

“We now have Black women politicians, district attorneys and state officials. The film also touches on local city council persons and mayors such as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and San Francisco Mayor London Breed. It shows Black women’s footprints on the political landscape of California,” said McKinnor.

Respect My Crown” is a feature-length documentary film that explores the significant contributions of African American women in leadership in the areas of politics, labor, and community activism in the State of California.

Black Caucus Members Participate in Women’s History Month Ceremony on the Assembly Floor

By California Black Media

Two California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) members, Assemblymembers Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa) and Mike Gipson (DCarson) were among the speakers during a special ceremony organized by the California Women’s Caucus last week to celebrate Women’s History Month.

During the ceremony, lawmakers from different groups in the Legislature and the 50-member strong Women Caucus paid tribute to several remarkable women from California and across the United States and urged their colleagues to pass House Resolution (HR) 72, legislation that declared March as Women’s History Month.

“I rise on behalf of the members of the California Legislative Black Caucus and the incredible women of that Caucus in support of this resolution and thank our colleagues for bringing this very important piece of legislation before us today,” said

Gipson during the event held on the floor of the State Assembly on March 11. Last week, Weber said she was “extremely honored” to escort Sen. Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), before she was honored.

“Your groundbreaking career is unparalleled, and I am proud we represent San Diego County together,” Weber posted on X, the social media platform formally known as Twitter.

Gipson paid tribute to the five women mwmvwea of the CLBC: Sen. Lola Smallwood Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblymembers Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa), Mia Bonta (D-Alameda) and Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood).

The Assembly leadership honored Janette Robinson Flint, founder of Black Women for Wellness, at the ceremony. She was escorted to the floor by Mckinnor and Assemblymember Rebacca Bauer-Kahan (D-Walnut Creek).

Charlene Williams, College Corp fellow from Perris, accepts a certificate of recognition from Josh Friday, chief service officer for California Volunteers, and the City of Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson. Photo courtesy of California Black Media.

Photo courtesy of California Black Media.

The Rise of African American Women In California Politics’ filmmakers, director Pamela Bright-Moon, right, and on the left is Alisa Covington, the producer. The 90-minute documentary was shown for Women’s History Month at the Crest Theater in Sacramento on March 12. CBM photo by Robert Maryland.

Customers of the Sons of Liberty Alehouse on March 9 may have been exposed to measles. Courtesy photo.

Landlords Step into Formerly Incarcerated Renter’s Shoes ...

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rience the difficulties of balancing their reentry into society.

The different stations that mimicked the places that those formerly incarcerated typically had to deal with in their first few months of release included the DMV, counseling and treatment, unemployment center, GED classes, probation office, drug testing, and the courthouse.

Participants were assigned diverse backgrounds including situations like unemployment, lack of housing, child support obligations, no savings, court-ordered drug testing and treatment, mandatory probation and more.

After the first round of the simulation, many became frustrated at the lack of “money” they had or opportunities to “make money” in order to pay their rent, treatments, or probation. People were getting turned away at the unemployment office because they tested positive at the drug testing station or turned to attempting to donate plasma or pawning off their possessions because it was the easiest way to get cash fast, mirroring real life struggles that formerly incarcerated folks encounter.

“I’m gonna go kick rocks at the penitentiary,” one participant said.

While most people laughed at the comment, the hosts shared that the feelings of stress, confusion, and failure are all things that real people have to deal with their first weeks out in their communities.

After the fourth round of the simulation, many participants said they finally understood why reentry after incarceration was a challenge and why rates of recidivism were so high.

In the United States, 44% of those who commit crimes end up back in jail or prison within the first year they are released, with some reports stating that it’s easier to go back because of the lack of opportunities available to them once they’re out.

Michele Scott, a fellow in the CROP reentry program and handler of the drug testing simulation station, shared that buying drugs or alcohol can sometimes be more enticing or cheaper to people than paying for their treatments or housing.

Delta

The CROPs Ready 4 Life reentry program offers a one-year fellowship to recently released individuals to receive housing, mentorship in life skills, and career classes for higher income opportunities, including tech related fields. The fellows live on a campus with other cohort members earning living stipends to prepare them for their after-program lives.

Scott shared that after her release, she was sentenced to a sixmonth rehabilitation program that did not give her any support and instead restricted her reentry into society after 30 years of incarceration.

“In some ways, prison was easier than being in this program,” Scott said.

She stated that the CROP program doesn’t treat them as if they are still criminals, but instead guides them every step of the way as they learn new things that to most people feels natural or easier to manage. As the tech era continues to rapidly evolve, the tasks that seem natural or manageable to others such as operating a Gmail account can seem daunting to someone recently released.

Richard Mireles, a founder and the Director of Outreach and Engagement for CROP, shared that their Ready 4 Life program has a zero percent recidivism rate, and 95% of graduates secure full-time employment.

Unlike typical rehab or reentry programs, which help tens or hundreds of people at a time, the smaller classes of people at CROP allows for one-on-one assistance to better cultivate relationships and enable the cohort to excel.

He explained that a housing first approach has demonstrated that formerly incarcerated individuals can receive a second chance at life and truly succeed without the severe barriers and gaps that they would otherwise face in other programs.

“We’re reimagining reentry with our program,” Mireles said.

Mireles said he hopes CROP continues to help those in need of these opportunities and hopes that state and government agencies will recognize the value of investing in programs like these.

Sigma Theta Welcomes Leaders ...

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Committee Chair is Rozenia Cummings, and its members are Barbara Scotlan, Jazmyn Hammons, Camille Harvey, Vangeria Harvey, Velma Hendon, Trina Johnson, Vanessa Mitchell, Gwen Mosley, Beryl Potter, Cleo Rice Hodge, Florence Valentine, and Deanna Roberts of DR Roberts Event Management. Current chapter leadership in attendance will be: President Petrina Alexander-Perteet, Vice President Alexis Stuckey, Recording Secretary Byrhonda Lyons, Corresponding Secretary Christine Harris, Treasurer Camille Harvey, Financial Secretary Jazmyn Hammons.

Calendar of Events

March 24, 2024 – 3 p.m.

Beebe Memorial Cathedral CME Church

Palm Sunday Service, Guest, Bishop Charley Hames, Jr.

March 24, 2024 – 3 p.m.

Williams Chapel Baptist Church, Oakland

A Musical Extravaganza Celebrating Their 85th Church Anniversary.

Special Guests: Marissa Peters, soloist, Roland Byrd, Jr., mime dancer, and Northern California Charter Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc, under the direction of Dr. Steven Roberts, chapter representative.

March 29, 2024 – 6 p.m.

Beebe Memorial Cathedral CME Church

Good Friday Service, Seven Last Words

Speakers: Bishop Charley Hames, Jr., Rev. Antoine Shyne, Rev. Elliott T. Ivey, Sr., Dr. Rodney Smith, Dr. Claybon Lea, Jr., Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Thompson, and Rev. Aaron T. Macklin.

Celebrating Historic Firsts by Female African American Ambassadors ...

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was the recipient of the Department of State Superior Honor Award, “for acts of courage during an attack on the U.S. Consulate General, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Dec. 6, 2004, by al-Qa’ida terrorists.”

Serving overseas as a diplomat can prove to be dangerous, even in the most unlikely places, as I learned while serving as U.S. Consul General in Barcelona, Spain, when my consulate was bombed by the Red Army for the liberation of Catalonia on Oct. 14, 1987.

The list below represents 10 of the 25 female Foreign Service officers, political appointees, and appointees from USAID – a foreign affairs agency from which the Department of State can nominate candidates for ambassadorial appointments. They have served in the Caribbean, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, and in seniorlevel positions in Washington, D.C. They all emphasize the importance of being the first, but not the last.

Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley

• First female principal officer in Saudi Arabia and first woman to head a diplomatic mission in Saudi Arabia (2002-2005)

First female African American U.S. ambassador to Malta (2012-2016)

• First chief Diversity and Inclusion officer, U.S. Department of State (2021-2023)

Nicole Avant

First African American woman and youngest person to be appointed as U.S. Ambassador to the Bahamas

Shirley Elizabeth Barnes

• First African American woman to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Madagascar (1998-2001)

Marcia Bernicat

First African American woman to serve as the India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan office director (2006-2008)

• First African American woman to serve as consul general in Casablanca, Morocco (19951998)

• First African American woman to serve as deputy chief of mission in Lilongwe, Malawi (1998-2001)

Natalie E. Brown

• First African American woman to serve as chief of the Political Section at the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait (2004-2006)

• First African American woman to serve as economic counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Jordan (2007-2010)

First African American woman to serve as deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia (2010-2013)

Cindy Courville

• First African American woman to serve as the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency deputy assistant intelligence officer for Africa Policy (1999-2000)

• The first U.S. Ambassador to the African Union and the first African American woman to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to the African Union (20062008)

Ertharin Cousin

• First African American woman to serve as a State Department White House liaison (1994)

• First African America woman appointed by the President to serve as a member of the Board for International Food and Agriculture Development (1997)

• First African American woman

appointed as U.S. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Food and Agriculture organizations (2009)

First African American woman appointed by the secretary general to serve as executive director of the United Nations World Food Program (2012)

Jessica Davis Ba

• First African American to serve as deputy chief of mission to the U.S. Mission to the African Union and the Deputy U.S. representative to the UN Economic Commission for Africa (2016 to 2019)

First African American woman to serve as long-term chargé d’affaires a.i., at the U.S. Embassy in N’Djamena, Chad (2019 to 2021)

First African American to serve as senior coordinator for National Security Affairs in the Office of the Vice President (2021 to 2022)

Jendayi Frazer

• First woman to serve as U.S. Ambassador to South Africa (2004-2005)

Makila James

First African American and first woman to serve as principal officer at the U.S. Consulate in Juba, South Sudan (20062007)

• First African American woman to serve as U.S. ambassador to the Kingdom of Eswatini (2012-2015)

Bonnie D. Jenkins

• First African American Department of State undersecretary – Serves as undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security (2021-present)

• First African American special envoy, coordinator for Threat Reduction Programs with the rank of ambassador (20092017)

Suzan D. Johnson Cook

• First African American, first woman, and first faith leader to serve as the U.S. ambassador at large for international religious freedom (2011-2013)

Mosina Jordan

• First African American woman appointed ambassador from USAID and the first African American woman to serve as ambassador to the Central African Republic. (1995-1998) First and only African American appointed counselor to USAID and serving concurrently as acting assistant administrator for management (2005-2008)

Next week: Part Two of firsts by Black women in the U.S. State Department as ambassadors.

Returning Elderly Formerly Incarcerated ...

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I was one of the fortunate ones. The purpose of the prison system is to punish individuals for breaking the law.

After they complete their sentences they’re released into society, having paid their debt according to the law. But reentry is tortuous, especially for the elderly. In the case of Sitawa Jamaa, his journey vividly highlights the need for reform.

When formerly incarcerated elders come home after long sentences, it must be acknowledged that the world they once knew has drastically changed and their physical conditions have become more feeble.

You might ask yourself why you should be concerned about the well-being of formerly incarcerated people who committed a crime and did the time?

As a society of goodwill, we’re our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers despite what they’ve done.

I believe, as a God-fearing person, to deny this fact is to deny our own humanity. The people that I refer to went to prison but now

they’re back with what little time they have left on this Earth.

When we deny them what we would want for ourselves, it goes against everything as the society that we claim to be.

There needs to be structures in place to address this class of individuals coming back straight out of the pits of hell. It’s a tragedy that is unfolding right before our eyes.

Pastor Lankford and others are taking up the cause via OPIC (Oakland Private Industry Council). There’s a need for dialogue, then prompt action, that will meet the various needs of our fellow citizens returning to the world.

To the people who truly embrace life, success isn’t attained by hope and desire alone, success can only be measured by what can be done to meet the needs of the most vulnerable individuals within our reach once action is applied.

If you care to join the fight, please reach out to OPIC! All are encouraged to pick up the banner toward answers to solvable problems.

Faith Fancher’s Breast Cancer Battle Remembered ...

beast.

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Faith’s six-year journey through breast cancer — which included allowing cameras to follow her inside the operating room during surgery — won numerous awards and honors. she was named Journalist of the Year by the Bay Area Black Journalists Association and received recognition for her cancer fighting efforts from the California State Senate in 2000.

But her greatest pride, other than husband Bill, children, her parents, sister, namesake niece and closest friends was the creation of “Friends of Faith,” which brought together Black Women in radio/ TV and media allies to offer testing, funding, childcare and other stop gap efforts for other breast cancer patients.

Then there was the annual Au-

About the Author: Ambassador Ruth A. Davis was a trailblazer throughout her 40-year career, including as the first female senior watch officer (SWO) in the Operations Center, the first African American director of the Foreign Service Institute and the first female African American Director General of the Foreign Service. THE

Faces Around the Bay: Isaiah Thurman

By Barbara Fluhrer

Isaiah Thurman is an audiology tech at Berkeley Hearing, 2748 San Pablo Ave., in Berkeley.

gust Friends of Faith fundraising Walk around Oakland’s Lake Merritt which brought in thousands of dollars with sponsors like the Oakland A’s. Faith had earned love and respect of thousands of women around the world when she died Oct. 19, 2003, surrounded by those she loved.

Today In 2024, I meet people who remember Faith as the voice and hope for women winning the fight against breast cancer.

About the writer: Oakland born, raised in East Palo Alto, Ricki Stevenson is a former NYC/Bay Area radio/TV journalist. She moved to Paris in 1997, founding Black Paris Tours, now celebrating its 25th anniversary of introducing travelers to the rich legacy of African, African American history in the City of Light.

At 104, Willard Harris

Still Active in Delta Sigma Theta, S.F. Chapter

Willard Harris. She received a personlized Delta jacket in recognition of her 75 years in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Courtesy photos.

to learn,” she says.

By Antoinette Porter

Thurman is part of the team at Berkeley Hearing that annually

Thurman

If you think you might need hearing aids or need yours serviced, he’s the go-to guy to set you up with the appropriate audiologist.

Willard Harris was born in Chicago but was raised in Jackson, Tennessee. She moved to San Francisco in1957. She received her bachelor’s degree in nursing at Meharry Medical College and her master’s degree at New York University. She became the first African American supervisor and then the first African American director of Nursing at Mt. Zion Hospital, one of the largest in San Francisco at the time.

Now 104, at 100 she was still working: proctoring ESL and law exams, serving as president of the San Francisco Commission on Aging and was still driving her own car.

She is very active and regularly attended water aerobics classes. She decided to take piano lessons at the Community Music Center to exercise her fingers, hoping to ease her arthritis. “You’re never too old

Willard is a beloved and cherished member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., dedicated to service and sisterhood for 75 years. She was initiated at the Gamma Omega Chapter at Meharry Medical College. Dorothy Irene Height was the national president and visited with the Deltas at Meharry during Willard’s time there.

Soror Harris remains an active and engaged member of the San Francisco alumnae chapter. She was the chair of Arts and Letters, co-chair of Policies and Procedures committees until a few years ago. She has such passion and devotion to community service. Soror Harris’ most charming attributes are her humor and quick wit. She was featured in a short film interview which aired on local television in San Francisco.

When asked how she felt about reaching the century mark, she

Isaiah Thurman. Photo by B. Fluhrer.

Taking all the hardest classes to challenge yourself at every turn. Believing in your abilities, uniqueness and strength. Inspiring those around you with your determination, faith and hope. Following your heart, and leading the way with passion and perseverance. Offering support, and accepting it, too, from your family, friends and community. Striving to make the world better. And knowing that your dreams will soon be within reach at UCLA.

Congratulations on being accepted to the #1 public university in the nation and doing Oakland proud. Out of more than 170,000 applicants, the most in the country, you stood out. You’re a Bruin through and through. And we can’t wait for you to join us on our mission to give our community — and the world — a brighter future.