A Member of 1975 GSW Championship Team Recalls the Greatness of Coach Al Attles
By Charles Dudley
Next year marks the 50th Anniversary of the 1975 Golden State Warriors NBA Championship. Led by coach Al Attles, this team brought the first NBA championship to the Bay Area. A graduate of North Carolina A&T, an HBCU institution, Attles became the NBA’s first full-time African American coach.
He also became the first fulltime African American head coach in history to win an NBA Championship. On the eve of this 50th anniversary, I would like to share what Coach Attles meant to myself and my teammates.
Al was a force of nature, and it is reflected in his accomplishments during his 50-year career tenure with GSW starting with the 196061 season when he was drafted the 39th overall pick by the then Philadelphia Warriors. The Philadelphia Warriors were the only professional team Al has ever been associated with.
He played 11 seasons and coached six playoff teams, including the 1975 champions. In 2014, he was the recipient of the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award, the Basketball Hall of Fame’s most prestigious honor aside from enshrinement.
There are only seven surviving players from the 1974-75 season. Those no longer with us are: Steve Bracey, Charles Johnson, Phil Smith, Derek Dickey and Bill Bridges. Assistant Coach Joe Roberts, who played an integral part in the team’s success during the 1974-75 season, recently passed away.
The remaining players are this writer, Clifford Ray, George Johnson, Rick Barry, Jamaal Wilkes, Jeff Mullins, and our trainer, Dick D’Doliva. Over time, the gratitude and love for Coach Attles has been
deeply felt and to this day is embodied in what is engraved on our Championship rings – “Togetherness.”
Here is what Al meant to all of us. More than a coach, he was a tremendous leader, mentor, innovator and made all 12 of us feel important. On the bench, at practice or on the road and even when the chips were down, Al never swore, never belittled or yelled at any of us in front of each other.
No one ever wanted to disappoint him, everyone accepted their respective roles, and we knew what we had to do to achieve long-term success. That is where the slogan “Strength in Numbers” began for us. He taught us how to set goals and how to achieve them. An honorable man, he never went back on anything he promised.
At the time, we were living in a basketball world that refused to see us, recognize us, or want us to be a part of professional basketball because of the makeup of our team, which consisted of 10 African American players and two white players. In 1975, this was not the norm in the NBA. No matter what was going on outside the arena, Al always kept us focused on the prize. “We win together or we lose together.” Importantly, he created the foundation for our individual successes after our basketball careers had ended.
Al saw something special in all the players on the 1974-75 team. It started with training camp that season in Hawaii and culminated in Game Four of the NBA finals against the Washington Bullets (now Washington Wizards).
Attles also saw something special in Joe Roberts, who became the Warriors first assistant coach.
His trust in Roberts paid dividends when he had to take over for Al in Game Four of the NBA Finals.
At the start of the 1975 NBA
Playoff Finals, Attles’ team was being vilified by the media as being the worst ever to reach the finals and shouldn’t have been there at all. At a team meeting and Al said to the players “I don’t know if we can beat this team in four straight, but I think we can beat them in five.”
The word was that the Bullets were supposed beat us in four straight games. Everyone heard that prediction, took it to heart and won the first three games. In Game Four, it came down to the wire, but with the belief in togetherness, we beat the Washington Bullets 96-95. In that four-game sweep, the Warriors became only the third team in NBA history to do so. To date, there have only been nine teams to accomplish this.
At the end of the day, this was a basketball team that succeeded against all odds to become NBA World Champions. Never recognized, rarely mentioned, and playing during a racially and socially turbulent time in Oakland and the Bay Area, our 1974-75 Warriors team had no chance to have a successful season were it not for the foundations and strategic brilliance laid out by Al Attles.
His coolness under pressure and confidence in his players resulted in this victory that saved professional basketball in the Bay Area; and his leadership in forming a racially diverse team laid the foundation for how the NBA looks today.
Speaking on behalf of my team and myself, I’m very honored to have been coached under “Mr. Warrior,” Al Attles.
Mother Alice Andrews Turns 100
Allen Temple Baptist Church Honors Mother Alice Andrews with a Resolution
By Carla Thomas
At Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland the congregation and community celebrated the 100th birthday of Mother Alice Andrews, who became a centenarian on July 14. The church proclaimed
a resolution in her honor calling her a “joy” and a “blessing,” to the church as a faithful member for 60 years.
“Mother Alice Andrews has been active in ministries inside and outside the walls of the church and we are grateful for Mother An-
drews’ service as a faithful member of the Allen Temple Nurses Aide Guild where she diligently and graciously served during countless worship services and funerals,” said Allen Temple Baptist Church’s Senior Pastor Jacqueline Thompson.
Throughout her life, Andrews worked for over 50 years as a medical practitioner providing inhome care to sick and shut-in patients throughout the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Area, as well as in nursing facilities. Andrews continues to support Allen Temple Baptist Church as a faithful member participating in virtual worship services.
Her perseverance despite many personal tragedies, is the testimony of a woman of faith in God with a commitment to live her life to honor and glorify God. “Her ability to live independently is a gift from God for which she is very grateful,” said Thompson. “I thank God for blessing me,” said Andrews.
The congregation extended their well wishes, love and prayers and said that Mother Andrews embodies the bible scripture Mathew 7:16, “By their deeds you will know them …”
By Edward Henderson California Black Media
California Black Health Network (CBHN) recently launched its “Health 4 Life: Healthy Black People Campaign.”
The campaign aims to empower and educate all Black Californians with “How do I…” (HDI) information and resources needed to effectively navigate the health care system. It also provides tips for advocating for friends, family, and themselves when undergoing medical treatment.
In addition, the campaign advises Black patients on how to respond when faced with discrimination.
“We are working to ignite a Black Health Movement here in California and create a more empowered community of individuals and patients to become proactive about their overall health and well-being, focus more on prevention, and take ownership of their health and healthcare,” said Smith. “We need to know that there is such a thing as a patient bill of rights, and we need to know how we can exercise our rights as a patient to get the healthcare we deserve.
On July 18, CBHN launched a 5-part webinar series titled “Making the Healthcare System Work Better for You,” to help the African American communities in the Golden State understand how to
make more informed healthcare decisions and how to make the healthcare system work better for them.
The series featured speaker is Dr. Glenda F. Newell-Harris, a physician, author, speaker, and patient advocate.
Newell-Harris works at the forefront of addressing health disparities and championing equal access to high-quality healthcare for all. Her passion, she says, prompted her to write a book along with a colleague, Dr. Brenda Springs.
“It’s very important that you need to understand you have rights as a patient. You may feel when you are in a medical situation that you’re at the mercy of everybody that is there. But even in that process, you do have rights,” NewellHarris added.
An example of some ‘How do I’ questions the campaign answers are; How do I take action to protect my health? How do I find the right healthcare provider for me? How do I know what my plan covers? How do I prepare for my visits? How do I speak up for my and my family’s health?
The first webinar focused on patient rights - “Part 1: Know Your Patient Rights. Newell-Harris delivered a presentation that highlighted patient rights surrounding information, disclosure, insurance coverage, choice of providers, emergency services, treatment de-
cisions, respect and non-discrimination, and patient responsibilities.
“Patient rights were created to build trust and confidence within the healthcare system, to strengthen the bond between you and your healthcare provider, and also to empower you to take charge of your health,” said Newell-Harris.
The remaining webinar schedule is as follows:
• August 8 – Part 2: How to Communicate with Your Healthcare Provider
• September 19 – Part 3: How to Navigate Through the Healthcare System
October 24 – Part 4: How to Advocate for Yourself and Your Loved Ones • November 21 – Part 5: How to Participate in the DecisionMaking for Your Care For more information and to register, visit cablackhealthnetwork.org/events.
This article is supported by the California Black Health Journalism Project, a program created by California Black Media, that addresses the top health challenges African Americans in California face. It relies on the input of community and practitioners; an awareness of historical factors, social contexts and root causes; and a strong focus on solutions as determined by policymakers, advocates and patients.
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
The State of California has allotted $3.3 billion in funding to build inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment centers to address the state’s mental health and homelessness crisis.
The funds are part of a $6.4 billion bond that Gov. Gavin Newsom authorized after California voters approved Proposition 1 in March this year.
Last week, Newsom touted the mental health measure at a new facility in San Mateo County, highlighting the importance of building facilities to help transform health care.
According to Newsom’s office, Proposition 1 is an important part of the state’s strategy to tackle the growing issue of homelessness. The measure also intends to encourage people dealing with severe mental illness and substance disorders to seek treatment.
Newsom said that his administration is working to approve plans in the next few months to build more housing this summer.
The governor urged counties to enroll in the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court program that offers mental health patients courtordered support and care for up to 24 months.
The program is a $14 billion multi-year investment that aims to provide 55,000 housing units statewide. The state has planned to invest an additional $10 billion in community behavioral health services. Counties can sign up for the CARE Court program, early applications are available to eligible individuals. The program is currently available in nine counties: Glenn, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco (City and County), San Mateo, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne. The state will provide an additional $1 billion to support more construction projects and programs next year.
Courtesy of California Black Health Network
Charles Dudley and Al Attles. Photo Courtesy of Charles Dudley.
Photo courtesy of the Andrews Family
Triumphant Return of Oakland Native Richard Curtis IV: Inspiring the Next Generation on Missy Elliott’s ‘Out of This World’ Tour
By Dr. Maritony Jones Special to The Post
Oakland, California, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and history of producing great athletes and artists, celebrates another homegrown success. Richard Curtis IV, an Oakland native and renowned dancer, made a triumphant return as a featured performer on the “Out of This World” tour starring hip-hop legend Missy Elliott. The tour captivated a nearly sold-out crowd at the Oakland Arena on Tuesday, July 9.
Richard Curtis IV, the creative force behind the SwaggBounce dance style, shared the stage with hip-hop icons Missy Elliott, Ciara, and Busta Rhymes. The “Out
of This World - The Experience” tour has been making waves across major U.S. cities, and the special performance in Oakland resonated deeply with the community.
Known by his social media handle @yoitswagg, Curtis has garnered a massive following online for his unique dance style that blends precision, energy, and innovation. His SwaggBounce dance has revolutionized the dance community, solidifying his status in urban music culture.
Curtis attended St. Paul’s Episcopal School and graduated from the Oakland School for the Arts’ School of Dance. His early dance training began at the age of 4 at Oakland’s New Style Motherlode
Dance Studio and Culture Shock Oakland.
Since then, he has performed with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Janet Jackson, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Childish Gambino, and Ozuna. His dynamic choreography and high-energy performances have taken him from the United States to Europe, leaving a lasting impact on audiences worldwide.
Reflecting on his return to Oakland, Curtis said, “I am thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to dance for the legendary Missy Elliott on her tour and to inspire my community in Oakland. Missy’s music has been a source of inspiration for me throughout my career, and it’s a blessing
to bring the SwaggBounce to the stage alongside such an iconic artist.”
Curtis’ journey from local dance studios to international stages serves as a powerful reminder to young people in Oakland to follow their dreams. His success story is a beacon of hope and inspiration, proving that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.
For more information about Richard “Swagg” Curtis IV and his upcoming performances, follow @yoitswagg on all social media platforms. For inquiries and interviews, please contact his public relations manager, Sherron Hogg, at 510-719-3753.
By Emil Guillermo
Remember Oakland five years ago when Kamala Harris invoked her Asian mother and announced a run for the presidency.
And then came Iowa. She wasn’t ready.
She’s ready now.
On Monday, Joe Biden, still isolated with COVID, spoke via speaker phone to his campaign staff that early evening to tell them the truth behind his decision.
“I know it’s hard because you’ve poured your heart and soul into me,” Biden told the campaigners who won him the nomination and then the presidency in 2020. But it wasn’t to be in 2024. “I think we made the right decision,” the president said.
The decision to withdraw came Sunday when Biden released a letter on social media with the shock-
ing and historical news.
“The name has changed at the top of the ticket, but the mission hasn’t changed at all,” the president said.
That was essentially the passing of the torch, the flame. Or the passing of “duende?” That’s what Boston Globe columnist George Frazier, one of those who inspired the column form in me, might have called it.
Duende is that charismatic allure that a world class performer has, that makes you constantly want to watch their every move. For a politician to possess it is pure gold.
Biden had it throughout his long political and legislative career.
And now, as he steps aside, and allows Harris, his Veep, to step forward, it was clear. She had it too.
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Richard “Swagg” Curtis IV Oakland native inventor of SwaggBounce dance style (Photo taken by Wes Klain)
Missy Elliott performs at the Oakland Arena on July 9, 2024 with Oakland native Richard “Swagg” Curtis IV, Taylor Edwards, Brandon Trent (Photo taken by Alexis Vaughn)
snooped, but while staying with his Uncle Luther, he found a stash of old letters, and he read them. What he learned shocked him, and he had to leave Luther’s home immediately.
The problem was, Simon had nowhere to go.
Were you there? If not, can you imagine what it was like to live in 1965, at the height of the Civil Rights Movement? Readers who don’t know or can’t picture it will get an eyeful of what was possible inside “54 Miles.”
In setting his novel roughly in the years 1945 to 1965, author Leonard Pitts, Jr. doesn’t make reading this book easy. There are passages inside this novel that will make you want to wince and
Kamala’s Duende Express
...
turn away and – caution! – they’re not for the weak-stomached.
Just remember, they’re essential to the story and to why the characters act as they do.
On that, you’ll enjoy most of these characters as they look to the past and future, working their ways through personal struggles and one of the more tumultuous periods in American history. Details help, making this books’ cast feel more authentic.
Be aware that “54 Miles” can be slow, at certain points, but stick with it and you won’t be disappointed. Especially if you’re a historical novel fan, this book will do you right.
Report: Recidivism in California Prison System Remains High
By Terri Schlichenmeyer
Author: Leonard Pitts, Jr.
Deep down inside, there’s a part of you that always wants to do right.
Did someone teach you that? Or were you just modeling what your elders did when they did what was true and right? Either way, your moral compass points the way, always. You do right for the world, even if, as in the new novel “54 Miles” by Leonard Pitts, Jr., it’s the wrong personal decision for you.
Sitting in church, hundreds of miles from home, Adam Simon felt the distance keenly.
This surprised him. It wasn’t like he was close to his parents. No, his father, a White minister, had over-preached to Adam for too long, and his Black mother never showed Adam much warmth. With no siblings to help soften these facts, Adam left college to head to Alabama, to work with SNCC’s voter registry efforts.
That was the plan, anyhow, but down-deep, Adam had no idea what he was doing. It was a good cause, a great and righteous one, but not without danger: he was almost killed while marching across the Edmund Pettis Bridge.
And that’s how his frantic parents learned where he was: alerted by Simon’s parents, his Uncle Luther tracked the young man down in a Selma hospital, took him in, and notified Simon’s parents that he was safe.
By that time, Simon was on his way to Alabama for his son’s sake.
Years ago, George, the elder Simon, and his now-wife, Thelma, had busted almost every racial law the South imposed, and they married. Shortly afterward, Simon’s father sent the new family north, for safety.
And now Simon was in Alabama, in the mouth of the dragon and he had other troubles on his mind.
Simon knew he shouldn’t have
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Duende. And much more of it than anyone ever thought.
Harris addressed the cheering crowd, but was still aware of Biden’s presence. “We love Joe and Jill, we really do,” said Harris.
“It’s mutual,” said Biden cutting in via speaker phone, almost like the Asian Filipino meaning of “duende,” which I’ve known as a spirit in the house, sometimes a helpful, loving one.
“I knew you were still there,” Harris said looking up with a laugh. “You’re not going anywhere, Joe.”
“I’m watching you kid, I love you,” Biden said.
“I love you too,” Harris said, as the crowd cheered and clapped. That made it official. The torch had been passed.
GOP’S RESPONSE
For the most part Republicans‘ heads are still spinning by Harris’ “duende express.” Some continue to “other” her by mispronouncing her name. It’s KAH-ma-la. Not kah-MAH-la.
Or they’ve just relied on GOP racist rhetoric. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn) called her a “100 percent DEI hire,” a phrase intended to damn “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.” But Harris who has distinguished herself as a local district attorney, a state attorney general, a U.S. Senator and a U.S. vice president, has the resume any White male could envy.
A more subtle approach was used by Sen. Tom Cotton (R.-Ark) Tuesday, who, in a TV interview, kept referring to Harris as a “San Francisco liberal.”
Correction. She’s really more of an Oakland liberal.
I’m in exile now, but I’ve been writing columns as a “San Francisco liberal” for decades. One of my topics was District Attorney Kamala Harris. I always chided her for not going after White attacks on Asian Americans back in the day. I never spoke with Harris directly. But once at a fundraiser our eyes met. We chose the diplomatic option and walked the other way. Now she’s on the verge of history and the duende is palpable.
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
Despite providing educational and employment programs and reentry pathways, recidivism in California prisons remains high, derailing the rehabilitative mission of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).
The department launched various programs in 2005 to reduce recidivism and help formerly imprisoned people transition back into the workforce and society.
According to a report by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), the two-year reconviction rate decreased by 7% in 2019. However, 62% of people released from prison between 2015 and 2019 were rearrested and 37% were reconvicted for any crime.
Participation in rehabilitative employment programs increased from 8% in 2015 to 30% in 2019 in prisons statewide, according to the report.
State prisons also hired over 200 new academic and vocational instructors, growing participation in educational programs by 9%. Prisons offered career tech-
nical education (CTE) programs to supplement existing primary and secondary education classes. These programs improved the reading and math skills of imprisoned individuals.
“On average, people entering prison tested into primary education with eighth-grade level reading scores and sixth- to seventhgrade level math skills,” the report reads.
A majority of the people reconvicted were charged with a drug offense or possession. More than half of the people who get rearrested participate in rehabilitation programs. However, people with previous prison histories and shorter sentences were less likely to participate in educational and employment programs. Yet, people with longer prison sentences had a higher participation rate in rehabilitative employment and educational programs.
“On another front, substance abuse may pose the greatest obstacle to successful reentry — a threat that has likely grown amid the opioid and fentanyl crisis. Ensuring broader access to substance use disorder treatment should be a priority,” the report stated.
When you get a Flex Alert, reduce your power use to help ease the grid and avoid statewide outages. The more people that save their energy for later, the more likely we keep the lights on.
Book Cover of 54 Miles. Photo Caption 2: Author Leonard Pitts, Jr.
Photo by Carl Juste
Congresswoman Shiela Jackson Lee ...
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for reparations for African Americans and a vocal critic of the twice impeached and 34 times convicted felon and former President Donald Trump. Unlike some of her colleagues, she did not join the calls for President Joe Biden to step aside from the 2024 race.
As recently as Wednesday, July 19, Jackson Lee continued to champion President Biden’s re-election campaign. “Something that does not get talked about enough: we were able to bring down homicides in Houston with federal investment,” she wrote on X. “After President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan, we brought $50 million to the city to take on crime— and it worked! Local/federal partnership saved lives.”
She added, “This House Democrat believes Joe Biden has served us well and has the best plans for the future. I am laser-focused on beating Donald Trump and delivering for America because that’s what matters.” Jackson Lee also reminded her followers that America saw one of the most significant homicide spikes ever in Trump’s last year in office. “He threw his hands in the air and did not know what to do,” she asserted. “Since he left, I am proud that our American Rescue Plan has done the very important work to bring these numbers down! Federal/local partnerships worked.” Jackson Lee’s many legislative achievements are significant and wide-ranging. She played a crucial role in the passage of the Violence Against Women Act. She was a senior House Committee member on the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Budget Committees. She was the first female ranking member of the Judiciary Subcommittee for Crime and Federal Government Surveillance, serving as Chair during the 117th Congress.
“The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) extends to the family of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee our profound condolences. May the legacy and memory of Sheila Jackson Lee be enshrined in the pantheon of
global freedom fighters,” said Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association. Jackson Lee was a powerful advocate for a free and energetic press — and for the Black Press of America in particular.
Among her notable legislative efforts were the Sentencing Reform Act, the George Floyd Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act, the RAISE Act, the Fair Chance for Youth Act, the Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act, Kalief’s Law, and the American RISING Act. She also introduced the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Reauthorization and Bullying Prevention and Intervention Act and the Federal Prison Bureau Nonviolent Offender Relief Act.
A staunch supporter of women and children, Jackson Lee championed the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. She authored the Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Research and Education Act.
Jackson Lee was widely recognized for her effectiveness and influence. Congressional Quarterly named her one of the 50 most effective Members of Congress, and U.S. News and World Report listed her among the ten most influential legislators in the U.S. House of Representatives. She was a founder, member, and chair of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus and the Congressional Children’s Caucus. She was chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Energy Braintrust and the Justice Reform Task Force co-chair.
A Yale University alumna, Jackson Lee earned her B.A. in Political Science with honors and later received a J.D. from the University of Virginia Law School. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Elwyn Lee, an administrator at the University of Houston; her two children, Jason Lee, a Harvard University graduate, and Erica Lee, a Duke University graduate and member of the Harris County School Board; and her two grandchildren, twins Ellison Bennett Carter and Roy Lee Carter III.
Biden Passes Torch to Harris ...
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cially after his debate with Trump, where slip ups in speech and body language had many questioning whether he was in the right physical and mental state to carry on for four more years as president.
Democratic political leaders such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly were having conversations with Biden to step down, fearing he would lose in November. Big donors like George Clooney also felt that the president was no longer a viable option, going as far as writing an opinion piece in the New York Times expressing his concerns.
But the support for Harris has been overwhelmingly positive over the last several days.
In the first 24 hours since her announcement, her campaign raised over $81 million, the largest donation day in history, Harris’ campaign team said.
Local Bay Area leaders quickly took to social media in the hours and days following the news to endorse Harris for president.
“I am thrilled to give my support to Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid to win the presidency and defeat Donald Trump. VP Harris is an Oakland native, a fighter, and a visionary leader who is THE VOICE we need in the White House. Her dedication to justice, equality, and progress reflects the very spirit of Oakland, and I am confident she will bring the same passion and tenacity to the presidency,” Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Miles away, San Francisco Mayor London Breed expressed her support for the former San Francisco District Attorney and California Attorney General.
“I am confident that my friend, Vice President Harris, has the experience, the strength, the judgment and the integrity to defeat Donald Trump and serve as our next President,” Breed said on Instagram.
Oakland city council members Treva Reid and Nikki FortunatoBas also shared their excitement to have Harris as a contender for president.
Interfaith Council of Alameda County ...
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immediate relief and short-term housing options.
“The Interfaith Council is committed to working hand-in-hand with local authorities and community partners to address homelessness comprehensively,” stated Pastor Ken Chambers, founding president of ICAC. “Our goal is to not only provide immediate support but also to implement sustainable housing solutions that will make an impact.”
ICAC holds monthly community meetings and recently hosted Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and the new Oakland chief of police, Floyd Mitchell, at their July meeting at the Williams Chapel Baptist Church in Oakland.
“I’m really getting acclimated with the City of Oakland and how we as a police department can partner better with our constituents, community, and our businesses,” said Mitchell.
“ICAC has saved so many people because of the Safe Car Park program,” said Thao. “We know that when you’re dealing with everyday issues including putting food on the table or finding a job, the last thing you should have to worry about is your safety when you’re asleep at your most vulnerable phase.”
Thao also confirmed that the $450,000 approved resolution by the City Council included the new approved budget to expand the Safe Car Park and Trailer programs.
The next community meeting will take place on Thursday, Sept. 12 from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Oakland Temple Visitors Center at 4766 Lincoln Ave., Oakland, California 94602.
Discussions centered on enhancing collaboration between civic leaders, faith-based organizations, and grassroots initiatives will be continued. All are welcome to attend in-person and virtually.
Building Equity Discipline and Respect for our Communities (BEDROC) and ICAC will provide a shower and laundry truck for the community in collaboration with Williams Chapel Baptist Church at 1410 10th Ave, Oakland, CA 94606 on Aug. 13 from 12-3 p.m.
For more information on how to contribute or participate with ICAC, please visit interfaithAC.org where you can donate and become a member. To donate to upgrade the trailers, please go to https://www. gofundme.com/f/transform-trailers-to-housing.
If anyone is in need of emergency overnight parking, please visit our website or call 510-239-8832.
D.A. Pamela Price ...
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with felony conspiracy to intentionally destroy or conceal evidence, and all defendants are charged with misdemeanor intentional destruction or concealment of evidence, misdemeanor violations of Department of Toxic Substances Control (“DTSC”) and Bay Area Air Quality Monitoring District (“BAAQMD”) regulations, and misdemeanor negligent and reckless release of air contaminants.
As alleged in the indictment, the investigation revealed that in the days leading up to the fire, Radius/ Schnitzer continued to accumulate scrap metal containing hazardous wastes despite equipment failures, knowingly storing materials in unsafe conditions.
“This Grand Jury indictment represents the results thus far of my office’s nearly year-long investigation, which we publicly announced days after the fire in August 2023,” said Price.
Former Black Panther Leader Elaine Brown ...
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cover over the train track to dampen the noise, but her efforts came to no avail.
The ground-level businesses will feature a grocery store, gym, restaurant, and tech space. The restaurant will be called “Taste of Power.”
The businesses are co-owned by formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs and will allow those in the building to possibly apply for available jobs.
The complex will also feature three greenhouses that will be maintained to sell to the downstairs grocery store. Residents will have the opportunity to apply for jobs here as well.
But Brown emphasized that this apartment complex was not a transitional housing service or “survival program,” if people want to make their way in this capitalistic world, they have to work for it, she says.
“This is not a charity,” Brown repeated throughout the tour.
She said everyone is entitled to housing regardless of their background, but she would not be providing therapy, substance abuse programs or case work management. This is a place to give people a much-needed roof over their head.
There are studios and 1- to 2-bedroom apartments available to rent. Each apartment will come furnished with a dining table, a sofa bed in the living room, and beds for each room. Bathrooms can also be adapted for ADA accessibility.
A community room and kitchen will also be available to residents for socializing or hosting their own private events. Each residential floor also has water fountains, laundry rooms, and trash chutes.
West Oakland was once a thriv-
ing hub for Black folks, featuring restaurants, bars, music clubs and more. The area was made up of a majority of Black people and their families, but the population has slowly dwindled over the years.
It did not take long for people online to criticize the development, saying that it was a waste to build in West Oakland and the apartment complex would soon “turn into a drug den.”
Brown said she does not respond to petty comments about people who are not making any change in their community.
“What I’m hoping for is that this will inspire developers to actually develop beautiful housing for poor people who can’t afford market prices,” Brown said.
The limited amount of units available has not stopped people from applying. The complex currently has received over 7,000 applications that will be filtered through the county’s coordinated entry program.
Although they cannot house everyone, Brown and her team say that this goes to show the urgent need for more affordable housing projects in the city. They have heard of too many people and families either living on the streets and their cars or packing themselves into a tight living space with not enough room for everyone to be comfortable.
The development is one of the few affordable housing projects in the area to successfully pan out from start to finish.
Residents will begin to move into their units starting in September.
Oakland Landlords ...
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Residents also have expressed their immense happiness at seeing a Black woman as the first to potentially hold the title as president.
The Sunday of the announcement, a political coalition called Win With Black Women held their weekly Zoom meeting to discuss the news and attracted an estimated 44,000 participants eager to join the conversation.
This meeting, which typically has a few hundred participants on the call, had people waiting up to an hour to get into the online webinar.
Patrice Berry, who’s currently running for an Oakland Unified School Board seat, told the Post that the Zoom meeting was “the conjuring of ancestral wisdom, love and power.”
Berry had not previously attended the Win With Black Women conversation but was feeling uneasy after reading the news about Biden not seeking reelection so she wanted to hear what others had to say about the matter.
She was in awe at the number of people that had shown up to begin organizing and rallying behind Harris. People prayed, spoke words of encouragement, and recognized the Black female leaders in their own communities that were making a difference.
Harris’s potential presidency would create opportunities to hold people accountable and “build the world we want to see” because it would be the first time a Black woman was elected as president, Berry said.
“Even as I talk to my daughter, who is thinking about imagining herself as a president, that’s been wild. I didn’t think I would see that in my lifetime,” Berry shared.
$1.6 million was raised for the Harris campaign during the Zoom call, organizers of the event have reported.
A similar organization called Win With Black Men met Monday night and had an attendance of about 53,000 participants who raised $1.3 million in four hours, attendees said on social media.
“The BLACK COMMUNITY is uniting in ways we have not seen in politics before,” one participant wrote on X.
If convicted on all counts and allegations in the indictment, Radius/Schnitzer’s potential criminal fine ranges from $625,000 to over $33 million, while Woltmann’s potential criminal fine ranges from $625,000 to over $31 million, and Morales’ possible criminal fine is over $1 million.
Additionally, each of the felonies with which Woltmann and Morales are charged is punishable with a maximum sentence of three years in County Jail.
“Under my leadership,” she continued, “the District Attorney’s Office will not let corporate criminals who poison vulnerable communities for profit get off with a slap on the wrist… Today, we say that ‘business as usual is over.’
“Our investigation continues,” said Price, urging people who whose health suffered because of the fire to contact investigators at askcjb-da@acgov.org or (510) 3838600.
Oakland Native Kamala Harris ...
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On Sunday, a pre-scheduled Zoom call with ‘Win With Black Women,’ a group of activists and influencers, drew an audience of 44,000 that raised $1.5 million for Harris’ campaign, setting a fundraising record, which was nearly matched the next day when 53,000 joined a Win With Black Men virtual event and raised $1.3 million.
Latinas, Asian and white women were also holding virtual events to back Harris this week, while GOP leaders have had to chastise their cohorts about making racist, sexist and misogynistic statements about her.
Her candidacy brought a resurgence of enthusiasm in the presidential race as poll after poll showed that Biden had an uphill road to victory against Republican nominee, former President Donald J. Trump.
Besides the necessity to continue to galvanize support by touting the victories of hers and Biden’s administration, Harris has to find a running mate that can seal the deal in November.
According to CBS News, multiple sources say “that the list of candidates includes several governors: Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Roy Cooper of North Carolina, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Tim Walz of Minnesota, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan.
Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, and Biden Cabinet members Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are also being considered, among others.
Many California office Democrats swiftly supported Harris as well. Among them were Sen. Alex Padilla; Reps. Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, Barbara Lee; and mayors Karen Bass and London Breed, of Los Angeles and San Francisco, respectively.
Lee, who supported Harris four years ago when Harris was running for president herself, said “Vice President Harris is the best person to communicate the BidenHarris administration’s wins of the last four years, unite the party, and remind people what is at stake with a Donald Trump presidency. I was an early supporter of Vice President Harris when she ran for Senate in 2016 and for the presidency in 2020. President Biden knew she would be equipped to be a great president, that’s why he chose her to run alongside him.”
On Sunday, San Francisco Mayor London Breed called on city leaders to unify around Harris, saying civil rights for LGBTQ people, women and people of color are in peril if Democrats lose the White House.
“We cannot mess around with this opportunity; there is so much at stake,” she said. “I wish I could travel to battleground states and just go across the country and help elect Kamala Harris and whoever the vice presidential nominee will be so that we can continue to move our country, and especially our city here locally, in the right direction.” Wikipedia, Politico, CBS News, KQED, The American Presidency Project, YouTube and X were sources for this report.
prior to any increase going into effect. The current 2.3% annual allowable rent increase will be in effect until Aug. 1, 2025.
In Oakland, rent control applies to most tenants living in units built before 1983, but excludes those living in all condos and almost all single-family homes, regardless of when those units were built.
Most renters who don’t live in rent-controlled units have their rent increases limited by a separate state law, which allows a higher increase: 5% plus CPI, or 10%, whichever is less. That limitation, however, doesn’t apply to certain types of housing units, including those built within the last 15 years.
Under certain circumstances, some landlords with tenants living in rent-controlled units will be able to raise the rent higher than 2.3% as well. In each of these circumstances, the landlord must inform their tenant why the rent increase exceeds the annual allowable rent increase.
The most common way an Oakland tenant living in a rentcontrolled unit could legally be charged more than the 2.3% limit is through ‘banking.’ In this case, ‘banking’ is a process where a landlord who didn’t raise a tenants’ rent to a maximum allowable amount in one or more of the previous 10 years can bank that increase and apply it to the present year. Essentially, a landlord can calculate how much a tenant’s rent would be if they had charged the maximum allowable increase during those years and apply that increase to the current year.
The new banked increase, however, has a further limitation: it can’t exceed three times the amount of the current years’ annual allowable rent increase. That means that this year, no landlord can raise a tenants’ rent more than 6.9% through banking.
Calculating what is legally allowed in a banked rent increase can involve some complicated math.
But the city has provided a list of previous years’ maximum allowable rent increases, a banking rent
increase calculator, and instructions for its use on its website.
In addition to banking, there are few other ways an Oakland landlord can increase the rent higher than the annual allowable limit including capital improvement, increased housing service costs, uninsured repair costs, and fair return.
In each of these cases though, the landlord must file a petition with Oakland’s rent adjustment board and get the board’s approval for the increase. Before making any ruling, the board must also inform the tenant of their landlord’s petition and offer them an opportunity to challenge the increase.
A capital improvement increase could include some reimbursement for property improvements that benefit the tenant.
An uninsured repair increase could occur if the landlord can prove increased costs arose due to a disaster causing damage that they have to repair to comply with state or local law. A fair return increase could be applied if a landlord chooses to combine any of the previously mentioned increases.
If a landlord of a rent-controlled unit raises a tenants’ rent over annual allowable amount for any reason other than banking, they have to include the paperwork from Oakland’s rent board showing the board has allowed the increase.
Jackie Zaneri, tenant attorney and manager of California Center of Movement Legal Services, said that if a tenant got a rent increase that they aren’t sure is valid, they should check with an attorney and the rent board.
The city’s website lists out legal nonprofits that tenants can check in with for free about the validity of a rent increase. The list includes Bay Area Legal Aid, Central Legal de la Raza, and East Bay Community Law Center. Oakland’s rent board is available by phone Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m .to 4:30 p.m., and by email at RAP@ oaklandca.gov.
