Turning the Tide: Young Entrepreneurs End Redemption
By Richard “Razor” Johnson
On Saturday, Aug. 3, I witnessed an inspiring sight: a group of young boys working together to transform their lives by launching their own business, “Home Boyz Car Wash and Detail.” These young entrepreneurs are determined to break free from a past marked by crime and destruction and instead build a future filled with hope and opportunity.
These boys were once caught in a cycle of crime, facing a bleak future with limited prospects. However, fate intervened when they crossed paths with members of the Oakland Private Industry Council (OPIC).
This encounter was a turning point, offering them a chance to change their trajectory and discover their true potential.
At the car wash site, I observed these boys washing their first truck. The sight brought a smile to my face and reminded me of my own past.
Over 50 years ago, I was forced to
OPIC took these young men under their wing, providing mentorship and guidance. They emphasized that life is shaped by the choices we make and that everyone deserves a second chance. OPIC’s mentorship was grounded in action, demonstrating the importance of hard work and perseverance.
work at a detail shop on Telegraph Avenue by my parole officer. Unlike these boys, I wasn’t ready to change and ended up back behind bars. In contrast, these young men are driven by their own desire to succeed and create a better future.
As a community, we often focus on the actions of young offenders without understanding the root causes. It’s crucial to support and encourage these boys as they navigate their new path. They represent the future, and it is our duty to help them stay on course and reach their full potential.
Starting a business is challeng-
Oakland Post
Son Pays Tribute to His Coach Father – Alvin ‘The Destroyer’ Attles
By Alvin Attles III
“Don’t you ever touch my son!
You understand me?”
My father snarled at the policeman outside the Forum locker room.
Just moments before, my cousins and I had been playing tag when my father saw the policeman abruptly grab my arm to stop us. A gesture that would evoke the very meaning behind my father’s moniker. In essence, the policeman had risked his life as he happened to grab the children of ‘The Destroyer.’ Bad move!
My father grew up in Newark, New Jersey. He played a tough style of basketball, which sparked his reputation as an enforcer throughout his career. Standing at 6’-foot-1 and weighing around 180 pounds, he was not the tallest or heaviest player on the court.
But what he lacked in size, he made up for in toughness and determination. He was aggressive on defensive, unyielding physically, and willing to stand up for his teammates.
His reputation as an enforcer is a
testament to his dedication, toughness, and loyalty that separated him from his peers. In the 1960s and 1970s, basketball was a more physically demanding sport, with less stringent rules on fouls. He thrived in this environment, using his physicality to intimidate opponents and protect his teammates. His no-nonsense approach to the game earned him the nickname “The Destroyer.”
As a coach, he instilled these same values in his players, fostering a culture of resilience and teamwork. One of the defining moments of his career as an enforcer came during the 1975 NBA Finals.
By this time, he had transitioned from player to coach, leading the Warriors from the sidelines. The Warriors faced the heavily favored Washington Bullets in the finals.
During Game 4, Rick Barry, the star player for the Warriors, was subjected to hard fouls and rough play.
After my father had seen enough, he stepped onto the court to confront the Bullets’ players, leading to his ejection from the game. Make
no mistake, had Washington Bullets All-Star behemoth Wes Unseld not stepped in front of my father, my father might have broken teammate Mike Riordan’s jaw.
This was not about being tough, nor being loyal. This was my father being who I have always known him to be — selfless. This was my father protecting his Warriors family! This incident epitomized Attles’ role as an enforcer, to risk himself to ensure the safety and well-being of his team.
The Warriors went on to sweep the Bullets. My father’s actions during the finals cemented his legacy as a coach who not only demanded respect but was also willing to fight for his team.
But for those that don’t know, my father was far from a brute. He was a basketball savant. If you look back at the 1974-75 championship series, you’ll see that my father routinely played 10 players a night. This was unheard of as most teams played a shortened rotation.
By Post Staff
Retired Alameda County Superior Court Judge Brenda HarbinForte this week filed her papers to run for Oakland City Attorney.
“Oakland needs a new direction,” she said in a press statement.
“My campaign theme is integrity, independence, and courage. Oakland deserves a city attorney with the integrity to learn and then enforce the law equally, without fear or political favor; the independence to avoid bowing to political pressure, and the courage to provide sound legal advice even when it is not welcomed, so we can avoid costly lawsuits against our city,” she said.
“My administration will be one of transparency and community input. I will do what is best for all Oakland residents, not just a select few.”
Currently, Harbin-Forte is leading the campaign to recall Mayor Sheng Thao, which will be on the November ballot. The recall campaign has raised over half a million dollars, largely from Piedmont in-
This agreement comes only a week after the City of Oakland and AASEG signed an agreement to sell the other half of the contract for $105 million.
“AASEG has a communityoriented vision for the long-term development of the site and will be strong stewards of the property. Their leadership and development provide substantial opportunities and benefits for East Oakland and the broader Oakland community,” A’s President Dave Kaval said.
The sale for the site was first announced to the public in May just as Oakland was getting ready to pass their budget. Should everything fall in line the way the city is intending, the purchase will save officials from having to cut positions and funding across several departments, including to public safety sectors.
Even with the sale, the city fac-
es structural issues beyond what the large one-time funds can fix.
Residents and Oakland leaders have eagerly awaited to hear news of when the A’s would enter into an agreement to sell the site, especially since they announced they would be leaving Oakland after playing here for over 50 years.
The A’s will temporarily play in Sacramento while the team awaits a new stadium to be built in Las Vegas. This is the second Oakland-based team, after the Raiders, to leave for Nevada.
The baseball team originally bought their share of the Coliseum from Alameda County in 2019 for $85 million and finished paying it off earlier this year. Through the term agreement with Oakland, AASEG plans to use part of the property to build affordable housing, small and local businesses, public spaces and parks, ensure anti-displacement and housing preservation policies, and other community benefits.
The overall proposal is a nearly $5 billion project for restaurants, arts and entertainment centers, and a convention center, which
Al Attles, Jr. Brought his father to the Post to hear him tell the story of how he pioneered his career as a staunch defensive minded player coach who played a 10 all-Black lineup and led the warriors to a championship. He is considered as the most impactful Warrior in the team”s history. Photos and graphics courtesy of Al and Wilhelmina Attles.
Brenda Harbin-Forte. Courtesy photo.
(L-R) Kenneth Mclendon, Kevyn Mclendon, Dremond Wilkas, Richard “Razor” Johnson, King Mclendon, Syr Willie Mclendon. Photo by Jonathan Fitness Jones.
Founder of the African American Sports and
Group Ray Bobbitt signing the
for the sale of the Coliseum by the
of
Photo by Magaly Muñoz.
Magaly Muñoz
By Joe W. Bowers Jr., California Black Media
Since Pres. Joe Biden decided not to seek re-election, Donald Trump has struggled to find his footing in a campaign that was previously geared toward attacking Biden’s age and fitness.
His performance at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Convention last week highlighted his inability to redefine his new opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump’s comments, particularly his questioning of Harris’s racial identity, failed to resonate with the audience and underscored his reliance on divisive rhetoric.
Trump’s response to Harris’s candidacy has focused on personal attacks rather than her record or Biden’s policies. He has used nicknames like “Laffin Kamala, Lying Kamala, and Phony Kamala” and he has concentrated on her race — her father is Black Jamaican, and her mother is East Asian Indian.
At the NABJ convention, Trump clashed with a panel of Black women journalists, accusing Harris of “switching her race” to gain political advantage. “She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black
and now she wants to be known as Black,” Trump claimed.
This approach, intended to sow doubt about Harris’s authenticity, instead highlighted Trump’s persistent use of racially charged rhetoric. His failure to adequately address issues relevant to the Black community, such as the rising cost of living, small business support, maternal mortality, voting rights, and police reform, further alienated the NABJ audience.
Trump’s inability to adapt is also evident in his decision to cancel the Sept. 10 ABC Presidential debate, insisting on a new format with Fox News. This reflects his difficulty in keeping up with Harris’s campaign momentum. He characterized Harris’s rise as a “coup” within the Democratic Party as he struggles to address her ascent effectively.
Harris, who attended Howard University, a historically Black university (HBCU), and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), a Black sorority, has been measured in responding to Trump’s divisiveness. At a Sigma Gamma Rho sorority event in Houston, she stated, “The American people deserve better. The American people deserve a leader who tells the truth. A leader who does not respond with hostility and anger when confronted with the facts.”
Harris, as a multiracial Amer-
Bonta’s Human Trafficking Taskforce Recovers Victims at San Diego ComicCon Convention
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
A human trafficking sting spearheaded by the San Diego Human Trafficking Taskforce (SDHTTF) resulted in 14 arrests and the recovery of 10 victims at-
ican, has the ability to “codeswitch”—a skill many people of color use to navigate various cultural environments and connect with diverse audiences. This skill allows her to authentically engage with different communities, whether she is rigorously questioning Supreme Court nominees, addressing issues at historically Black colleges and universities, or hosting Diwali celebrations.
Trump’s inability to grasp this concept underscores his disconnect from the experiences of people of color and multiracial Americans. Instead of recognizing code-switching as a valuable skill, Trump has tried to frame it as deceitful. This tactic plays into a broader narrative Trump has pushed that questions the authenticity of people who do not fit into a narrow, often racially homogenous, mold.
As we approach the November election, we can expect the contrast to become starker between Trump’s provocative rhetoric that yearns for a return to an ambiguous bygone era of American greatness and Harris’ upbeat message that imagines a unified, forwardlooking, stronger America where our diversity is an asset.
to seek out potential victims. A 16-year-old girl was found among the victims during the sting operation.
The Comic-Con convention has gained international recognition as one of the largest comic book and pop culture events attracting more than 100,000 attendees to San Diego annually.
Bonta said the sting operation was a step in the right direction and served as a warning to sex buyers and potential perpetrators. The task force implemented a three-day sting operation from July 25 through 27 with law enforcement personnel working as undercover sex buyers to identify and contact potential victims and arrest their traffickers.
“Unfortunately, sex traffickers capitalize on large-scale events such as Comic-Con to exploit their victims for profit,” said Bonta. “These arrests send a clear message to potential offenders that their criminal behavior will not be tolerated.
San Diego Sheriff Kelly Martinez appreciated the task force for identifying and rescuing victims of human trafficking at the convention.
Dear Pastor Antoine Shyne: You have been a beacon of light to Beebe Memorial Cathedral CME Church and the Oakland community for the past two years. Your unwavering dedication has been a source of inspiration and hope for all who have had the privilege of knowing you.
From the very beginning, Pastor Shyne, you have been more than a pastor. You have been a teacher of God’s word and a guiding force in our spiritual journey. Your approach to ministry has been inclusive and empowering, allowing others to bring their ideas forward and fostering positive transformation and growth
within the church and the broader community.
With a true heart for God and a passion for serving the community, Pastor Shyne, you have showed us what it means to be a church that is truly “One with the Community.” Through your efforts, you have brought families back together, provided counsel and support during times of crisis, and facilitated meaningful dialogues that strengthened relationships within the congregation.
A legacy of excellent events was established, including initiatives that informed the community about public safety, celebrated living legends, provided back-toschool supplies, and encouraged members to focus on their health. These efforts not only met immediate needs but also fostered a deeper sense of unity and pur-
pose.
As you move on to the next chapter of your journey, we extend our deepest gratitude. We also want to express our heartfelt appreciation to your wife, Leila, and daughter, Ananiah, for their support and sacrifices during these years. Their commitment and willingness to share you with the church and community have been invaluable. Though “thank you” may seem like two small words, they encapsulate our sincere appreciation for everything you have done. We wish you and your family all the best as you embark on new endeavors.
With deep and heartfelt gratitude, Your church and community family.
tending the Comic-Con Convention, authorities stated on July 30.
Attorney General Rob Bonta appointed the SDHTTF to recover victims of sex trafficking and target sex buyers that use the San Diego Comic-Con Convention
“There is no more insidious crime than human trafficking,” said Sheriff Martinez. “The coercion and violence which enslaves people for profit and places them into forced labor or sex is criminal. As the Sheriff, I support the efforts of all our justice partners in holding perpetrators accountable.”
California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Courtesy of California DOJ.
Shutterstock.
Pastor Antoine Shyne with his daughter Ananiah and his wife, Leila. Courtesy
Appreciation for Pastor Antoine Shyne.
Kamala Harris: 10 Little-Known Facts About Her Past and Private Life
Shutterstock
By Manny Otiko California Black Media
Rumors on social media about Vice President Kamala Harris’s family, interests, politics, beliefs and more did not begin when President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race last month and endorsed her candidacy. As we dig through what’s true and not about the woman who
could be the next President of the United States, here are 10 littleknown facts that give us more insight into her personality, past and private life.
1. Harris is named after the Hindu deity Lakshmi. The name “Kamala” means lotus in Sanskrit.
2. Her immediate family life is culturally diverse and so is her family background. Her mother was from India and her father is from Jamaica. She’s married to Doug Emhoff, who is Jewish. From the ages of 3 to 5, Harris lived on the west side of Madison, Wisconsin. She also lived in Champaign, Illinois, and briefly lived in Canada as a child.
3. Harris is part of a blended
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family. She is a co-parent to her husband’s two children, who call her “Momala.” Harris’ parenting abilities were praised by Emhoff’s ex-wife. “For over 10 years, since Cole and Ella were teenagers, Kamala has been a co-parent with Doug and I,” said Kerstin Emhoff in a statement to CNN. “She is loving, nurturing, fiercely protective, and always present. I love our blended family and am grateful to have her in it.”
4. Harris has a record for breaking barriers according to Biography.com. She was the first woman district attorney in San Francisco, and the first African American woman to serve as California Attorney General. She’s also the first woman to serve as Vice President. Will she be the first woman to serve as Commander-inChief?
5. Harris has activism in her DNA. Her parents took her to
civil rights marches when she was a child. According to Harris’ own accounts, she and her sister, Maya, protested their Montreal apartment’s policy of banning children from playing on the lawn. Also, her Indian maternal grandfather was an activist for women’s rights.
6. Harris was born at the height of the Civil Rights Movement and experienced some of the huge societal changes common during that era. She was bused as part of Berkeley Schools’ desegregation program.
7. Harris is a foodie. She sees cooking as a good way to relax. According to Glamour, her mother sparked her interest in cooking. In 2019, Harris shot a campaign video with Indian American actress Mindy Kaling where they prepared masa dosa.
8. Although Harris got her start in the Bay Area political scene, she has ties to Southern
California and the entertainment industry. Emhoff was an entertainment lawyer.
9. Harris is a Baptist and a Black Greek. One criticism of Harris is that she can’t relate to Black people. However, many of her life experiences have involved important African American cultural and religious organizations. She is a member of a Baptist church, graduated from Howard University, is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA.)
10. During her time as San Francisco DA, Harris instituted the Back on Track initiative. This program expunged young offenders’ records, as long as they performed community service and graduated from high school. The U.S. Department of Justice recognized it as a model reentry program.
Public Notices, Classifieds & Business
Genai Kerr: From Olympic Goalkeeper to Inspirational Coach in Water Polo
By Tamara Shiloh
Genai Gangel Kerr is the first African American to make significant contributions to water polo as both an athlete and coach. He became the first Black American athlete to compete at a men’s water polo world championship in 2001— and then became the first (with Omar Amr) Black man to qualify for the U.S. Olympic water polo team in 2004.
Born on Oct. 28, 1976, in San Diego, Kerr was introduced to water polo at a young age. Growing up in a family that valued sports as a child, Kerr developed a deep love and respect for nature. While spending countless hours in the ocean with his father, a Jamaican spearfisherman and master shipwright. Kerr developed an early interest in swimming and water polo. His athletic prowess was evident from the start, and he quickly excelled in both sports during his high school years at Coronado High School.
His exceptional skills earned him a spot on the water polo team at the University of California Irvine (UCI). During his time at UCI, Kerr’s performance was nothing short of stellar. He was known for his agility, strategic thinking, and strong leadership on the field. His collegiate career laid a solid foundation for his future endeavors in the sport.
A 2004 Olympian and water polo ambassador, Kerr joined USA Water Polo as sport growth manager in 2017. Kerr was a key
piece of the Men’s National Team as goalie for more than a decade. A two-time Pan American Games Gold medalist and four-time FINA World Championship participant, Kerr was part of a seventh-place effort at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
Kerr has remained involved in the water polo community as a coach, instructor, and Master’s athlete. A former high school and club coach, Kerr also served as an assistant coach for Brown University men’s water polo team.
Kerr’s coaching philosophy emphasizes not only the technical aspects of the game but also the importance of discipline, teamwork, and mental toughness.
In addition to coaching, Kerr has been active in promoting water polo through clinics, camps, and speaking engagements. He co-founded the organization “Cap7,” which focuses on providing high-quality water polo equipment and training programs.
Through Cap7, Kerr has reached out to young athletes, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and excel in the sport.
Kerr’s impact on water polo extends beyond his achievements as a player and coach. He has been a role model for many young athletes, particularly within the African American community, breaking barriers and demonstrating that success in water polo is attainable regardless of background.
Kerr lives in Hawaii with his wife and three sons.
OPINION:
V.P. Kamala Harris Plays Her Race Card with Selection of Gov. Tim Walz
By Emil Guillermo
At the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention, Trump played his race card when he said about Harris, “She was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden, she made a turn and she went — she became a Black person.”
It was a divisive and false attempt to “other” Harris and polarize the nation.
Harris, that day, called Trump’s move “the same old show.”
Now, one week later, Harris played a race card of her own — a more powerful one.
For her running mate, Harris picked Gov. Tim Walz, a pragmatic politician who made reddishblue Minnesota winningly purple.
In a divided political landscape, Walz — a former National Guardsman, one-time high school social studies teacher, a gun owner and hunter — was able to bridge differences, balance the state budget twice, and get things done. For the people. It was quite the play.
WALZ OVER SHAPIRO
Political observers had been predicting Harris would pick Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. So popular in Pennsylvania, Shapiro would have helped secure the vote in a key swing state Harris
must win to ascend to the presidency.
But Shapiro was also seen as alienating to some Democrats, including pro-Palestinian Democrats in Michigan, another mustwin state.
In truth, Shapiro’s views on Israel are no more radical than many mainstream Democrats. And as of Monday night, even I was convinced that Harris would go for Shapiro.
But Harris is going to get Shapiro’s backing whether she picks him or not. With Walz, Harris gets an older White Male, younger than Trump and more vigorous on the campaign trail.
And he’s fun.
Walz was the one who tagged Trump and the GOP ticket as “weird.”
A Walz choice was called a “no-brainer,” by Jacobin, a progressive journal. Walz is a pick that would “consolidate a farfrom united party base and geographically balance out a campaign headed by a corporate California liberal,” the publication wrote.
It’s also a move similar to 2008, when Barack Obama, a historical candidate brimming with diversity, picked Joe Biden, a White moderate who could appeal to center-right conservatives.
Of course, this time, it’s a progressive populist who can speak to regular folks from small town, rural America, and relate to them in that Midwest folksy way.
That sort of landscape even exists in California, where outside the big cities are small towns that are mostly rural and White. Many voters are too ashamed to vote for Trump but do so out of default.
But I think they could be attracted to Harris because of Walz.
MY BOSS NORM MINETA
Harris’ pick of Walz also reminded me of my former boss, the Asian American political icon Norman Y. Mineta, a former Cabinet member of two administrations (Clinton and G.W. Bush), a centrist.
As a press secretary and speechwriter to Mineta during his time in Congress, I saw firsthand how he skillfully reached across the aisle to work with Republicans.
Both were not just colleagues, but friends.
That’s the sense I get from Walz. He gives the Democrats the best chance at a winning hand.
About the Author
Emil Guillermo is a journalist and commentator. See him on YouTube.com/@emilamok1; Contact: www.amok.com
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
The president of the University of California
Dr. Michael V. Drake announced last week that he will step down this academic year, after five years of leading the nation’s largest public university.
Drake, 74, served as the university’s first Black president in the system’s 150-year history. The UC system enrolls approximately 300,000 students. During his time of service, he led the university through the COVID-19 pandemic, labor strikes, and campus protests.
In his farewell letter, Drake said that serving in the leadership role was, “the honor of a lifetime.”
“I am immensely proud of what the UC community has accomplished,” said Drake in a statement issued July 31.
“At every turn, I have sought to listen to those I served, to uphold our shared UC values, and to do all I could to leave this institution in better shape than it was before. I’m proud to see the University continuing to make a positive impact on the lives of countless Californians through research, teaching, and public service,” he said.
Drake secured a budget increase of 5% annually over five years from the state. The state funding helped the 10-campus university system increase enrollment and make college more accessible to underrepresented students.
Gov. Gavin Newsom recognized the university president for his service and commitment.
“President Drake took the reins of the University of California during the height of the pandemic and has led with grace and vision in the years since,” said Gov. Newsom in a statement.
“He has used his decades of experience to advocate for better access to higher education for all Californians and has always fought for academic excellence,” he said.
Genai Gangel Kerr. File photo.
Courtesy of the University of California.
Courtesy of Harris-Walz campaign.
LAPD Officer Punches Handcuffed Black Man in Watts
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
Los Angeles officials are inves-
tigating an LAPD officer for a violent incident that video recording shows the cop punching a handcuffed African American man.
Alexander Mitchell, the man getting arrested in the video, was handcuffed with his hands behind
his back when the cop punched him, hitting him on the jaw.
The viral video has caused public backlash on social media calling for the officer to be charged.
The accused officer seen in the video has been taken off the streets as authorities investigate the incident, the LAPD posted on the social media platform X.
The LAPD later released a statement claiming that Mitchell resisted arrest but was sent to a nearby hospital for medical clearance before booking.
Authorities stated that the officers saw a vehicle with heavily tinted windows and assumed the car was empty. But they later discovered that Mitchell was inside and ordered him to get out of the car.
“As a crowd began to gather around the scene, additional backup was requested,” the LAPD stated.
“During the handcuffing process, Mitchell resisted by refusing to place his hands behind his back and grasping his front waistband/ pocket area with his right hand, preventing the officers from securing him. An officer then struck Mitchell on the right side of his
face, enabling the officers to complete the handcuffing,” the authorities stated.
Civil rights leaders and organizations urged L.A. District Attorney George Gascón to file charges against the unnamed police officer.
Najee Ali, director of Project Islamic Hope likened the video to previous violent incidents similar to the LAPD beating of Rodney King caught on video in 1991.
“It’s shocking that this officer would assault a handcuffed man who’s already restrained. It’s not resisting. It’s as if they hadn’t learned anything since the Rodney King beating, which is also videotaped,” said Ali.
“He doesn’t deserve to be on the force. He deserves to be in handcuffs sitting in a jail cell,” Ali added.
Gov. Newsom’s Office Responds to Chevron’s Decision to Move to Texas
By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office says he is not surprised about Chevron’s announcement on Aug. 2 that it is relocating its headquarters to Houston, Texas, after being in California for the last 40 years.
es more than 1,800 retail stations in California.
According to CNET, Computer Network, regarding fuel quality, discounts, and convenience, Chevron’s national chains scored “the highest points in overall customer satisfaction” in 2022. The company is scheduled to move to Houston by the end of 2024.
“There will be minimal immediate relocation impacts to other employees currently based in San Ramon. The company expects all corporate functions to migrate to Houston over the next five years. Positions in support of the company’s California operations will remain in San Ramon,” Chevron shared in an Aug. 2 press release.
Ed Chief Tony Thurmond Plans to Build 2.3 Million New Housing Units on Land Owned by Schools
By Bo Tefu California
Black Media California State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) Tony Thurmond revealed a plan last week to build nearly 2.3 million units of affordable housing for teachers on extra land owned by school districts statewide.
The plan aims to address the shortage of teachers and affordable housing in the state by offering units to educators and staff at reasonable prices.
A few school districts, including the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), have built affordable housing for educators and staff. The LAUSD has three developments that offer 185 units. The state is in the process of examining eight potential sites for future housing projects in the school district.
Nick Melvoin, board member of the LAUSD, supported Thurmond’s plan and wants to expand development projects in the school district.
“As stewards of the public trust, and a huge real estate portfolio, and public dollars, I’m a big believer in utilizing what we have for the public,” said Melvoin.
“Taking the land that we have and the (housing) needs that we face, and creating affordable housing for our workforce, just seems like a real no-brainer,” he said.
Thurmond backed the school district’s initiative and wants the state to expand development projects that provide educators and staff with affordable housing options.
“While we are working on strategies to help increase educator pay, building educator housing helps districts work through staffing shortages that threaten the success of our students,” said Thurmond at a press conference July 30.
“We believe this effort is a critical solution for tackling the housing crisis, the educator shortage, and for providing key resources that will ultimately drive student success,” he said.
According to the Governor’s Office spokesperson Alex Stacks, the announcement by the oil company, based in San Ramon, is old news to the Newsom administration.
ing creator of clean energy jobs – a critical part of our diverse, innovative, and vibrant economy,” Stacks said in a statement to California Black Media.
“This announcement is the logical culmination of a long process that has repeatedly been foreshadowed by Chevron. We’re proud of California’s place as the lead-
Chevron has 7,000 employees in Houston and about 2,000 workers in San Ramon. It operates crude oil fields, technical facilities, two refineries, and servic-
Assembly minority leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) stated that Chevron’s move to Texas is due to Newsom’s failed policies. Gallagher is under the impression that the oil company’s decision to leave the state will have a negative effect on Californians.
“This is an entirely predictable consequence of Gavin Newsom’s constant demonization of the companies California depends on
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Courtesy of Tony Thurmond for Governor website.
Bill Would Make Feminine Products Readily Available to Incarcerated Persons
By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
Assemblymembers Mia Bon-
ta (D-Alameda) and Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) introduced a bill in January that requires lockup facilities to provide menstrual products to incarcerated persons without requiring a request.
The bill will be reviewed by the Senate Appropriations Committee after the Legislative recommences in August.
Assembly Bill (AB 1810), “Incarcerated Persons: Menstrual Products,” passed with a 5-0 vote in the Senate Public Safety Committee in June after advancing from the Assembly on May 21 with a 71-0 floor vote.
Bryan told California Black Media (CBM) that he was “com-
fortable” with the bill’s progress.
“AB 1810 will bring our state closer to the menstrual health equity that other states are seeing that require that menstrual care products are free and readily available for all incarcerated people,” Bryan said. “It will also bring our state into parity with several other states such as Louisiana, Tennessee, and Florida – all of which do not require their incarcerated people to request these basic necessities from their correctional officers.”
Bryan and Bonta are members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC). Fellow CLBC members, Assemblymembers Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa), Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), and Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas
(D-Los Angeles) signed on as the bill’s co-authors. Assemblymembers Eloise Reyes (D-Colton) and Rick Zbur (D-West Hollywood) have also joined as co-authors.
Under existing law, individuals incarcerated in state prison or confined in a local detention facility, or a state or local juvenile facility, and “who menstruates or experiences uterine or vaginal bleeding” is entitled to request and receive personal hygiene products for their menstrual cycle and reproductive system, according to the bill language.
The materials include but are not limited to, sanitary pads and tampons.
By imposing additional duties on local detention facilities, this bill would impose a state-mandat-
ed local program.
“There are currently incarcerated women and formerly incarcerated women who brought this bill before us,” Bryan said. “Anyone, any person who menstruates deserves that care. It’s not a luxury, it’s not a privilege. It’s a right.”
The California Constitution mandates that the state compensate local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. AB 1810 would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill “contains costs required by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions,” the bill language states.
Tatiana Lewis, a member of All of Us or None (AOUON), testified in support of AB 1810 in front of the Senate Public Safety Committee on June 11. Lewis says she spent time in a juvenile facility and said that some correctional officers delay providing menstrual materials as a punishment or intimidation.
Lewis said she has heard from countless former and current incarcerated women about how they had to create makeshift tampons or how their prison-issued uniforms would be covered with blood. AOUON is a statewide, grassroots civil and human rights organization that fights for the rights of formerly and currently incarcerated people and their families.
“That power is in their hands,” Lewis said of requesting menstrual products from correctional officers. “This bill needs to pass. It’s essential for incarcerated individuals who need these products as soon as possible instead of going through someone who intimidates them.”
Local Leaders Welcome Gov. Newsom’s Plan to Clear Homeless Encampments
iStock.
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
Community leaders from
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive order allowing state agencies and departments to enforce policies that clear homeless encampments.
The directive, announced last week, comes after the United States Supreme Court’s ruling that lawmakers can impose fines and jail time on homeless people sleeping or camping outside. The state is working with community-based organizations and county agencies to help local governments create policies that address encampments in their counties.
According to the executive order, the state has awarded $24 billion to multiple agencies and departments, offering housing and homeless support services for residents statewide. Local government officials in various counties partnered with the state to support vulnerable people who live in encampments.
California’s big city mayors and county officials welcomed Gov. Newsom’s directive and partnered with the state to address homelessness with urgency and
meaningful action.
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg supports Newsom’s executive order and is eager to work with the state to improve state programs and services for homeless people.
“The guidance is really consistent with our two-pronged approach. I believe in compassionate enforcement. I don’t believe people should be living in squalor in these large tent encampments. Compassionate enforcement and aggressively increasing capacity on the shelter side, on the services side and on the housing side, is the key,” said Steinberg.
Graham Knaus, chief executive officer of the California Association of Counties, looks forward to collaborating with state and local government leaders to provide shelter and health services.
“California’s 58 counties will continue to work together with the Governor and share his sense of urgency to make meaningful progress to clean up our communities, support those in need of shelter, and to provide behavioral health services to those who need it most,” said Knaus.
Kaiser Commits $15 Million to Support
By Carla Thomas
On July 31, Kaiser Permanente pledged $15 million in grants to 11 Oakland organizations to sustain those small businesses at an event held at Oaklandish, a socially-conscious clothing outlet on 14th and Broadway in Oakland.
The $15 million will be dispersed over the course of three years to small and diverse businesses through access to grants, low-interest loans, training, technical assistance, and networking opportunities.
Kaiser’s vice president of External and Community Affairs, Northern California, Yvette Radford shared her company’s commitment to Oakland.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be able to make this commitment to support our small and minority businesses in the city of Oakland. We know that they have been struggling after the pandemic and this slow economy and we’re just hoping that this will make a difference in their sustainability so they can continue to serve the city of Oakland in the future,” she said.
The grants, made through a Kaiser Permanente fund at the East Bay Community Foundation, support what Kaiser’s leadership considers a long-term commitment to improve health and vitality in the city of Oakland, home to the company’s national headquarters.
“We at Kaiser are committed to
improving the health of the community, it’s a part of our mission, it’s a part of who we are and this is just another example of our investments in the community,” added Radford.
Many of Oakland’s small businesses are struggling with significant challenges including crime, a slow post-pandemic economic recovery, and lack of access to lowcost capital. Entrepreneurs of color, women, and LGBTQ-owned businesses often face additional barriers including inequitable access to mentors, networking opportunities, technical assistance, and resources in their primary language.
The grants include $5 million to support Pacific Community Ventures’ Oakland Restorative Loan Fund, which will help approximately 47 small business entrepreneurs access low-cost capital and technical assistance to sustain and grow their operations.
Bulbul Gupta, president and CEO of Pacific Community Ventures said, “As a nonprofit community investor, our whole mission is to ensure we are providing the most affordable and inclusive access to capital to our small businesses with our integrated model.
The East Bay Community Foundation will receive $2.5 million, which will support a rapid response grant fund to help up to 88 small businesses address public safety concerns and invest in their capital readiness. The Black Cultural Zone, which supports nearly
At Oaklandish in downtown Oakland, President and CEO of Pacific Community Ventures, Bulbul Gupta, Kaiser Permanente Vice President of External and Community Affairs, Northern California, Yvette Radford, and Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce CEO, Barbara Lesley celebrate Kaiser Permanente’s $15 million commitment to the Oakland small business community. Photo By
100 current or legacy Black business owners in East Oakland with building capacity and infrastructure of their small business will receive $2 million.
$500,000 was pledged to Oakland Fund for Public InnovationESO Ventures to train and coach Black and Brown entrepreneurs and Philanthropic Ventures Foundation-Oakstop also received $500,000, which will engage entrepreneurs in a 12-month series of workshops, events, and other support services.
$2.75 million was committed to the Spanish-speaking Unity Council, which will assist small and diverse-owned businesses with business planning, financial management, access to capital, technology training, and crime and public safety response.
The ethnic chambers of commerce including the African American, Vietnamese, Chinatown, and Latino chambers of commerce, were each designated $400,000 to enhance operations.
The Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce will be provided $900,000 to develop strategic solutions to meet the challenges small businesses face including subsidized membership fees, a mentorship matching program, a small business procurement pilot, and sales and marketing opportunities at citywide events.
Conductor Xavier Lynum Returns to the Bay to Participate in the San Francisco Philharmonic through Maestri Series Workshops
By Daisha Williams
Oakland native Xavier Lynum recently returned to San Francisco to be filmed as a conductor in the San Francisco Philharmonic through Maestri Series Workshops.
The Maestri series is for young composers to get more experience while working with a full orchestra. 16 people participated in this workshop alongside Lynum. This five-day intensive course took place from July 15-19. This program teaches conductors things that they can carry with them throughout their careers and is a truly meaningful experience.
Lynum said, “What’s most telling is what you gain from going back over your notes … that’s probably what I’m looking forward to the most. Of course, now I have to go back to the school year and focus on the students, but as I’m doing that I definitely want to
go back and look at the scores and the notes that the Maestro has for me.”
Lynum has had music on his mind from a very young age. He began studying music at the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music. He was trained in classical piano but claimed that he has always wanted to be a conductor. He talks about asking if he could conduct music classes in grade school and that fascination with the craft continued into adulthood when he excitedly audited conducting classes during his first years in undergrad at Oakwood University, an historically Black Seventh Day Adventist institution in Huntsville, Alabama. After graduating in 2020 he continued studying music at Georgia State University. He currently serves as the director of orchestras at Berkmar High School in Lilburn, GA. Though he is only 26 he has made some big steps in his career.
He said that one of his most meaningful experiences in graduate school was with Michael Palmer, former associate conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. Learning from people as skilled and talented as him is a big part of how Lynum grew as a conductor. When speaking about what drew him to conducting Lynum said, “There’s Daniel Bareboim, who’s a great pianist who said ‘There’s two types of pianists. There are pianists that are so good that you think you will be able to do it, too. And then there are pianists that are so good that you know you will never be able to do it.
“And I had some conductors in my life that were so good I thought I could do it too.”
Lynum is a musician informed by the world around him. He has a passion for politics which he explored during his years in undergrad and those studies help him approach his studies from a more informed perspective.
Lynum has served in Congressman Sanford D. Bishop’s Washington, D.C., office as a congressional intern conducting research on landmark conservation and economic expansion in rural communities.
In addition to this he worked on an Andrew Mellon Foundation Grant through GSU’s Center of Studies on Africa and Its Diasporas (CSAD). He currently holds the title of president of the Foster Institute, an Alabama-based research institute that studies the implementation of Black-agenda topics, religious liberty, and women’s rights.
He says that politics impact every aspect of life, and being aware of those impacts makes him a better conductor.
Xavier Lynum in a workshop with the San Francisco Philharmonic orchestra in July. Courtesy photo.
D.A. Pamela Price Announces Death Penalty Conviction Overturned Due to Prosecutorial Misconduct
Today, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price announced that the 1991 death penalty conviction of Mr. Curtis Lee Ervin (71) for the 1986 murderfor-hire of Carlene McDonald has been overturned due to serious prosecutorial misconduct.
In this case, the Attorney General’s Office was directed to conduct a thorough re-examination of Ervin’s conviction, including his Batson v. Kentucky claim that there was racial discrimination in the exclusion of African American prospective jurors.
During jury selection, the prosecutor, Deputy District Attorney James Anderson, exercised 15 peremptory strikes, removing nine of the 11 Black prospective jurors. Ervin is Black, and the victim, McDonald, was white. The use of the peremptory strikes could not be explained without reference to the race of the jurors or the defendant.
There was also evidence that Anderson used disparate questioning and investigation of Black and white prospective jurors and misrepresented information to the Court about one of the jurors. As a result of the Attorney General’s
concession to the prosecutorial misconduct, Ervin is entitled to a new trial.
“Because of the Attorney General’s decision, I now have the responsibility to determine what happens with Mr. Ervin,” Price said. “My team has spoken with the surviving family members of Ms. McDonald, and today, I offer my condolences and an apology on behalf of the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office due to the prosecutorial misconduct and the failure of the supervisors of Deputy District Attorney Anderson.
“The family must once again relive the trauma of their mother’s murder and potentially, the trauma of going back to trial,” Price concluded.
Based on the Attorney General’s concession, the U.S. District Court has vacated the original judgment and issued a conditional writ of habeas corpus, requiring the District Attorney’s office to either release Ervin or commence a new trial within 60 days from Aug. 1, 2024, when the writ of habeas corpus was filed.
The Alameda County District Attorney’s Media Relations Office is the source of this report.
Kamala Harris Begins Campaigning with Running Mate, Gov. Tim Walz
By Post Staff
Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, are making campaign stops across the country, visiting several battleground states in five days.
On Monday, Harris introduced Walz to a fired-up crowd in Philadelphia. The candidates campaigned next in Wisconsin and Michigan.
Harris and Walz attended a campaign event Thursday afternoon with United Auto Workers members in Wayne, Michigan, which represents Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant. They were scheduled be greeted by UAW President Shawn Fain and UAW board members, according to the campaign.
The union endorsed Harris for
The ‘Destroyer’Attles ...
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He did this because he believed it kept his entire bench engaged and eventually wore down the opposing teams. More than 40 years later, Steve Kerr, an amazing man and coach, popularized, the term “Strength in Numbers.” But I had seen that coaching style before. We all had.
I love the “Destroyer’ moniker. But understand that my father is an exemplary family man, husband, role model that we call ‘Big Vino.’ I am bringing my father’s legacy to life via “The Destroyer: The Al Attles Legacy,” a documentary, as decribed on Kickstarter: http://kck. st/3ywG8Pd. Please join in supporting this project to honor my father, Coach Al “The Destroyer” Attles.
Home Boyz Car Wash...
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ing, but with the right support and guidance, success is possible. The “Home Boyz Car Wash and Detail” is more than just a business; it’s a beacon of hope and redemption.
You can support these young entrepreneurs by contacting Zirl Wilsonor Tracy Lambert at 510472-2594. They need our encouragement and assistance to continue growing and thriving. The seeds of change have been planted, and now it is up to us to nurture them so they can flourish.
Together, we can help these young men turn the tide and achieve greatness. Let’s support them in their journey towards a brighter future. For more information, go to www.myluluhouse.com
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vestor Phillip Dreyfuss, who is also backing the recall of District Attorney Pamela Price.
Harbin-Forte declined to answer questions submitted by the Oakland Post, writing that she preferred to wait until the Post holds a “full interview.”
In a press release she described herself as someone with a connection to Oakland that goes back more than 50 years. She attended McClymonds High School in West Oakland as a teen mother. She served as a volunteer member of the screening panel for Oakland’s 2020 Redistricting Commission and later as a member of Oakland’s Police Commission, working closely with the Oakland Police Department.
After 27-years as a judge, she retired in 2019. Her assignments ranged from civil and criminal jury trials, drug courts, presiding judge of the Juvenile Court, presiding judge of the Appellate Division, and family law settlement conferences.
Mass Meeting: ‘Respect Our Vote – No Recalls,’ Saturday, Aug. 17 at 1 p.m.
By Post Staff
A new grassroots coalition is calling for a mass meeting and communitywide mobilization in response to what it calls a major conservative threat to voters’ rights in Oakland and Alameda County, calling itself: “Respect Our Vote –No Recalls.”
The first mass meeting will be held Saturday, Aug. 17, 1 p.m. at Allen Temple Baptist Church, 8501 International Blvd. in Oakland.
The coalition already includes
members of Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club, Black churches, leaders of the Latino Task Force and the Asian American community, Oakland Rising, homeless advocates, the Green Party, and many others to fight the billionaire-funded recalls against Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price.
“We already voted! We shouldn’t have to pay for another expensive election because a handful of multi-millionaires from
Piedmont and San Francisco, along with a few billionaires across the country, don’t like the results of the election we already had,” said longtime Oakland activist Mariano Contreras, reflecting a sentiment of politically aware residents from many groups and neighborhoods across Oakland.
While outside, monied interests are paying for the recalls, other recall backers include supporters of those who lost the last election and those who are opposed to progressive reforms, according to anti-recall organizers. Piedmont resident and venture capitalist Philip Dreyfuss has provided much of the funding for both of the recalls.
“I can disagree with some actions of an elected official, but I want them to serve out their term and carry out the programs they ran on. I can vote for someone else next time if I don’t like what they are doing,” said Servant BK Woodson.
“Time is short, and it is important to mobilize now to defend our rights to pick the leaders of our choice. Early voting starts in less than 70 days, and election day is Nov. 5,” said Pamela Drake.
“Our opponents are well funded, they utilize MAGA talking points, and have no respect for the truth. They are backed by corporate media. We have to make ourselves aware of what is really going on and mobilize with people power,” said attorney Walter Riley. For more information contact WalterRiley@rrrandw.com
Target Accelerators and OCCUR Hold Free Workshop on Retail Fundamentals
Learn the basics of retail from the pros at Target Accelerators - a workshop you don’t want to miss!
Special the Berkeley Post
Are you looking to level up your business acumen and achieve big things for your brand? This free Retail Fundamentals session is for you. It will be held on Wednesday,
Aug. 14, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Port Labs at 2044 Franklin St. in Oakland. The session will be presented by Tahaji Felder, a senior program manager of Target Accelerators Forward Founders.
Introductions will begin at 2 p.m.; the workshop and follow-up questions are from 3-5 p.m., and a soft mixer runs from 5-6 p.m.
Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to achieve retail readiness, get tips to prepare for a line review and discover what buyers at mass retailers like Target look for.
These include:
• Essential steps to help you scale and make a mark in your category
Key capabilities that buyers at mass retailers like Target look for
• Need-to-know details about the pathway to retail shelves from our Target Forward Founders team How to prepare for a line review with a retailer and a walkthrough of a line review sample
• Answers to your retail questions, live from a Target expert This is a hybrid event available online for those who are unable to attend in person.
To register, go to https://www. eventbrite.com/e/webinar-retailfundamentals-a-workshop-bytarget-accelerators-and-occurtickets-945787244107
president on July 31 after it had previously endorsed Biden.
On Friday, Harris and Walz are heading to Phoenix, Arizona.
Walz, a former teacher and member of the U.S. House of Representatives, earns about $127,000 in salary per year, retains no stock holdings and relies on a pension account as his primary asset
By comparison, Trump’s vice presidential choice, J.D. Vance, a former venture capitalist, brought in roughly $221,000 in 2022 from salary and book royalties, as well as hundreds of thousands in investment income, a U.S. Senate financial disclosure showed.
He also held significant wealth in brokerage accounts and dozens of business investments, according to the financial disclosure.
Also running in the City Attorney race, Oakland Chief Assistant City Attorney Ryan Richardson already has raised nearly $45,000. Current City Attorney Barbara Parker is not running for reelection.
Post reporter Ken Epstein contributed to this story.
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AASEG can now start moving forward with after acquiring both contracts.
Founder of AASEG Ray Bobbitt has stated multiple times that this project will bring revitalization to a city he and many others call home.
“As Oakland natives who grew up merely blocks away from the Coliseum, and as longtime Oakland business owners, we are filled with gratitude for this opportunity to assume stewardship of the Coliseum site. We recognize that while this is a tremendous opportunity it is above all a profound responsibility,” Bobbitt said in a statement.
Tarahi Felder. Courtesy photo.
People across the country are mobilizing to protect voting rights. Photo courtesy of VoPro Pros.
Special to The Post
Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price. File photo.
