Oakland Post, week of September 27 - October 3, 2023

Oakland Post

Seniors Organize for Dignity at Sojourner Truth Manor

By Ken Epstein

Residents of Sojourner Truth

Manor in North Oakland, a housing complex for seniors founded by local civil rights and community leaders almost 50 years ago, are involved in a fight for dignity and decent living conditions with HumanGood, a nonprofit company that manages senior housing in Oakland and across the country.

Tenants interviewed by the Oakland Post said that they are kept in the dark about what the management is planning or what repairs are underway. They say management often does not re-

spond to their complaints and concerns about needed repairs such as broken fixtures, flooding, and lack of heat or hot water in individual apartments, vermin, broken security cameras, televisions and building elevators, while the complex’s community room has been out of operation for 11 years.

More general concerns are the lack of a social service coordinator, a position that in the past offered community-building activities and provided information and support for residents. Tenants are also concerned about the failure to provide translation for tenants who are not English-speaking, includ-

Burundi’s Ambassador Visits

ing those who are Ethiopian, Eritrean, Vietnamese, Cambodian, or Arabic-speaking.

“They’re not treating us seniors like we’re human beings; since this management company has been here, there is no communication whatsoever,” said Beverley Colston, who has lived at Sojourner Truth for eight years and serves as the chairperson of the tenant association.

Underscoring the lack of transparency, 14-year-resident Nancy Delaney said, “Management is treating us like we’re livestock;

Oakland to Unite and Collaborate with Oakland-Burundi Sister Cities

By Post Staff

In a remarkable display of international goodwill and cooperation, Ambassador Dr. Albert Nasasagare, the former Special Advisor to President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, Africa, embarked on a historic visit to Oakland, California. Invited by Dr. Maritony Ann Jones, a fellow ambassador and humanitarian, the visit took place on Sept. 25th-26th, and it offered a unique opportunity to foster international relations and showcase Oakland’s hospital-

Oakland Businesses Go on OneDay Strike to Protest Public Safety Issues

The Rise East Project

By Tanya Dennis

Part 2

Rise East is a $100 million privately funded initiative that will rebuild Black neighborhoods in a 40x40 block area is East Oakland over 10 years. Project partners are Oakland Thrives, the 40x40 Council and Blue Meridian Partners.

The number 40 in sacred scripture signifies, new growth, new life, and transformation.

In African American history, the number 40 signifies the broken promise of 40 acres and a mule made by Secretary of War Edwin Stanton and General William T. Sherman at the end of the Civil War in 1865.

On Oct. 15, 1966, The Black Panther Party demanded 40 acres in reparations for Black folks in their party’s ten-point program demanding payment for that overdue debt.

In 2021, the 40x40 initiative was created by a coalition of community-based organizations, Roots

Community Health Clinic, Black Cultural Zone (BCZ), the Brotherhood of Elders Network and East Oakland Youth Development Center (EOYDC) to address systemic issues of racism and displacement of African Americans in a roughly 40x40 block area in East Oakland, an area with the highest concentration of Black folks in the Bay Area.

Greg Hodge, CEO of the Brotherhood of Elders Network says “Roots was already serving this area under the leadership of Dr. Noha Aboelata when the pandemic hit, hitting the Black population the hardest, the most underserved in the city.

Within this area, household income and life expectancy are lowest among Black residents compared to other racial/ethnic groups. There is a 15-year gap in life expectancy between Black residents in East Oakland (70 years) and white residents of the Oakland Hills (85 years), Hodge said.

Dr. Aboelata and staff questioned how they could further sup-

By Magaly Muñoz

Oakland community leaders

held a press conference Tuesday morning in front of Le Cheval restaurant to show solidarity with the community via a one-day business strike to call for the city of Oakland to do more for public safety and retail crime.

Carl Chan, former president of the Chinatown Business Association, announced the strike last week at an Oakland NAACP press conference where leaders and supporters of the branch called for an investigation into why the city did not apply for state funds that would’ve given police enforcement money to investigate and prosecute suspects of organized retail crime.

The strike took place at over 100 small businesses throughout the city from 12- 2 p.m. after the press conference on Tuesday.

Le Cheval, a Vietnamese restaurant, was chosen, Chan said, because, in spite of its longtime status in the community, the upsurge in crime over the last few years led to the recent announcement that they’re closing their doors on Sept. 30 after 38 years at 1007 Clay St. in downtown Oakland.

A 2022 crime report from the Oakland Police Department

showed that auto theft, commercial burglary and carjacking have gone up significantly in the last five years. Commercial burglary showed the highest increase by over 50% since 2018.

Chan said business owners are making certain demands to restore safety in Oakland, including direct resources to support small businesses and public safety measures from all levels of government.

“We want to also focus on the solutions, what we can do together to make positive changes,” Chan said. “We want to invite everybody, including our leadership. This is not about division, it is about unity.”

Several business owners were called to speak about their experiences, one being Chef Nijel Jones.

Chef Jones of Kingston 11, a former Jamaican restaurant and now reggae lounge, said that his windows were being repaired that very morning because of a breakin that occurred a few weeks ago.

He said aside from the breakins, homelessness is also a huge issue in keeping people from coming to small businesses. He went on to tell a story of an unhoused woman who came into his restaurant, asked to use the restroom and

ity by the Oakland-Burundi Sister Cities executive team.

The visit was hosted and sponsored by JonathanFitnessJones, Oakland Post Ambassador to the Community/AASEG, and Ray Bobbit founder of African American Sports & Entertainment Group (AASEG), underscoring the significance of this diplomatic engagement.

Dr. Albert Nasasagare, met with the board and staff of the Oakland Private Industry Council (PIC) and was briefed on how projects

like the AASEG could become a resource of hope and opportunity for groups like the Formerly Incarcerated Giving Back (FIGB) founded by Richard Johnson. The Ambassador was given information on how to develop and utilize youth employment and training programs by PIC CEO Ray Lankford.

Dr. Nasasagare also visited the offices of Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Y. Price

Continued on page 12

Beauty Salon

Surviving Decades of Change, This Family-Owned Salon Thrives by Embracing Overall Care from Hair to Humanity, by specializing in hair restoration and treatment for individuals grappling with hair loss due to alopecia or cancer.

By Dr. Maritony Jones and Post Staff

In the heart of Oakland’s 14th Street, a timeless beauty and care institution, the Style-Rite Beauty Salon, stands as a testament to resilience, community, and innovation. For over seven decades, this Black-owned business has not only weathered the storms of civil rights movements, economic upheaval, and the pandemic but has also transformed itself into a beacon of overall care, transcending the boundaries of hair treatment to embrace the full spectrum of human well-being.

Founded in 1950 by the trailblazing Isaiah and Gladys Randolph, the salon helped them to provide for their, George, Gwen and Sharon. This salon has seen four generations of clients walk through its doors. Today, Gladys’s granddaughter, Stacy HoggStewart, carries on her legacy with a vision that extends far beyond hairstyling.

The Evolution of a Family Legacy With a smile, Stacy said, “I grew up here, learned here, and received my discipline here.”

Greg Hodge is CEO of the Brotherhood of Elders Network. Courtesy photo.

(L-R) George L. Randolph, Gwen Randolph, Sherron Hogg-Harris, Stacy Hogg Stewart. Photo by JonathanfitnessJones

Tenants at Sojourner Truth Manor, like those above, complain that the manager, HumanGood, only communicates in English and provides no translation for non-English speakers. Photo by Ken Epstein.

(l-r) Ray Bobbit, Royl L. Roberts, Burundi Ambassador Albert Nasasagare, Ottis Bruce Jr., Dr. Maritony Jones, Jonathan Fitness Jones visited the office of Alameda County DA Pamela Price (Photo by Richard Johnson)

The striking business owners hold signs during the two-hour shutdown on Tuesday. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

Legislative Black Caucus Chair

‘Extremely Disappointed’ by Gov. Newsom’s Veto of Child Gender Identity Bill

Minority Environmental Justice Groups Want to Connect to Millions of Dollars in EPA Funding for California

By Lila Brown California Black Media

Environmental justice advocates in California petitioned Gov. Gavin Newsom this past summer, asking the state to direct a portion of the millions in federal and state dollars California is investing in cleaning and greening communities to Black and other minority organizations.

primarily located in BIPOC communities,” she said.

By Tanu Henry and Joe W. Bowers Jr.

California Black Media

Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City) says she’s extremely disappointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to veto Assembly Bill (AB) 957, legislation that would have required judges in custody cases to consider a parents’ affirmation of their child’s gender identity in their application of the law.

Wilson, who is the chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus and who has a transgender child said, “I know the Governor’s record. He has been a champion for LGBTQ+ rights even before it was popular to do so.”

“However, on this point, the Governor and I disagree on the best way to protect transgender kids,” Wilson continued. “I’ve been disheartened over the last few years as I’ve watched the growing

hate and heard the vitriol towards the trans community.

“My intent with this bill was to give them a voice, particularly in the family court system, where a non-affirming parent could have a detrimental effect on the mental health and well-being of a child.

“Whether the roadblock comes from the opposition or even a supporter, it only hardens my resolve. I’m far from done, this fight is personal! Not just for my family, but to all the trans kids that deserve a brighter and safer future,” Wilson said.

The Governor announced his decision in a press release his office sent out Friday that listed bills he has so far signed and others he has vetoed.

Oct. 14 is the deadline for Newsom to sign bills lawmakers introduced during the 2023 legislative session.

Explaining his decision to veto

AB 957 in a message, Newsom said elected officials could point to the legislation as precedent to “diminish the rights of vulnerable communities.”

“I am returning Assembly Bill 957 without my signature,” Newsom wrote. “I appreciate the passion and values that led the author to introduce this bill. I share a deep commitment to advancing the rights of transgender Californians, an effort that has guided my decisions through many decades in public office.”

“That said,” the governor continued in his message, “I urge caution when the Executive and Legislative branches of state government attempt to dictate — in prescriptive terms that single out one characteristic — legal standards for the Judicial branch to apply.”

*Terrence Wilson, Piano

The California Environmental Justice Alliance (CEJA) say the programs they have in place to restore decades of environmental devastation and neglect in minority communities can play a key role in achieving the state and federal green goals to enforce regulations and distribute resources more fairly and equitably.

“There’s systemic racism that we are trying to dismantle that is beyond the usual American concepts of environmentalism and there’s a lot of interrelated and intersecting issues that we’re trying to fix on the ground, Mari Rose Taruc, CEJA’s energy director, told California Black Media.

Taruc says environmental groups recognizing the harm done to communities of color in the past — and their implication on the local level — is a critical part of the environmental justice movement.

“Environmental justice was born out of the Civil Rights Movement and that is to the credit of Black organizers that came out of the South to raise consciousness of environmental pollution and destruction of dumping grounds

CEJA is a coalition of the 10 biggest environmental justice organizations that coordinate efforts to protect the health and wellbeing of Black, Indigenous, Latino, and Asian Pacific Islander communities in California. The organization also develops programs and raises money to tackle some of the new challenges communities are facing due to the climate crisis.

In July, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator Martha Guzman presented $2 million to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to revitalize the Taylor Yard along the Los Angeles River, turning a former freight railyard into urban green space.

The project reinforces President Biden’s goal for environmental justice to restore the damage that has been done from previous administrations ranging from decades of neglect to the lack of enforcement as it pertains to environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

Historically, railyards contaminated nearby ground and waters with petroleum and other dangerous contaminants.

Guzman spoke with California Black Media about policies that led to disadvantaged and low-income communities being the areas where toxic and hazardous wastes were disposed, as opposed to more affluent neighborhoods.

“This can be traced to many of our origins, be it slavery or the tak-

*Thalea

Annelle Gregory, Violin

*Spanish Brass Quintet

ing of indigenous lands here in the West,” she said. “We see where all these facilities are, and we know that race is the largest determinant of pollution.”

Guzman says the Biden administration is keeping equity and environmental justice front of mind.

“We have to invest in these communities because we have to be intentional about dealing with those generations of neglect and land use decisions that led to a disparate impact to our communities,” says Guzman, who leads the EPA efforts to protect public health and the environment for the Pacific Southwest region spanning Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, the U.S. Pacific Islands territories, and 148 Tribal Nations.

The investment strategy, she says, intends to heal legacy issues and now the EPA’s No. 1 priority is enforcement.

According to Bass’ office, the City of Los Angeles plans to restore this site as part of a greater L.A. River initiative to restore ecosystems and habitats, form walkable trails along 52 miles of the river, and create easy access points for residents to enjoy what the river has to offer.

Throughout California, EPA awarded $9,299,566 in total funding from the Fiscal Year 2023 Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant Funding through 12 separate grants.

According to the EPA, a

Piano Duo

String Quartet

Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D- Suisun City), left, and Gov. Gavin Newsom. Photo courtesy of CBM.

EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman visits Los Angeles to tout President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. Photo by Lila Brown/CBM.

Continued on page 8

Oakland PAL Athletes Win at International Children’s Games in South Korea

She says the program has positively impacted her daughter, who plans to stay with Oakland PAL while also running track in high school.

Coach Dixon shared the same sentiment that the program wasn’t all about running or athletics, it was also about providing them with the tools and opportunities to pursue this after high school. She said PAL gives out scholarships every year to students in the program because they know college is expensive and they want to give these kids a leg up that they normally might not have.

Phinehas Browne, one of the kids on the boys’ team who went to compete in South Korea, says track and field is exactly what he wants to pursue outside of PAL into high school, and hopefully, one day at the LA 2028 Summer Olympics.

“If I run a good enough time, I should be able to go there [the Olympics]. That’s my goal right now,” Browne, 15, said.

U.C. Berkeley No. 1 U.S. Public University in Times

Higher Ed Rankings

The 2024 report also ranked Berkeley the nineth best in the world overall.

By Ivan Natividad UC Berkeley News

University rounded out the Top 10.

Magaly Muñoz

Kids with the Oakland PAL, or Oakland Police Activities League, brought home four medals in track & field at the International Children’s Games in South Korea this summer.

The children’s games were created to foster friendship and understanding of Olympic ideals through the “encouragement of sports meets and competitions to enable the children of different countries, with their different languages, origins and outlooks,” according to the International Children’s Games official website.

The girls team won silver in the 4x100 relay, the boys team won gold in the 100m and silver in the 400m, and gold in the 4x100 relay.

Margaret Dixon, a now-retired police officer with Oakland Police Department, coaches the PAL program’s track-and-field team and has been doing so for 38 years. She says the young athletes were full of excitement to meet new people in a

completely different country.

“They were like Olympic stars,” Dixon said. “You know, people were really engaged and in tune to them.”

She added that the kids shared autographs, pins and jerseys with other athletes, really getting to mimic the experience of what the actual Olympics would feel and look like.

Coach Dixon said talent is not the only thing she evaluates when choosing who gets to go to these types of competitions. She looks to see who would be the most appreciative of the experience and who would fully immerse themselves in these environments.

“Yes, I want you to be athletically able to handle such competition. But I also want to know, can I travel with you out of the country?”

Dixon said. “I look at the parents to see what kind of attitude they have. Because usually, you know, a good parent attitude will trickle down to a good kids’ attitude.”

She says that the kids that were ultimately selected were taken to

language classes and restaurants before the trip to Korea so that they could get familiar with the culture and history before the competition.

Dixon also said so many people come together to support and educate these young athletes so that they are able to achieve what they work so hard for.

Janai Gillam, mother of Kaylen Gillam who was on the girls’ team, was one of the parents who got to watch her child bring home a medal. She said her daughter, 13 at the time of the competition, has been with the PAL program for almost seven years and she couldn’t be prouder of her and the rest of the kids.

“It just shows that hard work pays off and you can do anything you can when you put your mind to it,” Gillam said. “When I say those kids did it, they showed up and showed out for Oakland.”

She added that not only does the program help the kids stay active and healthy, but it also keeps them disciplined and helps them stay in line in their everyday lives.

You depend on your car for a lot. And if you want to keep your wheels on the road, you need to pay your unpaid tolls.

Browne was one of the boys who helped win the gold medal in the 4x100 relay and he personally brought home the silver medal in the 400m race. He says he puts in anywhere from four to seven hours into training, so he’s happy that his hard work was rewarded so well at the competition.

He shared that being part of Oakland PAL has helped him stay out of trouble and kept him involved with the community. He wants other kids his age to know that there are opportunities worldwide for them and that there are good things that come out of Oakland, not just whatever stereotypes the city has, and being able to compete internationally felt like the first step for others to see that.

“And now people know about Oakland, not just in the U.S., but across the world,” Browne said. “Being able to know that people know my face and know my name and they have a different outlook on Oakland than some others might have, it just feels good.”

UC Berkeley is the No. 1 U.S. public university, the sixth-best among public and private universities nationally and the world’s ninth-best university overall, according to the Times Higher Education’s 2024 World University Rankings, released Wednesday.

The Times Higher Ed World University Rankings evaluated more than 1,900 universities across 99 countries and territories.

This year the rankings, now in their 20th edition, were based on five criteria: teaching (the learning environment); research environment (volume, income and reputation); research quality (citation impact, research strength, research excellence and research influence); international outlook (staff, students and research); and industry (income and patents).

In the overall global rankings, the United Kingdom’s University of Oxford ranked first among private and public universities worldwide, followed by Stanford University, MIT, Harvard University, the University of Cambridge, Princeton University, the California Institute of Technology, and Imperial College London. Berkeley and Yale

When it came to the five best U.S. public universities, Berkeley topped the list. UCLA ranked second and took 18th place globally, followed by the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (23rd); the University of Washington (25th) and UC San Diego (34th).

The top U.S. public and private universities included Stanford University (second), MIT (third), the California Institute of Technology (seventh), Berkeley (ninth), and Yale University (10th).

The top U.S. public and private universities included Stanford University (second), MIT (third), Harvard University (fourth), Princeton University (sixth), the California Institute of Technology (seventh), Berkeley (ninth), and Yale University (10th). Rounding out the Top 10 was the University of Chicago (13th), Johns Hopkins University (15th), and University of Pennsylvania (16th).

Overall, Berkeley ranked fourth in the world for research quality with a score of 99 points out of 100; fourth for research environment (98.8 points), 18th for teaching (87.2 points), 62nd for industry (99.4 points), and 171st for

assistance is available if you need it, so act now to avoid a hold on your vehicle registration. Visit

Post Staff

international outlook (86.8 points).

The girls won silver medal for the 4x100 relay, the boys won gold in the 100m and 4x100 relay. Courtesy photo.

Crowds of students walk under Sather Gate on a warm day this fall. Out of nearly 2,000 universities across the world, UC Berkeley ranked ninth best, and was the No. 1 public university. Photo by Elena Zhukova/UC Berkeley.

The world’s deadliest industry is trying to rebrand itself as your friend. Big Tobacco wants to be put in charge of, get credit for, and profit off solving the number one cause of preventable death and disease – the smoking epidemic they created. Their dangerous and hypocritical rebrand promises a “better tomorrow” and “smokefree future” with dangerous, addictive vape products while they continue selling six trillion cigarettes each year, including launching new cigarettes in California just last year.

When Californians voted to end the sale of flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, Big Tobacco quickly rolled out new cigarette brands to keep their deadly products on the shelves and pull in profits. These new cigarettes are marketed specifically to Californians through online promotions, catchy marketing, and deep discounts. This, from the same industry that says cigarettes are a thing of the past and new, “safer” tobacco products are the future.

Big Tobacco claims they are driven by product innovation to help people quit smoking but they’ve conveniently ignored the growing body of research that shows vaping increases the risk of serious long-term diseases like lung cancer and stroke and amplifies mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Research shows that many people who use vapes to quit smoking cigarettes end up using both products, making Big Tobacco a killing.

The tobacco industry has spent decades funding studies to give their claims the illusion of credibility, paying big bucks to influence public perception, securing ‘special editions’ of scientific journals, and releasing self-funded research that says their vape products are safer

Vape use is an urgent public health concern in California, especially among young adults. Currently, 11.2% of young adults use vapes,

the highest among any age group. These young adults were among middle and high school students during the height of the tobacco industry-created youth vaping epidemic. Big Tobacco actively preys on youth to be “replacement” customers because their products kill their existing ones. And research shows kids who vape are three times more likely to be daily cigarette smokers in the future.

The real best way to undo the damage of Big Tobacco is by helping people who are addicted quit and prevent kids from starting. As Big Tobacco kills 110 Californians each day, and 30 more suffer from tobacco-related diseases, it’s critical that people who are addicted have access to free, proven quitting methods, including medical support. Using counseling and medication together gives you the best chance of quitting for good.

Big Tobacco’s “smoke-free” future is a dangerous reality for us all.

“Big Tobacco claims they are driven by product innovation to help people quit smoking but they’ve conveniently ignored the growing body of research that shows vaping increases the risk of serious long-term diseases like lung cancer and stroke and amplifies mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.”

Environmental Justice Groups ...

Continued from page 2

brownfield is a property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant. It is estimated that there are more than 450,000 brownfields in the U.S.

“This funding provides unprecedented resources and highlights how President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are delivering environmental and economic benefits for California,” according to a press release from Guzman’s office.

The EPA is investing nearly $100 billion nationwide to deliver clean water and clean air, advance our transition to clean transportation, and enact environmental justice (EJ), especially in communities that have been disadvantaged and underserved, many of which are low-income communities or communities of color.

In addition, President Biden’s Executive Order 14008 — Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad announced Justice40, which mandates that at least 40% of the benefits of specific federal programs — including brownfields and those created by BIL

and IRA — must flow to disadvantaged communities. In April 2022, EPA committed to meeting and exceeding this mandate.

Taruc says CEJA has not received any of the EPA funds, but the organization continues to find opportunities for different organizations throughout the state to be able to connect to funding programs focused on environmental justice.

One of the ways that CEJA ensures communities are recipients of funds is through programs such as “Solar for All” so that lowincome households receive solar panels to improve their homes and lower their fossil fuel consumption, which reduces emissions.

Taruc says one focus of CEJA is ensuring people — particularly disadvantaged minorities who have been disproportionately impacted — live in safe and clean environments.

“Most environmental justice groups believe we should not build housing next to oil drilling sites and there should be a buffer zone of where you build new housing. We’ve been fighting to close these oil wells because housing should be built in places that are not only affordable but safe,” Taruc concluded.

The Power of a President Standing on the Picket Line

By Emil Guillermo COMMENTARY

The economy may be the No. 1 issue in the upcoming election. But it’s still a mystery. How can inflation be normalizing around 3%, going down from its peak from earlier this year, and prices are still going up?

The data shows the economy is good, even better. But personally, most of us feel worse.

Why? Because all the data is useless.

The economy is a psychological thing. You got a fat wallet. You feel good. You got a skinny wallet, you feel bad. When it’s always skinny, you look for a political scapegoat—the incumbent.

Most elected officials will never know that because I doubt, they ever think twice when going shopping for food.

Would they ever put back an item because it cost 20% more than the last time? Instead of a dollar, that thing in their basket is a $1.20. Do they put it back for the store brand?

I don’t know for sure. But I doubt you’ll see anyone putting back sirloin for ground chuck. Or trade the meat for the soup bones. Frankly, I’d put all of it back. I’m vegan.

But my point is many elected

officials don’t seem to feel what we feel in real life.

Can you see Trump pumping gas—and caring about it?

Or Biden at the checkout counter perplexed saying, “Ah, I thought those were a BOGO-‘Buy one get one’ free?”

That’s the level of honesty you’ll never see in a debate or in any exchange with a politician.

Because they aren’t ordinary folk.

If you watched the Republican

debate this week, notice how far removed any of them are from any of us.

Even the ones that look like you and me.

Do you relate to Tim Scott, the Black conservative, whose strategy is to be the “nice” Black man?

Specifically, he’s the “nice” Black man who is even nice to Donald Trump.

For Asian Americans, we have Vivek Ramaswamy who wants to be the second coming of Trump.

He will gladly get rid of the Juneteenth holiday as being extraneous. If elected, Ramaswamy will repeat every hateful thing Donald Trump did the last time. With pleasure.

But who talks about flinching at the grocery store checkout, turning in a brand-name for a store brand? Who from the campaign stump is ready to be that normal, that honest?

And that’s why the political

CITY OF OAKLAND REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR AS-NEEDED ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICES 2024

Contract Amount: $500,000.00 total Terms: 3 Years

Project Description: The City of Oakland, Public Works Department, Environmental Services Division, seeks multiple contractors to provide a wide range of environmental consulting services, on an as-needed basis, related to environmental assessment, remediation, and regulatory compliance at properties that the City owns, operates or plans to acquire.

Pre-Proposal Meeting (Voluntary): Tuesday, October 10, 2023 - 10:30 AM (Pacific) via Teams.

Join with link (https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NzA4YThiN2QtOWRlOC00YzkzLWF jOGEtMzIyMjM1NmM4NDYx%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22989a2180-6fbc-47f1-8032-1a9 ee969c58d%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2296a81a6e-33d0-4764-9f77-4801dcd37741%22%7d) or with Meeting ID:

257 885 218 007 & Passcode: Bw9E8c

Proposal Submittal Deadline: Friday, November 3, 2023, by 2:00 P.M. via iSupplier.

Reminders:

• All who wish to participate in this RFP must register (at least 5 days prior to submittal due date) through iSupplier at (https://www.oaklandca.gov/services/register-with- isupplier) to avoid last minute submittal complications and receive addenda/ updates on this RFP. For additional help registering and submitting your proposal to iSupplier please watch the user guide videos at (https://www.oaklandca.gov/documents/ isupplier-user-guides). Receipt of a confirmation email indicates that a proposal was successfully submitted.

• Did not receive and invitation? Start Early with iSupplier registration. Upon completion of registration, send an email to iSupplier@oaklandca.gov listing ““RFP for As-Needed Environmental Consulting Services 2024” as the subject and advise of an invitation to the RFP. The Contracts Analyst will add your business to the RFP invitation..

JPMorgan Chase is helping minority-owned suppliers of products like mugs, or services like design ideas find their way into the pipeline bigger businesses turn to for help.

By JPMorgan Chase

Diverse businesses are the backbone of many of communities. That’s why JPMorgan Chase is committed to helping these businesses develop and thrive. Ted Archer, global head of Business Partner Diversity for JPMorgan Chase, recently spoke about why diverse suppliers are good for business and the community.

1. How did you come to lead supplier diversity at JPMorgan Chase and what inspired you to get involved in this work?

I’ve been at JPMorgan Chase for seven years and most of my career has been dedicated to building business programs that drive economic growth. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is working with underrepresented businesses to make sure they have the tools they need to succeed. At JPMorgan Chase, supplier di-

versity is just one way we make dreams possible for these diverse business owners, their employees, and their communities.

2. Why should companies prioritize supplier diversity?

Supplier diversity provides companies with access to innovation. Diverse suppliers bring new perspectives and solutions to business problems. They also know how to operate efficiently with limited resources and are agile to suit different business needs. In addition, supplier diversity generates wealth in diverse communities. Diverse suppliers tend to hire within their local areas, providing jobs and incomes, lifting the overall economy. A prosperous and thriving community is good for everyone.

3. How are you re-thinking supplier diversity? What is JPMorgan Chase doing differently?

An important component of supplier diversity is supplier development. Small and underrepresented businesses often don’t have access to the same resources, financing and contacts that large majority-owned companies do. Building deeper relationships with these businesses enables us to identify other ways to support their growth, including creating connections to networks that lead to contract opportunities, capital and other resources.

4. How are you amplifying the impact of supplier diversity across the wider business community?

We have mobilized over 100 of our top suppliers to mirror the firm’s commitment to supplier diversity by creating and enhancing their own supplier diversity programs. Through mentoring, coaching and education, we help

these companies develop and operate their own sustainable supplier diversity programs, which will generate opportunity and growth for decades.

The results speak for themselves: 85% of the businesses enrolled in our mentorship program launched new supplier diversity programs in 2022. Additionally, over the last two years, nearly 90% of our top suppliers have committed to spending increases generating more than $6 billion in new spending with underrepresented businesses.

5. How would a diverse business get started working with large companies like JPMorgan Chase?

For businesses interested in providing services to companies in the private sector, the best first step is to become certified by a diverse business certifying organization. While many business owners are familiar with government diversity certifications, there are also certifications recognized by private-sector cor-

porations, such as the National Minority Supplier Development Council or the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. These organizations can also help connect businesses with prospective corporate clients via conferences, seminars, and webinars – all designed to provide business owners with information and enable them to meet and network with corporate executives.

In addition, companies with active supplier diversity programs often have online registration portals through which they invite business owners to share their company history and ca-

pabilities. JPMorgan Chase has a Supplier Diversity Network, which is a searchable database for our supplier diversity and sourcing teams to find new diverse businesses when contract opportunities come up.

6. Are there any final thoughts?

Supplier diversity programs are good for any business, and they have a powerful positive impact on employees, families, and communities. It’s an honor to work with diverse businesses to provide jobs, lift local economies, and make dreams come true.

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message of the week isn’t likely to be anything that was said on a debate stage.

Biden on the Picket Line

Rather, it’s the symbolic gesture of Pres. Joe Biden making history going to Michigan to become the first president to ever join a union picket line.

Hard to believe that’s never happened before.

But it finally did this week.

“You guys, the UAW (United Auto Workers), saved the auto industry in 2008,” said Biden holding a bullhorn. “You made a lot of sacrifices, gave them a lot. Companies were in trouble. Now they’re doing incredibly well. And guess what? You should be doing incredibly well, too.”

Biden stood on the picket line for the workers’ wage and benefit demands. And then he handed the bullhorn to Shawn Fain, the UAW president, who talked about how the union back in WWII built the B-24 Liberator bomber.

“Today, the enemy isn’t some foreign country miles away,” Fain said. “It’s right here. It’s corporate greed…and the true liberator is the working class people. All of you, working your butts off on those lines to deliver great products for our companies.

“We’re the people who make the world run. It’s not the billionaire class. It’s a working class of the billions of people who have been left behind. That’s what this battle is about and we’re changing that.”

Biden, who has centered his campaign on middle class values, stood with the workers as Fain spoke.

That’s why the leading Re-

publican candidate will not be among the also-rans debating in California. Trump, who has a 30 to 40-point lead over his closest rival, will be in Michigan to woo working class voters.

Part of Trump’s surprising victory in 2016 was that he was able to convince working class people that a phony billionaire like him had their best interests at heart.

It was the contradiction that combined with the misogyny factor against Hillary Clinton, that helped Trump win the presidency.

Trump needs to continue to dupe white, blue-collar conservatives into thinking he is their guy.

But what did Trump really do for them? Increase their wages? No. Did he even act as a conservative? No. Cutting taxes to the rich and adding to the federal deficit is not an act of conservatism.

Trump simply appealed to a shameful racist, sexist side of those white, blue-collar voters, who then gladly cast their ballots against their own best interests for Trump.

Will Michigan Trumpers continue to vote in that way? Trump needs them to if he wants to win. If he doesn’t fool them again, it could be the beginning of seeing Trump for what he is: A twice-impeached, thrice criminally indicted former president who has no business running for a second term.

If Michigan shows a softening of support, it will be because of an historic act: The first sitting president ever who stood with striking Americans on a picket line.

It’s more important than you think.

Emil Guillermo is a journalist and commentator. See his microtalk show at www.amok.com

Her first goal is to increase students’ sense of belonging on campus, especially for those who are underrepresented.

higher education and instilled in us that education is key to personal development and professional opportunity.

Growing up in a female-led household also taught me the value of independence. My mother sacrificed a lot to ensure my sister and I had myriad opportunities. Her selflessness shaped my idea of leadership. She went above and beyond to give others more and create joy.

It’s extremely hard to be the one or one of few Black people in your class, to have no professors who look like you or understand your background, or to know that there are few people within university administrative roles who share the experiences of the Black community.

“I feel very honored to be in the role of ASUC president,” said Sydney Roberts, a fourth-year student from Long Beach who is double-majoring in political science and African American studies. “My first goal ... is to increase students’ sense of belonging, especially students who have historically felt excluded from higher education.” Brandon Sánchez Mejia/UC Berkeley.

By Gretchen Kell UC Berkeley News

I’m from Long Beach, California, an incredibly diverse and urban coastal city. It is truly a melting pot of cultures, with a large and vibrant settlement of Filipinx and Hispanic people. My friends throughout middle and high school came from these backgrounds, among others. They taught me how beautiful of an experience it is to foster close relationships with people from different backgrounds.

I grew up in a household with my single mom and twin sister. My father joined the Marines right after high school and now works for the U.S. Postal Service. My mother went to college and nursing school and is a public health nurse for the city of Long Beach, specifically working with houseless senior citizens. She is a strong feminist who always encouraged us to pursue

BE A PART OF AC TRANSIT HISTORY

AC Transit will transition from its current five-ward election system to an all-new seven-ward system

From a young age, I participated in the Los Angeles Women’s March and read Audre Lorde religiously. The summer before my senior year I took part in Girls State, a week-long immersive summer program that teaches 500 young women from different corners of the nation how to govern imitation cities and states.

In the Long Beach Unified School District, I found my passion for research. Although underfunded, like most public systems, I was able to take an AP seminar and AP research capstone. I focused my research on racial profiling after 9/11 and the different opinions about patriotism among baby boomers, millennials and Generation X.

The murder of George Floyd at the end of my senior year was a real turning point for me. People’s reaction to the Black Lives Matter Movement that resurfaced during the summer of 2020 changed my perception of politics and society. I was consumed by grief, but soon turned my emotions into political passion. I wanted to revolutionize how people learned about injustice.

I used my social media presence to educate people on the prevalence of anti-Blackness and how to have tough conversations with family members with different ideologies.

I visited UC Berkeley the summer before my senior year of high school. It was my dream school. I was in awe of Cal’s history and culture. Learning that members of the Black Panther Party spoke here, and that the Free Speech Movement ignited here, inspired me. I wanted to be surrounded by changemakers and in a city with a strong culture.

I was on campus to attend the Berkeley Summer Experience, a weekend-long program that paired low-income or underrepresented students with admissions counselors to receive advice on their UC college applications. Although my test scores and leadership roles made me a competitive applicant, I

was a student from an underfunded public high school and a family with only one college graduate. I attribute that program to why I was accepted to Cal.

I began attending Berkeley in the fall of 2020. My first year at Berkeley was characterized by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a struggle to find community, but the ASUC and my sorority, Alpha Phi, aided my endeavor to make personal relationships.

In the ASUC, I served as chief of staff to Chaka Tellem, student body president for an unprecedented two terms. We created an environmental justice education program, sending students to local middle and elementary schools to teach younger generations about sustainability.

We negotiated the biggest discount with Princeton Review for students to receive 20% off all preprofessional test prep review materials. We designed a mentorship program for first-generation, lowincome and underrepresented students with the Cal Alumni Association thats fully funded and staffed and has hundreds of participants.

I became chapter president of Alpha Phi in 2021. I aimed to increase involvement, diversify membership and foster belonging. Knowing what it was like to be a Black woman in a predominately white space made me determined to implement initiatives that would transform our chapter into a more inclusive space.

We celebrated culturally significant holidays like Juneteenth, Latinx Heritage Month, Diwali and more. I started an international night, where members decorated a part of our chapter room with items or foods special to their heritage. I also made financial and housing decisions that enabled flexibility for members in need.

This year, I’m a senior, graduating in the spring of 2024, and I feel very honored to be in the role of ASUC president. The presidential race was heavily contested, with five candidates. I ran on platforms of multiculturalism, environmentalism, career readiness, student wellness and campus climate.

My first goal as president is to increase students’ sense of belonging on campus, especially students who have historically felt excluded from higher education. Black students on this campus need more Black students, faculty, and staff.

For general questions or to request language assistance, contact (510) 891-7201

SCAN ME

I took a public policy course during my sophomore year where a small cohort of students went to the Alameda Probation Office to interview formerly incarcerated individuals and probation officers to research re-entry resources.

I also spent the summer before my junior year participating in the SURF SMART program as a research fellow for Caleb Dawson, a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Education. A snippet of our research focus was understanding why Black students, faculty and staff pursue higher education or a career at Cal, and if they felt they had adequate support systems here.

Another goal as ASUC president is to increase pre-professional and academic opportunities on campus. I want all students to feel career-ready before graduation. A final goal is connecting students with the abundance of organizations and departments on campus that assist with their basic needs. Some of the biggest struggles facing students are financial stability, housing security and food security.

This past summer, I gained additional skills in politics working for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in Wash., D.C., as a research intern in our Cal in the Capitol program. After graduation, I hope to work on a political campaign for the 2024 election or intern for a political consulting or research firm or committee. Later in life, I’m interested in returning to school for a master’s in public policy or/and a J.D.

The most popular question I get today is what my biggest goal is, now that I’m student body president. As a Black woman, I know this university wasn’t designed for me, and there are people in this world who don’t want me to succeed. So empowering others who look like me to take on positions of power and mentoring them in a meaningful and impactful way so they may go on to lead is my greatest hope.

Younger students, many other Black women, have come up to me and expressed how inspiring it is to see a Black woman at the forefront of this university. I tell them, “You’re next.”

COMMUNITY

Vocalist

Rashida Oji -

Emcee - Melanie Berzon, Radio Producer

Sunday, October 8th, 2023, 7:00 PM Freight & Salvage 2020 Addison St. Berkeley, CA S P I R I T

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8TH ANNUAL MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA TO BENEFIT

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One-Day Strike

Continued from page 1

when denied access, made her way to the kitchen and relieved herself on the floor.

Jones said he came to America with the picture that this is the land of opportunity but now sees that we cannot fix any of the problems in front of us. He said the problems that businesses are facing right now are systemic and not a matter of whether or not a restaurant can make a drink correctly, but a concern of safety.

pandemic were also not enough to cover the multiple break-ins that were happening to small businesses. He said his restaurant had been broken into four times in one month and after the first report of the incident, his insurance no longer would continue their coverage, and says he’s not the only one this is happening to.

Burundi’s Ambassador Visits Oakland ...

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need to work collectively to find solutions as a united community.

Oakland’s Historic Style-Rite Beauty Salon ...

“Oakland has been known as a city that is OK with violence and crime. We’re not,” Jones said. “Look at all these people here, we are here to say we’re not OK with this, we want to be safe.”

During the remarks from the speakers, audience members started to yell their dissatisfaction with what the community leaders were asking from the city. Some said they wanted immediate solutions and didn’t care much about the funds that were being offered by the state.

Izzy Ahmed, owner of Ole Ole Burrito Express, said grants like the $15 million from the Real Public Safety Plan only make sense if the city actually intends to prosecute people who break into businesses. He said the efficiency of the police is not what it needs to be.

Ahmed said one-time payments like they were receiving during the peak of the COVID-19

He said it’s hard to stay afloat when there’s so much money going into repairs and when he feels like no one is getting in trouble for their actions, so the community stays unsafe.

“They’re [his employees] scared,” said Ahmed, who has shops at two locations: 2216 MacArthur Blvd. in East Oakland and 2435 Telegraph Ave. in Oakland’s Uptown.. “When they come in and the store is broken, they feel unsafe. It’s hard to even find workers right now cause it’s unsafe for everybody.”

Chan finished out the conference by saying he wants Gov. Gavin Newsom to pay attention to what the community is asking for and to visit Oakland in hopes of listening to the community’s needs.

“We want you to come and talk to us because we need your [Gov. Newsom’s] help,” Chan said. “We need direct assistance for the businesses. We need to find ways to keep everybody safe.”

Berkeley’s Black Repertory Theater to Hold Fundraiser for Youth Programs

where he met with DA Senior Staff Ottis Bruce Jr., Chief Assistant District Attorney, and Royl L. Roberts, Chief Assistant District Attorney, and Antwon Cloird Senior Program Specialist. Their discussions revolved around the Burundi-Oakland Sister Cities exchange students program plans which were proposed to be in alignment with DA Price’s program called “Drum Major for Justice, ‘’ which was launched this summer for the youth.

Ambassador Nasasagare’s journey to Oakland reflects his life story. Hailing from Burundi, a country in central Africa, he said he had witnessed firsthand how “political agendas exploited youth, leading to a decade-long civil war from 1993 to 2006, resulting in a staggering death toll of over 300,000.”

solutions to those suffering from hair loss, while the latter is dedicated to breast cancer awareness, prevention, and support.

The Ambassador visited the Oakland Post and was invited by Paul Cobb, publisher of Oakland Post to join him at the City Hall, where he met District 6 City Councilmember Kevin Jenkins. Cobb invited the Ambassador to join him as an observer to a press interview at the City of Oakland Mayor’s office.

Ray Bobbit took the Ambassador on a city-wide tour and shared a brief history of Oakland, stopping at the local landmarks and seeing all parts of Oakland which also included touring the Oakland Coliseum.

The Ambassador wanted to immerse himself in the local culture and to learn of the city’s diversity. He engaged with residents who spoke French, Swahili and Kirundi, connecting with African communities in California. Ambassador Nasasagare said his visit was marked by “meaningful discussions and interactions, aimed at addressing common challenges and exploring opportunities for collaboration.”

One of the pressing issues discussed during the visit was the rising crime rates in California, particularly in the city of Oakland. Ambassador Nasasagare’s insights, drawn from his experience in Burundi, where a decade-long civil war wreaked havoc, proved invaluable. He emphasized the importance of listening to the voices of youth in the community, and the victims affected by crime and the

Poverty in Burundi surged during this period, reaching 67% of the population. Ambassador Nasasagare, even in his youth, recognized the need for change and rallied young people to work together to shape their future.

The Ambassador’s advocacy for youth empowerment led him to serve for fifteen years as Deputy Chief of Staff in Charge of Protocol for late President Pierre Nkurunziza, and was the former Special Advisor to Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye for three years. He is also the founder of the Youth Coalition in Action (YCA), a local NGO dedicated to helping children in need, mentoring youth and women for financial empowerment, and promoting community development and environmental protection.

The visit culminated in a dinner where future collaborations between sister cities and Burundi were discussed. The potential for empowering youth and organizing exchange programs for Oakland’s youth in Burundi, providing training and job opportunities, was a focal point of discussion and the visit. Mwaro in Burundi will become the first city in Burundi to be part of the Oakland-Burundi Sister Cities International, a project initiated by Ambassador JonathanFitnessJones.

Jones said Ambassador Dr. Albert Nasasagare’s visit to Oakland “has opened doors to new possibilities, emphasizing the importance of global cooperation, youth empowerment, and community development. It is a testament to the power of dialogue and partnership in addressing complex challenges and building a brighter future for all.”

She wants the salon to extend beyond hairstyling, to provide a safe space for people to open up about their lives.

The salon’s transformation began in 2009 when Stacy expanded its services to men, women, and children, specializing in hair restoration and treatment for individuals grappling with hair loss due to alopecia or cancer. This shift towards holistic care marked the birth of the “Overall Care” concept, where the focus shifted from mere hairstyling to nurturing the complete well-being of each client’s wholeness.

“We’re not just about making you look good; we’re about making you feel good,” Sherron HoggHarris, the salon’s manager and Stacy’s sister, emphasizes. The salon has intentionally moved towards private appointments, creating an intimate setting where clients can not only have their hair transformed but also find a compassionate listener in Stacy, who often plays the role of a confidante, a therapist, and a friend.

The Sharon Randolph Foundation was established in 2004, born out of the sisters’ personal experience of losing their mother, Sharon Randolph, to cancer. It encompasses three vital components: Mammograms, Non-Surgical Hair Replacement, and Hardship Programs. Stacy and Sherron are committed to helping breast cancer patients face the challenges of the disease with dignity and wisdom, in honor of their mother.

Navigating Gentrification and Pandemic Challenges

This family-owned business has survived the challenges of gentrification and the COVID-19 pandemic. Stacy says Gentrification, which often results in the displacement of low-income communities because some residents, unaware of their property’s true value, accept quick cash offers to move out of their homes. “They took chances and gave away their gold,” she laments.

A Beacon for Oakland and Beyond

By Clifford L. Williams

On Oct. 8, the Bay Area Jazz Society (BAJAZZS) will hold a CD release and listening party to raise funds to bring back youth programs at Berkeley’s Black Repertory Theater (BBRT), the only Black-owned and -operated theater in the East Bay.

The event is scheduled to take place from 5-9 p.m. at the BBRT, located at 3201 Adeline St. in Berkeley, CA. Tickets are $25.00. The master of ceremonies will be KPFA’s Afrikahn Jahmal Dayvs.

On stage in the theater will be the Sounds of Oakland band performing songs from its self-titled CD including, “Music from the Streets,” with special guests Larriah Jackson from ‘The Voice;’ Niecy “Living Single” Robinson, one of the Bay Area’s most popular vocalists; and Derick Hughes, who sang with Roberta Flack for many years.

Other artists attending include Donnie Williams from “American Idol,” and Williams’ sister, the multi-talented vocalist, Terrill Williams. There will be live performances with food and drink for

The Rise East Project ...

Continued from page 1

The Black Cultural Zone has served as the epicenter of growth and activity from the beginning. East Oakland Youth Development Center and the Brotherhood of Elders Network are now committed partners who are working to bring real change to East Oakland.

According to Roots, the vision is to transform the 40×40 block area into a place where people have what they need to heal, thrive, rejoice, and prosper, a vision far different from today’s reality where African Americans experience the worst quality of life indicators, including life expectancy, homelessness, and educational success. As the demographics of Oakland rapidly change, and with the COVID-19 pandemic dispro-

everyone.

The BBRT has had limited programming during and throughout the pandemic and is now struggling to regain regular operations. The BAJAAZS Executive Director, Paul Tillman Smith, has a huge theatre history. He is coproducer of the event, along with Norman Connors, Levi Seacer Jr., and Nelson Braxton for ‘The Sounds of Oakland’s “Music from the Streets” CD.

Other Bay Area artists listed on the CD may be in attendance, including Lenny Williams, Derick Hughes, and Lady Bianca.

The first 20 individuals attending the fundraiser will receive a free copy of the CD. Thirty percent of the CD sales will go into a fund to help aging artists who don’t have a pension and, in many cases, no social security.

For more information regarding the fundraiser and how to obtain tickets, contact Paul Tilman Smith at 510-689-3332, or Bayjazz@gmail.com. See accompanying poster in this edition of the POST which provides more information on the evening’s line-up.

portionately affecting the Black community, Roots members knew time was of the essence in addressing these disparities.

According to Hodge, “The 10year Rise East plan will make deep and lasting improvements in the 40x40 and will affect 30,000 residents of African descent.”

More than 400 residents contributed their ideas to the Rise East plan. Together, residents and the 40x40 coalition launched the $100 million neighborhood improvement Rise East project with the assistance of the Blue Meridian Group.

For continuing success and growth, investment from the Alameda County, the City of Oakland, and the Oakland Unified School District is required.

As partners in Oakland Thrives, these institutions supported Rise East in concept. “Now it’s time for them to invest resources,” Hodge said. Blue Meridian’s money must be matched for Rise East to be a successful public investment.

Sojourner Truth Manor ...

Continued from page 1

they feel they don’t have to give us common courtesy, even to tell us what they’re doing.”

Sojourner Truth, located at 6015 Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Oakland, consists of three buildings with 74 studios and 13 one-bedroom apartments.

In the past few years, there has been turn-over of management companies that operate and maintain the complex. Since mid-2022, Sojourner Truth has been managed by HumanGood, the largest nonprofit provider of senior housing and services in California and among the 10 largest organizations of its kind in the nation, according to reports on the internet.

In Oakland, besides Sojourner Truth, HumanGood operates at Piedmont Gardens, Allen Temple’s senior residences, JL Richard Terrace and Irene Cooper Terrace.

Overall, the company has over 5,000 employees and serves over 14,000 residents in seven states.

Annual reports on the nonprofit senior living market sector are produced by LeadingEdge Ziegler 200. Ziegler is described on its website, as a “privately held investment bank, capital markets and proprietary investments firm and the nation’s leading underwriters of financings for not-forprofit senior living providers.”

While the lack of repairs is a serious concern for many tenants, the most pressing need at

Sojourner Truth, said Colston, is to hire a full-time social services coordinator, a social worker “who would serve as an advocate for tenants with management and help with recertification for food stamps, health services and all the other forms we have to submit on a yearly basis.”

“We have too many people who speak too many different languages, and we get written notices in English,” she said. “They don’t communicate with us except by letters, and we often don’t understand them.”

The tenants need someone who can patiently and respectfully explain these notices, Colson said. In the past, the social services coordinator also organized bingo, exercise sessions, dominos, activities and celebrations of holidays and birthdays, she said.

In fairness, Colston said, the deterioration of physical conditions at Sojourner Truth did not begin with HumanGood but with the previous manager, Christian Church Homes. HumanGood is responsible for not communicating. “With these people here, there is no communication whatsoever,” she said.

By the Oakland Post’s deadline, HumanGood had not replied to email questions. Calls to the office of Sojourner Truth were not picked up.

Tenants at Sojourner Truth have been meeting with residents of Harriet Tubman Terrace apartments in Berkeley who are also pushing for improved conditions.

Stacy Hogg Stewart emphasized the importance of financial literacy and family unity in sustaining generational wealth. Her family’s commitment to learning and collaboration enabled them to maintain their two-story home, combining a residence, business, and investments.

Out of the salon, two remarkable initiatives have sprung forth: “Xo Hair Alternatives” and the “Sharon Randolph Foundation.” The former focuses on providing

Continued from page 1 port the nearly 50% of Black families living in poverty and safely address the issues face by the unhoused, the re-entry population and youth.

As Oakland’s oldest blackowned salon, the Style-Rite Home of XO Hair Alternatives has not only retained its loyal clientele but also become a gathering place for generations of families. The salon’s rich history is interwoven with the stories of its clients, creating a sense of belonging and community that transcends time and place. From its roots in the civil rights era to its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this Oakland institution remains a shining example of the power of legacy and commitment to family.

Stacy Hogg Stewart and her family continue to nurture a legacy that goes far beyond hairstyling. At a time when many businesses are closing, the Style Rite Salon Stays open to serve the community.

Follow the business on Facebook Xo Hair Alternatives; On Instagram@Xo_hairalternatives or unstoppablebystacy@gmail.com

California Legislative Black Caucus Endorses Sandré R Swanson for State Senate

Special to the Post Assemblymember Lori Wilson, Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) said this week that her Caucus “is proud to endorse the candidacy of Sandré R Swanson for California 7th Senate District.” The CLBC is a powerful Caucus today with twelve members, additionally, three members serve as Constitutional California Office holders. Chair Wilson continued, “We are hopeful to continue to grow our representation with African-American members like former Assemblymember Swanson. The communities in the 7th District need his strong voice in Sacramento.” If elected, Sandré R. Swanson would be the only African American in the State Senate from Northern California.

The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) was formed in 1967 under the leadership of

Senator Mervyn Dymally, coming together to address the social and economic justice concerns of African Americans and other citizens of color. Assemblymember Swanson, during his three terms in the California Legislature, served as Chair of the CLBC and Chair of the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee.

Former Assemblymember Swanson said, “Having the California Legislative Black Caucus and its influential Members joining our campaign is a tremendous boost and adds significant viability and support to our campaign. Our campaign continues to gain momentum and remains committed to our efforts to end the crime wave that is victimizing innocent citizens and to humanitarian solutions that will end our crisis of homeless encampments. To join our campaign please visit www. sandreswanson.net.”

Beverly Colston, an eight-year tenant at Sojourner Truth Manor, serves as chairperson of the tenant association. Photo by Ken Epstein.

Former Assemblymember Sandré Swanson speaking at the California Legislative Black Caucus press conference strongly opposing the Supreme Court’s affirmative action decision this year. Photo by Conway Jones

Stacy Hogg Stewart.

Director, Paul Tillman Smith