Dis Montgomery Bus Boycott at 68: Event Revisits Black/Jewish Collaboration ... see page 2
COMMENTARY: Christmas Gifts from Our Democracy ... see page 2
California/Hawaii NAACP Conference: Dismantling Racism and Disrupting Inequality ... see page 6
Oakland Organizations Champion Financial Literacy ... see page 7
Oakland Post “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18
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60th Year, No. 49
Weekly Edition. Edition. December 20 - 26, 2023
California Attorney General Announces $700 Million Multistate Settlement Agreement with Google Photo: iStock photo image.
Oakland’s Messy Police Chief Search Narrowed to 3 Candidates
Some of the speakers at the hearing on Geoffrey’s appeals to the Planning Commission’s rulings at Oakland City Council,Tuesday, Dec. 19. Photo by Ken Epstein.
By Brandon Patterson
The search for the next chief of Oakland’s police department may be nearing an end, as the Oakland Police Commission sent Mayor Sheng Thao a list of three final candidates last week. Thao now has the option of choosing from the three candidates or sending the list back for more options, which would draw out the already 10-month-long process even longer. The city’s search of a new police chief has been long and messy. Oakland has been without a chief since February, when Thao fired former Chief LeRonne Armstrong for going to the press while on leave during an investigation into his handling of officer discipline at the department. Armstrong accused Oakland’s federal police monitor, who had made the original findings against Armstrong,
Former Chief Armstrong of “corruption,” and denied any wrongdoing. In the fall, a third-party hearing officer hired to review the circumstances found that Armstrong had not necessarily broken any rules — but he also did not say whether he should be reinstated as police chief. Armstrong has been pushing to be reinstated, but Thao has said she will not do that. Thao’s office told KTVU that the names of the three finalists will not be made public. “This is an important Continued on page 8
Terry Wiley, Former Pamela Price DA Opponent, Named SF Inspector General
California Attorney General Rob Bonta stands with his legal team at a press conference on Tuesday, December 19 to announce a $700 million settlement with Google for anti-competitive practices in their Play Store. Photo by Magaly Muñoz. By Magaly Muñoz On Tuesday morning, in down-
town San Francisco, Attorney
General Rob Bonta announced that Google has agreed to a $700
million settlement with Google for monopolizing the Android application market.
The multistate, bipartisan set-
tlement is a rare victory for two sides of the political aisle that often cannot agree on much, Bonta emphasized at the conference, but they were all in fast agreement to fight for changes and restitution for the impacted consumers. Google will pay $630 million to over 100 million Android conContinued on page 8
100 Black Men of the Bay Area Gala Chair/Vice Chair Danny L. Williams with singer Chanté Moore and 100 Black Men of the Bay Area president, Chuck Baker at the 100 Black Men Scholarship Benefit and Awards Gala at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis. Photos By Auintard
After Geoffrey’s Challenges, Fight to Save Historic Black Cultural Venue Still Mired in City Council Conflict
Council rejects one development proposal, while another remains undecided.
By Ken Epstein
The fight to save Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, a longtime entertainment venue and cultural institution at 410 14th St. and an anchor of the Black Arts Movement and Business District in downtown Oakland, has finally reached the Oakland City Council after working its way through the city’s planning process for several years. The Planning Commission had approved two alternative development proposals submitted for the same site by San Francisco-based developer Tidewater Corporation, one for an apartment tower and an-
other for a residential tower. At the Council meeting Tuesday, following hours of debate and many speakers — most of whom were strongly in favor of Geoffrey’s and its owner Geoffrey Pete and opposed Tidewater’s proposals — council members voted unanimously to uphold Geoffrey’s first challenge, rejecting the proposal to allow the developer to build an office tower at the site of a parking lot next to Geoffrey’s historic club. Ultimately, the vote to deny Tidewater’s application won 6-0, with two council members absent. Continued on page 8
Oakland STEAM Internships Get $750,000 Boost from State Grant
The 100 Black Men 35th Annual Scholarship Benefit and Awards Gala
By Carla Thomas Photo, from left to right: Xochitl Carrion, Vice President of the Sheriff’s Oversight Board; Paul Henderson, Executive Director of the Bar Association of San Francisco; Terry Wiley, SF Inspector General; Paul Miyamoto, SF Sheriff; Julie Soo, President of Oversight Board. Photo by Magaly Muñoz. By Magaly Muñoz
Former Alameda County prosecutor Terry Wiley has been named the inaugural San Francisco inspector general who will oversee the city’s sheriff’s department and its two jails. Wiley was sworn in at city hall on Wednesday morning in a ceremony held by the Sheriff’s Department Oversight Board. Xochitl Carrion, Vice President of the Oversight Board, explained the year-long recruitment process that extended nationally to find the best fit for the job. They went out multiple times into the city to ask San Franciscans what they would want to see in an inspector general and how that person could help uplift the city values. Visits to the local jails were also conducted to ask those
incarcerated what their living conditions were like and how the inspector could address the issues they were facing in the jails. “October and November was the grind time for us. It was looking at all these applicants who came nationally and then determining who were the highly qualified, who were the best of the best, and we are lucky that Terry Wiley was in that pile,” Carrion said. Wiley had a 33-year career in Alameda before stepping into the new inspector general role. He had previously run for Alameda County District Attorney in 2022, but ultimately lost to current DA Pamela Price. In November 2020, the city voters passed Proposition D, Sheriff’s Department Oversight Board Continued on page 8
The 100 Black Men of the Bay Area hosted their 35th Annual Scholarship Benefit and Awards Gala at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis on Saturday, Dec. 9. Themed “Making a Change 100 at a Time,” the event was headlined by singer Chanté Moore with performances by 16-year-old saxophone jazz musician Ayo Brame. Community service award recipients included Alton Management Corporation, Roots Health Center and Bay Area broadcaster Dave Clark. Maxine Reynolds, the widow of Alton Management Corportion’s late principal Al Reynolds, who passed away in April, graciously accepted the award. Over 31 years ago her husband and his business partner, Billy Hutton joined forces to form Alton Management Corporation with the intent on training and hiring young brothers and sisters in the housing industry. The property management firm worked with housing cooperatives and other organizations specializing in affordable housing throughout the Bay Area, Los Angeles and Atlanta recovering financially troubled
properties. “Many families have access to safe and affordable housing because my husband and the company are committed to serving clients in a dignified manner,” said Reynolds. “Billy Hutton carries on the company’s legacy.” Kevin Mitchell, Director of Resource Development for the Roots Community Health Center in Oakland accepted the organization’s award. “There is a life expectancy difference of 15 years for individuals living in the hills as opposed to the inner-city flatlands,” he said. “We are changing the narrative because we are not fighters, we are healers.” Roots, through its medical and behavioral health care, health navigation, workforce enterprises, housing outreach and advocacy supports of those impacted by systemic inequities and poverty. Beloved KTVU Channel 2 broadcaster Dave Clark was also honored for his community coverage. Clark spoke from the heart about his pursuit of reporting the good news in the Black community in the midst of the often negative news of the world. Originally from Continued on page 8
Photo: iStock photo image. By Brandon Patterson
Oakland city efforts to provide young people with internships in science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) will get a boost from a new grant from the state Department of Education, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and city officials announced on Monday. Oakland Unified School District will launch the Bay Area STEAM Career Accelerator, funded by a $750,000 state grant, with the goal of supporting more young people ages 13-24 in seeking internships in STEAM fields beginning next summer. The grant will primarily be used to build out infrastructure to support students pursuing internships, said OUSD Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell, according to Oaklandside — especially students in West and deep East Oakland, where students are
overwhelmingly Black, Brown and lower income. That could include hiring more staff to help students find internships and provide career counseling, JohnsonTrammell said, adding that she wants to target chronically absent students. The state is currently recruiting partner companies to host interns, said Thurmond, and similar programs could also be launched in Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles. African Americans are underrepresented in STEAM fields. According to a report released by the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education in February, Blacks made up just 9% of all workers in science, technology, engineering, and math fields despite being 12% of the U.S. adult population. About 18% of all Black workers were employed in STEM fields Continued on page 8
THE POST, December 20 - 26, 2023, Page 2
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BWOPA, on the Frontline of Black Politics in California for 55 Years
Dr. Bernard LaFayette Jr. shares stories of his time in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s with an eager crowd. Lafayette described his fellow Jewish activists as his “brothers and sisters” at the Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles, Calif. Photo by Solomon O. Smith. LaNiece Jones, Dezie Woods-Jones, State President, BWOPA. Photos by CBM By Edward Henderson California Black Media
Founded in 1968, Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) is a statewide nonprofit advocacy and membership organization committed to solving problems affecting Black Californians. BWOPA originated as an extension of a group known as Bay Area Women for Dellums, under the leadership of Edith M. Austin. Starting with 12 politically active women from various Bay Area cities, the group grew to over 200 Black women working to elect former U.S. Rep. Ron V. Dellums to Congress. After raising $75,000 and successfully helping to elect Dellums, the original group members continued to meet and work on other political causes. BWOPA’s political influence and involvement has played a major role in the election of many other dynamic women who were the first African American women elected in their respective areas. Women such as the Honorable Judith Ford, Alameda County Municipal Court; Darlene Lawson from the Oakland Board of Education; Doris Ward, San Francisco Board of Supervisors and former County Assessor for the City and County of San Francisco; former Congressmember Diane Watson, who represented California’s 33rd Congressional District; U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris; Congressmember Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) and Congressmember Maxine Waters (D-CA-43) are among the powerful elected representatives who received early support from BWOPA. California Black Media spoke with LaNiece Jones, executive director and chief operating officer of BWOPA, about the organization’s impact, challenges and successes during the last year. What does your organization do to improve the lives of Black
people in California? We believe African-American women should be included within the top ranks of corporate executive leadership and at all levels of elected or appointed political decision-making to positively influence policies affecting the African-American community. Our core issue areas are health, education, criminal justice reform and economic security. What was your greatest success over the course of the last year? BWOPA/TILE (Training Institute for Leadership Enrichment) in partnership with WeVax (Human Services Association), Sierra Health Foundation and the California Department of Health, rolled out the statewide “Black & Vaxxed” campaign to increase COVID-19 vaccinations and to empower the Black community to make informed decisions about vaccines. This past May, BWOPA/TILE hosted its annual Legislative Learning Day in Sacramento at the State Capitol. There were close to 100 attendees. Every year, high school students, young leaders, and BWOPA chapter members have a chance to meet with their state representatives and learn how the State Legislature works. Also, in May of this year, 13 emerging leaders matriculated through the 7th session of the Dezie Woods Jones (DWJ) Public Policy leadership program. Launched in 2015 and named after state President of BWOPA, Dezie Woods-Jones, the fellowship program aims to assist aspiring young Black women between the ages of 25-45, to become thought leaders, subject matter experts, advocates, and innovators of public policies who positively impact their communities. In your view, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians face? We’ll start with health equity.
Photo: iStock photo image.
Christmas Gifts from Our Democracy COMMENTARY
By Emil Guillermo For lovers of democracy (and if you are reading this surely that means you), the news has blessed us with some noteworthy early Christmas/Happy Holidays/seasonal gifting. First, if you didn’t feel a little warm glow when the news first broke, you have to understand that we are all Lady Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss. You know them. They are the Georgia election workers, the ones who Trump’s lawyer and now disgraced leaky hair colorist Rudy Giuliani said were passing a USB
drive to each other — proof, somehow, of some digital malfeasance to help steal the 2020 election from Donald Trump. In fact, there was no such attempt to steal anything from anybody. The USB drive was a piece of ginger candy. The whole thing was a lie told by Giuliani to perpetuate the “Big Lie,” that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Donald Trump. Earlier a federal district judge in Washington, D.C. ruled that Giuliani’s lies defamed Freeman and Moss, whose lives were turned upside down.
This holds especially true for the working class and lower income individuals in our community. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), health equity is achieved when everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health. What was your organization’s biggest challenge? There is a lot of work that needs to be done to improve the quality of life for Black people in California. To that end, it can sometimes be challenging to orchestrate and juggle the time, manpower and finances around the most actionable and advantageous programs, initiatives, and collaborations that address our core issue areas of health, education, economic security, and criminal justice reform. Does your organization support or plan to get involved in the push for reparations in California? First, BWOPA created its own Reparations Now Task Force led by Rita Forte (Oakland). Several BWOPA Reparation Now Task Force members attended the California reparations task force statewide hearings for the past two years. Last year, we also partnered with California Black Power Network to host reparation listening sessions with our members and other Black residents in California. How can more Californians of all backgrounds get involved in the work you are doing? BWOPA welcomes anyone who is interested in helping us fulfill our mission to build Black power. Visit our website at www. bwopatileleads.org.
They couldn’t go out in public for fear they’d be retaliated against by Trump’s MAGA zealots. Freeman couldn’t run her businesses. Moss began doubting democracy. And then last week the jury ordered Giuliani to pay Freeman and Moss $148 million in damages. That breaks down to $75 million in punitive damages. Add $16.2 million in compensatory damages to Freeman, and $16.9 million to Moss, as well as $20 million to each of them for emotional suffering, and you have the price for justice in a defamation case. That’s what lies on top of lies will cost in America if you’re Rudy Giuliani defending Donald Trump. Giuliani didn’t take the witness stand in his own defense. But he did talk to the media at every juncture saying just wait, he’d provide evidence backing him up. “Stay tuned,” he said. But he never did. When you’re a liar, you lose in a court of law. The only place for you is the court of public opinion, which is why Giuliani kept lying in impromptu sidewalk press conferences. For all those lies, Freeman and Moss slapped Giuliani with a second defamation suit on Monday. It’s Giuliani as a combination lying and human ATM. Still, collecting money from him will be Continued on page 6
Montgomery Bus Boycott at 68; Event Revisits BlackJewish Collaboration
By Solomon O. Smith
California Black Media
Scholar, minister and activist Rev. Dr. Bernard LaFayette Jr. was the guest speaker at L.A.’s Skirball Cultural Center’s “Perspectives on Black-Jewish Relations in The Fight for Civil Rights” discussion held Dec. 6, on the 68th anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. He talked about historic collaboration between African Americans and Jews and he participated in a conversation that focused on the ongoing struggle for civil liberties and the civil rights era of the 1960s. The evening began with the viewing of “This Light of Ours: Activist Photographers of the Civil Rights Movement,” an exhibition that showcased the work of nine photojournalists who were embedded in the civil rights movement, providing an intimate
look at the organizations that created leaders like Lafayette. Los Angeles’ District 5 city councilmember Katie Yaroslavsky hosted the evening’s conversation with LaFayette. Lafayette described seeing Jewish men and women side by side with Black protesters, enduring the same violence. “We found a strong bond that existed, and that developed,” said LaFayette, describing the relationship between Black and Jewish leaders, intellectuals, and activists during the civil rights movement. “If it wasn’t for the Jewish people, we’d have a different attitude towards White folks. Because we could relate to the Jewish people, therefore all White people weren’t the same,” he added. The conversation between LaFayette and Yaroslavsky pre-
sented an alternate picture to the widespread portrayal of the history between African Americans and Jewish Americans as one that is ridden by conflict with tensions with Black Muslims and other religious groups, antisemitic scholarship, accusations of exploitation in the entertainment industry, and numerous other examples. Lafayette was a founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), a Freedom Rider and a scholar on nonviolent resistance. Lafayette spoke about his upbringing, explaining how the guidance of strong Black female figures led him to a life dedicated to Christianity and activism, starting with his grandmother. Lafayette credited her with his Continued on page 5
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THE POST, March 25-31,, 2020, Page 5 postnewsgroup.com postnewsgroup.com
Representatives Lee,Month: García Introduce BillGroup Prohibiting Rental The Monkeypox Health Crisis: How California Is Responding Women’s History California Honors Leaders, Discusses Priorities BOOK REVIEW: “Our Secret Society:
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reported him to the police as missing the next week and began putthe county’s response is that Among Black Californians, By Tanu Henry, THE POST, Aug. 26-Sept. 1,with 2015, Page 55 government also declared postnewsgroup.com THE POST, July 24-30, 2019, Page www.postnewsgroup.com ting up fliers his and By Charlene Muhammad, Black women in picture California “fireside chat” to take a broad- to retired California Assemblythere have been 129 cases re- we did not have enough cases California Black Media monkeypox a national public California Black Media today the topic is ‘Black er look at aging and elder care and member and a commissioner door to to speak with at that time.door I want them to ported so far, accounting for going health emergency. Courtesy of Women Aging With Dignity in the Black community. on the California Commission causes unless the tenant perneighbors. know that that response will about 11% of all confirmed As the monkeypox virus “We are prepared to take Rep. Lee’s Office History on Aging said 23% of Black To mark Women’s Whether they were ex- and Respect.’” months, policeThere in Mis-is work thisthe time. outbreak spreads around the our response to the next level for the Harlem Community Arts petrates a serious criminal act cases in the state. African notFor During their remarks, panelMonth, The California Black women live in poverty, which pressing the justice joys offorcaring equality and all,” never that would endanger the health, In too December 2016, the few of cases.” Americans make up about globe, Gov. Gavin Newsom in addressing this virus and sissippi told her they had no inforDr.one Larry Ellis,and Senior Pastor Representatives Barbara Lee is the second-highest percent- Center, and then for National Ur- life, and safety of other tenants. for ists outlined resources Black Women’s Collective (CBWC) loved orW.exposing saida NAACP President Church gave an indexed dataAt the state level, the CDPH 6.5% of the state’s total popu- mation says California will need to we urge every American to on his whereabouts. (CA-13), Jesústhan “Chuy” women need to make sure that honored more 100 García Black age in the U.S. — only behind ban League. She and Henry were the range of We challenges Black CEO Derrick Johnson. “We base of the historic Freedmen’s · Self-terminate six months Invite You to Join Our Church Family! hasBut begun to disaggregate the lation. galvanize across core- take monkeypox seriously,” in August, the police (IL-04),leaders andforces 39from additional mustChristian recognize and their needs are met while elwomen across the Native American women. faceLifeasClass theyaccept age, the Bureau Records to the Smith“a racial-justice power couple” after FEMA terminates the women Worship BibleitStudy Monkeypox data is collectAs of Aug. 5, CDPH reports gions and relax some state said U.S. Health and Human The Broadway Hustlers and sponsors the Rental importance of creating amity sonian National Museum evating some concerning stastate fromintroduced different professionbrought her devastating news. Her shared useful insights Brown pointed out that Gov. and they used that power to help emergency declared by the panelists Sunday 10am Sunday 9am 6:15pm of ing by race, Tuesday city, hospitalizathat there have been 1,310 conregulations and statutes to Services Secretary and former AC Mob will be holding their Eviction Moratorium Act on with those that are raising the African American History and of A Safe Place since 1984, delivery of subjective counselA Safe Place will launch a tistics. al backgrounds, including methat could shape public health Gavin Newsom set aside $2 large son, a Black man and father of local and state level. Astwo, a organizations to better the President. tions, gender, age and D.C. sexual firmed cases ofofmonkeypox in the Temporary Worship Location: Mission Paradise Hall combat aMarch disease that poses 5th Annual Family Reunion on California Attorney General two-year consciousness this nation — Monday, 23, to prohibit Culture in Washington, designed and implemented ing and guidance. faith and domestic “Black women in California dia executives, public health billion for the Master Plan on lives of Black people all over the policy or improve ways Afri- longtime Congresswoman Lee is the advocate for battered had been killed the very night he 31113 Mission Hayward, CA 94544 Saturday, Sept. 19, 2 p.m. tillau6 orientation. the Church state with the most conalandlords threat greater than local Xavier Becerra. the is committed to dofromactivists, evicting rental The database contains geneservices and Boulevard, preThe project part-& intervention project, “Speaking of have many barriers in their evprofessionals, politican American caregivers at- women Aging, a 10-year project, but violence and their children, she Co-Chair of will the foster Steering country. p.m., at deFremery Park, 18th went missing. Police say hefreed was The age group with the firmed cases being reported in thorities may be able to reCDPH Director and State To learn more about Pilgrim, visit our website at www.pilgrimbcsm.org ing just that.” alogical information of vention activities for victims nerships between domestic Faith,” thanks to an $180,000 tenants during the COVID-19 eryday life. As we get older, the cians and more. tend to the needs of aging famshe questioned, how would the most recently employed proPolicy Committee, a senior at Adeline in Oakland, called As time passed and viewhighest number of reported Los Angeles (431) followed spond to effectively. Public Health Officer Dr. struck while crossing The aafter highway In addition to its joint pur- grams African Americans the Among Black thereviolence have been 129Appropriations cases violence. programs andreportfaith ofilydomestic from The Californians, Blue Shield of public organization health emergency. The people the money is intend- grant issues don’t change. issues also held members. and services for male member of the “AThe Day of NoisViolence/All monkeypox cases (482) are 25 points changed, however, some by San Francisco (398) and “California working urTomás J. Aragón says he suits with the NAACP, the Civil War. These programs include the leaders. by an off-duty Jackson Police California Foundation. ed so far, accounting for about 11% of all confirmed cases in the bill will ofbepanel part of the third ed to help access the money. violence.ofaLives series discussions just getof domestic more complicated,” “This is our third event as victims Committee, former Chair of Matter.” to “Only 34 year-olds, who make up Alamedaseeks County There ficer. gently acrossstimulus all levelspackage of gov- welcomes the federal health Top Sims, Cheryl A Brown; L-Ralso Shavon“found it Delane difficult to define the Church to (83). strengthen theinformation comprehension Program, Safe Bottom Place will join Emergency In L-R: partnership with theHon. InstiCBM image. COVID-19 For Regina more aboutof Brown Wilson, leading to the celebration part of theShelter California Black said said currently there are state. theIvie. Congressional Black CauThe up Broadway Hustlersof Brown about 36.8% of all confirmed have been 7,509 confirmed ernment to slow the spread emergency because it opens da Webber-Christmas, Sylvia Drew African American individuals role Mollie played.” She still had the true fatherhood of God can Teen Dating Violence Preventhe Blue Shield Against Viotute on Domestic Violence in introduced the House of not effective systems in place Bluecoroner Shield Projectand and moderator of theidentified event exand highlighted several policy Empowerment se- the The Wade cus, Chair Emeritus of the Pro-to Women were knownby for its GQ style, tecovirimat (Tpoxx) used infections in California. be extremely painful in some cases in the United States and monkeypox, leveraging our up channels for California to and families through genealbring full appreciation of the tion Program, and community lence (BSAV) Foundation’s the African American Commuinfluence, Ford says, yet “she did Barbara Lee other events, contact Carolyn Representatives, the Take ReJesús “Chuy” García ecutive director of California priorities, including aging and ries,” said Yvonne Wheeler, a to inform people about getting “That’s why it’s critical to funnel down through the Caligressive Caucus, Co-Chair of ogy. and business leadership in using a prescription medicine he treat monkeypox is limited, “We’ll continue to work cases as well. 28,220 around the world. robust testing, contact tracget more access to resources true brotherhood of men and education and outreach proCulturally Responsive Domesnity (IDVAAC), the “Speaknot fit the mold of a civil rights get at (510) 986-8600 x sponsibility for They Workers and elder care. Black Media. member of the strategy team Russell the help they need. involved on Caucus, those levels,” fornia Department of Aging the Pro-Choice and a gang activities. were a was carrying as he had identifiThe Church African 315. butViolence the treatment can which now be gram. withtrue thesisterhood federal government “Over 99% of people who Shortly after helps the governor ing and Act. community partner- to slow the spread of the dis- ing the ofno women,” Network, of Faith” project will raise leader.” someone waiting in tic Families “Before COVID-19, we The gang Hon. of Cheryl Brown, a Rep. of the CBWC. Thetheir event was TheChuy funds, she“Last said,week willI down Brown emphasized. toBut county agencies. Sen. Steven Bradford isWhip. vice chair of the California Legislative Black García. street moreduring than 75 riumthis Act Would: Senior Democratic She Americans trace roots Nelson said during a 2018 administered at more than 30 to secure more vaccines, raise get form of the disease are Through A Safe Place, Rusdeclared a State of Emerlinks 17 statewide domestic ships strengthened the awareness and educate the ease. cation. The coroner’s office claims Rep. “As authored a letter that 77 Mem- the·wings did... landlords from Caucus. were already experiencing fiorganized in as partnership with Ahead ofasWomen’s History men andBarbara women Lee that said, roamed Prohibit also serves Chair of the Maas far also back possible. The celebration of diversity and sell has governed domesviolence agencies across the faith-based community on best facilities and providers across awareness about reducing likely to survive. However, gency, Shane Harris of the pandemic to ensure that those “We hope today’s action into have shared his identity the more workers Readingrental “Our Secret Socinancial hardship, poorwith health Black Women Organized for Broadway fromare 2ndlosing Streettheir to Month, a group of Force influenbers of Congress signed, callevicting tenants due jority Leader’s Task on Church donated $2 million in oneness in the church. “That tic violence programs on both state. practices and models to apply the state,” a press release isrisk, and stand with the LGpeople with weakened imPeoples Association of Justice most at risk are our focus for jects additional federal fundpolice, provided with Wade’s jobsMacArthur or having Blvd. their hours lim- ing on mortgage lenders to stop ety” W in Oakoutcomes, andthem when the panPolitical Action California Blacktowomen isworking a little like taking aother trip tial to failure to pay rent or under Poverty and Opportunity. the(BWOPA). International us A Safe Place seeks break with families sued by Newsom’s office February BTQ communityinspires fighting stigmune systems, children Activists, toa San Diego-based understanding vaccines, andrisk outand into our when Rev.resources Ron Linzie ited, in families putand at of ing land the treatment lateare 70’s early mother’s contact information and “Our goal is to talk about brought their perspectives toforeclosures during this public through time. African American Museum with passionate desire to build the cycle of domestic and famexperiencing violence in the Continued on page Newsom added.8 advocacy group, called on matization,” reach,” said Aug. response efforts. 8 years of age, people with a states. missing the rentgovernor or forgoing food on collective 80’s. Brother the issueswhich that are important gether last month in a virtual health crisis. But nearly a third asked them to notify Author Tanisha C. Ford first (IAAM), is set to open bridges of cooperation ily violence by providing bathome. T o place a Legal Ad As of Aug. 2, the state had San Diego County officials to Aragón echoedher. the instead gover1theThe astable. he declared a state The state remainsorfocused on history of eczema, and people ACWe Mob a people gangof (510) can’twas allow 541-9650 Rev. Dr. of U.S. residents are renters -in 2021 on the former Gadsof walls of segregation.” tered women and their children transports readers back to a more Domestic violence is the The Mayor of Jackson called By Sean Ryan lion jobs and nearly doubled contact T onya Peacock: distributed nearly 1,713 treatnor’s statement. who are pregnant or breastrelease demographic data on emergency in California. slowing the spread of the virus that thestreets AC Transit Lowery at (510) 766- leading cause of injury to with safe shelter and resourcto berode on the in thebuses. middle Jasper in the communities I represent den’s Wharf in Charleston, genteel eramay whenbeJazz-Age folks Phone: (510) 272-4747 growth—and without it, ment the “Our almost six-month delay a courses and 168 IV monkeypox cases there. team is also commitfeeding more likely California Department in impacted communities, ad- GDP They were also friends and as- 5404 or Michelle Murray aka of The a public health crisis – that’s South—Carolina. in Chicago the ratio is much es, andoftotecovirimat prevent violence women between the ages of child or whose child goes missBrother Fax: (510) 743-4178 dressed for dinner, upper-crust Congresswoman Barbara we would have neared a doubledoses to health ted to reducing stigma to get seriously ill or die,” the “The governor has declared of Public Health (CDPH) has ministering the limited num“communications bePresentsfailure”among sociates with with the Rep. Broadway at (510) 472-5255. why I worked Garcia “Niecey” By Sen. Steven Bradford higher. Working-class people, 15-44. through outreach and locations educaMore than one million Email: tonya_peaLee, Chair of the House Approdigit recession. Compared to youth enjoyed a new permissivecenters in various CDC reports. a state of emergency as of last begun to collect and report ing. ber of vaccine doses we have, Hustlers. Former AC Mob For those who wish to contween the coroner and the police. Amos Brown (left), pastor of Third Baptist Church, San Francisco and president of the NAACP, San Francisco toRev. introduce the Rental Evicimmigrants, and renters suffer children each year the tion. Special California Black cock@dailyjournal.com priations Subcommittee on Stateof the recoveries, Continued on page 8 across to the state. According to witness the governight and constituents racial and other demographic andChurch raising awareness aboutof previous ness, and economic higher-class citizens members hold top social food orof funds to support Bettersten Wade has deserve experi- The elder President Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints Russell M. Nelson at the A 110th annual branch greets tion Moratorium Act. Thisserim- tribute Wade and her attorney Since 1976, Safe Place brutal victimization of a pardisproportionately from ecoBrother All other classifieds conand Foreign Operations, issued this past year’s has also been far Media Partners So far, CDPH has received nor’s office, CDPH has to know theHer truth about this vidata, tracking howensures the disease prevention measures vice positions today. held salons in their homes totaken dis- People efforts ofAssociation their streetand minisnational convention ofthat the the National foractheent Advancement of Colored (NAACP) Sunday in enced portant legislation By Brandon George Henry White in 1900. both. 37-year-old son, has offered a 24-hour crisis at the hands of an intimate say the way authorities handled nomic recessions like the one tact the POST: Phone the following statement on groups March more equitable in terms prog- a little over 109,000 mon- White, a number of steps to ofexpand rus in who our represented region,” said Harris is impacting various cess toLake treatment,” The Family Reunion will tries, send donations to Aragón Urojas partner. Detroit. Photo courtesy of The Salt Tribune. cuss world affairs. Ford makes renters in the Bay Area and the Patterson North CarPresents line, emergency 20-bed shelJesus is the Way There is no greater pain than this country will likely be fac- ress Wade, disappeared on the death of her son is a civil rights (510) 287-8200 Fax 11, marking one food, year since the said, against childa poverty, food keypox vaccines — of comwhich Dexter access to vaccinations the ter, feature music, spoken speaking at aHouse’s press conference. across the state. before Services’ adding that Cali- this corposeem like movieand script nation cannot be of evicted from Community olina, was the only Black a children’s program, The faith environment can ing, and they need the financial The president the Church page 6 (510) 287-8247 for each other. We don’t even They have customized the Sunday. “May we go forward that of a mother who loses her March 5 after visiting with her. She American Rescue Act of Grace ChurchContinued of Richmondon has several insecurity, and unemployment word, a Governor’s kid zonePlan and guest 51,000 counseling, dosesThe have been dis- lawmaker state launched a public in- munity “My office led time. this argument office, 1271 Washingtonto be Thehomes state of rate fornia is “well-positioned” from ahas period film, and it’s oddly their during the COVSenate support a safe and natural place to at the Democrat rooms for rent, including it’s church. Sanctusecurity this bill would provide, Presents of Jesus Christ of Latter-day have to agree with each other Church’s self-reliance services doing our best to exemplify Email: 2021 was signed into law: speakers. and tributed to local health departAve., Suite 452, San Leandro, for low-income communities
During COVID-19 Public Health MollieEvictions Moon and the Glamour, Money, andEmergency Power Behind the Civil RightsA Movement” Latter-day Saints Russell NelsonAwarded Speaks at NAACP’s Convention in Detroit SafeM.Place $180,000 Grant from Broadway Hustlers, ACPresident Mob’s
5th Annual Family Reunion
PILGRIM CHURCH HAYWARD
The Blue Shield of California Foundation Will Launch Faith and Domestic Violence Project
Chairwoman Barbara Lee Notes Anniversary of American Rescue Plan
Send your church notes, stories and events to Post News Group, Email at Opinion: Case of Missing ads@postnewsgroup. com Man Underscores Need for
ALLEN Ebony Alert in California Congress Passes Anti-LynchingJackson Bill After
200 Failed Attempts Over 100+ALLEN Years Jackson
ALLEN Rooms for Rent Jackson
formation campaign, mostly emergency follows similar tackle the outbreak. community education address family violence and re-be groups, ID-19 pandemic. must acena bi-parsoothing. Saints Russell M.WeNelson re- CA immediately.” to Although love each other. If we have materials and programs to the twoacross greatpassed commandments For taken information, call Rev. communities of color. 94577. ments the state. relying on webinars and town tions in San Francisco, monkeypox is ads@postnewsgroup.com and outreach, as well as a crimiTeen lated issues, including children sure that everyone has access to tisan bill Buteffective as the world changed, so — to love God and love minded those assembled for Thehope Rental Moratoany ofEviction reclaiming the hall most for the initiaeach Ron “aka” Poison at OneLinzie year ago today, President With that said,toto we still have a Violence Prevention Program. meetings get informaNew York City, and Illinois. not considered deadly, the that are exposed violence in quality housing no matter their nalizing lynching at the federal the 110th annual national condoes Ford’s story and it’s quite goodwill and sense of humantive. of His children. Biden signed the Res- disease can be fatal for some the long way toAs go all of there these tionhome. about monkeypox out isOn July 23, theAmerican World Health Carolyn Russell, whothehas aon result, isto level financial situation.” thisinweek, sending bill vention of the National Asso- mother ity for which we yearn, it must fascinating to see how Mollie The two organizations also Arm arm and shoulder to hoped Mollie would beBy Terri Schlichenmeyer cue Plan (ARP) into law followsues. Too many still lack access to served people across the state. Organization declared moncategories of people, accordCongresswoman as executive director a great need to strengthen the “No one should lose their begin with each of us, one per- Moon to President Biden’s desk after ciation for the Advancement came together on Temple shoulder, may we strive to lift seized the ing passage by Congress, cata- come health care need topower live a pharmacist, which was the“CDPH isthey alsosocial expanding keypox a “public emering toa Barbara public health authoriLee One Percent has everyhome during thehealth COVID-19 House approved bill ofThe Colored People (NAACP) son at a time. Square last May to call all the our brothers and sistersthe everyshe needed with determinapulting a historic recovery that life.options. MillionsAccess of Ameriof the most prestigious ca- fulfilling treatment to in January. The Emmett Till gency.” ties. Symptoms of months, the disease thing you do not. Sunday inwhich Detroit that Idifferpandemic is why intro- “one Over the past 18 the tion, people, organizations and govNew Hope Baptist Church, Oakland, CA where, in every way we can. moving easily racial has led need to one ofundermine the strongest are struggling toacross put food on the last ofhave 2021. the antiviral prescription drug On Aug. 4, the — lesions and blisters — can cans reers aPresidency Negro ...half could in For the ences not so- during duced the Rental Eviction MorAnti-Lynching Act, named for A fancy house in afederal posh First (the executive ernments to work together towho This never be the New Hope Baptist Church of Oakland, CA seeks a Senior Pastor will world provide Spirit-directed, boundaries at a time when such periods of economic growth in a 10619 McArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA will 510 689-9544 the table amid rising costs, from thousands of families in our com1920s” but that wasn’t what Molciety’sDesigner shared administration of the church) achieve greater civility and ra- the atorium Act, to humanity. prohibit evicting 14-year-old Chicago boy place. clothing, fast same.” visionary leadership forthe ourdifchurch; and possesses excellent skills in thebyareas of preaching, century. housing tosolid the boundaries seemed like this money meant lie wanted. “We are all connected, and munity, “Acrisis church driven Christ has made its partnership with the cialongoing harmony. renters during crisis. whose brutal MisEarlier this murder year, thein Church cars. Friends in this high placesFamithat Many Americans had been recent spike in gas prices to the ference between having childcare should havecatalyze five plus teaching, counseling and congregational leadership development. Candidates walls. Given this, it’s with dread we have a God-given responAs a young woman, she left the NAACP a high priority. Last July, Elder Jack N. Gehonored the NAACP’s comlies are hurting -they are worsissippi in 1955 helped the focused onchildcare. the kingdom” know howfor to themselves get things during done. left to fend ever-growing costtheof or not, having healthy food on the that you’ll approach the latter years Pastoral experience (preferably Senior Pastor), be licensed and ordained by a recognized sibility to help make life better The groups have met severrard spoke at NAACP’s Gary and moved to New York mitment to advance equality ried about their jobs, health, and Civil Rights Movement, allows a And money, they have lotsand of one the worst public health the racial andtakes genor not, having secure place forofthose around us,” NE EaW ROand GAnd R A Sbook,convention third ofM this as Ford Ordination Committee have apervasive Bachelor Degree from accredited Bible College alLicense times to pursue joint educa109th annual inan crime and justice in society. City, to Harlem, hoping toP “make childcare and deserve thePresicer- table to be prosecuted as a lynchthat. The One Percent has it all, economic crisesM. in Nelson history. The der inequities laid bare by COto live or not. Sunday school 9 :00 am dent Russell said tion efforts in Chicago and San San Antonio, Texas. readers to the 1960s and a little “I’m honored to have The including seminary. Email a cover letter, biography, resume and ministerial license(s) to tainty that they won’t be kicked ing if a victim is killed or injured Our Specialty is: "No Income a deep social impact.” There, and more — and as you’ll see in ARP expanded access to vaccines VID are deeper than ever. Through my Covid Commuduring a nine-minute evening Francisco and employment “I pray that we may inChurch of Jesus Christ of LatSunday Worship 10:00 am slippage of Mollie Moon’s for to theSecret curb Society” and left homeless if she nhbcpastoralsearch@gmail.com on or before April 2, 2020. influFor additional information see a as the result of a hateplease crime with met some ofQualification Harlem’s elitePrograms" “Our by Tanisha and testing; provided economic IUnits, urge Americans lookdear at ter-day Saints stand in unity Care Act,in weHouston also delivered speech. “We don’t have tosaid be nity initiatives and creasingly call“pastor”. each to other Non Owner SFR's, 2 4 5+ ence. they can’t make their rent,” sentence of up to 30 years in prison. our website nhbcoakland.org under the heading No phone calls please. Family Bible Study Wednesday 7:00 pm performers and thinkers, whom what the American Rescue Plan C.alike Ford, once wanted you to relief that kept millions out of vital orthey look alike to have love funding to support commu- Buildings, Charlotte. friends,” Nelson concluded withSenate the NAACP advance Unit Apartment The passed thetobill unaniStill, Service you’ll wishThursday you knew 6:00pm she joined efforts in Moscow, thenmoon did Senior Pastor Prayer and have it, too. poverty; prevented a catastrophic nity-based in just a single year as a testo hire and Mixed Use and Commercial mously, though three Republican Miss Mollie and forFuller sure, Jr. you Phyllis Scott to Berlin. Rising outreach Nazi influence Mollie Moon knew what it bilize L.C.Sunday wave of evictions and forecloim- 8:30 am community work- tament to the transformative members of the House — from • 0 DOWN VA/USDA/FHA shouldn’t miss “Our Secret Sociforced Mollie home to New York Broker was likehelped to struggle. sures; small businesses ers, community health workers, pact governmentOwner/ can have when 580 FICO PROGRAMS You need to know about this Georgia, Kentucky, and Texas — where she met Henry Lee Moon, CA DRE 10619 Blvd., Oakland, CA 510 689-9544 in McArthur 1907 in Hattiesburg, and•Born schools stay afloat; and made prioritizes people. I thank Presisocial support specialists, and itety.” almost-hidden of history. voted against it. #01Democratic 201700 whoby would one day be heraccess third dent • JUMBO LOANS TOin $5her MILLION critical investments expan-driven Mississippi, she and mother Biden andslice my others to increase vaccine “Athe church Christ The bill’s passage by Congress You’ll like this book one hundred NMLS#358884 husband. sion ofinhealth careLoans/P&L coverage and for in Congress for their the hardest-hit and highest- colleagues lived aStatement boardinghouse meant • Bank Statement Loans marks the end of hundreds of failed focused on the kingdom” percent. leadership and look reducing costswhen for millions. the contacts she’d made riskWith communities through high- steadfast for•migrants Mollie PRIOR BK or SHORT SALE was a attempts to pass anti-lynching leg24-7 Mortgage Loans “OurtoSecret Society: Mollie In my district in California’s continuing to work totouch, on-the-ground outreach to forward baby. Later, Mollie’s • Borrowers with LOW new or NO stepFICO’s in her travels, the strategic friendislation over more than a century. Drive #271 East Bay, the ARP hasPermits, been transgether deliver for the American educate andenjoyed assist individuals in Fitzgerald Moon to and the Glamour, Money, Congress failed to pass such legisships with 1556 both Sunday school 9 :00she am father moved family to Gary, • Borrower s the w/Work Non- Resident formative, especially expan- getting people.” the Alien OK CA 94564 and Power Behind the Civil lation more than 200 times over the Black white elites,they andneed the Pinole, Indiana, where she its witnessed Sunday Worship 10:00and aminformation sion of the Child Tax Credit. FamSean Ryan is abymember of about vaccinations. • Financing in NEW DEVELOPMENT’s Rights Movement” Tanisha C. Mobile “economic instability” caused feeling that “Negroes deserved 510-757-3659 last 122 years, according to USA Family Bible Study Wednesday Looking 7:00 pm back on its impact,a Congresswoman ilies in my district alone received Barbara Lee’s Amistad $32.99. too,” Mollie Ford; by •mill When she taste of the good life510-200-9714 FIRST shutdowns. TIME BUYERS SPECIALIST Officec.2023, - 877-247-7009 Efax Today. A Next Level for Church Ministering Seniorshowing Pastor Prayer Service Thursday and 74,000 individual payments media relations office. we nowher have analyses 353 pages. honed skills as a fundraiser was ready toand attend herDay 6:00pm The first piece of anti-lynching • PRIVATE HARDcollege, MONEY…10 Closings www.24-7mtgloans.com Phyllis Scott the Spirit of Excellence a total of close to in $160 million that Sunday 8:30the amARP resulted in 4 millegislation was introduced by Rep. Rev. J. L. Porter, Senior Pastor/Teacher
Send your church notes, stories and events to Post News Group, Email at info@postnewsgroup.com
Tree of Life Empowerment Ministries
“YOUR LENDER OF CHOICE”
during COVID we needed Sen. Cory Bookerthat and Republican more demographic and Senator Tim Scott, bothdata, of whom are Black, introduced the legislation together this time around. “Although no legislation will reverse the pain and fear felt by those victims, their loved ones, and Black communities, this legislation is a necessary step America must take to heal from the racialized violence that has permeated its history,” Booker said in a statement on March 7. Rep. Bobby Rush, who represents part of Chicago, where Till lived before he was
ary rents negotiable. Call for more information at (510) 499-2838.
Jesus is the Way Jesus Rush, is thewho WayrepRep. Bobby resents the Chicago district where Emmett Till lived, and Los Angeles Rep. Karen Bass with a photo of Emmett Till speaking before the House passed the bill last month. Photo courtesy of Rush press office. To read the full story, go to postnewsgroup.com
Tree of Life Empowerment Ministries
Destiny Christian Fellowship
Destiny Christian Fellowship 3601 Cutting Blvd,
A Next Level Church Ministering Richmond, 94804 in the Spirit ofCA Excellence Rev. J. L. Porter, 510-680-5031 Senior Pastor/Teacher Sunday 10:00 am………Sunday School
Sunday 11:00 am………Morning Worship 3601 Cutting Blvd, Wednesday 6:30pm……Intercessory Prayer Richmond, CA 94804 Wednesday 7:00 pm …..Wednesday Worship Experience 510-680-5031 Wednesday 7:30 pm…...Choir Rehearsal Sunday 10:00 am………Sunday School Sunday 11:00 am………Morning Worship Wednesday 6:30pm……Intercessory Prayer Wednesday 7:00 pm …..Wednesday Worship Experience
2100-5th Ave., Oakland, CA 94606 510-452-2578
Send your church notes, stories and events to Post News Group, Email at ads@postnewsgroup.com Reverend Joe L. Smith, Pastor
Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church
BibleWay Missionary Baptist Church
5717 Foothill Blvd, Oakland, CA 94605 510-569-7814 * 510-568-4408 fax A church that prays together, stays together.
1077 13th St., Richmond, CA 94801
Sunday School…………….…………9:30 AM Worship Service….…………….….11:00 AM Monday Bible Study………….…...5:30PM Wednesday Bible Study…………11:30AM
events to Post News Group, Email at info@ ads@ postnewsgroup.com Continued on on page Continued page88
CHURCH OF ALL FAITHS
Wednesday 7:30 pm…...Choir Rehearsal
Nathan P. Whittom Sr., Pastor
Send your church notes, stories and events to Post News Group, Email at Send your church ads@postnewsgroup.com notes, stories and
“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so....” Psalm 107:2.
Rev. Dr Jeffrey M. Parker First Lady Princess W.Parker
Weekly Services
Order of services Sunday school 9:30 Sunday Celebration of Praise 10:30 Wednesday Night Pastoral Teaching 7 p.m -8:30 p.m.
Free Food Giveaway Every Saturday 12 noon-4 pm
Sunday: Early Morning Worship ......................8:00 a.m. Sunday School .....................................................9:30 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship ................................ 11:00 a.m. Wednesday: Bible Study .....................................7:00 p.m. Saturday: Prayer Hour..................................... 11:00 a.m.
SEVENTH AVENUE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 1 7 4 0 7 th A V E N U E OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA 94606 510-834-4273
Rev. Jeffrey Kirton, Pastor Mrs. Jamar Kirton, First Lady
Rev. C. T. Johnson, Pastor Emeritus 43 YEARS OF SERVICES
"
"
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EMAIL:seventhavenuebapchurch.com … ON THE WEB www.seventhavenuebaptistchurch.com SUNDAY SERVICES BTU AND SUNDAY SCHOOL------------------------------------------9:15 MORNING WORSHIP SERVICES----------------------------------10:45
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WEDNESDAY SERVICES NOON DAY PRAYER AND BIBLE STUDY----------------12:00 – 1:00 P.M. BIBLE STUDY------------------------------------------------------6:30 Church Motto: “There Is Joy In Serving The Lord”
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THE POST, December 20 - 26, 2023, Page 5
Public Notices, Classifieds & Business To place a Legal Ad contact Tonya Peacock: Phone: (510) 272-4755 Fax: (510) 743-4178 Email: tonya_peacock@dailyjournal.com All other classifieds contact the POST: Phone (510) 287-8200 Fax (510) 287-8247 Email: ads@postnewsgroup.com
Montgomery Bus Boycott at 68 ...
Continued from page 2
ordination as a minister. He said he originally wanted to become
a journalist, but his grandmother had other plans.
“My grandmother insisted
that I was not going to be anything
but a preacher,” Lafayette said. “She said ‘you have the mark of a
preacher.’” The college she found
for him was the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee where he met his roommate, John Robert Lewis, the Georgia congressman and civil rights legend who passed away in 2020. Lewis, who was already active in the movement, was instrumental in LaFayette meeting one of his heroes and philosophical mentors, James Morris Lawson Jr. Yaroslavsky asked Lafayette
about the connection between Jews and the Black community, mentioning activists like Rabbi Joachim Prinz, theologian Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and the many Jewish men and women who participated as Freedom Riders. After the discussion, a reception was held for Lafayette’s book, “In Peace and Freedom, My Journey in Selma,” which provides an insider perspective
on the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and Lafayette’s time in Selma, Alabama with Martin Luther King Jr. Lafayette was with King only hours before he was assassinated. Lafayette left the audience with what he calls a key to being a nonviolent activist and the way he lives his life. “The main thing is not how much you can gain for yourself, but how much can you give to
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others, because you’re not going to be here that long,” he said.
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East Bay Assisted Living, LLC seeks a FT Training and Development Manager in Oakland. Analyze training needs to develop new training programs, modify & improve existing programs for the assisted living facility. Bachelor’s Degree w/ 12 mos exp. $100,818/yr. Send resume to admin@ eastbayassistedliving.com.
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THE POST,December 20 - 26, 2023, Page 6
CA/Hawaii NAACP Conference: “Dismantling Racism and Disrupting Inequality”
Rick L. Callender, Esq. Photo courtesy CBM. By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media Ida B. Wells-Barnett (1862– 1931), a Black investigative journalist, women’s rights activist, and civil rights advocate, is renowned for her campaign against lynching. Wells-Barnett was instrumental in shaping public opinion against lynching through her newspaper editorials, pamphlets, clubs, and lecture tours across the northern United States. Wells held the position of secretary in the Afro-American Council, where she led its anti-lynching bureau. Her efforts paved the way for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s (NAACP) anti-lynching campaign. Following the racial violence of the 1908 Springfield massacre in Illinois, the NAACP was founded on Feb. 12, 1909. The organization was established by over 60 founding members, including Wells- Barnett, W. E. B. Du Bois, Mary McLeod Bethune, William Bulkley, the Rev. Francis Grimke, and Mary Church Terrell, among others. The NAACP’s principal objective is to secure political, educational, social, and economic equality for minority groups in the United States and eradicate racial prejudice. As a service organization, it aims to remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes.
The NAACP is America’s oldest and largest civil rights organization and today comprises a network of over 2,200 affiliates spanning all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Japan, and Germany. Headquartered in Baltimore, its membership exceeds 500,000. The NAACP CaliforniaHawaii State Conference, with its 72 branches and youth units, is actively engaged across both states to promote racial justice and equality. Rick L. Callender, who serves as president of the NAACP’s California/Hawaii State Conference and is a member of the National NAACP Board of Directors, spoke with California Black Media about the work the state conference is doing. What does your organization do to improve the lives of Black people in California? We’re committed to dismantling racism and disrupting inequality to create a society where all people can truly be free. Our efforts encompass active civic engagement, systematically fostering racial equity, and championing policies and institutions that urgently address the specific needs of Black communities, who bear the brunt of race- based discrimination. What was your greatest success over the course of the last year? (We) have been sticking to our long-lived goal of fighting for jus-
tice and prioritizing our community’s needs. In the past year, we notched up some significant victories with Gov. Newsom signing three of our priority bills into law, namely Assembly Bill (AB) 1327, Senate Bill (SB) 673, and Assembly Bill 1165. AB 1327 addresses a standing problem that many California high school student-athletes of color have dealt with: racism during high school sporting contests. The bill mandates … (the creation of) a standardized form for recording hate violence and hazing incidents at high school sporting events. SB 673, authored by Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Inglewood), guarantees that Black children and young Black women will receive the attention and protection they need when they are reported missing. AB 1165, authored by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (DSacramento), addresses racism on school campuses by encouraging schools to implement a restorative justice practice when a student has perpetrated racist bullying, harassment, or intimidation. In your view, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians face? The (Conference) is on a mission for total racial equity, delving into realms like health, housing, education, economic development, criminal justice, and environmental wellbeing. What was your organization’s biggest challenge? Just like all nonprofits, funding the efforts are always at the forefront. Secondly, generating a base of trained and engaged volunteers also creates a challenge. Does your organization support or plan to get involved in the push for reparations in California? We are and have been at the forefront in the battle for reparations at the national, state and local levels. NAACP San Francisco President, Rev. Amos Brown, is also at the forefront of the reparations’ movement in California, not just as a participant but as a key player. How can more Californians of all backgrounds get involved in the work you’re doing? Join the NAACP to get involved with activists and organizers in your local NAACP branch and stand tall against injustice, dismantle systemic racism.
OAKLAND’S MINIMUM WAGE GOES UP TO $16.50 ON JANUARY 1, 2024 Annual increase tied to Consumer Price Index, raises Minimum Wage 53¢, from $15.97 to $16.50
In November 2014, 82% of Oakland citizens voted in favor of Measure FF, a local ordinance that took effect March 2, 2015. The ordinance included provisions for annual increases to the mínimum wage based on the local Consumer Price Index. The other benefits mandated by Measure FF – including paid sick leave and payment of service charges to hospitality workers – remain the same. Employers are required to inform employees of the mínimum wage increase by December 15, 2023. To assist in notification, the City has posted downloadable posters in four languages at oaklandca.gov/ minimumwage.
Notices must be in languages spoken by more than 10% of employees. Resources for employers and employees, including frequently asked questions and interpretive regulations, are also posted on the web page.
Several other cities in the region have also enacted minimum wage laws to ensure workers are paid a wage to provide for themselves and their families. As our local businesses are adjusting to this change, it’s important to support our dynamic local business community and in turn support Oakland workers.
For more information for employers and employees: www.oaklandca.gov/minimumwage minwageinfo@oaklandca.gov or (510) 238-6258
postnewsgroup.com
Ebony Alert in California ...
Continued from page 4
violation and they want the federal Department of Justice to investigate. Without the family’s knowledge or consent, the county buried him in a pauper’s grave with only a small metal sign displaying the number 672. Although Dexter Wade was a grown man, you can draw a direct line to why California needs and will benefit from the newly signed Ebony Alert notification law which will help locate missing Black children and young women ages 12-25.
Christmas Gifts ...
Continued from page 2 tougher than you think. Even Freeman and Moss admit while the $148 million award is good, no amount of money will undo the damage they incurred from lies told by Giuliani and Trump himself. (Trump actually named Freeman specifically on a recorded call. That’s another suit waiting to happen). For now, a federal court has verified and awarded damages on Giuliani’s lies. Score one for justice and truth. Hooray? GOP PREFERENCE FOR CRIMINALS As I’ve said, Trumpers tend to discount the court of law and prefer the court of public opinion where lies outweigh facts. And then even when the facts are outrageously damning, e.g. the criminality in Trump as per being indicted four times with 91 felony counts, Republicans simply don’t care. They see a bad guy and still support him for president because he is their bad guy. Seventy percent of Republicans believe if Trump wins the GOP primary and is convicted, he should still be the nominee, according to a New York Times/
Black people make up a disproportionate percentage of all missing persons in the United States. However, instead of receiving a greater share of the police resources to find them, Black lives get less. When a Black person goes missing, in a sense, they vanish twice. First, they disappear from their friends and loved ones. Second, they disappear from the police detective’s workload and from the news media’s attention. This case speaks to the insulting reality of how Black lives are not a priority when they are missing. In the Dexter Wade case, authorities were clearly not looking even as they physically held his body.
Critics of the Ebony Alert say California should not have a special alert system just for African Americans. I would argue California should not need the Ebony Alert just for African Americans. All people should be given equal value and equal resources should be utilized to find them. But that’s not happening. So, not only does California need the Ebony Alert, but the rest of the nation does as well. About the Author Sen. Steven Bradford is vice chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. He authored SB 673, the Ebony Alert. He represents parts of southern Los Angeles County.
Sienna College poll. To Republicans, more important than justice is a sense of restored power. It’s the real fear we should have in our democracy right now. Some people prefer justice not for all, but for some. And that likely doesn’t include you or me. COLORADO COURT RULING And that brings us to the other gift in the news, the Colorado State Supreme Court has ruled Trump is ineligible for the ballot in that state based on the insurrection clause of the 14th Amendment in the U.S. Constitution. Colorado’s highest court ruled 4-3 that Trump be removed from the state’s primary ballot, saying that on Jan. 6, 2021 Trump “incited and encouraged the use of violence and lawless action to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power.” Legal experts say the court’s ruling is “unassailable.” But that’s not going to stop Trump from playing victim and using it to show his followers that the establishment is out to get him. Expect the U.S. Supreme Court to take the case, and all that might bring. Would Justice Clarence Thomas be forced to recuse himself because his wife was texting on Jan. 6 encouraging insurrection? How rich would that be if the
vote was 4-4 and Thomas was the tiebreaker? Add all this to Trump’s diabolical devil’s journey through our democracy: Four criminal indictments, plus civil cases involving sexual abuse, business abuses — and now this. It’s the ugly beauty of our democracy. The truth is all out there. Just don’t forget to vote or the bad guys will win. HAPPY HOLIDAYS I was walking through Oakland recently and went past my old office on College Avenue. All the other businesses had changed, but Thelma still had her art gallery. Down the block, at a new café, I saw an old Filipino American activist I’ve known since the 80s when he was protesting U.S.-backed dictators. Finally, I made it to a PEN Oakland event at the Rockridge Library, when a young woman of Kenyan descent came up to me and said, “I read your columns in the Post.” That’s a reminder that I am writing for all of you. Thank you for taking the time for these words. Happy Holidays to everyone connected to the Post, most especially its dear readers. Emil Guillermo is a journalist and commentator. He does a secret talk show on YouTube.com/@emilamok1
PUTTING PEOPLE
OVER POLITICS It continues to be an honor and a privilege to serve you. This year, I’ll keep fighting to expand access to affordable housing and child care, reinstate the Child Tax Credit, and enact laws that advance equality, justice, and prosperity for all. I wish you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year! Passed strongest gun reform in 30 years
Passed largest climate bill in history
Gave Medicare power to negotiate drug prices and drive down costs
Protected Social Security & Medicare from conservative cuts
Lowered costs for working families and created millions of jobs with the Inflation Reduction Act
Guaranteed Medicare enrollees don’t pay more than $35 a month for insulin or $2,000 a year for prescription drugs Source: White House
OAKLAND OFFICE
@ REPBARBARALEE
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THE POST, December 20 - 26, 2023, Page 7
Oakland Organizations Champion Financial Literacy Empowering Residents with Vital Resources
with reaching their financial goals. He’s created a seven-step blueprint for attaining generational wealth. This includes acknowledging that your background and culture have significant influence on how you view finances, focusing on reprogramming financial trauma and gaining financial edification through literacy programs. He shared that it can be difficult for some to accept their financial struggles because their environment might not allow for these immediate understandings because for many, money is not openly discussed in their communities. “Money is a topic that is not Darlene Goins, head of Philanthropy & Community Impact, President of Wells Fargo Foundation Steve communicated about — it’s taboo. Hitchcock, Regional Branch Network Executive, Wells Fargo, Financial Coach Dr. Joaquin Wallace, And so first, you have to at least feel President of Program Operations, Operation HOPE Lance Triggs and Sonya Verdine. Photo by Michal Venera comfortable enough to have this – www.michalvenera.com conversation,” Wallace said. residents. By Magaly Muñoz who have checking or savings acDespite the initial roadblocks, Up to 4% of Alameda County’s counts but often rely on alternative Rising numbers of unbanked or the branch is seeing success with residents lack access to basic bank- financial solutions like money orthe program. Fifty-seven percent of underbanked individuals, largely ing services, with Black and His- ders and payday loans rather than the clients at the Hope Inside center due to unmet minimum balance repanic communities making up the conventional loans and credit cards. have increased their credit score by quirements, have become a grow- majority of that unbanked or underRecently, the downtown Oaking concern. However, organiza- banked population. The term ‘un- land Wells Fargo branch redesigned an average of 19 points; 47% of the clients increased their savings by a tions across Oakland are stepping banked’ describes people without a their bank to include a Hope Inside median of $141; and 50% of clients up, waging a war against the finan- checking or savings account, while center in partnership with Operahave successfully reduced their cial illiteracy that’s plaguing some ‘underbanked’ describes people tion HOPE, an organization cendebt by a median of $364. tered around expanding economic Sonya Verdine, an Oakland opportunities for underserved com- resident of four years, is one of the munities. success stories that Oakland Wells The center features free access Fargo has helped since their soft to financial coaches who work with launch in 2022. individuals to gain financial assisVerdine’s life has been a rolltance and guidance, such as helping ercoaster of challenges including improve credit scores. homelessness, mental health strugDr. Joaquin Wallace is one of gles and health scares that ultimatethe financial coaches at the Oak- ly pushed her to improve her life, land branch who meets one-on-one starting with attempting to correct with clients to provide credit mon- the financial choices she’d made up ey management solutions and de- to that point. T:12" velop strategic plans to assist them She was introduced to WalSonya Verdine. Photo by Michal Venera – www.michalvenera.com
Dr. Joaquin Wallace and Sonya Verdine at his office. Photo by Michal Venera – www.michalvenera.com
lace’s seven-step generational Anyone can come into one of their wealth method which provided 23 centers to consult with a finanher with a roadmap to get her on cial coach to receive guidance on the right track to financial stabil- how to increase their income, boost ity. Since visiting the Hope Inside their credit, augment their savings, center, Verdine has seen her credit or reduce their debt. She shared that it’s important score go up 200 points and she’s saving almost 10% of her income for people to not feel embarrassed every month with a goal to some- when talking about their financial struggles. Organizations like day buy her own home. “You can take this program, you UWBA exist to help provide recan start from literally nothing, and sources that they know are often the program can help you build be- inaccessible to underserved comcause they offer a variety of other munities. Harden explained that their censervices,” Verdine said. “It will be ters not only cater to low-income time well spent to participate in this families but see a significant numprogram.” Another organization that has ber of women of color seeking aslong taken the reins to combat fi- sistance. As a result, they’ve taken nancial illiteracy and break the the steps to ensure their programs cycle of poverty is United Way Bay are culturally competent to make Area (UWBA), a program that as- conversations easier and more sists families in the region to find comfortable. “We operate from the assumpfinancial stability. Nicole Harden, Vice President tion that folks are creative, reof Economic Success at UWBA, sourceful and whole. People have says that their Sparkpoint program, been making it all along, people which features centers scattered aren’t broken. There’s systems that across the Bay Area that help low are broken, but this is an opportuto middle income families establish nity to work within the systems and financial goals, has grown tremen- help folks figure out how to navigate that,” she said. dously since its inception in 2009. A25274x01A_GettyImages_1157358046_240uNews.tif
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2023 Page 8 THE POST, December 20 - 26,, 2023,
Oakland’s Messy Police Chief Search ...
parent enough. “The process was far more transparent last time,” Jim Chanin, Continued from page 1 an attorney who was on the Police decision, and Mayor Thao will take Commission panel that selected the time that is necessary to select Armstrong under former Mayor the person that will lead the Oakland Libby Schaaf, told KTVU. “I think it’s really important that [the candiPolice Department,” the statement dates are] fully vetted to the public, said. “Finding the right leader for the that they have the opportunity to police department is a priority and have the maximum support from the Mayor Thao intends to conduct this community,” said Chanin. process in a timely manner.” “We think it would be helpful But the process has already if the city held a virtual public intaken 10 months, with Thao previ- terview process where the public ously threatening to declare a state submitted questions ahead of time,” of emergency — a move that would Millie Cleveland, chair of the Coalihave allowed her to intervene in the tion for Police Accountability, also selection process — because it was told KTVU. taking so long, and amid widespread Pushing back, the mayor’s office concern about violence in the city. said that a public forum for appoinThe Police Commission voted 5-1 tees had not been done before 2020 to approve the list of finalists, with and is not required by the city charCommissioner Wilson Riles stand- ter. ing as the one holdout. It is unclear whether Armstrong Meanwhile, local police ac- is one of the three finalists, though countability advocates argue that the several news organizations have search process has not been trans- speculated as such.
100 Black Men 35th Annual Scholarship Benefit and Awards Gala ...
Continued from page 1 Philadelphia, Clark said he was determined to be a broadcaster and his parents supported his dream of trailblazing. Clark went on to win awards for reporting on the landmark O.J. Simpson trial and the Northridge Earthquake. “I’m able to stand before you today because of the support from my amazing wife Lucretia,” said Clark. Lucretia was Clark’s classmate in the 3rd grade. Alameda County Supervisor (D-1) Keith Carson was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Carson, though not in attendance, was recognized for his ability to bridge the gap between resources and disparities in the community representing District 1 and roles chairing the East Bay Economic Development Alliance, the Alameda County Budget Work Group Committee, the Alameda County Personnel, Administration and Legislation Committee, and the Alameda County Health Committee. “Our mission is to improve the quality of life within the Bay Area and beyond by advancing the social, economic, health and educational progress of African Americans,” said 100 Black Men president Chuck Baker. “We focus on the low to moderate income community, and offer program-
ming and resources to support wise financial, health and lifestyle choices that can lead to familysustaining wages and long-term career and life success.” “Our motto, ‘What They See Is What They’ll Be’ refers to a ‘lead by example’ approach that resonates with our youth who often lack the exposure or positive behavior modeling from caring and successful African American men,” said 100 Black Men board member, Dr. Lawrence VanHook, pastor of The Community Church. Gala Chairman Danny L. Williams, was excited to celebrate the occasion with singer Chanté Moore performing. “Moore is a class act,” he said. “She performed for our 25th gala and we are proud to have her 10 years later at our 35th year gala.” Young adult speaker, Ricky Jackson said because of the mentoring of the organization he went from a troubled teen to a dual degreed student in his twenties. Joseph Simmons, Pastor of Greater St. Paul in Oakland was awarded as 100 Black Man of the Year. “He embodies our brotherhood creed and is all about the work to be done,” said President Chuck Baker. For more information visit: www.100blackmenba.org
Rep. Barbara Lee, CBC Members, Raise Concerns Over Layoffs of Black Tech Workers
Rep. Barbara Lee. Courtesy photo. By Post Staff
Democratic Congresswoman Barbara Lee and several other Congressional Black Caucus members have written a letter to Julie Su, the acting secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor, addressing the disproportionate layoffs of Black tech employees. “We write to express our concerns with recent reports highlighting the impacts of widespread layoffs within the tech industry and its disproportionate impacts on the African American community and women,” the letter stated. “Tech companies who previously agreed to address bias and discrimination and create greater opportunities in the workforce are now quietly defunding diversity pledges,” the letter continued. In 2015, the CBC launched Tech 2020 to ensure that Black Americans would be better represented in the industry by 2020. However, Lee says those tech companies that pledged to be more inclusive are falling short of their promise. Lee told the Grio, “We’ve been fighting for justice and for economic parity and security as part of the mission of the CBC,” she said, “and so when we established Tech 2020, it was about equity and
inclusion.” “Now with all the Supreme Court decisions and with all of the backsliding, especially by Republicans, it’s very important that we be very assertive in our fight for equity and justice within the private sector and public sector,” she said. According to the letter, since the beginning of 2023, more than 240,000 tech workers have been laid off, more than 50% increase from 2022. Lee found that minorities and women make up most of the tech layoffs that have occurred this year. “If you don’t have African Americans developing content,” Lee said, “then we’re going to have Black people, Brown people [and] women disproportionately impacted.” “This country is supposed to be a representative democracy where you include people, and you don’t discriminate against them,” she added. “When you see the disproportionate numbers of people being laid off, then that is a red flag that it could be discrimination occurring against these workers and employees.”
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Settlement Agreement with Google ...
Continued from page 1 sumers to compensate for the high prices they charged for digital transactions in Google Play Store. The minimum payouts will range from $2 or more to those who were harmed by Google’s anticompetitive market practices between August 2016 to September. “They made it extremely difficult for consumers to have options, for consumers to have options that would reduce price and they essentially effectively maintained a monopoly,” Bonta said. Google will also pay out $70 million to the states in penalties, costs and fees. The lawsuit, State of Utah et al. v. Google LLC, alleged that Google signed anti-competitive contracts to prevent other app stores from being preloaded on Android devices, bought off key app developers who might have launched rival app stores to the Google Play store, and created technological barriers to deter consumers from directly downloading apps to their devices. In addition to the payouts, the settlement requires Google to cease its anti-competitive operations and make changes in their market conduct for injunctive relief. The changes include giving developers the ability to allow users to make payments through in-app billing systems other than Play Billing for a minimum of five years; allow for the installation of third-party apps on Android phones from sources outside the Google Play Store for at least seven years; maintain Android system support for third-party app stores, including allowing automatic updates, for four years; and many more changes. The settlement also stipulates that Google must provide compliance reports to an independent monitor who will verify that the company is not continuing its anti-competitive behavior for at least five years. Bonta is confident that Google will comply with all the changes specified in the settlement, and if they don’t, legal action will be taken. Other state attorneys general shared their views on the big win against Google and its anti-competitive behavior. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said in a statement
that Google has to make right for the harm it cost their Android consumers. “Every company is required to play by the rules, from the smallest of mom-and-pop shops to the biggest brands on the planet, and this settlement demonstrates that principle as clear as day,” Rosenblum said. In a statement Tuesday morning, New York Attorney General Letitia James condemned the market abuse that Google established to raise prices and block app developers from fairly selling their products in the Play Store. “No company, no matter how large or powerful, is allowed to corner a market and use its influence to overcharge consumers and smother competition,” James said. But this is not the first time the Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken a stand against Big Tech. In September, the state secured a $93 million settlement with Google for violating California’s consumer protection laws, where they misled users by collecting and using their location data for consumer profiling and advertising purposes without obtaining informed consent. In October, a lawsuit was filed against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, by over 30 states alleging that their apps are harming the mental health of children who are becoming addicted to their platforms. “Today’s settlement, as well as our active lawsuits send a clear message to not just Google but to all corporations doing business in California: If you use your power to illegally bend the market at the expense of consumers, small business owners and the economy, we’ll hold you accountable. We’ll see you in court,” Bonta said. The attorney general would not comment on whether they would go after Apple, which has been accused of trying to stifle competition in the app market, but he shared that the settlement with Google could serve as a model for “other app stores” including those headquartered in California, such as Apple.
moto jokingly said to the crowd. San Francisco Several speakers during the Inspector General ... ceremony spoke to the upstanding Continued from page 1 character Wiley has shown over Charter Amendment, which was his time working as a public serspearheaded by Supervisor Sha- vant, saying that he was the right mann Walton. The amendment man for the job. was part of a national movement Former Mayor of San Franfor justice reform and an effort to cisco Willie L. Brown spoke to end decades of discrimination and congratulate Wiley and to adminunfair treatment within the sherister the Oath of Office before he iff’s department. addressed the crowd as the new The Oversight Board was esinspector. tablished to advise the Sheriff Wiley expressed that the enand the Board of Supervisors rethusiasm he has for the job knows garding the sheriff’s department no bounds and he’s committed to operations, develop policy recomupholding the values that the city mendations, including a use-ofhas held for so long force policy and comprehensive “Our office will stand on the review process for all use-of-force pillars of accountability, open and critical incidents, investigate the death of any individual in the transparency, fairness, integrity custody of the Sheriff’s Depart- and honesty. I firmly believe that ment, review and investigate any accountability is the linchpin in complaints of non-criminal mis- maintaining the public’s trust and conduct by employees and con- our criminal justice system and tractors of Sheriff’s Department the sheriff’s office,” Wiley said. He stated that key principles and in-custody deaths, and more. Wiley will oversee investiga- like objectivity, competence and tions and evaluate the work of the accountability are what will guide sheriff’s department, as well as the work and decisions made under his leadership. Especially checking in on jail conditions. “It [the work] is going to be those we have been historically invaluable in addressing areas of disenfranchised, like people of concern for us and ways that we color, women and the LGBTQ can improve our job. We want to community. “Our commitment is to create identify those issues before they escalate, before they become a an environment where everyone problem or concern or a lawsuit or is treated with the dignity and reanything else,” Sheriff Paul Miya- spect they deserve,” Wiley said.
Geoffrey Pete. Photo by Ken Epstein.
Fight to Save Historic Black Venue
Continued from page 1 it’s up and its popping, the gentrifi-
Voting against the company’s proposal were Dan Kalb, Nikki Bas, Rebecca Kaplan, Carroll Fife, Noel Gallo, and Kevin Jenkins. Janani Ramachandran and Treva Reid were excused. However, the second vote, whether to approve the proposal to build a residential tower, was a more contentious decision for council members. It was argued that state law requires them to pass nearly all residential construction or face severe penalties that include loss of funding for affordable housing. A motion proposed by Councilmember Fife to approve the Tidewater development, along with many amendments designed to safeguard Geoffrey’s building and business, failed to pass. Voting in favor were Kalb, Kaplan, Bas and Fife. Voting against was Councilmember Gallo, while Councilmember Jenkins abstained. The city attorney’s office ruled that there was in effect a tie vote, four who voted in favor and four opposed, which included the “no” vote, the abstention, plus the two absences. Therefore, according to the attorney, Mayor Sheng Thao was eligible but not required to break the tie at the next council meeting. Tina Muriel, speaking on behalf of Geoffrey’s, presented a series of flaws in Tidewater’s proposal for the development. She explained that Geoffrey’s is identified as a national historic resource, with a designation similar to Coit Tower and the Painted Ladies in San Francisco. The city is supposed to protect and preserve such historic resources, which Oakland has not done. She also demonstrated that part of Tidewater’s proposal would require making alterations to Geoffrey’s building, which he has not agreed to do. Speaking to the council, Nina Moore, a third-generation owner of Everett and Jones Barbecue, emphasized that Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, with 30 years in Oakland, and Everett & Jones, with 50 years, are part of the historic legacy of African American institutions that are still holding on in the city. “When Geoffrey got that area (in downtown Oakland), nobody wanted to be over there. And now
Oakland STEAM Internships ...
cation wants to come. They always
want to be there and take from us, rather than supporting us.”
Based on her experiences as a
businesswoman, she said she can foresee problems with the affluent neighbors who would move next
to Geoffrey’s, and their complaints
would not be limited to noise issues. Neighbors would be “discrimi-
nating (against) the way patrons
look, writing letters to the City Council,” she said. “It is so hard
for Black people to build up something.”
Kenneth Session of Session
Real Estate, in business for 29 years
and past president of the California Association of Real Estate Brokers,
said that based on his decades of real estate experience, “I oppose this building. I know that is not good for our community.”
Prominent Oakland business-
man Ray Bobbitt said, “In 2020, (people) talked a lot about econom-
ic equality and social justice, (but)
that narrative is gone; now we’re back to business as usual.”
He said that Geoffrey has been
an economic mainstay in the com-
munity. He has provided countless college scholarships and opened his
doors to hold wedding receptions,
so low-income African American families, as well as Latinos and
other people of color, can host their celebrations free of charge.
“(However), gentrification is
about more than economics. This
is about preservation of culture and heritage,” Bobbitt added, pointing
out that Geoffrey has always given back to the community.
“Oakland’s new generation of
African American businessmen
were all mentored by Geoffrey Pete, every single one of us,” Bobbitt said.
Kitty Kelly Epstein, professor of
education and urban studies, called
for dramatic reforms in the city’s planning department and Planning Commission. “They have treated Geoffrey and his business in a deplorable fashion.”
that would otherwise be unpaid and providing resume help and other types of job-readiness skills Continued from page 1 building. A parcel tax — which compared to 25% of all White was renewed by voters for another workers and 39% of Asian work- decade in 2022 — also raises milers. lions annually to fund college and “I have never met more ambi- career courses in schools. This tious and more entrepreneurial year, around 550 students have young people than the young peo- participated in paid internships ple that I’ve met in the city of Oak- across 100 internship sites, acland. And they deserve to have cording to the school district. opportunities as technology conThe grant is funded by three tinues to unfold,” Thurmond said, $250,000 donations from PG&E, according to Oaklandside. “They General Motors, and the biotechdeserve to have those opportuni- nology firm Genentech headquarties and the chance to earn and tered in South San Francisco. learn and get on the pathway that Thurmond, Johnson-Trammell, will prepare them for the future.” Thao, and several city councilOUSD has existing programs members announced the grant at to support students in finding in- a press conference at the Kapor ternships. The Exploring College, Center in downtown Oakland. Career, and Community Options “This truly is an investment (ECCCO) program serves hun- in ourselves and our community. dreds of students each year, ac- This is going to have a ripple effect cording to the school district, giv- that will go beyond just the one ing them stipends for internships student,” said Thao.