Oakland Post, week of May 15 - 21, 2024

Oakland Post

By Post Staff

A group of community-based organizations rallied prior to the May 14 Alameda County Board of Supervisors’ vote to persuade the Board to vote to merge the recall election of District Attorney Pamela Price with the regularly scheduled election calendar in November.

The groups urged the county to use the funds for healthcare and homelessness relief rather than a special election.

Stewart Chen, a member of the Oakland Chinatown Improvement

Council, told the Post that he and many members of the communitybased participants supported the decision made by the Supervisors. Chen said, “The voters voting in a special election in September will likely vote the same way in the November election. An extra two months won’t change people’s minds, but it will result in significant savings for the county. During times of financial uncertainty, especially when the county healthcare system is facing a huge deficit, it is unnecessary to waste taxpayers’ money on a special election that can easily wait two months.”

Support for Supervisors’ Vote

By Magaly Muñoz

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors scheduled the recall election against Alameda District Attorney Pamela Price for November 5, coinciding with the 2024 General Election.

The decision comes after weeks of controversy and drawn-out discussions amongst county officials, recall proponents, and opponents, and legal advisors.

Recall proponents submit-

ted 123,374 signatures before the March 5 deadline, which resulted in 74,757 valid signatures counted by the Registrar of Voters (ROV).

The recall election will cost Alameda County $4 million and will require them to hire hundreds of new election workers to manage the demand of keeping up with the federal, state and local elections and measures.

Save Alameda For Everyone (SAFE), one of the two recall cam-

By Kyung Jin Lee

Urban Peace Movement announced Town Up Tuesday, a free community music and social awareness festival dedicated to the people of Oakland to celebrate Bay Area culture and create safety by fostering connection and belonging.

It will be on Tuesday, May 21, at Edoff Memorial Bandstand at Lake Merritt from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The event will feature local Bay Area legends and rising stars homegrown talent that will include 10 performers: 1100 Himself, The Conscious Daughters, Michael Sneed, Trunk Boiz, 3LISE, The Animaniakz and Ms. Bria.

By Coalition for Police Accountability

Since February 2023, several stakeholders, including the Coalition for Police Accountability, began to work on amending the Enabling Ordinance of Section 604, Article VI of the Oakland City Charter.

The Enabling Ordinance was

approved by 83.19% of Oakland voters and established the civilian Police Commission (the Commission), the Community Police Review Agency (CPRA) and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). The recent process to amend the ordinance was focused on addressing some of the inefficiencies and disruptions that have occurred with

Too $hort is a special guest and there will also be a surprise legendary Oakland artist. The two DJs are Emelle & Dahge, and the two hosts are Dnas and Mystic.

Past performers have included: Kamaiyah, Yukmouth, Stunnaman02, Symba, Lil Kayla, Grand Nationxl, Jane Handcock, and D Smoke, among others.

‘Ms. Martha’ Humphrey is Oakland’s 2024 Mother of the Year

By Carla Thomas Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development (OPRYD) honored Martha Humphrey as Oakland’s 2024 Mother of the Year. Affectionately known as “Ms. Martha,” Humphrey was recognized during the 71st Oakland Mother of the Year Award Ceremony held at Morcom Rose Garden, May 11. Nestled in an Oakland hillside above Lake Merritt, the garden event was hosted beneath a white tent beside a reflection pool surrounded by fragrant flowers and greenery.

Councilmember Nikki Fortunato-Bas, District 2, provided the welcome and 2005 Mother of the Year Naomi Schiff served as mistress of ceremonies.

Oakland Deputy Mayor Dr.

Kimberly Mayfield-Lynch and Councilperson Carroll Fife, District 3, commended Humphrey for her impact on the community and her various accomplishments.

“So often the sacrifices that our elders make go unacknowledged and I think that it is so fitting to be at the Rose Garden to give roses to Ms. Martha while she is still here,” said Fife.

Humphrey is an inspiration who provided family and structure to so many foster youths, Fife added.

“Ms. Martha giving that to so many children is like planting seeds that will last forever. We are so grateful for you. We love you and we appreciate you. Happy Mother's Day,” said Councilmember Dan Kalb, District 1, who presented Humphrey with roses.

Marilyn Reynolds of the City

of Oakland Head Start program said, “It's wonderful to see her recognized.”

OPRYD Special Events coordinator and organizer

Zermaine Thomas ensured the program ran smoothly and was excited to congratulate Humphrey and provide closing remarks.

Dressed in a royal blue satin suit with a matching hat accented with rhinestones, Humphrey was elated to be the lady of honor flanked by family members, foster children, government officials, and members of the community.

“I'm grateful to God,” she said as attendees took photographs with her.

Humphrey began caring for children at 8 years old, starting with her youngest sibling. At an early

Lend A Hand Foundation Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Deputy

By Carla Thomas

The Lend A Hand Foundation (LAHF) celebrated the 25th anniversary of the organization’s Stay In School Program on May 9 at the Scottish Rite Center in Oakland.

Themed “Together We Can Empower Our Youth to Stay in School,” the event featured a preevent reception featuring Oakland’s Kev Choice Ensemble.

The ensemble featured Oakland School for the Arts student, Ayo Brame, a 16-year-old, upand-coming tenor saxophone jazz

musician. The master and mistress of ceremonies were local broadcasters Dave Clark and Roberta Gonzales of KTVU Fox 2. Clark’s wife, Lucretia also supported the program. A special appearance featured Dwayne Wiggins of Tony! Toni! Toné! on guitar, performing the group’s hit song “Anniversary” as guests dined on salmon, chicken, beef and vegetarian entrees prepared by the Food Network “Chopped” Champion,

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State Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) provided the keynote address and the Carla Service Dance-A-Vision youth dancers energetically performed a hip hop routine throughout the audience in white leotards as attendees clapped along. An auction led by Auctioneer Franco Finn assisted in raising funds for the organization with prizes that included a

Top (on stage): Roberta Gonzales and Dave Clark of KTVU FOX 2. On the floor, back row, left to right

Mayor Dr. Kimberly Mayfield; Middle - Assemblymember Mia Bonta; Dee Johnson; Bottom: Carla Service with the Dance-A-Vision Dancers.

Martha Humphrey, Oakland’s Mother of the Year, is seated in the front row in blue, and is supported by friends, family and Oakland’s elected officials.

Cathy Leonard. Courtesy photo. Coalition for Police Accountability logo.

Alameda District Attorney Pamela Price’s future will be determined on the November General Election ballot instead of a special recall election. On the left, DA Pamela Price. On the right, Carl Chan, principal officer of the recall campaign Save Alameda For Everyone (SAFE). Collage by Magaly Muñoz.

Rapper Too $hort. Courtesy photo.

Senate Committee Advances Local News Media Bill Amid Concerns, Pushback

By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media

With a 4-1 vote on May 8, the Senate Committee on Revenue and Taxation advanced Senate Bill (SB) 1327, a proposed law that would impose a “mitigation fee” on major digital technology companies. If the bill passes, fees collected would provide $500 million in employment tax credits to news organizations across the state.

SB 1327 is currently under review by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Sen. Steven Glazer (D-Contra Costa), the chairperson of the Revenue and Taxation committee and author of SB 1327, believes the bill would help bolster journalistic integrity and enable media outlets to hold the government accountable through incisive and balanced reporting.

“I have voted on more than 10,000 bills. I can’t think of a more important legislative measure that I am working on than this measure,” Glazer said of SB 1327.. It’s about preserving and protecting our democracy.”

Senators Glazer, Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas), Bill Dodd (D-Napa), and Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) voted for SB 1327 while Brian Dahle (R-Lassen County) voted against it. California Legislative Black Cau-

cus (CLBC) vice chair Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) abstained from voting.

Bradford expressed reservations about the bill, while also acknowledging the author’s efforts to protect local journalism.

“My biggest concern is ethnic media,” said Bradford. “Even though it says that they will be considered here at the end of the day, as always, they are usually left out and still need more assistance.”

SB 1327 would impose fees on digital technology companies with a minimum of $2.5 billion in annual advertising revenue. The money collected would be allocated to publishers of numerous community and ethnic media outlets.

During a news conference on April 29, Glazer said that SB 1327 aims to “ensure that newsrooms keep our citizens informed and democracy accountable to the people.”

“The mitigations proposed in this bill would largely be used to finance an employers’ hiring and retention tax credit available to all qualifying news organizations from any government interference or involvement in their content,” Glazer explained at the State Capitol Swing Space Annex.

Local media outlets employing 10 or more full-time journalists would receive a basic credit equiv-

alent to 25% of wages paid while media outlets with fewer than 10 employees with an expectation of expanding their workforce would receive a credit equal to 35% of wages paid. A reporter earning a yearly salary of $60,000 would generate 24,000 in tax credits, according to Glazer.

SB 1327 would also allocate $25 million annually to non-profit local news organizations that would not benefit from tax credits.

Paul Cobb, the publisher of the Oakland Post, a Black media outlet that has less than 10 employees, acknowledged his agreement with some aspects of SB 1327, but expressed a desire to further examine the details of the legislation. The Oakland Post is the largest Black publication in Northern California.

“SB 1327 presents an opportunity for the Governor to continue the recent California Legislative reparations policy initiatives by issuing an executive order directing all government agencies to provide Public Notice placements to qualified ethnic local media,” Cobb said.

By California Black Media

The State Board of Education and Governor Gavin Newsom announced last week that they have approved $1.3 billion in grants to implement a new school initiative that offers students support outside the classroom.

According to a press release dated May 8, State education officials have appropriated funds

since 2021 to offer students and their families resources such as

health care, mental health support, and social services. The State’s board awarded $1.3 billion to 288 local education agencies that fund and support 995 schools statewide.

The California Department of Education plans to mobilize resources to help students thrive in school and at home. This initiative includes summer programs, tutoring, and counseling.

Gov. Newsom said that the state is expanding community

Activist and Organizer Peggy Moore and Wife Die in Fatal Car Crash

By California Black Media

Family members, friends, colleagues, and business associates across California are mourning the tragic loss of Peggy Moore, 60, and her wife Hope Wood, 48. The couple passed away in a car accident that occurred on May 10 in San Diego County.

According to multiple reports, the fatal collision on State Route 76 claimed the lives of four people, with another person sustaining serve injuries.

In 2019, Moore and Wood founded Hope Action Change, an organizational development con-

sultancy and coaching firm. They both had experience working as organizers, strategists, and leaders in education, electoral and issue-based campaigns, and public affairs.

The couple first met while working on Barack Obama’s presidential campaign in 2008.

The news of their passing has elicited a wave of condolences from numerous business and political leaders and Black-led organizations across the state.

“I met Peggy back in 2004. She’s been an amazing sister friend of mine,” said LaNiece Jones, a member of Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA).

“This morning, my heart broke with the news of the sudden death of Peggy and her dear wife, Hope. My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Peggy and Hope. I am still in shock. Both Peggy and Hope are brilliant and caring individuals who deeply loved giving to the community and the community deeply loved them back.”

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) took to social media platform X to share her grief.

“I’m heartbroken to hear of the tragic loss of Peggy Moore and Hope Wood. Peggy was a friend, an activist, and one of the best organizers I knew. Her passion and fight for justice and equality is what brought her and Hope together,” wrote Lee.

By Rhonda Smith Special to California Black Media Partners

In 2008, I received news no one ever wants to hear. I was diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer, with an ER/PR positive tumor type.

The road to recovery was tough, taking more than a physical toll on my body. I grappled with the emotional and mental strain of navigating a health care system that too often fails to address the unique needs of Black women. There was no manual to guide me through this journey, no prescription to ease the burden, and no roadmap to help me navigate the challenges ahead.

communities most at risk. I consider myself fortunate to have received a Stage 1 diagnosis. Yet, it pains me to know that for many others, their breast cancer is often detected in later, more advanced stages.

Fortunately, there is hope on the horizon. Some California congressmembers -- particularly U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25) -- are taking decisive action. Ruiz is a lead sponsor of a bill to dramatically expand access to cutting-edge early detection tools for Medicare beneficiaries, including millions of Black Americans in underserved communities. With bipartisan support, this bill is closer than ever to passage.

against cancer – and the disproportionate toll it takes on Black Americans – starts by urging Congress to pass the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act and ensuring the benefits of this legislation reach all corners of our communities.

I don’t advocate for change for myself, but for every Black woman who has faced, or will face, a similar battle.

Together, we can rewrite the narrative of health care, catch and treat cancer early, and ensure that every woman has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of her race or background.

schools across the state. Students will be offered free meals twice a day, mental health counseling, and after-school programs.

“California is transforming education to make schools a place where every family and student can succeed,” Newsom said.

The state is developing the initiative as part of the California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP), a ten-year plan that promotes equity and

The stark reality that Black women are 41% more likely to die from breast cancer than White women is a grim reminder of the systemic inequities that pervade our health care system. According to the American Cancer Society, Black Americans have the highest death rate and shortest survival rate of any racial or ethnic group in the country. This disparity extends beyond breast cancer, impacting colorectal, prostate, and lung cancers, among others.

To help overcome these inequities, we need to attack cancer at its roots; we must catch it early, and we must ensure the means to catch cancer early are accessible to the

Named in honor of Nancy Gardner Sewell, a civil rights leader and passionate advocate for health justice, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare MultiCancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act would ensure Medicare has the latitude it needs to cover an exciting new class of cancer detection tests as soon as they’re cleared by the FDA.

These tests utilize the latest scientific achievements to identify cancer signals in a patient’s blood stream. They can pinpoint many different types of cancer from a single blood draw, dramatically improving doctors’ ability to detect cancers early and at stages where they are most treatable.

The next phase of our fight

About the Author Rhonda Smith, Executive Director of the California Black Health Network, leads initiatives to advance health equity for Black Californians, leveraging her expertise from roles including consulting and spearheading health disparities initiatives for BIPOC communities. With an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech, Rhonda has led transformative projects like the LiveHealthy OC Initiative and the Susan G. Komen® Circle of Promise California Initiative to address health disparities and promote whole person care approaches.

Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood), seated, listens to Sen. Steve Glazer (D-Contra Costa), at the podium, present a bill that would impose fees on major digital technology companies to fund local newsrooms in the state. The Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee voted 4-1 to approve SB 1327 on May 8, 2024. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

Photo: iStock photo image.

Rhonda Smith, Executive Director, California Black Health Network.

Peggy Moore and Hope Wood, photo from their hopeactionchange.com website.

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

Your toes didn’t wait long before they started tapping.

They knew what was coming, almost as soon as the band was seated. They knew before the first notes were played and the hep cats and jazz babies hit the floor to cut a rug. Daddy, it was the bee’s knees but in the new book “The Jazzmen” by Larry Tye, if you were the Sheik on the stage, makin’ cabbage wasn’t all that swank.

Louis Armstrong was born in 1900 or thereabouts in a “fourroom frame house on an unpaved lane” in a section of New Orleans called “Back o’Town... the Blackest, swampiest, and most impoverished” area of the city. His mother was a “chippie,” and the boy grew up running barefoot and wild, the latter of which led to trouble. At age twelve, Armstrong was sent to the Colored Waif’s Home for recalcitrant Black boys, and that changed his life. At the “home,” he found mentors, father-figures, and love, and he discovered music.

For years, Bill “Count’ Basie insisted that he’d grown up with “no-drama, no-mystery, and nobody’s business but his,” but the truth was “sanitized.” He hated school and dropped out in junior high, hoping to join the circus. Instead, he landed a job working in a “moving-picture theater” as a gen-

eral worker. When the theater’s piano player didn’t come to work one day, Basie volunteered to sit in. He ultimately realized that “I had to get out... of Red Bank [New Jersey], and music was my ticket.”

Even as a young teenager, Edward Ellington insisted that he be treated like a superstar. By then, his friends had nicknamed him “Duke,” for his insistence on dressing elegantly and acting like he was royalty. And he surely was – to his mother, and to millions of swooning female fans later in his life.

Three men, born at roughly the same time, had more in common than their ages. Two of them had mothers “who doted” on them. All three were perform-aholics. And, for all three, “Race... fell away as America listened.”

Feel up to a time-trip back a century or more? You won’t even have to leave your seat, just grab “The Jazzmen” and hang on.

In his introduction, author Larry Tye explains why he so badly wanted to tell the story of these three giants of music and how Basie’s, Ellington’s, and Armstrong’s lives intersected and diverged as all three were near-simultaneously performing for audiences world-wide. Their stories fascinated him, and his excitement runs strong in this book. Among other allures, readers used to today’s star-powered gossip will enjoy learning about an almost-forgotten time when performers took the country by storm by bootstrapping without a retinue of dozens. And the racism the three performers encountered disappeared like magic sometimes, and that’s a good tale all by itself.

This is a musician’s dream book, but it’s also a must-read story if you’ve never heard of Basie, Ellington, or Armstrong. “The Jazzmen” may send you searching your music library, so make note.

State Cuts Financial Aid and Shrinks Education Programs in Revised Budget Proposal

By California Black Media

California financial aid programs for college students will shrink over the next two years, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s newly revised budget proposal presented last week by Governor Gavin Newsom.

The state is set to reduce funding for the Middle-Class Scholarship by an estimated $510 million. The scholarship program is one of the biggest in the state and cuts will affect over 300,000 students who rely on the program for financial aid. Middle-class students on this scholarship, receiving at least $2,500 annually to attend state universities.

Community college students were eligible for the Cal Grant, a program that awarded recipients with $1,600 to cover living costs. The grant program was initiated after the COVID-19 pandemic to help students with remote learning. Gov. Newsom promised to expand the program but has changed those plans to close the state’s estimated $27.6 billion budget gap over the next fiscal year.

Jake Brymer, deputy director of policy and public affairs at the California Student Aid Commission said students will receive a smaller scholarship award and could lose more than half of their financial aid in the fall.

David Ramirez, a University of

California Los Angeles senior, received $7,500 from the MiddleClass Scholarship.

“I wouldn’t be able to attend this university if I didn’t have that financial aid,” Ramirez said. Ramirez advocated for student financial aid and support as the government relations chair for the UC Student Association. Al-

By California Black Media

California lawmakers expressed frustration with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration, pointing to its inability to produce reliable data on state funding allotted to homelessness and housing initiatives.

State officials questioned the Newsom administration about the billions of dollars spent to address homelessness and the growing housing crisis in California during a tense

legislative hearing on May 6.

The Assembly’s Budget Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability held a two-hour-long hearing raising questions and concerns about the state’s Homelessness Housing and Assistance (HHAP) grant program. Gov. Newsom’s administration allocated $24 billion in the last five years to address homelessness and the housing short-

iStock photo.

iStock photo.

Courtesy of Lisa Frusztajer

Public Notices, Classifieds & Business

The Weingart Foundation Names Crystal Crawford Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships

By California Black Media

The Weingart Foundation, a private, non-profit grantmaking organization focused on racial justice, has named Crystal Crawford its inaugural Director of Strategic Partnerships.

In the role, Crawford will oversee strategic partnerships and manage relationships with various stakeholders.

“Crystal Crawford is an experienced and strategic leader who has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing justice and equity for vulnerable communities across California,” said Joanna S. Jackson, interim President and C.E.O. of the Weingart Foundation.

“As a nationally recognized leader in fighting poverty and advancing health and well-being, particularly in communities of color, she will be a tremendous addition to the Weingart team. We look forward to working with Crystal to cultivate meaningful partnerships that will help us strengthen our work serving communities most impacted by systemic inequities,” Jackson added.

Currently, Crawford serves as

Executive Director of the Western Center on Law & Poverty, a legal and advocacy organization focused on bringing systemic and structural change to government.

Previously, Crawford was a program director at The California Wellness Foundation. At the Wellness Foundation, she developed several initiatives, including a groundbreaking multi-milliondollar investment that advanced the health and economic security of women of color.

Before joining Cal Wellness, she served as C.E.O. of the California Black Women’s Health Project.

“I have been a long-time admirer of the Weingart Foundation’s outstanding commitment to racial justice and racial equity. Its impactful work has helped to transform communities and systems,” Crawford said.

“At this time when work advancing racial justice and diversity, equity and inclusion is under heightened attack, I am looking forward to working with my colleagues as we deepen the foundation’s work in communities and forge new partnerships with courage and boldness,” she added.

PHOTO

Photos By Carla Thomas

FEATURE: Mother’s Day 2024

A group of amazing Mothers were honored at Acts Full Gospel Church in Oakland on Mother’s Day, May 12, 2024. They were presented with gifts as tokens of

the church’s appreciation for their dedication to Christ, the congregation, and the community.

While it is not unusual for the mothers at Acts Full Gospel Church to be dressed in fabulous outfits and fancy hats, it is their sweet

personalities and beautiful smiles that shine through as the strong matriarchs that they are: both a beacon and a blessing.

As the backbone of the Black Church, we honor our mothers today and every day.

Chaplain Mother Madylnn Johnson.

Crystal Crawford, Sr. Director of Strategic Partnerships Weingart Foundation

Vivian Owens

Evangelist Linda Bogard

Anna Bourgeois

Carolyn Pittman

Annette Reed

Beverly Ross

Pearl Turner

Cal African American Chamber of Commerce Holds Annual Gwen Moore Legislative Reception

By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media

The California African American Chamber of Commerce partnered with the California African American Action Fund to host its annual “Honorable Gwen Moore California Legislative Reception.” The event took place on May 7 at the Sutter Club in downtown Sacramento.

Distinguished guests included business leaders, state officials, and both former and current lawmakers. Notably, members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), attended the event. Former Assembly Speaker and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, 90, was the keynote speaker. Former state Sen. Roderick Wright and CAACC Executive Director Timothy Alan Simon served as emcees.

“The California African American Chamber of Commerce and the California African American Action Fund represent the African American economy of the fourth largest economy of the world,” Simon said during the introduction of the event. “Therefore, tonight let’s have some fun. We are going to learn how to acquire more power, more financial funding, and more access. We’re opening up those doors to you.”

During the reception, an award ceremony honored individuals for their achievements, innovative

ideas, leadership, business acumen, and political contributions.

The CAACC Media and Communications Award was presented to Civil Rights Activist Danny Bakewell Jr., President of the Bakewell Company and Executive Editor of the Los Angeles Sentinel.

The Gwen Moore Legislative Impact Award was presented to Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), Chair of the CLBC. The Legislator of the Year honor went to Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley).

“This is an absolute honor. Especially, with my knowledge and familiarity with Assemblymember Moore’s work,” Wilson said. “It’s just a reminder, honor, and privilege of this space I get to be in. This award holds profound significance for me and those who dedicated their lives to advancing equity, justice, and opportunities for all.”

Cathy Adams, President and CEO of Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce was presented with the Aubry Stone Outstanding Business Award. The Trailblazer Award was presented to the late Linda Crayton, former San Francisco City Commissioner.

Crayton served on the Airport Commission for the City and County of San Francisco from 1996 to 2020.

“She clearly served for almost 25 years, and she was totally sensitive to the need and careful implementation within the framework of all the rules that had been established,” Brown said of Crayton. She was a difference for many.”

Other leaders honored were John Reynolds, California Public Utilities Commission (recipient of the Distinguished Service Award); Hon. Heather Hutt, Councilmember for the City of Los Angeles, representing Council District 10, (Distinguished Service in the African American Community Award); and Thurman White, Senior Advisor ESO Ventures (Distinguished Recognition Award).

Rounding out the special guests and awardees list were Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood), CLBC Vice Chair, Dennis Thurston, Supplier Diversity Program Manager for Southern California Edison; Angela Gibson-Shaw, President of Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce; and Tommy Ross, Pinnacle Strategic Group.

Toks Omishakin, Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency (CALSTA) also attended the two-hour event.

“That’s the nature of how we need to work in the world of politics and, how we need to exercise authority and privilege.”

California Makes Strides in Fight Against Fentanyl

By California Black Media

California National Guard’s Counterdrug Task Force has seized over 7,000 pounds of fentanyl including 3.4 million pills since the state launched a multiagency operation in January 2024.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the state’s progress on May 7, National Fentanyl Awareness Day.

The Governor said he deployed the state’s highway patrol and National Guard personnel last year as part of a public safety operation in partnership with local government officials and law enforcement.

1111 Broadway, Suite 800, Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 208-7400 • www.alamedactc.org

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR RAIL SAFETY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM – PHASE B AT-GRADE CROSSING IMPROVEMENT SERVICES (RFP NO. R24-0007)

The Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) is seeking proposals for a contract to commence services on December 13, 2024, or as indicated in the RFP and/or appropriate addenda.

Key Dates: - Mandatory Online Pre-proposal Conference: May 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) - Proposal due date: June 11, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. PT

This RFP has a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise contract goal of 21.0%. All RFP documents are available Procurement Portal at https://alamedactc.bonfirehub.com. All questions regarding this RFP must be submitted via the Procurement Portal, no later than 3:00 p.m. PT on May 23, 2024.

Submittals must be made in accordance with the instructions in the RFP. Any contract awarded must be in compliance with the local, state, and/or federal requirements.

1111 Broadway, Suite 800, Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 208-7400 • www.alamedactc.org

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR EAST BAY GREENWAY MULTIMODAL PHASE 1 – NORTH SEGMENT PROJECT OAKLAND – LAKE MERRITT TO FRUITVALE BART CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES (RFP NO. R24-0008)

The Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) is seeking proposals for a contract to commence services in December 2024 or as indicated in the RFP and/or appropriate addenda.

Key Dates:

- Mandatory Online Pre-proposal conference: May 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time (PT)

- Proposal due date: June 19, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. PT

This RFP has a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise contract goal of 22.0%. All RFP documents are available via the Procurement Portal at https://alamedactc.bonfirehub.com. All questions regarding this RFP must be submitted via the Procurement Portal, no later than 3:00 p.m. PT on June 3, 2024.

Submittals must be made in accordance with the instructions in the RFP. Any contract awarded must be in compliance with the local, state, and/or federal requirements.

CalGuard Major General Matthew Beevers said that the state’s unprecedented investment in the Counterdrug Task Force has immobilized operations and revenue channels of transnational criminal organizations.

“The CalGuard is committed to supporting our state, federal, local and tribal law enforcement partners to eliminate the scourge of fentanyl,” Beevers said. In the past five years, California has invested $1.1 billion in operations and initiatives to fight crime, support local law enforcement, and improve public safety.

The Newsom administration has implemented a comprehensive approach as part of the governor’s

“As we recognize the serious dangers of illegal fentanyl, California is continuing to tackle this issue head-on. Our efforts are getting this poison off our streets and out of our communities as we continue to support people struggling with substance use.” Newsom said.

Master Plan to tackle the fentanyl and opioid crisis.

The Newsom administration has expanded efforts to improve public safety across the state where operations occurred in cities such as San Francisco, Oakland, and Bakersfield.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed acknowledged that joint operation was a step in the right direction toward curbing illegal activity and improving public safety.

“Our coordinated work to shut down drug markets in San Francisco is making a difference, but we have more work to do,” Breed said.

“Together we are sending a message at all levels of government that anyone selling fentanyl in this city will be arrested and prosecuted,” she said.

Cathy Adams, President and CEO of Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce, received the Aubry Stone Outstanding Business Award at the California African American Chamber of Commerce’s Gwen Moore Legislative Reception in Sacramento on May 7. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

iStock photo.

CITY OF OAKLAND REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL QUALIFICATIONS (RFP)

Proposition 64 – Cohort 3 Grant Evaluator

Contract Amount: TBD Term: Up to 4 Years

Project Description: The City of Oakland’s Economic and Workforce Development Department issues this Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking a consultant to serve as a grant evaluator who will analyze the implementation and effectiveness of the City’s Proposition 64 – Cohort 3 Grant Program and submit required reports.

Pre-Proposal Meeting (Voluntary): To provide an opportunity for interested parties to learn about the RFP and ask questions:

Tuesday, June 4, 2024, 10:00 a.m., Pacific Time (PT); please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86761668383

Or One tap mobile :

+16699009128,,86761668383# US (San Jose)

+16694449171,,86761668383# US

Or Telephone:

Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)

+1 669 444 9171 US

+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

+1 719 359 4580 US

+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

+1 646 931 3860 US

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+1 305 224 1968 US

+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

Webinar ID: 867 6166 8383

International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kceeAaTAiK

Proposal Submittal Deadline: Friday, July 19, 2024, by 2:00 p.m., PT via iSupplier.

Reminders:

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

• Did not receive and invitation? Start Early with iSupplier registration. Upon completion of registration, send an email to iSupplier@oaklandca.gov listing “RFP for Proposition 64 – Cohort 3 Grant Evaluator” as the subject and request an invitation to the RFP. The Contract Analyst will add your business to the RFP invitation.

• The following policies apply to this RFP: Equal Benefits • 0% L/SLBE • Living Wage • Campaign Reform Act • Professional Services Local Hire • Prompt Payment • Arizona Boycott • Dispute Disclosure • Border Wall Prohibition • Sanctuary City Contracting and Investment Ordinance.

Answers to Questions:

1. For project-related questions, contact the Project Manager, Greg Minor by phone at 510 238-6370 or via email at gminor@oaklandca.gov.

2. For iSupplier related questions, contact iSupplier@oaklandca.gov.

Asha Reed, City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council, (Friday, May 17, 2024) The City Council reserves the right to reject all proposals.

CITY OF OAKLAND REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL QUALIFICATIONS (RFP)

Cannabis Equity Public Awareness Campaign

Contract Amount: TBD Term: Up to 4 Years

Project Description: The City of Oakland’s Economic and Workforce Development Department seeks a consultant to design and implement a comprehensive marketing strategy to promote support of Oakland equity-owned cannabis businesses.

Pre-Proposal Meeting (Voluntary): To provide an opportunity for interested parties to learn about the RFP and ask questions: Tuesday June 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., Pacific Time (PT); please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86761668383

Or One tap mobile :

+16699009128,,86761668383# US (San Jose)

+16694449171,,86761668383# US

Or Telephone:

Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

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Webinar ID: 867 6166 8383

International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kceeAaTAiK

Proposal Submittal Deadline: Friday, July 19, 2024, by 2:00 p.m., PT via iSupplier.

Reminders:

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

• Did not receive an invitation? Start Early with iSupplier registration. Upon completion of registration, send an email to iSupplier@oaklandca.gov listing “RFP for Cannabis Equity Public Awareness Campaign” as the subject and request an invitation to the RFP. The Contract Analyst will add your business to the RFP invitation.

• The following policies apply to this RFP: Equal Benefits • 0% L/SLBE • Living Wage • Campaign Reform Act • Professional Services Local Hire • Prompt Payment • Arizona Boycott • Dispute Disclosure • Border Wall Prohibition • Sanctuary City Contracting and Investment Ordinance.

Answers to Questions:

1. For project-related questions, contact the Project Manager, Greg Minor by phone at 510238-6370 or via email at gminor@oaklandca.gov.

2. For iSupplier related questions, contact iSupplier@oaklandca.gov.

Asha Reed, City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council, Friday May 17, 2024

The City Council reserves the right to reject all proposals.

Gov. Newsom Presents Balanced Budget for California; Avoids Tax Hikes, Worker Furloughs

By Joe W. Bowers Jr. California Black Media

On May 10, Gov. Gavin Newsom presented his annual revision of the state budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year.

Commonly referred to as the “May Revise,” the $288 billion spending plan focuses on stringent spending cuts, improving government efficiency, streamlining procurement, cutting bureaucratic obstacles, and reducing redundancies rather than resorting to tax increases or implementing worker furloughs.

“Without raising taxes on Californians, we’re delivering a balanced budget over two years that continues the progress we’ve fought so hard to achieve, from getting folks off the streets to addressing the climate crisis to keeping our communities safe,” Newsom stated.

Highlights of the proposed budget include:

Achieving Fiscal Stability Over Two Years

The budget tackles deficits for both the current budget year and the next, eliminating a projected $27.6 billion deficit for the 202425 fiscal year and a projected shortfall of $28.4 billion deficit for the next fiscal year.

Streamlining Spending and Enhancing Efficiency

To address the budget deficit, Newsom’s budget cuts one-time spending by $19.1 billion and ongoing spending by $13.7 billion through 2025-26. These cuts involve various measures, such as slashing $260 million from the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program (HHAP), reducing operations costs by 7.95% across nearly all state de-

partments, eliminating 10,000 vacant state positions, and scaling back funding for certain programs, including education initiatives like the Middle-Class Scholarship program and childcare expansion projects.

Newsom is proposing $3.6 billion less for climate change initiatives and plans to decrease funding for expanding internet access to underserved areas by $2 billion over two years. Additionally, funding cuts are proposed for programs addressing shortages in healthcare workers such as nurses and social workers, while healthcare providers serving Medi-Cal patients will lose extra pay incentives.

Newsom’s plan involves revisiting Proposition (Prop) 98, a constitutional provision that guarantees a minimum level of funding for California’s schools and community colleges. By adjusting the funding requirement for the fiscal year 2022-2023 to reflect lowerthan-anticipated state revenues from the previous year, Newsom aims to align education funding with current financial realities.

Safeguarding Vital Services and Social Safety Nets

Despite facing budget cuts, many public assistance programs, such as those providing food, healthcare, and educational services like pre-kindergarten for 4-year-olds, will maintain their current levels of support. Efforts to achieve this involve pausing expansion of some programs and reducing new investments, all while prioritizing fiscal responsibility alongside meeting the essential needs of residents.

Maintaining Fiscal Stability Without Tax Increases

The budget emphasizes fiscal stability without resorting to tax increases. Instead, it seeks to enhance government efficiency and reduce spending redundancies. Additionally, the plan minimizes reliance on the state’s “Rainy Day” reserves, preserving these funds for future emergencies.

Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) said Newsom’s spending plan is “wasteful and irresponsible.”

“Newsom made big promises he can’t possibly keep while wasting billions on homelessness programs that don’t work and a highspeed train to nowhere. Now he’s forced to make cuts to programs Californians rely on,” said Gallagher said in a statement.

In response to the Governor’s presentation, California State Controller Malia M. Cohen said the state exceeded its revenue target by nearly $150 million in April, but year-to-date revenues remain at levels “lower-than-expected. However, Cohen affirmed that the state has “unused borrowable resources” that can be utilized to balance the budget.

“The high level of borrowable resources is due in large part to the $26 billion the state has prudently built up and reserved for rainy days and economic uncertainties. Maintaining enough cash to cushion against economic downturns has been one of California’s strengths in its credit ratings, and this ensures the state will continue to meet its payment obligations.” The state Constitution requires state lawmakers to approve the state budget by June 15. Newsom then has until July 1 to finalize the spending plan with the Legislature.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2024-24 spending plan focuses on stringent spending cuts, improving government efficiency, streamlining procurement, cutting bureaucratic obstacles, and reducing redundancies rather than resorting to tax increases or implementing worker furloughs.

quality education for students in California. The state will spend $4.1 billion with its partners including community schools, local counties, government agencies, and nonprofits that provide health, mental health, and social services.

State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond is eager to uplift communities with well-resourced schools and achieve equity in public education.

“We know children learn best when they are healthy, happy, and in a learning environment where they are surrounded by knowl-

though he will graduate this year and start a public service fellowship, he has $10,000 in student loans.

“I’m supposed to be celebrating my graduation,” he said, “But I’m also worried about paying for rent,” he said.

edgeable and caring adults attuned to their needs,” DarlingHammond said.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond endorsed current school programs and anticipates promising results as grants are invested in these programs.

“Our Community Schools continue to serve as exemplars of programs that educate the whole child. I am proud to see California continue to be at the forefront of recognizing that student wellness is a cornerstone of learning,” Thurmond said.

The California Department of Education will award a final round of grants to community-based organizations and schools during the 2024-2025 academic year.

State lawmakers still have room to negotiate with the Governor before the budget is finalized.

Student advocates recommend that the state reduce the number of students awarded the scholarship rather than reduce the award amount.

The legislature has until June 15 to finalize and approve the governor’s budget.

age, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office. A report by the state auditor revealed that the governor had invested state funds in nine agencies and over 30 programs aimed at reducing homelessness.

Federal data also showed that homeless homelessness in California increased by 6%.

Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) pressured the governor’s administration to produce data that showed the impact of state housing programs. However, the administrators failed to present results stating that the data was unavailable.

“You come to a budget committee, and there are no numbers,” Ting said during the hearing. “You’re coming to the hearing today, we’ve spent billions, and you can’t tell us at all how many people we’ve helped?”

Leaders of agencies that received state funding said the system is undergoing transformation and working on methods to monitor and evaluate existing programs that address homelessness and provide housing.

Deputy Director for the California Department of Housing and Community Development Megan Kirkeby said that the state did not require cities and counties to show how funds were spent on housing programs.

Republican opposition stated that the lack of data and accountability discredited Democrats and loosened their power grip in Sacramento as a result of the one-party rule.

Assemblymember Josh Hoover (R-Folsom) was among the committee member officials who called for a state audit that revealed the pressing issue.

“The long and short of it is we have to stop measuring success by how many dollars we’re spending,” Hoover said.

“I am frustrated by the lack of urgency that I see today and the lack of data,” he said.

Although Democrats and Republicans raised reasonable concerns regarding the lack of transparency, city officials still requested more funding to address homelessness. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, and Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg urged the state to increase program funding by an additional $1 billion.

Expect to See a New Flat Rate Fee of $24 on Your Electricity Bill

By California Black Media

Last week, members of the California Public Utilities Commission voted to approve adding a $24.15 flat fee to monthly utility bills starting next year.

On May 9, the California regulators took the unanimous vote in favor of the proposal which also reduced the cost of utilities per kilowatt hour but added the fixed charge to mitigate the loss. The new charge will be based on income with lower-income households paying between $6 to $12. Middle-class to high-income

households will be expected to pay the full amount.

CPUC President Alice Reynolds and environmental groups argue that the new rate encourages people to use more clean energy and assist in modernizing the grid.

“We’re marching towards the future we want to see; we want this load growth,” Reynolds said.

“One where we can replace gas-guzzling cars on our roads with EVs that run on clean electricity and emit less pollutants,” she added.

Although the fixed charge is

supposed to lower the utility bill for residents, opponents of the charge argue that a flat rate increases the monthly bill for middle and high-income households.

California currently operates under a prepaid model and maintenance of the power grid is included in the overall usage rate. But with this new proposal, residents will pay more than double the national average of $11 for electricity.

Cynthia Martinez, a spokesperson for the Predictable Power Coalition, an advocacy group, argued that a flat rate is more equita-

ble and will reduce the cost of utilities for struggling families.

“For people who live in hotter climates, who really have no choice but to run their air conditioning more often, they’re paying higher costs that go toward grid upkeep,” Martinez said.

In the past, Democrats stalled plans at the state Capitol to approve the flat fee. All 14 Democrats in the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee abstained from voting during a hearing on the proposal to roll back the flat rate.

Cal. Supreme Court Could Strip Gov and Legislature of Power to Raise Taxes

By California Black Media

On May 8, the California Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act, a measure that has already been approved for the November ballot. It calls for restricting the state Legislature and Governor’s ability to increase taxes without statewide voter approval.

California business owners back the measure while Labor unions have rallied in opposition to it.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative Democrats have petitioned the Supreme Court to remove the proposal from the ballot since the California Constitution requires a constitutional convention to ratify the ballot with a two-thirds majority vote in the legislature.

Democrats and labor unions stated that the ballot measure could limit state and local funding thus crippling the state’s ability to produce new sources of revenue. A reduction in revenue may result in government programs and initiatives being underfunded,” they say.

Legislative Democrats also argued that the measure’s economic impact will make it harder to resolve the state’s budget deficit.

Business owners and company leaders advocating for the bal-

lot measure stated that the tax initiative can help form new checks and balances on taxation and attract companies to invest in California creating more jobs.

President of the California Business Roundtable Rob Lapsley, a supporter of the tax initiative, said that people are fed up with the state’s high taxes.

“This gives the people of California the right to vote on future taxes, and voters are going to support it if it’s on the ballot,” Lapsley said.

Opposers of the tax initiative, mainly labor unions and state workers such as teachers, police officers, and firefighters, have aligned with Legislative Democrats to reject the tax law.

Executive director of Service Employees International Union California Tia Orr said the tax law was created to benefit wealthy corporations and deceive the average taxpayer.

“I want to make it clear that the ‘Taxpayer Deception Act’ let’s wealthy corporations, who can afford expensive campaigns, to block taxes on their industries while regular Californians, regular people, shoulder more of the cost of critical services,” Orr said.

The California Supreme Court is expected to make a ruling on the future of the initiative by June 27 this year.

California Supreme Court (iStock Photo)

Support for Supervisors’ Vote ...

Continued from page 1

paigns about Price, held a press conference minutes before the Board’s special meeting asking for the Supervisors to schedule the election in August instead of consolidating with the November election.

Supporters of the recall have said they were not concerned with the $20 million price tag the special election would’ve cost the county if they had put it on the ballot in the summer. Many have stated that the lives of their loved ones are worth more than that number.

“What is the cost of a life?” recall supporters have asked time and time again.

Opponents of the recall election have been vehemently against a special date to vote, stating it would cost taxpayers too much money that could be reinvested into social programs to help struggling residents.

A special election could’ve caused the county’s budget to exceed its current deficit of $68 million, which was a driving factor in the three supervisors who voted for a consolidated election.

“Bottom line is, I can’t in good conscience support a special election that is going to cost the county

$20 million,” Board President Nate Miley said.

Many speakers asked Miley and Keith Carson to recuse themselves from the vote, claiming that they have had improper involvement with either the recall proponents or Price herself.

Both supervisors addressed the concerns stating that regardless of who they associate themselves with or what their political beliefs are, they have to do their jobs, no matter the outcome.

Carson noted that although he’s neither supporting nor opposing Price as district attorney, he believes that whoever is elected next to take that position should have a reasonable amount of time to adjust to the job before recalls are considered.

Reports of recall attempts started as soon as April 2023 when Price had only been in office three months.

Price and her campaign team

Protect the Win have been adamant that the voters who elected her to office will not fall for the “undemocratic” practices from the recall campaign and they are prepared to put all efforts forward to guarantee she stays in office.

Proposal to Amend Oakland City Charter ...

Continued from page 1

the Police Commission and to establish guardrails and procedures to mitigate such issues in the future. Councilmembers Dan Kalb and Kevin Jenkins are the authors of this legislation, which is still in process.

A counterproposal was presented by Jenkins to drastically amend Article VI, Section 604 of the City Charter. The proposal would remove the hiring of the police chief from the Commission and give that power to the mayor. The proposal also moves the OAG to the Auditor’s Office. These proposals would rob the Commission and the OAG of independence from City Hall which 83.19% of Oakland voters sought in voting for Measure LL in 2016 and Measure S1 in 2018.

Our position is that the issues that have been raised about the hiring of the police chief, the appointment authority of the com-

missioners, the scope of CPRA and the placement of the OIG can all be incorporated into the ongoing collaboration of all the stakeholders working on the Enabling Ordinance

Those stakeholders are the two authors, the Coalition of Police Accountability, the Police Commission, and the community members who have participated in this extensive work which has yet to be completed and approved by the City Council.

Amending the Charter is not the vehicle that should be used to make amendments. The proposed Enabling Ordinance should be given a chance to effect positive change before making radical and undemocratic revisions.

For further information, please contact the Coalition for Police Accountability by reaching out to Mariano Contreras at puralata1@ gmail.com.

Third Annual Town Up Tuesday ...

Continued from page 1

“Oakland is a historically Black city and one of the most diverse and progressive in the country — a city rich with culture,” said Nicole Lee, executive director of the Urban Peace Movement.

“At a time when we are being scapegoated for political gain and negative narratives of Oakland permeate the press, we’re uplifting who we truly are and all the things that

make this region so special.”

About Urban Peace Movement: Urban Peace Movement (UPM) is a racial justice organization working to end mass incarceration and the criminalization of Black and Brown communities in Oakland. https://urbanpeacemovement.org/ @urbanpeace510

Kyung Jin Lee is the media representative for the Urban Peace Movement.

Mother of the Year ...

Continued from page 1 age, Humphrey decided that caring for children delighted her. When she reached adulthood, she began housekeeping, which would often include caring for her employer's children. She accepted a job as a nanny caring for the four children of a lawyer and his wife at their home in Houston, Texas. When the family relocated to San Francisco in March of 1950, Humphrey came with them to assist in the caring of their four young daughters. When the last daughter had completed high school and went to college, Humphrey moved out of their home and moved to the Fillmore Center.

In the early 1970s, Humphrey acquired a home with two large bedrooms and decided to start a foster home. She contacted a foster care agency, became certified to work with foster children, and began her ministry. Humphrey put two cribs in one bedroom and set it up as a nursery. It was not long before she got a call about parenting and began caring for her first foster child.

Alameda DA Pamela

Price is Ready to ‘Protect the Win’ in Upcoming Recall

By Magaly Muñoz

Alameda District Attorney Pamela Price and her “Protect the Win” campaign held a press conference Wednesday morning to discuss the consolidation of the recall election with the November general election and her steps moving forward.

“We are here today to appreciate that the Board of Supervisors yesterday did the right thing and decided not to invest $20 million of our hard-earned tax dollars for a failed effort to overturn the November 2022 election,” Price said.

The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday evening to consolidate the recall election so as to not put themselves in an even larger deficit than they are soon headed into. The board reported that they are almost $68 million in deficit for the county budget, but now with the consolidation, the election will only cost taxpayers about $4 million.

Proponents of the recall had continuously asked the Board to schedule a special election in August, regardless if it would cost upwards of $20 million to fund.

At her press conference, Price emphasized that she is the first non-appointed district attorney in decades and the first Black woman elected for the position.

She characterized the recall efforts against her to be a “platinum roots movement” bankrolled by a handful of super-rich real estate investors and tech executives.

The recall group Save Alameda For Everyone (SAFE) raised over $3 million for their campaign against Price, spending a large amount of their funds on paying signature gatherers to collect names to put the election on the ballot. This has created a point of contention with many who are opposing the recall efforts.

Election

nity, such as donating to Oakland Unified School District, Highland Hospital, homeless and housing services and anti-trafficking efforts.

A few key donors mentioned were Philip Dreyfuss, who donated $600,000; Isaac Abid donated $225,000; Kenneth Lin donated $100,000; and John Wayland donated $135,000.

The DA said she will continue to do her job including advocating for victims, prosecuting people who have committed crimes in the community, combatting retail theft efforts, implementing new technology to protect youth, amongst many other priorities.

The recall proponents have long accused Price of being “soft on crime” and that crime rates have gone up since she’s been in office, but according to Oakland Police data, crime is down 33% since 2023.

When asked about the drop in crime rates on Tuesday, SAFE leaders said they do not follow OPD data because they claim it is not accurate. They only listen to what they hear from the community.

Price refuted the accusations stating that her office does not track or count the type of data that the opposition claims to be following. She says that the recall supporters are spreading misinformation and the data they are referencing only “exists in the figment of their imagination.”

In an annual report that the DA Office released last week, it revealed that Price is prosecuting cases at a similar rate to her predecessor. Former DA Nancy O’Malley was prosecuting anywhere from 60% to 66% of cases in 2019 to 2022, while Price prosecuted 62% of cases in 2023.

Chef Cleaz and Mistah F.A.B. Host

“You Still Have a Son” Mother’s Day Dinner

By Carla Thomas

Oakland Chef Cleaz and Bay Area rapper, author Stanley Cox, aka Mistah F.A.B., hosted a Mother’s Day dinner on Monday, May 13, at Pierre Pierre, a restaurant in the Tribune building in downtown Oakland.

The restaurant was decorated with balloons and flowers for the event, and each mother received a bouquet of red roses.

Organized for mothers who have lost their children, for mothers in need of extra love on Mother’s Day, the event gave the hosts an opportunity to remember their own mothers while doing something special for over 100 mothers in the community.

Both men recounted the deep sense of grief they faced in the loss of their mothers and recognized the many mothers who have outlived their children.

“We were in my restaurant, and F.A.B. was having dinner and said he wanted to do something special but wasn’t sure what it would look like,” said Chef Cleaz. “We continued to brainstorm, and at first F.A.B. wanted to come up with ways to bring more business to my new restaurant and serve the community. But days later, F.A.B. came up with the idea for mothers.”

“In these tough times. we know life can get you down’” explained F.A.B. “And expect to lose a parent, but a parent should not lose their child, and with Mother’s Day around the corner, we decided to show moms in need of something special and extra love.”

F.A.B. also knew that Chef Cleaz had recently lost his mother, which made the idea even more appropriate to them.

So, the day after Mother’s Day, F.A.B. and Cleaz hosted “You Still Have A Son, Momma” at Pierre Pierre.

“We wanted moms to still feel appreciated under the covenant of family and love,” said F.A.B.

“I remember my mother being my rock,” said Cleaz. “My mom played a very important part in my life, and not having her anymore gave me the impetus to do something in her honor. She gave me a lot in her lifetime. F.A.B. offered to pay for the entire event, but I said, let’s collaborate.”

“My mom was my best friend, and on Mother’s Day I cry and listen to music so I can get the tears out. But I’m happy because I’m living my purpose, continuing to evolve as a man and father to Liberty and Legacy and continue making my mom proud.”

F.A.B. said he did not plan on turning anybody away if there were more guests. “If they’re coming, there is a void of love that they are coming for,” he said. Chef Cleaz’s staff donated their time, and entertainer Dyson the Voice brought his band and sang all night.

“We wanted to see all the beautiful women out there,” said F.A.B. “We wanted to see lots of beautiful smiles, faces, and we want the mothers to feel appreciated.”

F.A.B. said his sister Theresa lost her son and that he knows at a very personal level how deep the loss of a child is through her. “You never really get over the loss, you deal with it. You try to make life better for those around you.”

Pierre Pierre is located at 401 13th St. Owner Chef Cleaz is a renowned celebrity chef from the vibrant culinary scene of San Francisco. Born from humble beginnings, he has forged an extraordinary path to culinary stardom, exemplifying Black excellence with each delectable dish he creates.

A dedicated father and loving husband, his commitment to family values extends far beyond his home, as he tirelessly helps anyone he sees in need.

Chef Cleaz has built an empire rooted in his passion for food and a deep respect for cultural heritage. His vision is to establish a sanctuary of culinary artistry, where creole and soul food recipes take center stage. He aims to create a space that the community can proudly call its own, a place where shared meals become moments of togetherness and cultural celebration.

Through his culinary creations, he invites visitors to savor not just his delectable dishes but also the history, traditions, and stories that infuse every plate.

F.A.B. is an American songwriter, entrepreneur, community organizer, and activist whose music career began in the late 1990s when he was discovered by Jazzy Jim and Gary Archer. He was featured on a number of Mac Dre’s Thizz Nation mixtape compilations and quickly gained prominence in the San Francisco Bay Area Hyphy Movement.

Over time, she received more and more calls from foster agencies and hospital social workers who begged her to take infants in fragile health because of her excellent reputation. For over 50 years, Humphrey has fostered over 300 children and continues to this day.

“Ms. Martha has been known throughout her community as the person that wants to ‘just serve’ by being a caretaker and a guide for vulnerable children and youth over the past 50 years,” said Post News Group Publisher Paul L. Cobb, who initiated the nomination.

Oakland’s Mother of the Year Award was created by the OPRYD in 1954 to publicly honor an Oakland resident whose contributions to the community symbolize the finest traditions of motherhood.

Past honorees have included hard-working, dedicated community servants whose volunteerism has been exemplary.

Although her campaign has not been able to raise nearly as much money, she assures the community that their efforts are best used for “defending the democracy” and serving the residents of Alameda County.

Price challenged the big donors behind the recall efforts, stating that if they have thousands of dollars to spend on overturning an election, then they can better use their funds to invest in the commu-

Price stated that being district attorney is her priority and this recall election would not stop her from doing her job. She trusts the efforts of the Protect the Win campaign to ensure that the message of keeping her in office is heard loud and clear.

“We believe in democracy, the people of this county have the right to elect a district attorney. They did that. We should not have to do it again, but we will do it again,” Price said.

Initially, Cleaz and F.A.B. planned for 50 to 75 guests, but after they advertised the event via social media posts, the RSVP’s kept rolling in. At last count,120 mothers responded.

F.A.B. is the owner of D.O.P.E. clothing store and other businesses. He is known for hosting community block parties, school supply giveaways, and holiday parties for the underserved. He also created Thug Therapy, a movement for men to receive mental health support, which inspired the work of another community organizer, the late Shantell Herndon, creator of FLY Girl Therapy and Healing Circles.

Lend A Hand Foundation ...

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5 Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson and District 4 Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley with Lifetime Supporter Awards.

LAHF presented the Trailblazer Award to Guy Richardson of Ernst and Young; Dante Green of Kaiser Permanente; Antioch Attorney Gordon Greenwood of the Kazan McClain Partner’s Foundation; and Sarah Yoell of PG&E. Oakland Unified School District Superintendent, Dr. Kyla Trammel Johnson acknowledged LAHF’s impact.

“Each year, LAHF gives backpacks and school supplies to thousands of students across Oakland,” said Johnson. “In 2022 the effort topped 25,000 students. No matter the need, big or small, involving lots of students or just one, Lend A Hand is always there ready to make a difference in the lives of our young people.”

Founder and executive director of LAHF Dee Johnson took the stage as the DJ played the Sledge

Sisters’ “We Are Family.” Guests gave Johnson a standing ovation as she thanked supporters and presented many of them with gifts.

“It’s heartbreaking to know some children don’t have clothes or supplies for school,” said Johnson. “The babies really need our support and when we deliver supplies to them, it makes them really happy.”

Since the LAHF Annual Stay in School Program began in 1999, it has provided over 150,000 educational school supply kits to students throughout Alameda County, including Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, and San Leandro, among other cities.

“This past August, we provided for over 12,000 students with supplies, with the help and support of our very generous donors,” said Johnson. “This year, we aim to do all we can to match that amount or provide even more.” For more information visit: www.LendaHandFoundation.org.

Chris Moore, campaign manager for recall group Save Alameda For Everyone (SAFE), speaks at the Alameda County Board of Supervisors special meeting on May 14, 2024. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

Alameda District Attorney Pamela Price held a press conference Wednesday morning at Everett & Jones to discuss the recall election and her path forward now that a date is scheduled for November.

Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

Chef Cleaz, owner of Pierre Pierre Restaurant, and rapper and author Mistah F.A.B. announce special event “You Still Have a Son” Mother’s Day dinner. Photo Courtesy KTVU Channel 2.