



“Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18 postnewsgroup.com
61st Year, No. 35 Weekly Edition. August
School Students Are Learning Conflict Resolution
By Oakland Post Staff
Kbean®, Full Force Brothers, and G88 Media Lab partnered to launch the Reel Funny program in middle schools and high schools in Oakland — with plans to expand the program nationwide.
The program enables students to learn, experience, and share how to resolve conflict using comedy and improvisation, and it cultivates a healthy and constructive social environment.
It aims to instill long lasting lessons and life skills around setting and respecting “boundaries.” The program already garnered the attention and support of numerous entertainment and philanthropic brands, including the Academy Awardwinning actor and comedian Jamie Foxx (Laffapalooza) and the Emmy Award-winning actor Blair Under-
By Magaly Muñoz
The City of Oakland held a series of town halls on public safety this week to discuss and address residents' biggest concerns about strategies city leaders are implementing to make the town a safer place.
To kick off the series, the public safety leadership team met at Beth Eden Baptist Church, where pews were filled with people ready to ask questions of city officials they don’t often get to interact with.
“I want [this town hall discussion] to be honest. I want this to be productive and solutions
Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson Chancellor, Peralta Community College District
As Chancellor of the Peralta Community College District, I am excited to endorse California Senate Bill SB 1348, which proposes a state-level designation for BlackServing Institutions of Higher Education. This bill is a critical step toward recognizing and supporting the significant role that institutions
like ours play in serving Black students and fostering their success.
Our incredibly diverse district in the East Bay includes Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College. Over 30% of our students identify as Latinx, and all four colleges are either designated as Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) or are on the path to that designation. 20.8% identify as Asian American or Pacific Islander, again with our colleges designated as Asian American, Native American and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) or on that path. The HSI and AANAPISI designations and resulting grants allow our colleges to support these historically marginalized communities with programs tailored specifically for these student cohorts.
Frustratingly, there is no such designation for Black-Serving In-
Mia Bonta, Assemblymember, 18th District is thrilled to share valuable academic resources designed to uplift students seeking higher education in Assembly District 18 and beyond. With last year’s frustrations with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (“FAFSA”),
I encourage our emerging leaders to proactively prepare to ensure they have the opportunities and financial support to envision themselves in higher academic institutions.
As a former school board member, Mia knows how transformative education can be so along with her
stitutions. And there should be. Research shows Black students face unique challenges in their educational journey. They are more likely to delay attending college after high school, more likely to attend college part-time, less likely to earn a degree, and more likely to take on a more significant amount of student debt than other student groups. Collectively, 19.1% of students at the Peralta Colleges identify as Black, surpassing the 10% enrollment threshold required by SB 1348. This statistic is not just a number; it reflects our ongoing need for creating and sustaining educational environments where Black students can excel.
Merritt College, in particular, holds a significant place in this narrative. It was here, nearly 60 years ago, that the Black Panther Party was founded, a pivotal moment in
Continued on page 10
colleagues, they legislated to ensure that this year’s budget reflected the priorities of having every student eligible for financial aid, livable wages for teachers and professors, and robust TK-12 priorities reflected in our 2024-2025 state budget.
oriented,” Mayor Sheng Thao said.
On the leadership team with Thao were Police Chief Floyd Mitchell, City Administrator Jestin Johnson, Department of Violence Prevention Chief Holly Joshi, and Fire Chief Damon Covington. Director of the Department of Transportation Josh Rowan and Assistant City Administrator Harold Duffey also joined the panel on Friday evening.
City officials have faced harsh criticism on the public safety front, with many Oakland residents reporting frustration
Students Learn to Foster Solidarity Through Multiracial Leadership Organization
By Magaly Muñoz
For over 25 years, an Oakland leadership organization has worked to foster multiracial relationships amongst students, where historically, there has been division.
Youth Together was created by Raquel Jimenez, a Latino history teacher at Castlemont High School, who noticed tension between Black and Latino students. Through a coalition of other Oakland-based organizations, Youth Together was established to provide resources to students
and give them skills to build community with other racial groups.
Student members of Youth Together told the Post that the reason they joined the organization was to build skills around social justice and connect with people they otherwise wouldn’t have met.
One student, Oli, said the group helped her to grow confidence in speaking with new people and to learn more about the history of racial issues in Oakland, which she wishes teachers did more of to include in their cur-
By Magaly Muñoz
Communities of color, particularly Black and Brown people, are amongst the most affected by Type 2 diabetes (T2D) due to socioeconomic status, cultural, and environmental factors.
More than 38 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, with up to 95% having Type 2 diabetes.
While individuals ages 45 and older are typically the age range for those being diagnosed, more and more children and young adults are developing the chronic illness, according to the CDC.
Of the 1 in 10 people with diabetes, 16.4% of Black people and 14.7% of Hispanic people make up the highest rates among different groups.
Dr. Kevin Peterson, vice president of Primary Care at the American Diabetes Association, said in an email that the environments where Black and Brown people historically live, such as areas of high carbohydrate diets, contribute to the prevalence of this illness.
But family history can also have a part to play in someone’s diagnosis. Although it is not always a determining factor, first-degree relatives, like parents, with Type 2 diabetes can increase someone’s risk of developing the same condition.
Doctors recommend that if there is that direct link, taking precautions such as a healthy diet and exercise can minimize or eliminate the chances of having T2D. But Peterson also acknowledged that there can be difficulties with maintaining a healthy lifestyle for Black and Brown communities.
Marilyn Washington-Harris, posted 19 billboards around Oakland with the picture
By Brigitte Cook
murder, outraged and in pain, Washington’s mother, Marilyn Washington-Harris, posted 19 billboards around the city with his picture and the blaring question: Do You Know Who Killed Me? Those signs were stark reminders to a city sometimes in denial that too many of its young men were dying violent deaths. Soon she was organizing marches to bring attention to Oakland’s problem with violence, and to the lasting pain families of victims endure. Privately, Washington-Harris would Continued on page 10
By Maxim Elramsisy and Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
Vice President Kamala Harris officially accepted the Democratic party’s nomination for President of the United States on Aug. 22, the fourth and final night of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago.
Harris, a former California U.S. Senator and Attorney General, needed the votes of 1,976 Democratic delegates to secure the nomination but exceeded that mark with 4,567 nods.
If elected, Harris, an Oakland native, would become the first Black, first Asian, and first woman President.
“On behalf of Americans like the people I grew with, people who work hard, chase their dreams and look out for one another, on behalf of everyone whose stories can only be written in the greatest nation on
Earth, I accept your nominations to be President of the United States,” Harris told the DNC delegates, officials and guests.
Among Democratic leaders on hand to witness Harris’s historic nomination were a number of California state officials, the Golden State’s DNC delegates, members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) and Gov. Gavin Newsom, who officially delivered California’s 482 delegate votes for Harris on the floor of the convention.
“Kamala Harris has always done the right thing — a champion for voting rights, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, the rights for women and girls,” said Newsom, who was flanked by House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-11) and Congressmember Maxine Waters (DCA-43).
Pelosi, whose district includes San Francisco where Harris served as District Attorney, endorsed the
Vice President and thanked President Biden for his leadership and “vision for a fairer America.”
During her address on the first night of the convention, Waters mentioned Fannie Lou Hamer, the revered civil rights, voting rights and women’s right’s activist who spoke at the DNC in 1964.
“When the dust settles in November, Americans of all stripes have elected her President of the United States, I know (Harris) will be thinking about Fannie Lou Hamer who I happen to know is one of Kamala’s heroes,” Waters said.
Congressmember Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), who served as official timekeeper of the convention, said she was humbled to have a front row seat to history “as we nominate my friend and a child of the East Bay.”
Other California state leaders
Continued on page 8
By Bo Tefu
California Black Media
Members of California’s Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) last week rallied against Proposition 36 in Sacramento on Aug. 20, arguing that, if approved, the proposal would disproportionally impact Black and Brown communities statewide.
Prop 36 aims to increase penalties for retail theft, upgrading charges for some criminal offenses from misdemeanors to felonies. Black caucus members who have been vocal in their opposition of the legislation include As-
semblymembers Mia Bonta (DAlameda), Isaac Bryan (D Ladera Heights), Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), and Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood).
Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) was also among a coalition of Democratic leaders rallying against the bill on Aug. 20 at the State Capitol. Other Democratic lawmakers attending the press conference included Assemblymembers Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) and Alex Lee (D-San Jose). Bryan challenged fellow Democrats to advocate for laws that aim to alleviate poverty and crime calling Prop 36 a bipartisan failure.
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
On the opening night of the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 19 in Chicago, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass commended Vice President Kamala Harris, describing her as a role model who fights to protect children.
During her speech, Bass recalled working together with Harris on youth homelessness and fixing the child welfare system over a decade ago when she served as the head of the California Assembly and Harris was a state prosecutor.
“Our bond was forged years ago, by a shared commitment to children,” said Bass, honoring
their 20 years of friendship.
“A belief that it is everybody’s responsibility to care for every child, no matter where they come from or no matter who their parents are,” she said.
A well-known advocate for children, Bass created the Bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth and worked closely with Harris. The Vice President worked closely with Bass to help young people in the juvenile justice system when she served as the California Attorney General.
Bass spoke highly of Harris’ dedication as a public servant and advocate for young people.
As a leader Harris, “feels the importance of this work in her bones.
When Kamala meets a young person, you can feel her passion. You can feel her heart. And you can feel her fearlessness,” said Bass.
“That is what defines a commitment to children: being willing to fight fiercely for every child. And trust me, Kamala has done that her entire life,” she added.
Both Democrats made history in their current leadership roles when Harris became the first female vice president of the United States and Bass became the first woman mayor of L.A. in 2022. Harris swore Bass into that role, an act both women agree sent a powerful message to young girls that they too can become leaders.
“We are not going back. For decades, communities have been calling for us to invest in safe solutions that address the root causes of poverty and desperation. Prop. 36 is a return to the bipartisan failures of the 1980s and 90s. We can and must do better,” Bryan said in a statement.
He condemned the law stating that “every dollar we spend criminalizing poverty is a dollar we could’ve better spent ending it.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized the ballot measure, stating that Prop 36 would be costly for the state and potentially lead to the overcrowding of state prisons.
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
On Aug. 21, a federal judge barred California from allowing residents to seek concealed-carry licenses, squashing State lawmakers’ plans to restrict carrying guns in public.
The State Legislature tried to pass a new law in response to a 2022 United States Supreme Court ruling that blocked states’ limits on carrying concealed weapons. The ruling stated that government restrictions related to gun laws must be “consistent with this nation’s historical tradition of firearms regulation,” referencing laws that date back to the formative years of the nation.
As a response, California enacted a law that banned carrying guns in schools, parks, libraries, and other “sensitive places.” However, the courts also blocked this restriction and set new requirements for licenses to possess firearms in public. Another restriction to ban out-of-state residents from applying for concealed-carry licenses was recent-
ly blocked by a federal judge.
The judge argued that the restriction failed to meet the Supreme Court’s historical test.
State Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office argued that California’s resident requirement reinforced the state’s purpose of allowing only “law-abiding citizens” to carry guns.
However, gun advocates, such as the Second Amendment Foundation, support the court’s ruling.
The organization partnered with similar groups including the Gun Owners of America and the California Rifle & Pistol Association to challenge state laws and restrictions on gun ownership.
Alan Gottlieb, founder and executive vice president of the Second Amendment Foundation said, “Americans do not leave their Second Amendment right to bear arms at the California border.”
Although Bonta could appeal the court ruling, the state is yet to respond to the federal judge’s decision. Lawmakers supporting gun restrictions continue to back his in efforts to bolster public safety.
By Joe W. Bowers Jr. California Black Media
With the Democratic National Convention in Chicago now concluded and Vice President Kamala Harris officially nominated as the party’s candidate for President, former President Donald Trump has wasted no time reverting to his usual playbook, peddling division and negativity.
Rather than campaigning on the critical issues facing the country, Trump is trolling anyone he perceives is making fun of him or questioning his competence. In front of his supporters, he openly mocked his advisers who urged him to focus on policy.
Gaslighting, a tactic designed to make people question their reality, has been a constant feature of Trump’s political career. Whether downplaying the severity of COVID-19, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the 2020 election, or distorting his administration’s achievements, Trump has skillfully used this approach to manipulate public perception.
While Democrats celebrated Harris’ historic nomination and urged the nation to turn the page on Trump, he was in swing states launching personal attacks and spreading misinformation, reinforcing his image as an “unserious,” “weird,” and backwardlooking candidate out of touch with American values. His appearances were filled with off-the-cuff remarks, unhinged tirades, and humiliating blunders. He ridiculed President Joe Biden’s appearance, labeled former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi “crazy,” called Harris “lazy” and “stupid,” and described former President Obama as “nasty.”
Trump’s gaslighting of Harris goes even deeper, questioning her background and identity, implying that Democrats might not fully understand “where she came from” or her “ideology.” This tactic which he’s used against other prominent Black leaders, including Obama and women of color in Congress, is designed to paint Harris as an outsider, despite her Oakland roots, her experience being bused to public school, and grad-
uating from Howard University, a historically Black college. His deliberate mispronunciation of her name, a blatant sign of his racism and disrespect, aims to marginalize her as “other.”
Trump has tried to label Harris as “Lyin’ Kamala” and brand her a “communist,” calling her “Comrade Kamala,” even suggesting that “Kamala” sounds like “communist” — a childish play on
words that he finds clever.
The barrage of personal attacks
Trump’s been launching is part of a broader pattern in his strategy, which hinges on the “Big Lie” — the baseless claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him.
As Harris steps into her role as the Democratic nominee, her campaign offers a hopeful vision for the future and bold solutions to national challenges, standing
in stark contrast to Trump’s backward approach.
By Tamara Shiloh
William DeHart Hubbard, born on November 25, 1903, in Cincinnati, Ohio, was a trailblazing figure in American sports history.
Hubbard grew up in Cincinnati. While attending Walnut Hills High School he excelled in academics and athletics. This earned him a scholarship to the University of Michigan in 1921, where he studied in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. In college, he quickly made a name for himself as an exceptional track and field athlete.
Hubbard was the only African American on the school’s track team; he was also the first African American varsity track letterman at the university. In his college career, Hubbard won several meets including being a three-time National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) champion, eighttime Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) champion, and seven-time Big Ten Conference champion in track and field. His 1925 outdoor long jump of 25 feet 101⁄2 inches stood as the Michigan Wolver-
ines team record until 1980, and it is still second. His 1925 jump of 25 feet 3.5 inches stood as a Big Ten Championships record until
Jesse Owens broke it in 1935 with what is now the current record of 26 feet 8.25 inches.
In 1924, he was selected to
represent the United States at the Paris Summer Olympics.
Competing against some of the best athletes in the world,
Hubbard made history by winning the gold medal in the long jump by jumping 24 feet 5.5 inches. This victory made him the first African American to win an individual gold medal in the history of the modern Olympic Games.
In 1925, Hubbard broke the long jump world record with a leap of 25 feet 107⁄8 inches at the NCAA championships. In 1927, he bettered that with a jump of 26 feet 2.25 inches — which would have been the first ever over 26 feet — but meet officials disallowed it, claiming that the takeoff board was an inch higher than the surface of the landing pit. He also competed in the hurdles at the 1926 AAU championships. He graduated with honors in 1927.
He specialized in the long jump, a sport that would soon bring him international fame.
Hubbard’s Olympic success was not just a personal triumph but a milestone for African Americans in sports. His victory challenged the prevailing stereotypes of the time and inspired a generation of Black athletes to pursue their dreams in the face of adversity.
After his Olympic success, he continued to excel in track and field. He set an additional world record in 1925 with a jump of 25 feet 10.75 inches, which stood for several years. His accomplishments were not limited to athletics, as he also became involved in civic and business endeavors after his graduation from the University of Michigan in 1927.
Following his athletic career, Hubbard returned to his hometown of Cincinnati, where he took on various roles serving his community and the progress of African Americans. He worked as a manager for the Department of Colored Work for the Cincinnati Public Recreation Commission and later became a race relations adviser for the Federal Housing Administration.
Hubbard passed away on June 23, 1976. As the first African American to win an individual Gold Medal in the Olympics, he not only paved the way for future generations of athletes but also demonstrated the profound impact that sports can have on societal change.
Asthma is a significant public health issue, particularly among Medi-Cal members.
Black Californians are five times more likely to visit the emergency department and four times more likely to be hospitalized for asthma than White Californians, and more than 2 million Latinos in the state live with asthma.
Medi-Cal offers new services to help members manage and reduce asthma triggers where they often experience them most, in their own home.
Asthma Remediation as Part of Community Supports
Asthma Remediation is one of the 14 optional Community Supports Medi-Cal managed care plans can offer. Community Supports are new and improved services to help Medi-Cal members get well-rounded, whole person care that goes beyond the doctor’s office or hospital.
This program provides home modifications and interventions to manage asthma symptoms, reduce emergency room visits, and improve the quality of life for eligible members.
Transform Your Home to Manage Asthma
Medi-Cal’s Asthma Remediation service covers essential modifications to ensure your home is a safe haven, including:
• Allergen-impermeable mattress and pillow covers to block dust mites.
• High-efficiency particulate air
(HEPA) filtered vacuums to effectively remove allergens. Integrated Pest Management services to eliminate pests that can trigger asthma. De-humidifiers to control moisture levels and prevent mold growth.
Mechanical air filters to keep indoor air clean.
Asthma-friendly cleaning products and supplies that contain minimal chemical irritants.
• Minor mold removal and remediation services to ensure mold-free living spaces.
• Other moisture-controlling interventions to maintain a dry and healthy environment.
• Ventilation improvements to enhance air circulation.
• Other medically appropriate and cost-effective interventions identified by your health care provider.
How to Access Asthma
Remediation Services
To qualify for these services, members must meet certain criteria:
Eligibility Criteria: The member must have poorly controlled asthma, indicated by recent emergency department visits, hospitalizations, frequent urgent care visits, or a score of 19 or lower on the Asthma Control Test.
• Home Evaluation: An assessment of the member’s home must be conducted through the Asthma Preventive Services
Over 36,000 Black Californians maintained coverage with a health insurance provider through the 14-month Medi-Cal to Covered California redetermination process led by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and Covered California
This number does not include Californians who have employer or private insurance or those who have been enrolled in Medi-Cal or Covered California and have met all the eligibility requirements for both programs.
In total, more than 158,000 Californians retained their health coverage through the statewide redetermination initiative, which began in April 2023 and ran until June of this year, according to DHCS.
Covered California Chief Medical Officer and Chief Depu-
benefit to determine needs and the suitability of any requested remediation(s).
• Health Provider’s Order: A licensed health care provider must request the necessary remediations based on member needs.
Members can reach out to their managed care health plan or speak with their doctor to find out more information about available Asthma Remediation services.
Comprehensive Support and Education Asthma Remediation goes beyond home modifications. The program also empowers members with knowledge, providing information about how to identify and mitigate environmental triggers
Slosar Research, 82% of people in the Medi-Cal renewal processes were covered through employerinsurance; were already enrolled with Covered California, or returned to Medi-Cal.
Soni stated that the main obstacle that prevents people without health insurance from selecting a plan through Covered California is a belief the price will be out of
commonly found in and around homes, including allergens and irritants. Members will learn how to:
• Use dust-proof mattresses and pillow covers. Properly use HEPA vacuums and asthma-friendly cleaning products.
• Implement moisture control measures and improve ventilation.
• Conduct minor home repairs, such as sealing cracks to prevent pest entry.
Financial and Coverage Details
Medi-Cal covers the costs of asthma remediations up to a lifetime maximum of $7,500 per member. This amount can be increased if significant changes in condition require additional modifications to ensure the member’s health, well-being, and safety, or to help the member achieve greater independence at home and avoid institutionalization or hospitalization. All interventions must adhere to state and local building codes and must be performed by licensed contractors to ensure quality and safety.
Enhancing the Member’s Quality of Life
Medi-Cal’s Asthma Remediation services are designed to supplement and enhance the care members already receive, providing comprehensive support to address the root causes of asthma triggers in the home.
With robust support, education, and financial coverage, Medi-Cal helps ensure that members receive
their budget. “Sometimes people are worried about the cost,” she explained. “We have zero-dollar and $10-a-month plans, depending on household income. Regardless of what health plan you choose all of your primary care costs are the same. We believe you should be able to shop for the health plan you want.”
the necessary modifications to live healthier lives.
Get Started Today
If you or a loved one is struggling with poorly controlled asthma, don’t wait to act. Contact your health care provider to discuss your eligibility for Medi-Cal Asthma Remediation services and start your journey toward a safer, healthier home.
For more information, call the state’s Medi-Cal Managed Care Office of the Ombudsman at (888) 452-8609 or email MMCDOmbudsmanOffice@dhcs.ca.gov.
In Alameda County, Medi-Cal recipients can contact: Alameda Alliance for Health: 510-747-4567
• Kaiser Permanente: 855-8397613
In Contra Costa County, MediCal recipients can contact: Contra Costa Health Plan: 877661-6230
• Kaiser Permanente: 855-8397613
In Marin County, Medi-Cal recipients can contact: Partnership Health Plan of California: 800-863-4155
• Kaiser Permanente: 855-8397613
In Solano County, Medi-Cal recipients can: Partnership Health Plan of California: 800-863-4155
• Kaiser Permanente: 855-8397613
Take the first step today to transform your home into a healthier, safer environment.
Covered California’s open enrollment period runs from November of this year to January 2025. Soni said Covered California will have record levels of support and affordability during the upcoming year.
“Incredible support we are getting from the state and federal government makes us able to do that,” she said.
Crude oil, gasoline, diesel fuel, and other petroleum products can expose you to chemicals including toluene and benzene, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. These exposures can occur in and around oil fields, refineries, chemical plants, transport and storage operations, such as pipelines, marine terminals, tank trucks, and other facilities and equipment. For more information go to: www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/petroleum.
ty Executive Director Dr. S. Monica Soni said the availability of affordable health coverage can help prevent negative medical outcomes in the Golden State’s Black communities. That coverage includes Medi-Cal, California’s version of the Medicaid program — which offers free or low-cost health care access to low-income people across the nation — or one of the affordable health plans offered through Covered California, the state’s health insurance exchange
“We know primary care is one of the ways to have good health and wellness — from behavioral health to physical health to instances where someone has a substance abuse disorder,” said Soni, also a primary care doctor and the first Black Chief Medical Officer at Covered California.
“Our communities are some of the most incredible community-oriented, health-seeking ambi-
tious folks,” Soni continued. “We have a lot of assets in our communities, but it is true we have higher rates of death for many cancers. We have more obesity. We have really higher rates of diabetes and high blood pressure as well.”
The redetermination project kicked off when Medi-Cal resumed its renewal process to establish eligibility for over 15 million of its members following the end of the federal continuous coverage requirement put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Covered California automatically enrolled individuals in one of its low-cost health plans with insurers such as Aetna Health, Anthem Blue Cross of California, Health Net, Molina Health Plan, or Valley Health Plan if they lost Medi-Cal coverage and qualified for Covered California.
According to a survey conducted last fall on behalf of Covered California by NORC and
The foregoing warning is provided pursuant to Proposition 65. This law requires the Governor of California to publish a list of chemicals “known to the State to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.” This list is compiled in accordance with a procedure established by the Proposition, and can be obtained from the California Environmental Protection Agency. Proposition 65 requires that clear and reasonable warnings be given to persons exposed to the listed chemicals in certain situations.
For more information, please call:
By Bo Tefu
California Black Media
Democratic House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA11) urged Vice President Kamala Harris to govern “from the center,” stating that the presidential nominee will take the party to new heights.
Pelosi challenged the Democratic Party to lead their campaign with messaging that is “bold, progressive and not menacing.”
Pelosi stated that although what works in Michigan may not work in San Francisco, winning should remain everyone’s focus.
Similar to Harris, Pelosi was the first woman to serve in her role as House Speaker, ascending to the highest-ranking female politician in the country before Harris becoming the first female Vice President.
California for Kamala ... Continued from page 2
at the convention were state constitutional officers Malia Cohen, Controller; Shirley Weber, Secretary of State; and Tony Thurmond, Secretary of Public Instruction.
Thurmond spoke to California Black Media on the floor of the convention after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a former teacher and high school football coach, accepted the Democratic Party’s vicepresidential nomination on Aug. 21.
“If you want to get something done, you want a teacher, you want an educator,” Thurmond told CBM, referring to Walz.
“You have to be able to take a punch, you have to be able to throw a punch … for the children,” Pelosi said in support of Harris becoming the first woman vice president and working her way to making history for the second time as the Democrats presidential nominee.
In her speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 20, the former Speaker thanked President Joe Biden for his leadership.
“I wanted very much to protect his legacy,” Pelosi said regarding Biden’s decision to step down as the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee.
“A great sacrifice was made here,” she said.
Pelosi emphasized that her priority is to win the White House in November as well as the House and Senate.
California U.S. Sen. Laphonza Butler also spoke to CBM.
“This is the leader built for this moment,” said Butler.
Attorney General Rob Bonta contrasted Harris’s speech with Trump’s at the Republican National Convention last month in Milwaukee.
“You could really see the authenticity, the decency, goodness, the fairness, and we need a big dose of that, given the alternative,” said the Attorney General.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who spoke the first night of the convention, praised Harris for creating the California Bureau of Children’s Justice when she was Attorney General.
By Regina Wilson, California Black Media
Last week, California arrived at a turning point in the decadeslong quest to find a solution to the news crisis in our state.
Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) brokered a deal that promises to change the future of news in our state. This isn’t just another plan — it’s a unique collaboration that brings together the State of California, news publishers and tech companies, to give our newsrooms the financial support they desperately need.
It also includes the launching of a new National AI Accelerator to explore how artificial intelligence can help journalism thrive in today’s digital world.
This partnership couldn’t come at a more critical time. Local journalism is on life support across our state. Across the country, news outlets are shrinking or shutting down at an alarming rate, leaving communities without vital information. A recent study from Northwestern University found that two and a half newspapers in the U.S. close every week. Since 2005, we’ve lost two-thirds of our newspaper journalists. In
newspapers have disappeared in the last decade.
Assemblymember Wicks, along with the state and other key players, have come up with a pragmatic way to address this crisis. They’ve created an agreement to revive local journalism in California by using tech industry and public resources — without raising taxes on Californians.
Over the next five years, more than $250 million in public and private funding will go to California’s newsrooms, especially small, local, and community-focused outlets. This isn’t just about saving what’s left. It’s about creating a future where journalism can be strengthened enough to resume its critical roles as interpreter of current events; watchdog of developments in business and public policy; and reliable source of news and information.
As the Executive Director of California Black Media, I can’t stress enough how important this initiative is for ethnic and community media outlets. We’ve always been the trusted voices for historically underrepresented communities, providing news and information that larger outlets often overlook or under-explore. For many of us, this funding could mean the difference between staying open and closing down.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s support for this initiative, along with his backing of AB 1511, authored by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles), demonstrates the administration’s strong commitment to local and underrepresented media. AB 1511 seeks to increase the state’s investment in marketing, advertising, and outreach dollars directed specifically to our local community news providers.
It’s important to note that this partnership is just the beginning.
As Assemblymember Wicks said, this effort is about laying the foundation for a free and vibrant press in California.
As we move forward, I encourage all stakeholders — publishers, journalists, community leaders, and policymakers — to come together and make the most of this opportunity. The future of California’s media landscape is at a crossroads, and with the right support, we can ensure it is incrementally funded to become more diverse, dynamic, and democratic. About the Author
Regina Wilson is the Executive Director of California Black Media.
By Terri Schlichenmeyer
Ten feet tall. Larger than life. Surely, that describes the person in history you most admire. He was a giant among men. Her actions were bigger than anyone could imagine in her time and place. You think about that a lot, and the rest of their story. Is there, as in “A Passionate Mind in Relentless Pursuit” by Noliwe Rooks, more to learn?
In the early winter of 1938, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt took a stand when she followed her friend, Mary McLeod Bethune, into the Southern Conference for Human Welfare and sat beside Bethune, defying the racist Public Safety Commissioner of Birmingham, Alabama. That’s an account that’s easy to find anywhere, and it’s thrilling, but the story miss-
es something: at one point, the conference’s organizer asked for “Mary” to come up to the platform. Bethune drew herself up and told the organizer “My name is Mrs. Bethune.”
Says Rooks, it was uncommon for a Black woman to demand that she be called by a name she chose. That Bethune did is just one of the things that sticks in Rooks’ mind. Bethune was her parents’ fifteenth child and the first one born free. That wasn’t her last “first”: she was the first Black woman to establish a hospital for Black Floridians, and the first Black woman to launch an HBCU for young Black women in the eastern U.S.. Rooks says that Bethune conceived of the idea of the Tuskegee Airmen, she was the founder of several civil rights organizations
Continued on page 9
FOUR SEASONS ARTS presents
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 – 3:00 PM
ST. JOHN’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 2727 COLLEGE AVENUE, BERKELEY
By
Gov. Gavin Newsom, California lawmakers and some newspaper publishers last week finalized a $172 million deal with tech giant Google to support local news outlets and artificial intelligence innovation.
This deal, the first of its kind in the nation, aims to invest in local journalism statewide over the next five years. However, the initiative is different from a bill proposed by two legislators, news publishers and media employee unions requiring tech giants Google and Meta to split a percentage of ad revenue generated from news stories with publishers and media outlets. Under this new deal, Google will commit $55 million over five years into a new fund administered by the University of California, Berkeley to distribute to local newsrooms. In this partnership, the State is expected to provide $70 over five years toward this initiative. Google also has to pay a lump sum of $10 million annually toward existing grant programs that fund local newsrooms.
The State Legislature and the governor will have to approve the state funds each year. Google has agreed to invest an additional $12.5 million each year in an artificial intelligence program. However, labor advocates are concerned about the threat of job losses as a result of AI being used in newsrooms.
Julie Makinen, board chairperson of the California News Publishers Association, acknowledged that the deal is a sign of progress.
“This is a first step toward what we hope will become a comprehensive program to sustain local news in the long term, and we
will push to see it grow in future years,” said Makinen.
However, the deal is “not what we had hoped for when set out, but it is a start and it will begin to provide some help to newsrooms across the state,” she said.
Regina Brown Wilson, Executive Director of California Black Media, said the deal is a commendable first step that beats the alternative: litigation, legislation or Google walking from the deal altogether or getting nothing.
“This kind of public-private partnership is unprecedented. California is leading the way by investing in protecting the press and sustaining quality journalism in our state,” said Brown Wilson. “This fund will help news outlets adapt to a changing landscape and provide some relief. This is especially true for ethnic and community media journalists who have strong connections to their communities.”
Although the state partnered with media outlets and publishers to secure the multi-year deal, unions advocating for media workers argued that the news companies and lawmakers were settling for too little.
Sen. Mike McGuire (DHealdsburg) proposed a bill earlier this year that aimed to hold tech companies accountable for money they made off news articles. But big tech companies pushed back on bills that tried to force them to share profits with media companies.
McGuire continues to back efforts that require tech companies to pay media outlets to help save jobs in the news industry. He argued that this new deal, “lacks sufficient funding for newspapers and local media, and doesn’t fully address the inequities facing the industry.”
By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
On Aug. 19, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill aiming to expand the State’s air-quality monitoring system to include more refineries.
Newsom cited concerns regarding local control and high implementation costs.
State Sen. Lena Gonzalez (DLong Beach) authored Senate Bill (SB) 674, legislation that required real-time air monitoring of nearby petroleum refineries to keep track of sites producing biofuel and
and served on the boards and committees of others; she was a teacher who held literacy classes for Black adult voters in the South; and she opened Florida’s first beach exclusively “for Black people.”
Rooks says that her grandparents knew Bethune and, in doing research for this book, her understanding of Bethune was totally changed. Bethune was more than an activist – she was also a dream maker and “the first lady of Black America.”
Here’s something you won’t often see in this column: “A Passionate Mind in Relentless Pursuit” is not lengthy enough.
Not by a long shot.
Author Noliwe Rooks brings the story of Bethune to readers’ attention, but there could’ve been more. We get a nice, albeit scattered, list of Bethune’s work and accomplishments, but you may be left with the sense that the list is somehow incomplete.
Even Rooks’ thoughts and the stories of her own ancestors is so good that you’ll be left wanting.
If only this book was longer.
This means you’ll devour what is here: the stories, the jaw-dropping achievements, and a lingering feeling that Bethune never felt like she was done, like there was always more to do. Like Rooks, you may find that that, and Bethune, stick in your mind awhile.
Absolutely, this book will send you looking for more information on this talented, driven, brilliant woman. What you’ll find here is a little short on substance but still, as an account of the magnitude of one woman’s accomplishments, “A Passionate Mind in Relentless Pursuit” is a “ten.”
“A Passionate Mind in Relentless Pursuit: The Vision of Mary McLeod Bethune,” c.2024, Penguin Press, $28.00, 208 pages.
If you’re up for more unique history, look for “On a Move: Philadelphia’s Notorious Bombing and a Native Son’s Lifelong Battle for Justice” by Mike Africa, Jr. It’s the story of MOVE, a Black Civil Liberties organization and the eleven people killed in a police bombing in 1985. One of those affected in the aftermath was Africa, whose parents were incarcerated and who remembers the bombing and the ensuing questions surrounding it.
This is a deeply moving story that sheds light on a little-discussed chapter in history.
ing various fees over multiple years. However, State officials were unable to secure funding that could help expand programs that monitor air quality in all the refineries.
Oscar Espino-Padron, a senior attorney at Earthjustice, confirmed that two air quality districts in the Bay Area and South Coast Air Quality Management District supported SB 674.
Espino-Padron argued that the air quality districts would be “empowered to implement measures and to exercise their discretion to tailor this monitoring program based on when it’s appropriate in their jurisdictions.”
CITY OF OAKLAND REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR
Professional Services for City of Oakland Head Start Program FY 2024-2029
Contract Amount: Varies, dependent on Service Area / Scope of Services
Terms: Up to 1 year, with an option to extend up to an additional 4 years
Project Description: The City of Oakland Head Starts seeks experienced and motivated non – profit organizations, private, public agencies, and others, to provide professional services to support the City’s early childhood development program (Head Start) for children prenatal through 5 years of age.
Pre-Proposal Meeting: Tuesday, September 10, 2024 – 1:00 to 2:30PM (PST) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82430106420?pwd=lwbyfZapNe4Ouea40Wz6yNn9wehsi6.1 Proposal Submittal Deadline: Monday, September 30, 2024, by 2:00 P.M. via iSupplier.
Reminders:
• All who wish to participate in this RFP must register (at least 5 days prior to submittal due date) through iSupplier at (https://www.oaklandca.gov/services/register-with-isupplier) to avoid last minute submittal complications and receive addenda/updates on this RFP. For additional help registering and submitting your proposal to iSupplier please watch the user guide videos at (https://www.oaklandca.gov/documents/isupplier-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 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR CITY OF OAKLAND HEAD START PROGRAM FY 2024-2029” 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 • 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. Contact Information: The following City staffs are available to answer questions regarding this RFP.
a. Contract Admin: contractadmin@oaklandca.gov
b. Contract Compliance Officer: Sophany Hang at shang@oaklandca.gov or (510) 2382723
2. For iSupplier related questions after registration contact iSupplier@oaklandca.gov
Asha Reed, City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council, (Friday, August 30, 2024) The City Council reserves the right to reject all proposals.
Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the AC Transit Board of Directors invites all interested persons to attend virtual Public Hearings on Monday, September 9, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. and Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.; and hybrid (virtual & in-person) Public Hearings on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at AC Transit’s General Office, 2nd Floor Board Room located at 1600 Franklin Street in Oakland, California 94612 to provide public comment on the service change proposals for the Draft Realign Network Plan as more specifically described below under “PROJECT DESCRIPTION.” No decisions will be made at the Public Hearings.
All Public Hearings may be accessed by teleconference/video conference via Zoom at: Date Time Meeting Location
September 9 6:00pm Virtual: https://actransit.zoom.us/j/88231707039; Phone (669) 219-2599; Webinar ID 882 3170 7039
September 10 9:00am Virtual: https://actransit.zoom.us/j/88231707039; Phone (669) 219-2599; Webinar ID 882 3170 7039
September 11 2:00pm Hybrid: https://actransit.zoom.us/j/98487175063; Phone (669) 900-6833; Webinar ID 984 8717 5063 or 1600 Franklin Street, 2nd Floor Board Room, Oakland, California
September 11 6:00pm Hybrid: https://actransit.zoom.us/j/98487175063; Phone (669) 900-6833; Webinar ID 984 8717 5063 or 1600 Franklin Street, 2nd Floor Board Room, Oakland, California
Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin interpreters will be provided at the hearings. Upon request, a sign language interpreter or interpreter for languages other than those listed in this notice may be provided, but must be requested by calling (510) 891-7201 at least 72 hours in advance of a hearing. For TDD for hearing impaired, call 711, California Relay Service, and specify (510) 891-4700.
PUBLIC COMMENT can be submitted in writing and/or live at a hearing. Due to the potential for long wait times at hearings to provide live comment, the public is encouraged to submit comments in writing. Verbal public comments at the meetings will be restricted to one (1) minute in length to allow as many members of the public who wish to speak the opportunity to do so. Those who have spoken at one of the public hearings will not be permitted to speak again at another hearing and should submit additional comments in writing. Written comments will receive the same attention as verbal comments received at a Public Hearing and may be submitted as follows:
• Email to realign@actransit.org
• U.S. Mail to: AC Transit Board of Directors, 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland, California, 94612;
• Online comment form (SurveyMonkey) on Project website at actransit.org/realign
• Voicemail: English: (510) 267-5631; Spanish: (510) 267-5632; Mandarin: (510) 267-5633; Cantonese (510) 267-5634. All comments must be received by the close of the final public hearing on September 11, 2024.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
other pollutants. The bill would have required communities close to refineries such as Chevron Refinery in Richmond, to get notifications when pollutants were dangerously high, requiring local governments and state agencies to address the poor conditions.
Newsom stated that although the bill had good intentions, the state had no funding to reimburse the refineries for implementing the required systems. The proposed bill obligated refineries to cover the costs of implementing the air monitoring systems, pay-
“It’s really a setback, not only for air quality but also for community safety,” he said.
According to SB 674, a report by the American Lung Association indicated that all 19 refineries in California are located in counties that received failing grades for particulate matter pollution. Environmental groups argued that communities are being deprived of data and information that could help them take proper and timely precautions as well as protect their families from pollution caused by the refineries.
The service proposals represent AC Transit service adjustments developed through the Realign Plan effort under consideration by the Board of Directors. Service changes, if approved, would be implemented as early as March 2025. The Board of Directors is expected to render a final decision in October 2024.
Service Changes: Proposed changes are detailed on the web at actransit.org/realign. Changes are proposed for Local, Transbay, and All-Nighter lines, except no changes are proposed to lines 40, 41, 46L, 57, 90, 95, 97, 98, 800, 802, 840, 851, E, F, FS, G, J, NL, NX, NX3, P, U, and V.
New Streets: Service is being proposed on new streets for lines 7, 20, 28, 29, 45, 70, 73, 74, 76, 96, 200, 216, and 805. Details of the specific streets can be found online at actransit.org/ realign.
The service change proposals are detailed on AC Transit’s website at www.actransit.org/ realign and available in printed format at the District’s General Offices, located at 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland, California, and at a variety of other locations, including main county and city offices as well as libraries located within the District’s service area. For information on exact locations where the documents are available in your specific area, please visit: actransit.org/realign for a listing of libraries or telephone: (510) 267-5631 (English); (510) 2675632 (Spanish); (510) 267-5633 (Mandarin); or (510) 267-5634 (Cantonese).
riculum.
Lena, another student who attends Skyline High School with Oli, said the groups at school are typically divided by race because “students fall into stereotypes.”
She explained that kids would put her in a “stereotypical Asian” persona but once they got to know her, they started treating her differently.
Berlin, a student Youth Together member, shared that he transferred to three different schools because of racial tensions with other students. He said other groups attempted to start problems with him because he didn’t come from the same background as them.
Lena said people would be more open to being friends with other races if they were taught about them more frequently in school.
“It’s really important to understand different ethnicities and their backgrounds and struggles that they’ve went through,” Lena said.
Asian, Latino and Black students make up the biggest racial groups in Oakland Unified School District. Latino students in particular make up over half of the student population with almost 24,000 kids in the 2022-23 school year.
The Youth Together students shared that over the years more white students have started attending their schools and the diversity is no longer what it used to be. They also said the teachers do not reflect the student body diversity.
Oli said although there are student fights at Skyline, she doesn’t feel that they are racially motivated. But she claims that most of
Continued from page 1
“It can be difficult in lowincome communities to access healthy eating choices, and opportunities for activity can often be limited,” Peterson said. “Being creative in finding an activity that is available in your situation, finding a friend to assist you, and identifying healthy foods that you like and are available is a struggle worth taking on.”
Food deserts are one systemic factor in how people, especially low-income communities, develop chronic illnesses that can cause irreversible damage. These deserts are areas that lack easy accessibility to fresh and healthy food options.
Dr. Lloyd Stockey, MD, Internal Medicine at Kaiser Oakland Medical Center, said low-income people of color would be less susceptible to chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes if they had more access to nutritious food.
“When you go into lower income areas or areas where people of color live, you typically see a lot of things that affect diabetes – tobacco, alcohol and fast food,” he said. “When you go out to other more affluent areas, you see more farmers’ markets, more boutique places to eat, and healthier choices.
You don’t see all of that fast food.”
One of the most important things to do when talking to patients about their diagnosis, Stockey said, is meeting them where they are at. People come from all different walks of life whether that socioeconomic status, education levels,
Continued from page 1
the history of social justice and equity movements. Our commitment to these values continues to be a cornerstone of our mission. Our specialized programs, such as Umoja and Sankofa, are a testament to this commitment. They are designed to provide tailored resources and a nurturing academic environment for Black students, echoing the spirit of the Black Panther Party’s founding.
SB 1348 is more than a legislative measure; it acknowledges the vital contributions of institutions that serve Black students with excellence. By recognizing the Peralta Colleges as Black-Serving Institutions, we can better align state resources with our efforts to support and uplift our students. This designation will validate our colleges’ hard work and enhance our ability to provide targeted support and op-
the racial tensions actually come from teachers who express negative rhetoric to students during their lessons, especially in history classes.
Through these conversations about race and social justice, the students are better prepared to speak to their peers at an annual event called Unity Day.
Unity Day was hosted at Skyline and Oakland High School at the very beginning of the school year. Kids participated in activities and group discussions about diversity and the ongoing disparities in their education.
The Youth Together team said they looked forward to having these talks with students and to connecting them with others.
Lead organizer Seanna said she wants Unity Day to bring folks together and undo the years of division that Oakland schools have experienced. Her two high school aged brothers, who are also members of Youth Together, have told her that tensions run higher now than they did when she was in high school several years ago.
Seanna wants the cycle of tension and detachment among different racial groups to end, both in school and in the city. She said people felt more united and like a community when she was growing up, but that doesn’t feel like the case anymore. If Unity Day is what the school and larger community need in order to get along, she hopes the idea continues and expands until things start to come together again.
“It just takes one person to want to keep fighting, to inspire other people to keep fighting, and that’s the domino effect I would love to see. Maybe that change that we all crave for will come,” Seanna said.
or willingness to listen to the problems they have that are contributing to their T2D.
He’s encountered patients who know exactly what the illness is, how they want to make lifestyle changes and who want to keep up with their medicine, but then there are many who are the complete opposite. These patients can be harder to get through to but no resource is left unturned for them.
Dr. Walter Acuña, MD, Internal Medicine at Kaiser Oakland Medical Center, said it’s also important to understand people’s cultures and upbringings. He understands that Latino and Black patients might be used to certain kinds of diets that are carb heavy, but added that making little changes can prevent people from having to give up the food they love.
Acuña also explained that lower income people often have time restraints or live in neighborhoods where they don’t feel safe taking a 30-minute walk. Exercising in the living room or watching online workout tutorials are excellent alternatives and can help to improve overall health.
T2D is a lifelong chronic illness but it doesn’t have to dictate someone’s life, doctors say. As long as you’re taking your prescribed medicine, watching what you eat and actively trying to make lifestyle changes, the long-term risks, like liver or kidney problems, eyesight issues or early death, can be reduced.
portunities. Our community has a rich history from the founding of the Black Panther Party to the appointment of California’s first Black chancellor in a multi-college district (Dr. Donald Godbold, hired in 1980). However, there is more work to be done to fulfill our mission of advancing social and economic transformation for Black students in the Bay Area. We encourage policymakers and stakeholders to take an active role in supporting SB 1348. This bill is not just a legislative measure; it’s a beacon of hope. It is an opportunity for each of us to reaffirm our commitment to Black excellence and equity in education and to ensure that institutions like Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College continue to tflourish and support the Black students who are integral to our communities and our future.
wood.
The workshops were planned and facilitated by various role models and popular figures, such as Emmy Award-winning film and TV producer Gary Reeves as well as Foxx and his production partner, Marcus King, who inspired students through fun and culturally relatable sessions.
During the first series of programming, Reeves focused on the value of setting healthy social boundaries and applying this theme to topics such as school, food, friends, and family. The program also taught students about media creation and media rights protection, which can help build a sustainable economy within our communities.
The three members of the hiphop musical group Full Force, who are brothers, are part of a 6-man music group of singers and producers, and co-stars from the classic movie “House Party” with Kid N Play and Martin Lawrence, advocated for today’s youth. “If we can’t use our 40 years in the entertainment business to make a difference, what is the purpose of celebrity? The parents of these youth made us Full Force,” said the Full Force Brothers.
After the workshop, students were tasked with using the concepts and skills they learned to create a short video sharing their own stories. The videos were submitted through Kbean’s open marketplace platform for streaming. Participat-
ing schools’ teachers and edutainment industry leaders selected winners, who receive recognitions and influencers’ shoutouts.
The program has proven to be a success, according to students and faculty who have participated.
“We have done other conflict resolution type of teachings or sessions before, but this time was different. During the entire process, students were calm and methodical as if they were deliberating how to apply self-boundary and how to communicate in the creative process. And it made a difference in how they act with and learn from each other,” said Sonya Simril, the Principal of St. Leo the Great School in Oakland.
On Aug. 28, Kbean hosts an event: Social Accountability and Leadership for Tomorrow or “SALT12.” It is a film festival presenting the students’ creative videos for their communities to enjoy. It takes place at a El Cerrito High School theater in El Cerrito. It is open to family, friends, educators, and community members.
The three brothers who make up the group Full Force will welcome all the guests at the event.
The public is invited to join the collective group of social impact leaders from entertainment, education, and philanthropy in cultivating a powerful experience for students.
For more information about the event and the Reel Funny program, visit www.kbean.com or email at salt@kbean.com.
Continued from page 1 and disappointment that they do not feel comfortable stepping out of their homes or going to work everyday.
Strategies like Ceasefire, a program used from 2012 to 2019 to reduce violent gun crimes, were highlighted to show that reinvestment in such initiatives makes it possible to reduce gun violence by at least 50%.
Programs like Ceasefire, which look to prevent crime at the source, such as gangs or individuals with histories of crime, are inter-agency.
The Department of Violence Prevention (DVP) also largely looks at how to reduce and prevent violent crime and guide victims through their trauma.
Joshi explained that the department takes a communitybased approach to tackling organized violent crimes in the city. These strategies include conversations with community members and grassroots organizations, providing resources and social services to those most at risk for crimes, and identifying who is most likely to commit crimes so that root problems can be tackled head on instead of waiting for these individuals to fall through the cracks.
As of Aug. 24, violent crime is down 15% across the city from 2023 to 2024, according to police data. A major change from the 2022 to 2023 annual data that showed violent crime was up 21% and assault with a firearm was also up 12% in that same timeframe. Assault with a firearm is down 33% from last year.
“I understand that crime is not going down fast enough. I understand that you are not feeling safe enough. But we’re working extremely diligently to reimplement the things that we know work in the city of Oakland,” Joshi said.
Despite these changes in data and reinvestments into public safety programs, attendees did not appear satisfied with the results, saying they see more crime now than they did years ago when they were growing up in Oakland.
One of the main topics of discussion was related to the police department.
Attendees wanted to know when OPD would be receiving more police officers as there are currently only 691 sworn members to the nearly 431,000 in city population. OPD had 712 officers on the force before budget constraints cut positions.
Business owners and residents reported waiting hours after a crime is committed in their area before an officer shows up to take a report. Some local entrepreneurs claimed that police officers sometimes watch as crimes occur because they are not allowed to pursue potential offenders unless they believe that suspect has committed a violent crime, per OPD policy.
Mitchell explained that they are hoping to use the attrition of almost-retired officers in order to hire cadets who complete and pass police training from the local academies.
The Oakland police union revealed in a press conference earlier this month that there are only 105 officers a day over three shifts patrolling the city, meaning only 35 officers are on the streets at any given moment. The union added that to work more efficiently, 300 officers on patrol a day is the minimum in order to answer more calls and reports.
Homelessness was another popular topic during Friday’s discussion.
Residents wanted to know what the city is doing to enforce the removal of encampments and abandoned vehicles lined down major streets in Oakland.
Panel leaders said they often find it difficult to remove large encampments because advocates and lawyers will flood the scene and claim the city is violating human rights laws, putting a barrier on sweeps.
Johnson suggested that if people in the area are upset with these encampments and with advocates getting in the way of doing their jobs, residents should show up and provide support to city workers during sweeps.
Attendees did not respond well to the suggestion, saying that it was not their job to help the city and that officials should do more to clean up the neighborhoods.
You and your loved ones are invited to participate in an enriching learning experience as you trace and strengthen your family connections at a “Families Are Forever” Open House event on Sept. 14 at 4780 Lincoln Avenue in Oakland. There will be presentations, tours and you will be eligible for a Family Tree Fan Chart. For more information, visit TempleHill.org
reach out to individual families in the immediate aftermath of a homicide, sending them mementos and reminders that they were not forgotten. In their weakest moments, she protected them from exploitation, scraped up funds for the mostly poor families so that they could bury their dead with dignity and grace, and continued to counsel and care for them as they tried to heal and recover.
As Washington-Harris’s mission grew and evolved, she founded the Khadafy Washington Foundation for Non-Violence to continue to support the thousands of family members of the wellover 2500 people that have been killed in Oakland since that fateful night in 2000.
Even though she has dedicated her life to helping and supporting those who have lost loved ones, Washington-Harris still struggles with the hurt and pain of losing her only son every day. She said, “It comes just like a storm – sometimes it comes quietly and sometimes it is raging. But it never goes away.”
Her plea is that those responsible for his murder be held accountable and her family, and all families like hers, receive the justice they deserve.
Washington-Harris is a founding member of the Family Support Advocates with the Violence Prevention Coalition, advocating for legislation and policies to support all crime victims and especially family members of homicide victims.