Oakland Post
“Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18 postnewsgroup.com
Former Labor Secretary Alexis Herman, 77
Alexis Herman, appointed by former President Bill Clinton to serve as Secretary of Labor in his second term, passed away on April 25 in Washington after a brief illness. She was 77.
She had been the chief executive of the 1992 Democratic National Convention; deputy director of Mr.
Clinton’s transition team after he won the 1992 presidential election; and the White House’s public liaison director during his first term, the New York Times wrote. In her Cabinet role, Herman flawlessly mediated a 15-day strike by 187,000 U.P.S. workers in 1997 and helped curb sweatshop conditions by American companies with
interests abroad. During her tenure, The New York Times reported, unemployment dropped to a 30-year low. Born in Mobile, Alabama, in 1947 to a schoolteacher mother and insurance salesman father, who also owned the Chattanooga White Sox, a Negro League team, Alexis witnessed the terror of racism up
By Zack Haber
On a sunny Saturday morning on April 19, seven students from the East Oakland-based Fremont High, install and celebrate five large colorful wooden playhouses they and their classmates had designed and built for Prescott Elementary School students in West Oakland.
The playhouses are emblematic of Oakland’s rich history and include a ‘Black Panther’ house, and replicas of the Tribune Tower, a BART car and a firetruck.
The project was the culmination of three months of collaborative work by about 50 students in Fremont High teacher Andrew Prober’s design and build class. At the event, Fremont student Se -
bastian Lorenzo Mateo said that in installing the playhouses he was satisfied with the hard work he and his classmates had done.
“It was a long process,” said Mateo. “And this is the proudest moment. I feel proud of my team and everything we did. It was an honor to make these playhouses for the kids.”
Another Fremont student, Alimeida Pablo, said in Spanish that she was proud of the project as well, because she thinks the playhouses will “help children in their personal development.”
Prober said the playhouses were part of an effort that started at the beginning of the school year. The goal was to create more opportunities for young children to play
and learn outdoors by improving a yard that the school’s transitional kindergarten through first grade students use.
Last fall, Fremont’s students created planter boxes for gardening in the yard and small tables and chairs that are durable for outdoor use and comfortable for young children.
Prober, who’s taught design, building, and wood technology classes at Fremont for more than 15 years, said he thinks spending time outdoors is beneficial for students.
“I think being outdoors elicits a different kind of thinking, stimulates creativity, and it’s just healthy too,” Prober said. “I think
Rep. Simon Opposes GOP Budget Bill in Oversight Committee, Offers Amendment to Protect Access to SNAP
Special to The Post
On Wednesday, in the House Oversight Committee, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) strongly opposed House Republicans’ reconciliation bill, which would include $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid and $230 billion in cuts to food assistance, increase the costs of everyday essentials, and continue the Trump Administration’s attacks on the federal workforce.
House Republican leadership have directed the House Oversight Committee to make $50 billion in cuts, which would largely threaten the take-home pay, benefits, and workforce protections for the federal workforce.
Simon forcefully spoke against these cuts and the Republican reconciliation bill in committee.
Simon also offered an amendment to the reconciliation bill that would cause Republican budget cuts to immediately expire if the Administration makes any cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
All Committee Republicans, except one, voted against Simon’s amendment to protect SNAP.
During the Oversight Committee markup, Simon stated:
“I have made a promise to my constituents and all Americans that I would do everything possible in my power to protect our social safety net.
“My amendment today is about the belief that food is a basic, basic human right, and that all human rights cannot just be stripped away with the stroke of a pen.
“This is a promise that no one will be hungry from losing their SNAP benefits, and any reduction in these benefits or services protected would be the difference in being able to buy groceries, pay for rent and utilities, and afford health care that so many vulnerable Americans and families face every single day, including the working people that we’re talking about today.
“We don’t want to have a hungrier America. It’s plain and simple for the poorest among us. For the poorest among us, the ones who work with their bodies, and their children who are suffering, because we’re saying ‘Food Banks Go to Hell. Working people who have hungry children, we’re not going to worry about you.’ All I’m saying in this amendment is, please with all that we have – don’t touch the stomachs of poor children.”
Teachers Union Settles Contract with School District, Avoids Strike Set for Thursday Union thanks departing superintendent for years of service to community
The Oakland Education Association (OEA) has reached an agreement this week with the Oak-
land Unified School District to avert an authorized one-day strike previously scheduled for Thursday, May 1.
The agreement restores budget cuts critical to retaining more than 120 experienced high school teachers at the District’s most difficult-to-staff school sites – including Castlemont, Fremont, and McClymonds – and restores sitebased substitute teachers who provide daily classroom coverage and support at school sites, according to a union press statement.
“This outcome reflects the
hour meeting Monday evening. Seven members of the council voted in favor a motion written by Councilmember Terry Taplin, which had the backing of pro-Israel speakers at the meeting.
In addition to Taplin, councilmembers voting for the resolution were Rashi Kesarwani, Igor Tregub, Soshana O’Keefe, Brent Blackaby, Mark Humbert, as well as Mayor Adena Ishii. Councilmember Cecilia Lunaparra voted “no,” and Ben Bartlett abstained.
By Ken Epstein
Responding to community pressure to take a position on the U.S./Israeli war on Gaza, the Berkeley City Council passed a resolution this week sympathizing with everyone affected by the war but disregarded calls by hundreds of city residents who packed the overflowing special council meeting demanding the council take a stand for a permanent ceasefire and an embargo on U.S. arms to Israel.
The council adopted the resolution at the end of a seven-
Pro-Palestine and peace protesters have been pushing the council for 18 months to adopt a ceasefire resolution. They came to the meeting this week to support a resolution passed last year by Berkeley’s Peace and Justice Commission, which called for a ceasefire and an end of U.S. military aid to Israel.
Taplin’s resolution did not mention Israel’s attacks on Gaza or the deaths and purposeful starvation of tens of thousands of Palestinian men, women, and children.
The resolution said that the City Council and mayor “grieve the terrible loss of life and empa-
Women on Quarters Thanks
By Post Staff
By Post Staff
Alimeida Pablo, Brenda Perez, Angelica Pablo, Sebastian Lorenzo Mateo, and teacher Andrew Prober hold up a sign for Prescott Village, a collection of playhouses that they and other Fremont High Students made for Prescott Elementary Students. Photo at Prescott Elementary on April 19. Photo by Zack Haber.
Alexis Herman, U.S. Secretary of Labor, toured the Oakland Private Industry Council’s (PIC) Career Center where she congratulated CEO Gay Plair Cobb for their pace-setting career training programs which included the Cypress Mandela Pre-Apprenticeship Training Center and the Women in Skilled Trades training program. Herman had previously served as director of the Labor Department’s Women’s Bureau, where Cobb led the regional offices in San Francisco and Atlanta. Photo courtesy Oakland Private Industry Council.
OEA President Kampala TaizRancifer. Courtesy photo.
Imam Sundiata Rashid of the Lighthouse Mosque in Berkeley speaks at a rally for ceasefire and U.S. arms embargo before the Berkeley City Council meeting, Monday, April 28. Photo by Ken Epstein.
Alexis Herman. Wikipedia photo.
Rep. Lateefah Simon. File photo.
Newsom: California Now Ranks 4th Largest Economy in the World... see page 2
Clockwise from top left: Maya Angelou, 2022; Bessie Coleman, 2023; Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray 2024; Ida B. Wells, 2025. Photos: U.S.
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
California’s economy has reached a historic milestone, officially becoming the fourth largest in the world. According to newly released data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the Golden State’s nominal GDP rose to $4.1 trillion, positioning it just behind the United States, China, and Germany in global economic rankings.
“California isn’t just keeping pace with the world, we’re setting the pace,” Governor Gavin Newsom said. “Our economy is thriving because we invest in people, prioritize sustainability, and believe in the power of innovation.”
In 2024, California outpaced the world’s top three economies in growth, posting a 6% GDP increase compared to the U.S. (5.3%), China (2.6%), and Germany (2.9%). The state’s economy has grown steadily over the past four years, averaging 7.5% annual growth although projections suggest that India may move ahead of California by 2026.
The news underscores California’s role as the economic engine of the United States. With leadership in sectors such as technology, agriculture, clean energy, and manufacturing, the state leads in new business formation and venture capital investment. Events like Coachella and Stagecoach continue to boost local economies, generating nearly $700 million annually.
Capitol Makeover Has Cost Taxpayers $1.1 Billion — With Secrets and No Oversight
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
The costs of California’s Capitol makeover — pitched as a necessary infrastructure upgrade by supporters — have ballooned into a billion-dollar controversy, drawing fire for its growing price tag, lack of transparency, and allegations of special treatment under state regulations.
Critics, led by Republicans in the California Assembly, say what began as a $543 million renovation has now exceeded $1.1 billion, which is more than double the cost of Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center. They also accuse state officials of providing few public updates or justifications for the dramatic rise in spending.
Assemblymember Josh Hoover (R-Folsom) also criticized the project’s costs and secrecy around ongoing communication about it, emphasizing a lack of accountability in the renovation of a publicly funded government facility.
“I think this is the height of hypocrisy,” Hoover said. “You are using taxpayer dollars for a taxpayer-funded facility, and yet you are going to design it in a way that
With Optimism and Gratitude, Sec. of State Weber Addressed Black Capitol Staffers
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
On April 23, California Secretary of State Shirley Weber addressed Black staffers during a reception at the State Capitol.
Weber joined leaders and members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) and the California Legislative Black Staff Association for the annual Black Staff Appreciation Event.
Weber told guests that she is committed to uplifting Black professionals in government.
By Anka Lee Post Intern
You’ve seen mixed media art, but not to this level of expertise and creative expression.
“During the conversation, Secretary Weber underscored the importance of creating space for Black staff to connect with elected leaders and ensure they are heard and seen at the highest levels,” Weber’s office posted on Facebook.
Weber also thanked the CLBC and CLBSA for providing her the opportunity to inspire others.
“Thank you for creating these platforms and uplifting the next generation of Black leaders in government,” she wrote.
OPINION:
Alameda’s Rob Bonta, California’s
Atty Gen., Is Our Best Defense Against Trump
By Emil Guillermo
shields you from the public and shields you from accountability.”
Among the most controversial expenditures are $5.2 million spent on imported Italian granite and design elements like hidden hallways, allegedly intended to allow lawmakers to bypass public and media interaction. Despite these upgrades, plans for a public visitor center have reportedly been eliminated, even as the project’s budget continues to expand.
Hoover and other Legislative Republicans say over 2,000 nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) have been signed in connection with the project, raising questions about transparency and oversight. No formal updates have been provided by the oversight committee since April 2021, further fueling criticism that taxpayers have been deliberately kept in the dark.
Critics also point to an apparent double standard in environmental regulation. While most Californians must adhere strictly to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Capitol Annex Project was quietly granted an exemption, drawing further scrutiny from lawmakers and watchdog groups.
Try to forget Trump’s first 100 days.
That’s not easy if you’ve been fired from a government job; are facing family separation and possible deportation; struggling to pay bills, buy food; or anticipating the sting of tariffs.
The opening salvos of Trump 2.0 have been devastating.
Good thing the California Attorney General, Alameda’s Rob Bonta — in cooperation with 19 other states’ attorneys general — are putting up the fight for the second 100 days.
It seems also, after the first 100 days, most Americans are getting wise to Trump.
His approval rating has dropped from 45% in February to 39% today.
And his “disapproval” rating has risen from 5% in February, to 55% in April; all this according to the latest Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll. Standing Up to Trump’s Policies
On April 25, when Trump tried to eliminate public school diversity programs, it was Bonta and the other state attorneys general that made a move to stop his overreach.
It has become the standard
mode in the Trump revolution: take unlawful actions and force states to sue him to stop.
It was two weeks ago that Bonta took the first major step in the war against Trump and his tariffs.
With the weight of the fifthlargest economy in the world behind him, Bonta filed the first lawsuit in the country challenging the legality of tariffs imposed by President Trump. This move not only seeks to upend unjust economic practices by Trump; It embodies the spirit of justice and accountability.
The trouble with tariffs? Bonta spells it out: “A tariff is a tax placed on goods imported into a country. It is assessed on the good at the port of entry, so the cost is borne by the distributor who is receiving the goods in the United States, not on the country of origin. The tariffs’ effects are thus immediate.”
“And they’re illegal. That is our North Star,” Bonta told NBC News. “When the Trump administration does something unlawful, we will see him in court. He cannot break the law. He cannot violate the Constitution. He thinks he’s above the law. He’s not. He thinks he can violate the Constitution. He can’t.”
The
The work of Nedra Theriot Williams, a collagist and full-time artist, is on display from March 22 to May 31 at Oakland’s African American Museum and Library (AAMLO) at 659 14th St. in Downtown Oakland.
You will not regret your trip to the free exhibit, open from 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, excluding Friday, when the museum opens at 12 p.m.
Williams uses her skill of collaging and her eye for symbolism to create art pieces centered on appreciating African diaspora cultures, structural beauty, and the
empowerment of women.
During my visit to AAMLO, I had the pleasure of interviewing its chief curator about the process and intention behind exhibiting Williams’ work.
Bamidele Agbasegbe-Demerson said Williams had paid him a visit and proposed an exhibition that would concentrate on culture. The only requirement Demerson had was that it be open and free to the public. “I want [visitors] to see the outstanding artistry of someone from our community,” he said.
Williams’ exhibit has several sections.
“‘The Divas’ showcases Black women who have visible expression and flair,” said Demerson.
CITY OF SAN LEANDRO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, ENGINEERING DIVISION NOTICE TO BIDDERS FOR WPCP SLUDGE-SOIL-CEMENT STABILIZATION AND FILL
PROJECT NO. 25.6020, BID NO. 24-25.008
BID OPENING: The bidder shall complete the “Proposal to the City of San Leandro” form contained in the Contract Book. The proposal shall be submitted in its entirety. Incomplete proposals will be considered non-responsive. Sealed bids containing the completed Proposal Section subject to the conditions named herein and in the specifications for WPCP Sludge-Soil-Cement Stabilization and Fill, Project No. 2025.6020 addressed to the City of San Leandro will be received at City Hall, 835 East 14th Street, 2nd Floor San Leandro at the office of the City Clerk up to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at which time they will be publicly opened and read. If the city issues any material changes, additions, or deletions to the Project later than 72 hours prior to the bid opening, the date and time for the bid opening will be extended by no less than 72 hours.
1. WORK DESCRIPTION: The work to be done consists of sludgesoil-cement stabilization of the sludge contents of the WPCP former polishing pond, using soil from the WPCP soil stockpile, followed by import, placement, and compaction of approved soil upon the stabilized pond surface, and doing all appurtenant work in place and ready for use, all as shown in the plans and described in the specifications entitled WPCP Sludge-Soil-Cement Stabilization and Fill, Project No. 25-6020 now on file in the office of the Engineer of said City. No
2. OBTAINING THE PROJECT PLANS AND CONTRACT BOOK: The project plans and Contract Book may be obtained free of charge from the City’s website at: https://www.sanleandro.org/Bids.aspx Bidders who download the plans are encouraged to contact the City of San Leandro Engineering and Transportation Department at 510-577-3428 to be placed on the project planholder’s list to receive courtesy notifications of addenda and other project information. Project addenda, if any, will be posted on the website. A bidder who fails to address all project addenda in its proposal may be deemed non-responsive.
Bidders may also purchase the Project Plans and Contract Book from East Bay Blueprint & Supply Co., at 1745 14th Avenue, Oakland, CA 94606; Phone Number (510) 261-2990 or email: ebbp@eastbayblueprint.com.
3. PRE-BID CONFERENCES: A mandatory in-person pre-bid conference will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 10:00 am at the Water Pollution Control Plant, located at 3000 Davis Street, San Leandro. The information presented at the conferences will be identical, all bidders must attend one of the pre-bid conference and sign the attendance sheet. A firm that didn’t attend the pre-bid conference isn’t qualified to bid on the project.
Questions regarding the plans and specifications may be submitted in writing to the project engineer until 5:00 p.m. five (5) days before, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays, bids must be received by the City. The City will not respond to oral questions outside of the pre-bid conference. The response, if any, will be by written addendum only. Oral responses do not constitute a revision to these plans or specifications.
4. VALUE OF WORK: The Engineer has estimated that the value of work is between $4,500,000 and $5,500,000.
Dated: May 2, 2025 Kelly B. Clancy City Clerk 2256126.1
Photo Courtesy of Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber’s Facebook page.
iStock.
Iyami Osoronga.’ Mixed media collage on a 43” x 66” canvas. Photo by Anka Lee.
Adult Day Program
Dedicated staff needed to work with individuals with developmental disabilities in communitybased settings, or environments. Qualifications: High school or equivalent. Driver’s license. Dependable and efficient. Background check. Physical exam and TB test. Training available. Decent wages. Please call (510) 690-9570.
By Terri Schlichenmeyer
Books by Various Authors, c.2024, 2025, various publishers, $12.99 - $18.99, various page counts
Every day, your mom or grandma does nice things for you. She fixes your lunch and dinner. She also makes sure your clothes are clean and that you have a safe place to sleep. Whose cookies are best?
Mom’s! Who hugs better?
Grandma does (but mom is a close second!) They love you a lot, you know, so why not share one of these great books about moms, grandmas, and kids for Mother’s Day this year…
The littlest readers — those who are 1-to-3-years-old — will love a read-aloud with “My Mama Bear and Me” by
Sophie Beer (Dial, $12.99). Polar bears live in the snow. Grizzly bears live in the mountains. But Mama Bear lives in your house and she’s the best kind of bear. Be sure to grrrrrowl when reading this book for maximum giggles. Bonus: this is a board book, so it’s sturdier, and meant for little kids. Even kids who hate baths or hair-washing day will love to see “Wash Day Love” by Tanisia Moore and Raissa Figueroa (Scholastic Press, $18.99) and “Wash Day with Mama” by Monica Mikai (Crown, $18.99). Yes, there are two new books on this subject and both books tell the story of taking care of Black hair, from the special wash to the even more special styling afterward. There are subtle differ-
ences between them, though: one is more humorous; the other, more celebratory. For kids ages four to eight, either or both of them will make them proud of the hair they’ve got and the Mamas who help make that hair look its best.
COMMENTARY:
MacArthur Fellow Dorothy Roberts’ Advocates Restructure of Child Welfare System
erts is excerpted from the MacArthur Fellows web site.
A graduate of Yale University with a law degree from Harvard, Dorothy Roberts is a legal scholar and public policy researcher exposing racial inequities embedded within health and social service systems.
Body: Race, Reproduction, and the Meaning of Liberty 1997)”, she
state intervention and the results of those interventions.
of norms.
Sine 2012, she has been a professor of Law and Sociology, and on the faculty in the department of Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
Roberts’s work encompasses reproductive health, bioethics, and child welfare. She sheds light on systemic inequities, amplifies the voices of those directly affected, and boldly calls for wholesale transformation of existing systems.
You’ve heard the song. Maybe you’ve even sang along, so now read “A Thousand Years” by singer-songwriter Christina Perri, illustrated by Joy Hwang Ruiz (Viking, $18.99) Based on the famous and hearttouching tune, this book shows the love between mother and child as the little girl grows in both body and bravery. If you love the song, you’ll be happy to know that the book is just as beautiful, and perfect for kids ages four to six. Hint: play the song often and this book will become a favorite.
Roberts’s early work focused on Black women’s reproductive rights and their fight for reproductive justice. In “Killing the Black
And for the little chatterbox who also loves the outdoors, “A Cup of Quiet” by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Cathy Ann Johnson (Bloomsbury, $18.99) is a great book to read out loud. Sometimes, things get too noisy for grandma, and she asks for a cup of quiet. For her granddaughter, that’s the silliest thing ever because you can’t put quiet in a cup. Or can you? This book is perfect for the five to eight-year-old child who likes to garden, especially when the time is spent with grandma.
And if these mama-andgrandma-themed books aren’t exactly what you want, if you want more like them, or if you need something good for an older child or teen, be sure to head to your local bookstore or library. You’ll find lots of books there, and people who will help you find the right one for your young reader. Then, grab what you need. It’ll be a nice thing.
By Clifford L. Williams
ed with Child Protective Services tions regularly punish the effects
income, and children from these families are much more likely than white children to be removed from
Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body. Blood clots occur when blood thickens and clumps together.
According to BlackDoctor. org., blood clots can happen any-
search and advocacy work alongside parents, social workers, family defense lawyers, and organizations, Roberts has concluded that the current child welfare system is in fact a system of family policing with alarmingly unequal practices and outcomes. Her 2001 book, “Shattered Bonds: The Color of Child Welfare,” details the outsized role that race and class play in determining who is subject to
In “Torn Apart: How the Child Welfare System Destroys Black Families—and How Abolition Can Build a Safer World (2022),” Roberts traces the historical, cultural, and political forces driving the racial and class imbalance in child welfare interventions.
where in the body. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to the signs all over your body. You may not hear much about blood clots, but they are a serious health condition that can be fatal.
Blood clots may dissolve on their own, but if they don’t and are left untreated, the clots can
These include stereotypes about Black parents as negligent, devaluation of Black family bonds, and stigmatization of parenting practices that fall outside a narrow set
She also shows that blaming marginalized individuals for structural problems, while ignoring the historical roots of economic and social inequality, fails families and communities.
detach and travel through your bloodstream to your lungs, blocking blood flow and causing pulmonary embolism (PE).
BlackDoctor.org provides a list of potentially life-threatening warning symptoms of a blood clot in your leg and how you can protect yourself:
Roberts argues that the engrained oppressive features of the current system render it beyond repair. She calls for creating an entirely new approach focused on supporting families rather than punishing them.
Swelling – this can happen in the exact spot where the blood clot forms, or your entire leg or arm could puff up.
Your skin changes color – you might notice that your arm or leg takes on a red or blue tinge or gets warm or itchy.
Her support for dismantling the current system of child welfare is unsettling to some, but her provocation inspires many to think more critically about its poor track record and harmful design.
A different kind of pain - as the clot gets worse, you may hurt or get sore. The feeling can range from a dull ache to intense pain.
A lower leg cramp - if the clot is in your calf or lower leg, you may feel like you have a cramp or char-
By uncovering the complex forces underlying social systems and institutions, and uplifting the experiences of people caught up in them, Roberts creates opportunities to imagine and build more equitable and responsive ways to ensure child and family safety.
rian, and dancer/choreographer who each receive $800,000 over highlighting the Black awardees. The report below on Dorothy Rob-
Dorothy Roberts. Photo courtesy of the John D. and Catherine T. Ma cArthur Foundation.
Book covers by Terri Schlichenmeyer.
Public Notices, Classifieds & Business
Sponsored
by
Rent vs. Own in Today’s Economy: Is Now the Best Time to Buy?
JPMorganChase
Homeownership has been long associated with the American Dream, yet the economic climate of recent years has left some potential homebuyers on edge. Many potential homeowners have put their dream of buying a home on pause – or even abandoned it altogether.
If you’re thinking of buying a home but aren’t sure if it makes sense for you right now, consider these pros and cons of renting versus buying: Pros of renting
Renting is a short-term commitment. You can sign a lease and have the flexibility to move somewhere else after the lease is over.
• Maintenance and repairs are typically handled by the landlord, saving you time and money. Additionally, taxes and other local expenses are also often covered by the landlord.
If you live in a city with high property taxes, renting may be more affordable, helping to reduce the costs of your monthly payments.
• Move in costs may be less, often including a security deposit and/or first and last
month’s rent vs. saving for a down payment and closing costs.
Cons of renting
• Your landlord or management company may increase the rent upon lease renewal.
Renting may offer less stability. Besides the possibility of higher prices, your landlord could sell the property or change other lease terms during renewal. There’s an overall lack of control. For example, repairs are on someone else’s timeline and you can’t
make major alterations without permission.
Paying your monthly rent doesn’t contribute to building equity, which means it can’t be used as a long-term wealth building strategy or as a way to tap into your assets for a cash need.
Pros of buying
• You can build equity by making consistent payments on your mortgage. Your equity may be a potentially valuable appreciating investment and can be used for a cash-out refinance or a HELOC, which
Our Best Defense Against Trump ... Continued from page 2
Constitution gives the authority to impose tariffs almost exclusively to Congress.
A president can impose tariffs but only after a lengthy process that was not followed. Trump simply used the power of the pen. But in doing so, he violated the “separation of powers doctrine” and exceeded his presidential authority, as granted by the Constitution.
Since the tariffs were announced, we’ve seen the financial
lets you borrow against the equity you’ve built up. Homeowners often use this cash for home renovations or to pay off higher-interest debt.
• Fixed mortgage rate options provide more predictability and stability for monthly payments, unlike rent which may be increased with renewal.
• Qualifying homeowners might be eligible for mortgage tax benefits.
• Homeowners are free to alter, decorate and renovate without landlord approval.
markets tank with investors losing more than $6 trillion. There’s real fear of inflation, recession and the impacts to the American family — on average from $2,100 to more than $3,500.
In the next 100 days, root for Bonta, the AGs and the Constitution. It’s our best hope to stop the unlawful actions and whims of a wannabe king.
About the Author Emil Guillermo is an awardwinning Northern California journalist and commentator. See his “Emil Amok’s Takeout” on YouTube.com/@emilamok1
California’s ‘War on Energy Producers’: Sector Leaders, Mineral Owners and Policymakers Blast State Policies
By McKenzie Jackson California Black Media
A growing number of mineral owners in California, investors with oil interests in the state, and their advocates in the Legislature are warning that state government in Sacramento is creating an economic climate that is inconducive for their businesses.
Government overregulation is ripping into earnings and making it hard to do business in the state, they say. And many of the high costs being imposed on them by the state’s Democratic leadership are being passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices at the gas pump.
Republican Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher (REast Nicolaus) cited the possible closure of two major refineries in California owned by Chevron, Valero, and Philips 66.
“The real-world consequences of Gavin Newsom’s war on California energy producers are becoming clearer by the day, with today’s announcement that Valero intends to shut down its Benicia refinery within a year. The closure will reduce California’s gasoline production capacity by nearly 9% and cost more than 400 jobs,” read a press release issued by California State Assembly Republicans on April 16.
ANNUAL FOUNDER'S CONCERT
Honoring Dr. W. Hazaiah Williams
Saturday, May 10 - 3:00 pm
St. John's Presbyterian Church 2727 College Avenue, Berkeley
Dr. Williams was one of the first African American presenters of a major classical music concert series in the United States and it is to him that we offer this special tribute. His love of classical music began as a child when he attended concerts by legendary artists such as tenor Roland Hayes and contralto Marian Anderson In 1958, at a time when the classical music world, and much of the rest of society, was racially segregated, he began presenting artists of all races and organizing racially diverse audiences. Over 40-plus years in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, he introduced to the world some of the finest musicians of our time.
Tickets are FREE.
Order your tickets at ccarpenter@fsarts.org or 510-845-4444
featuring Tai Murray, violin and Kyunga Lee, piano
PROGRAM:
Elena Kats-Chernin - A Nostalgic Piece
Daniel Kidane - Pieces of Light (solo violin)
Jean Sibelius - Five Pieces, Op. 81
Maurice Ravel (arr. Jascha Heifetz) - Valses Nobles et Sentimentales, Nos. 6 & 7
Benjamin Britten - Suite Op. 6
Eleanor Alberga - No-Man’s Land Lullaby or No Man’s Medley
Katherine Balch - Cleaning (solo violin)
Erich Wolfgang Korngold - Aus der Musik zu “Viel Larmen um Nichts” Four Pieces
Tickets are FREE.
Order your tickets at ccarpenter@fsarts.org or 510-845-4444
Similarly, Chevron announced last year that it has plans to relocate its headquarters from San Ramon to Texas. Phillips 66 also announced that it will close its Los Angeles area refinery by the end of 2025.
In another statement Gallagher released on April 23, he predicted the crisis will “only get worse” if California’s energy policies stay the same.
“Our millionaire governor might not worry about gas prices while he’s chauffeured from his mansion in Marin to his podcast studio, but working people are getting crushed by the cost of his out-of-touch agenda,” Gallagher said, citing two laws passed by Democrats that he says are contributing to the higher cost of gas: SB X1-2 and AB X2-1, antiprice-gouging laws that took effect in 2023.
Last week, Newsom wrote a letter to California Energy Commission Vice Chair Siva Gunda instructing him to intervene to ensure that oil producers not leave the state.
Smaller mineral owners in the state are also fed up with California’s environmental policies that they say have no scientific justification.
A pair of Southern California mineral owners hit the California state government with a lawsuit on April 16 challenging the constitutionality of a law that bans new drilling and well maintenance within 3,200 feet of sensitive sites such as hospitals, homes, parks, and schools.
Siblings Monte Beard Sr. and Merry Vanderwaal, the property rights owners of subsurface oil and gas hydrocarbon reserves in Long Beach, allege in their 22-page lawsuit that Senate Bill 1137, which took effect in June 2024, threatens the livelihoods of royalty and mineral rights owners throughout the Golden State, lowers property values, and pushes the state toward more reliance on oil from foreign countries, where there are sometimes substandard environmental and labor protections and well-known human rights abuses.
Beard said in a statement that his family has owned mineral rights since 1929, and the royalties he receives helped him pay for his kids’ college education.
“I’d like them to be around as a legacy for my grandchildren,” Beard said of the royalties. “State officials can’t simply take those royalties away from people at their political whim.”
PROJECT ENGINEER:
Oversee construction and engineering projects. Must have Master’s degree in Engineering and 1 yr. exp. Salary: $110k-$115k/yr. Apply to: ATTN: HR, A&B Construction, 225 3rd St., Oakland, CA 94607
Dr. W. Hazaiah Williams
Photo courtesy JP Morgan-Chase.
Let’s Go to the Doctor: ...
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ley horse.
Once a blood clot travels to your lungs and you develop pulmonary embolism, you will have symptoms such as pain or tenderness and cramping pain in your arm. This can also include sudden swelling and redness in the arm, accompanied by a warm feeling.
Finally, additional types of blood clots to look for as described by BlackDoctor.org. include:
Paget-Schroetter Syndrome (PSS) a blood clot in your shoulder:
It’s a rare kind of DVT that
Nedra Williams’ Art at AAMLO ...
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The collection consisted of small abstract sketches of Black women, as well as larger pieces of mixed media that recognizes their strength and panache.
At the end of the collection stood a mannequin covered in a pink-and-purple ombré of heartshaped paper ‘wearing’ a twopiece outfit made of pink roses.
In a separate space was a group of photos of Black women – including Williams– enacting a ritual by drawing symbols of power on the ground with African white chalk (Efun).
In the center of the room was a table with a notepad where visitors could write down their thoughts on the exhibition. I found it nice to be able to read through other people’s impressions of these pieces. It was as though an entire community existed in those pages.
The first elements of Williams’ work that I admired were the geo-
typically happens to a young, healthy person who plays sports that use the upper arms a lot, like swimming and baseball. The vein can get squeezed by the muscles around it. PSS can be serious if it’s not treated right away.
Jugular Vein Thrombosis
The two sets of jugular veins in your neck bring blood from your head and neck back to your heart. Cancer, surgery, or using IV drugs can also cause jugular vein thrombosis. These clots might break loose, travel to your lungs, and become PEs.
Blood clot in the heart, or heart attack
A blood clot in the heart can cause a heart attack. The heart is a less common location for a blood
metric shapes and patterns in many of the pieces. Colors came next, then the unique element of mixed media on the same canvas.
Her art was endless — the more you looked, the more you would see. I was surprised at the level of detail presented in each piece and wondered where Williams drew inspiration from.
“I have inspiration from Ifa… the Odu,” she said. The Odu Ifa are sacred scriptures and divination patterns that originate from the Yoruba people, a West African ethnic group spread over the present-day nations of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. Odu is used to predict a person’s future and guide them as they come to a crossroads in their destiny. Along with incorporating these traditional and spiritual beliefs into her art, Williams focuses her pieces on empowering women, and the African diaspora: “I sort of [represent] that symbolically.”
One piece, titled “Iyami Osoronga,” immediately caught my eye with its size and colors. Bor-
clot, but it can still happen. A blood clot in the heart could cause your chest to hurt or feel heavy. Lightheadedness and shortness of breath are other potential symptoms.
Blood clot in the abdomen
Severe abdominal pain and swelling could be symptoms of a blood clot somewhere in your abdomen. These could also be symptoms of stomach virus or food poisoning.
To Our Readers:
For information on other health-related issues regarding your health, please share your thoughts and/or concerns with the Post Newspaper Group editorial staff.
dered by an orange frame of paint and overlapping paper cut-outs of Black figures, the huge canvas is sprinkled with abstract patterns of acrylic paint, symbols, and Zentangles, which are patterned drawings used to bring relaxation and mindfulness to the artist. The piece draws attention with its boldness and variety of art techniques.
Demerson described Williams’ work as “a statement for Black Americans and their ancestors,” while utilizing “Zentangles and repetition, the science of geometry,” to demonstrate her masterful artistry through meaningful creations.
Williams said her intention was to provoke viewers, “not only about the subject matter, but also about the process. To find layers because life is layered.”
For inquiries, contact AAMLO at (510) 637-0200 or go to oaklandlibrary.org.
Request for Qualifications-Proposals
The Peralta Community College District (PCCD) is calling for sealed qualification /proposal packages from qualified firms to provide Professional Services Consulting Pool (RQF-P No. 24 25/17) for Measure G Bond Program Projects to be delivered electronically (via Planet Bids) District Current Solicitations | Planet Bids, by 2pm, May 23, 2025
The Peralta Community College District is seeking qualified persons, firms, partnerships, corporations, associations, or professional organizations to provide professional services for selected projects across the District’s four campuses under the District’s Measure G Bond Program.
Copies of the proposal documents may be obtained by clicking on the following link: District Current Solicitations | Planet Bids or, by contacting the Purchasing Department, 333 East 8th Street, Oakland, California, 94606, Phone (510) 466-7255, Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Publication Dates: April 25, 2025 and May 2, 2025
Governing Codes: GC 53068
EC 81641
Notice of Public Hearing & Public Review Period for the City of Oakland’s Substantial Amendment to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024/25 Annual Action Plan (AAP)
The FY 2024/25 AAP accepts, appropriates, and allocates funds awarded to the City of Oakland under the FY 2024/25 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) programs.
A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 3:30 pm during the City Council meeting at Oakland’s City Hall. The public hearing will be held in-person at 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612, and virtually, via Zoom teleconference and KTOP (Xfinity channel 10 or ATT channel 99). For details on how to observe or participate virtually, please go to https://oakland.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and select the “May 20, 2025 City Council Agenda” where the Zoom, dial-in, and KTOP access instructions are provided.
The original and Substantial Amendment to the 24/25 AAP, as well as any modifications to this notice, can be found online at: https://www.oaklandca.gov/news/notice-of-publichearing-public-review-period-for-the-city-of-oaklands-substantial-amendment-to-the-fiscalyear-fy-2024-25-annual-action-plan-aap
In addition to public comments during the City Council meeting, members of the public may also submit comments during the public review period. Public comments may be submitted in writing, to cde@oaklandca.gov from May 5, 2025 through June 4, 2025. All comments submitted during the public review period will be included in the submission of the Substantial Amendment to the FY 2024/25 AAP.
Teachers Union Settles Contract ...
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power of educators standing together against cuts harmful to our goal of retaining experienced teachers in Oakland’s hardest-to-staff classrooms,” said OEA President Kampala Taiz-Rancifer. “We fought to protect consistency and stability for Oakland students supported by the dedicated teachers who serve them every day. That starts with recruiting and retaining the educators who are proud to serve Oakland and make our schools strong.”
OEA members had previously authorized a strike after the District failed to fulfill a legal obligation to share basic financial information that educators had requested for over a year - which is needed to understand the impact of proposed cuts on school sites, staffing, and district resources, the union said.
Meanwhile, the teachers union weighed in on last week’s announcement that Supt. Kayla Johnson-Trammell is stepping down from her position as OUSD chief at the end of the current school year, though she will remain as superintendent emeritus until Jan. 15, 2026.
While pointing out that she has been planning to resign for a while, the union thanked her for her years of service to the schools.
“I speak for our Oakland community and the families OEA serves in thanking Supt. JohnsonTrammell for her service. With public schools and immigrant families under attack nationally from Trump and with budget challenges affecting many California school districts, these are tough times demanding the best of what we all have to offer,” said Taiz-Rancifer in
a statement released last Thursday.
“While we disagreed strongly on a number of issues,” she said, “Dr. Johnson-Trammell is a daughter of Oakland and a product of our public schools. We thank her for her service and wish her the best moving forward.”
She said the schools’ community was aware that the superintendent had been planning to leave well before the public announcement.
“The superintendent has spoken publicly throughout the year about her planned departure. In August 2024, the previous school board approved a renewed contract raising her compensation to over $600,000 per year and allowing her to step back from daily responsibilities beginning in the 2025-2026 school year,” said Taiz-Rancifer.
She said the teachers union has been raising concerns about the need for stability and financial transparency in the district. “For three of the last four years, the district projected major deficits, only to end with millions in reserve,” she said, and the district has added $90 million to central office overhead expenses.
“Just last month, a majority of school board directors took action to cap expensive consultant costs and develop alternative budget proposals that align spending with community priorities to keep funding in classrooms,” she said.
Taiz-Rancifer said the union stands behind the leadership of Board President Jennifer Brouhard and Boardmembers Valarie Bachelor, Rachel Latta, and VanCedric Williams.
Fremont High Schoolers Build Playhouse ...
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a lot of adults feel a separation — almost a fear — of being in nature. That early introduction to spending time outside helps people be more comfortable outdoors and appreciate the importance of protecting outdoor spaces.
The improvements at Prescott are a facet of Fremont students’ senior capstone project, an interdisciplinary project the Oakland Unified School District students must complete in order to graduate. In other classes at Fremont, students learned and wrote about problems, such as food deserts and lack of outdoor play space, that their constructions were trying to help.
Prober and his class brainstormed about the project with Common Vision, a nonprofit that does gardening and outdoor education at Prescott, and Lorraine Mann, a retired transitional kindergarten teacher at Prescott who now volunteers.
Workers at Common Vision suggested creating the playhouses to improve the nature yard, and Mann suggested that the students make the structures feel familiar to students but not be too complicated.
“I asked the students to create structures that suggested elements of the community and that were simple enough that the students could still bring their imagination fully to it,” Mann said. “They did a beautiful job of it. I see all kinds of play happening here.”
The Fremont students envision the playhouses creating the feel of a village when placed all together. They created a sign that says “Prescott Village” that they’ve hung by the structures. The houses sit on wood chips near lavender and shrubs called inkberry. A tall coast oak tree stretches out, providing shade to the portion of the yard where the tables and chairs that Fremont students created now sit.
Prober said that he thinks the playhouses will last a long time
and be safe. The students mostly used redwood to build them, a wood which is durable against insect and water damage. According to Prober, the students “overbuilt everything with an eye for durability and safety,” used “high quality nails and bolts” and “framed them like a residential structure.”
The buildings ended up being very expensive and heavy, but Fremont got money for the project through Measure H funds, a parcel tax Oakland voters approved in 2022. Additionally, two Bay Area companies, GCI and Mandrone, helped move the playhouses.
The tallest playhouse in Prescott Village would not have been made if it weren’t for the Mateo’s determination. The eight-foot tower is painted red and white in a brick pattern, has a coffeeshop area at the bottom, and small windows near the top that children can climb to look out of.
Mateo said his classmates asked to save that one for last, as they wanted to be sure to have time to build simpler playhouses before taking on something more complicated that they might not have time to complete.
“Instead of being upset,” Mateo said. “I just started working on the other playhouses.”
Although he said he was intimidated by the tools at first, Mateo ended up taking on a leadership role and helping students to design and construct the playhouses. Prober said Mateo showed up at lunchtime and before and after school to put extra work in. After all the other playhouses were finished, Mateo focused on Prescott Tower, and he finished it despite being under a time crunch.
“He made Prescott Tower into such a high-quality playhouse,” Prober said. “I’m still kind of amazed at it.”
Laura McCaul contributed to this report.
Alexis Herman, 77 ...
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close when each of her parents was assaulted.
After graduating from Xavier University in 1969, Herman became a social worker who helped Black youth break into skilled labor and white-collar jobs.
The Carter Administration named her director of the Labor Department’s Women’s Bureau and, after his term ended, she worked with a number of Civil Rights Movement notables including former Ambassador Andrew Young and joined Rev. Jesse Jackson’s presidential campaigns.
After Carter left office, she founded A.M. Herman and Associates, a consulting firm aiding corporations in training programs, marketing and management.
Alabama Congressman Shomari Figures praised Herman from the House floor on Tuesday. She had been a mentor to him when he worked on Pres. Barack Obama’s campaign and congratulated him when he was elected last November.
“Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life and legacy of a true hometown hero, a legendary trailblazer, a family friend, a mentor to me and many others, and the former Secretary of Labor of this great nation — Alexis Margaret Herman,” Rep. Figures said, according to Yahoo News..
“Her father was actually the first Black person elected in the state of Alabama to any position post-Reconstruction,” he said. “And this led him to being very active and motivated in Black voter participation and led to him one day actually being run off the road by the Klan. His 5-year-old daughter, Alexis Herman, sat in the car and listened as her father was beaten by the Klan. Her mother was a school-
teacher, who Alexis had actually witnessed being thrown off of a segregated bus as a child.”
After serving in the Clinton Administration, Herman held a variety of roles, including chairwoman of The Coca-Cola Company’s Human Resources Task Force, later becoming a director; Toyota’s Diversity Advisory Board and board positions at Cummins, MGM Resorts International, Entergy, Sodexo. She was also the chair and CEO of her own company, New Ventures, Inc. She was also known for working with the National Urban League and the National Epilepsy Foundation and was appointed to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund in 2010.
Herman was a longstanding member of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) and affiliate organization Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
NCNW National Chair, Dr. A. Lois Keith said, “Our hearts are heavy from this loss. My friend, Sec. Herman, provided guidance, poise, and expertise to all who had an opportunity to work with her. We continue prayers of comfort for Sec. Herman’s family and friends during this time.”
Noting that Herman was a pioneer in corporate governance, paving the way for many Black women to serve on corporate boards, NCNW President and CEO Shavon Arline-Bradley said Herman “was a pillar in achieving the NCNW mission. We honor her and say well done faithful, servant-leader.”
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Franklin, Jr. and is survived by her stepchildren Charles J. Franklin, Michelle Franklin, Shari Smith and a cousin, Bernard Broadus.
The New York Times, Yahoo News, Wikipedia and the NNPA are the sources for this report.
Berkeley City Council Passes Resolution ...
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thize with community members whose families are impacted by the conflict and share their hope for a just and enduring peace that allows Israelis, Palestinians and all residents of the region to live side-by-side with dignity, security, human rights, civil rights, and self-determination.”
The resolution also said the city condemns hate crimes and “reaffirms” that Berkeley is committed to being a safe and welcoming place for all.
“The city neither sets, dictates, nor informs foreign or military policy; the members of this dais do not arbitrate international law,” Taplin said at the start of the meeting. “However, it is fair that we would try to reflect some semblance of the community’s will for peace with a focus on the impact of the Israel-Hamas war on the local community and a commitment to healing local divides.”
Outraged protesters opposed the council’s position, pointing out that other East Bay city councils already have passed strong ceasefire resolutions, including Oakland, Albany, Richmond, and San Francisco. In addition, a poll found that over 70% of Democrats support a permanent ceasefire, and only 36% of Americans approve of Israel’s actions.
Peace and Justice Commissioner Luke Taylor said more than platitudes are needed if Berkeley is to add its voice to calls for peace.
“Calls for a ceasefire are insufficient; exhortations for peace and unity are insufficient,” he said. “There must be accountability, and there must be material constraints placed on the war machine that, by its nature, will simply continue to consume and consume innocent lives.”
Councilmember Lunaparra, who represents the city’s Southside neighborhood, was the only councilmember to support an arms embargo against Israel.
“Our tax dollars are not only funding but actively facilitating this genocide in Gaza,” she said. “This is about the role we play in enabling systemic violence.”
Speaking at a rally on the side-
African American Women on Quarters ...
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frage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space, and the arts. The women honored are from ethnically, racially, and geographically diverse backgrounds.
These four quarters, minted in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 respectively and pictured above, acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of African American women.
Maya Angelou was a celebrated writer, performer, and social activist. She was acclaimed as one of America’s most visible Black women. Angelou had a broad career as a singer, dancer, actress, composer, and Hollywood’s first female Black director, but became famous as a writer, editor, essayist, playwright, and poet.
Bessie Coleman was the first African American and first Native American woman pilot. She was the first African American
to earn an international pilot’s license. She traveled to Le Crotoy, France, in 1920 to attend an aviation school. She was the only student of color in her class.
Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray was the first Black woman to graduate from Yale Law School with a J.S.D. in 1965. A true trailblazer, Pauli Murray was a scholar, activist, writer, and Episcopal priest who was an important yet often overlooked figure in the civil and women’s rights movements.
Ida B. Wells was an educator, journalist, suffragist, and civil rights activist. She fought for justice and equality and used her powerful voice to expose violence against African Americans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She co-founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). These quarters are in circulation. They can also be purchased from the U.S. Mint.
‘This Is for You, Mom’: A Son Swims in Her Memory
walk before the Council meeting, former Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin said Richmond was the first city in the nation to pass a ceasefire resolution in October 2023.
“Closing our eyes to injustice is not an option. We cannot be indifferent to the way 2.2 million people in the Gaza Strip continue to be treated by the State of Israel,” she said.
Rev. Michael Yoshi, a Berkeley native who served as a pastor for over 30 years in Alameda, said, “Gaza and Palestine (are) the moral compass of the world today, much as it was … with Vietnam 50 years ago. It was so critical at that time that faith leaders came out against that war.”
“I also come to you today as a Japanese American whose family relocated here in Berkeley after the war, but there was a significant Japanese American population and community that was erased basically in 1942,” he said.
Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, a Berkeley resident and one of the first women in Jewish history to serve as a rabbi, said, “I have been fighting for the right of Palestinians not to be erased from their land.
“We know that the more people come for Palestinians, the more they come for us. People are literally being kidnapped off the street and sent to horrific places. Judges are being arrested… Militarization needs to be stopped. So please vote for the arms embargo,” Gottlieb said.
Sonali Mascarenhas-Swan, a Berkeley High School student and member of the Peace and Justice Commission called on the council to pass the commission’s original arms embargo resolution.
“I’m here because the people who represent me are continuing to send billions of dollars of our tax dollars to support the bombardment, genocide, and displacement of Palestinians,” he said. “We are calling upon you as our representatives to choose to invest in rebuilding, not destroying.”
Special to The Post
At the entrance to the pool at Swim A Mile | Move A Mile for Women with Cancer, there’s a Tribute Wall where participants stop to write names. Some are written quickly. Others use personal pen colors, designs, and details, all added with love. A few are decorated with hearts, or photos, or short messages that don’t need explaining.
This year, one of those names was Jennifer Galloso, a mother who swam through treatment— and a son who still carries her with him, lap after lap.
Her son, Santiago Mateo Galloso, swam his second mile this weekend in her honor. He’s 14 years old.
“My mom passed away in 2022,” Santiago shared in a statement before the event. “I was 11, finishing fifth grade, and moving on to middle school. The day she passed was a memory I would never forget. It felt like a knife had just stabbed me through the heart.
I couldn’t comprehend what just happened to my family.”
Jennifer had been diagnosed with Stage IV kidney cancer. Santiago and his sister didn’t know at first, but they could feel something was off. Even during treatment, she kept swimming.
“What amazed me about that is even though she was fighting cancer, she still kept persevering and trying to take us out and cultivate lasting memories as a family,” he wrote. “My mom loved to swim. I noticed that she swam the most
she’d ever swum in her life once she got diagnosed.”
Santiago swam at this year’s Swim A Mile | Move A Mile to honor that memory—and to support other women like his mom. “I loved my mom with all my heart and will continue to feel a strong connection to her,” he wrote. “So I swim a mile to support women with cancer and to honor the memory of Jennifer Galloso, a beautiful & special mom, educator, and person. I love you, Mom. This is for you.”
Swim A Mile | Move A Mile for Women with Cancer has been held every year since 1995. It was started by staff at the Women’s Cancer Resource Center as a way to raise funds through community—not competition. There’s no racing. No clock. Just people moving a mile at their own pace, in honor of someone they love or in support of women facing cancer today.
Over the past 30 years, participants have raised more than $8 million and moved over 14,000 miles—roughly five times across the United States. The money raised supports WCRC’s free services for people with cancer in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, including therapy, support groups, wellness classes, and navigation. Most clients are low-income. The majority are women of color.
The Tribute Wall has grown alongside the event. There’s no microphone in front of it. No formal ceremony. Just a space to write, remember, and keep going forward.
Before his mother’s death from kidney cancer, Santiago Galloso, right, swam with his mother, Jennifer, and his sister. Courtesy photo.