Oakland Post
Close the Contracting Gap
By Post Staff
The City of Oakland’s leadership and community stakeholders are taking critical steps to implement reforms based on the findings in the recently released 2024 Disparity Study, which exposed longstanding, institutionalized discrimination that has kept Blackand women-owned businesses from having a fair shot at contracts with the City.
City Administrator Jestin Johnson, Workplace & Employment Standards Director Emylene Aspilla, Race and Equity Director
Darlene Flynn, and City Councilmember Carroll Fife met with a coalition of community organizations on April 2 to advance implementation of Oakland’s disparity remediation framework and to prioritize the City’s equity commitments and enforcement actions.
The community coalition included representatives from the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce (OAACC), the Construction Resource Center (CRC), the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC NorCal), Cypress Mandela Training Center (CMTC) and the East
Bay Rental Housing Association (EBRHA).
It is overwhelmingly clear to the coalition that immediate action and policy changes are needed and concerns remain about what will occur if no concrete steps are taken before the 90-day deadline for action expires.
The legal stakes are high. Under the Croson framework based on the1989 Supreme Court decision governing disparity remediation, once a government documents racial and gender disparities in contracting, it has a compelling duty to act. The recent release of Oakland’s
disparity study provides that documentation and starts the countdown.
Failure to act would be a choice with legal and economic consequences.
This equity work aligns with Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee’s 10-Point Plan, particularly her focus on economic opportunity, small business support, workforce development, and equitable investment in Oakland communities. The disparity remediation effort represents a tangible pathway to advancing those priorities, ensuring that
City of Oakland Special to The Post
In partnership with Mayor Barbara Lee, Oakland’s “Guns to Gardens” program returns on Saturday, April 18, advancing a community-centered approach to reducing gun violence and promoting healing across the city.
Hosted by At Thy Word Ministries, the site of its inaugural 2022 launch, the event offers residents a safe, anonymous way to surrender firearms in exchange for lifeaffirming tools, including garden supplies and financial gift cards.
Led by Pastor Billy Dixon, Jr., a respected violence prevention
By Post Staff
Mayor Barbara Lee and City
nizing women whose leadership and service are shaping communities across the Bay Area.
The annual event brought together city leaders, elected officials, business executives and community advocates for an afternoon of recognition, networking and inspiration. This year’s honorees were Sarah Chavez-Yoell of Pacific Gas & Electric; Zaileen Janmohamed of the Bay Area Host Committee; Dr. Carolyn “C.J.” Johnson of Black Cultural Zone; Mona Pasquil Rogers of Meta,
Megan Schoettmer of PNC Bank; Sonya V. Trac of Comerica; Adriane Hopper Williams of DNA Media Group; and Cheryl Brownlee of CB Communications. They were recognized for their impact across sectors including corporate leadership, community development, media and public service.
Emmy Award-winning journalist Reyna Harvey of KRON 4 served as mistress of ceremonies, guiding a program that blended
celebration with purpose. The event also featured remarks from Oakland City Councilmember Charlene Wang and was hosted by LaNiece Jones, Executive Director/CEO of Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA), with Cathy D. Adams, President and CEO of the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce, serving as founder and event producer. “The Powerful
of
Council President Kevin Jenkins this week announced their joint support for the Charter Reform Working Group’s recommendations, following the release last week of new polling that shows strong and growing voter support for modernizing Oakland’s government.
“Oaklanders deserve a government that works for them, and after months of community engagement, we are proud to jointly support the Charter Reform Working Group’s recommendations as a roadmap to get there,” said Lee.
“These reforms reflect what
we heard directly from residents and will bring clearer accountability, stronger oversight, and better delivery of core services in every neighborhood,” she said.
“I am proud to support the Working Group’s recommendations, which are grounded in community input and designed to make City Hall work better for the people we serve,” said Jenkins.
“By clarifying roles and strengthening oversight tools, these reforms will help ensure every district sees real improvements in services and accountability,” he said.
The Charter Reform Working Group’s recommendations were
By Carla Thomas
OAKLAND — More than 300 guests gathered at Scott’s Seafood Pavilion in Jack London Square on March 26 for the 17th Annual Powerful Women of the Bay (PWB) Awards Luncheon, a Women’s History Month celebration recog-
Front row seated, left to right: Councilember Carroll Fife, Darlen Flynn, and Emylene Aspilla. Middle row, left to right: Felicia Verdin, Jestin Johnson, Len Turner, and Jasmine Chan. Back row: Rachel Tavistock (with the glasses), Juliet Huang, Dasco Munoz, Chadwick Spell, Marcus Lawson, Derek Barnes, Cathy Adams, Ahku Mitchell, and Mario Wagner. Photo by Ahku Mitchell.
From left to right: Oakland City Councilmember Kevin Jenkins, 6th District; LaNiece Jones, Executive Director/CEO of Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA); Sarah Chavez-Yoell, Pacific Gas & Electric; and Cathy D. Adams, President and CEO of the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce.
Cathy D. Adams, President and CEO of the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce with Mayor Dionne Adams, City of Pittsburg.
View of Oakland City Hall from 14th Street. iStock .
Firearms collected on a previous ‘Guns to Gardens’ event in Oakland. Courtesy photo.
Gov. Newsom Signs Executive Order Putting New Limits on AI
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
Gavin Newsom
California Gov.
signed an executive order on March 30 placing new limits on how artificial intelligence can be used in state government, while also encouraging agencies to expand use of the technology.
The order directs state agencies to create safeguards aimed at preventing harm from AI systems, including violations of civil rights, unlawful surveillance and the creation of harmful content. At the same time, it calls on agencies to adopt vetted AI tools to improve efficiency and public services.
“California’s always been the birthplace of innovation. But we also understand the flip side: in the wrong hands, innovation can be misused in ways that put people at risk,” Gov. Newsom said in a statement.
“California leads in AI, and we’re going to use every tool we have to ensure companies protect people’s rights, not exploit them or put them in harm’s way,” the governor added.
The move reflects California’s effort to balance innovation with oversight as the state remains a global hub for AI development. The order requires agencies to recommend contract standards that address risks such as discrimination, misuse of personal data and the potential for AI to generate illegal content.
Agencies must also update the state’s digital strategy to identify ways generative AI can improve transparency, accountability and access to government services. The directive includes plans to expand AI tools for public use and to guide employees on labeling AIgenerated images and videos with watermarks.
The order follows a dispute between the U.S. Department of Defense and San Francisco-based AI company Anthropic, which was labeled a supply chain risk after disagreements over contract terms. A judge has since issued a temporary injunction blocking that designation. Under the order, California will review such federal decisions before determining whether to contract with affected companies.
Newsom’s office criticized federal AI policy under President Donald Trump, saying it does not go far enough to address risks.
“Unlike the Trump administration, California remains committed to ensuring that AI solutions adopted and deployed by (California)… cannot be misused by bad actors,” the governor’s office said in a statement.
This is Newsom’s second executive order on AI, following a 2023 directive focused on generative technology. The policy comes as state agencies expand AI use across services and operations.
OPINION: Thoughts on That Crazy Trump Easter Post
By Emil Amok Guillermo
By now, we’ve all heard about the president’s Easter message on social media?
He sounded like a man addicted to war.
As the president of our country, Trump should be pondering the weighty matters of war. Not how cool it is to gawk at the power of our military as if it were a video game.
He should be working round the clock to end this conflict peacefully, and how he can create policy to help bring down gas prices and the high cost-of-living.
Instead, the man is waging wars — actual and verbal — in our name. On Easter morning, Trump posted the most chestthumping, provocative, and most profane message I’ve ever seen coming from an American president on the serious matter of war.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran, There will be nothing like it,” Trump wrote in a casual way.
“Open the F*ckin’Strait (censored here but spelled out in all its monosyllabic glory for the public), you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell–Just Watch! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
This couldn’t have been the president, right? Ending with sar-
castic praise to Allah?? Because this is the rantings of a madman, not the “leader of the free world.”
Not the man entrusted with the U.S. nuclear codes.
In a sharply worded and unexpected rebuke, former Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene publicly challenged the president.
Greene split with Trump over the Epstein files. Now she’s the leading voice against Trump’s war of choice.
“Trump threatening to bomb power plants and bridges hurts Iranian people, the very people Trump claimed he was freeing,” Greene said on X. “On Easter, of all days, we as Christians should be reminded that the son of God died and rose from the grave so that we can be forgiven once and for all for our sins. Jesus commanded us to love one another and forgive one another. Even our enemies.”
Greene shamed her fellow Republicans in the Trump administration and said they needed to “beg forgiveness from God and to stop worshipping the President and intervene in Trump’s madness. I know all of you and him, and he has gone insane, and all of you are complicit.”
Greene was letting all her former buddies know how bloody they were.
“Our president is not a Christian and his words and actions should not be supported by Christians. Christians in the administration should be pursuing peace. Urging the President to make peace. Not escalating war that is hurting people. This is NOT what we promised the American people when they overwhelmingly voted in 2024. I know, I was there more than most. This is not making America great again, this is evil.”
I know, I’m shocked too, to be quoting Marjorie Taylor Greene. But this is how we get out of this mess— when Republicans come to their senses and stand up for what’s right and moral.
So, help a Republican out today. Easter time signifies rebirth; Of a national pride built on integrity, community, and common values. It makes us do what’s best for our democracy. And not just one man.
About the Author
Emil Amok Guillermo is an award-winning journalist, commentator and stage monologist. See him on YouTube.com/@emilamok1
‘I Want to Write a New California Story’: Eric Swalwell Makes His Case for California Governor
By Edward Henderson California Black Media
With California’s gubernatorial contest still taking shape, Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell — a former prosecutor and longtime member of Congress who gained national visibility during the Trump-era investigations and impeachments — is presenting himself as a candidate with both a prominent national profile and a focus on affordability.
Representing the East Bay and previously serving on the Dublin City Council, Swalwell has built his political identity around government oversight, public safety, and economic development.
In a conversation with California Black Media, Swalwell outlined his vision for fighting back against Donald Trump, lowering costs, increasing government accountability, protecting children in a digital age, and building trust with African American communities across the state.
Why are you running for governor—and what differentiates you in a crowded Democratic field?
People are scared. Prices are high. They’re scared of a president whose ICE agents are chasing them through the fields and factories, who puts troops in the streets, or would cancel cancer research funding.
People want a fighter and a protector. I’ve been that for the last 10 years while Donald Trump has been on the national stage.
At the same time, people are struggling with affordability. I want to write a new California story with Californians— one that brings down costs, especially housing.
We should be a state where you can take your first job, have your first kid, and buy your first home in the same decade. Right now, the average firsttime homebuyer is over 40.
Beyond affordability, what other issue is personal to you?
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As a parent of an 8-yearold, a 7-year-old, and a 4-yearold, I think a lot about how we protect our kids—especially from social media and AI.
We have to prepare the next generation. Our schools need to provide students with adaptable skills so they can adjust as the economy and job market change.
That’s what you get with a 45-year-old governor who has young kids — we share the concerns of California families, but also their optimism.
You’ve emphasized government accountability in your campaign. What does that look like?
Accountability means transparency and results. People should know how their tax dollars are being spent. If programs aren’t working, we shouldn’t keep funding them.
I’ve spent 20 years in government and I’ve always believed in being accountable to the people.
My job is to give Californians confidence that their government is using their money wisely and delivering real outcomes.
What is your message to African American voters?
I’m not new to working with the community. As a prosecutor in Alameda County, I saw firsthand what injustice looks like when we don’t invest in every community—what that means for kids, for parents, and for access to healthcare, jobs, and basic resources.
I will always advocate for a strong foundation in every community so that anyone willing to work hard has a chance to succeed and dream bigger for their children.
I know there are big dreams in the African American community, and they’ll have a governor in me who wants to help make those dreams real.
I also know I have more to learn. That’s why partnerships matter. Leaders like Corey Jackson, Mike Gibson, Tina McKinnor, and Sydney Kamlager-Dove are part of my coalition. They’ll help keep me informed and accountable.
NOTICE: Seeking next of kin for
Eric Swalwell. File photo.
Screenshot.
Longfellow Corner
Public Notices, Classifieds & Business
Chase Community Manager’s Oakland Roots Inspire Her to Help Others Build Financial Success
JPMorgan Chase
Meet Myesha Brown: Chase’s Oakland Community Manager
Meet Myesha Brown, Chase’s Oakland Community Manager. She’s dedicated to supporting her community through financial education and meaningful partnerships. Her passion for helping Californians reach their financial goals—no matter where they are on their journey—shines through in everything she does.
What does a Community Manager do?
Myesha: As Community Manager, I support the Bay Area by connecting our neighbors, businesses, and local leaders to the right financial resources for their unique needs. I’m here to collaborate and help you build money skills through workshops and support from the local Chase team.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by questions about budgeting, saving, or building credit? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. In the heart of Oakland, there’s a welcoming space where neighbors come together to learn, connect, and build brighter financial futures.
Our goal is to empower individuals, families, businesses, and the next generation with the tools and knowledge to build stronger financial futures. I host free workshops at our branches and in the community on key financial health topics like budgeting, saving, building credit, and fraud and scam prevention—open to all, no matter who you bank with.
Our branches aren’t just places to bank; they’re hubs for local expertise and support from people who know the neighborhood. Our Oakland Community Center is a special place where everyone can learn, connect, and build money skills—no matter where you’re starting from. This Community Center is the first of its kind in the Bay Area, focused on strengthening community ties and improving financial health outcomes.
I’d love for you to join me at
one of my upcoming workshops: Date: Friday, April 24, 2026
Time: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Chase’s Oakland Community Center – 3005 Broadway, Oakland California 94611
Topic: How to Avoid Fraud and Scams Why did you choose this path?
Myesha: My “why” is simple: I want to be part of meaningful change. As a Community Man-
ager, I help Oakland residents build pathways toward stronger financial futures. I’m a reflection of this community. My dad lived here, and the people here helped shape who I am today. Returning to serve the same neighborhoods that continue to uplift me is deeply personal. That’s why I’m proud to work for a company that’s been part of the Greater Bay Area for more than 120 years. We believe that by working together and providing steady support, everyone has a stronger chance to achieve more. How can we get in touch?
Myesha: You can always stop by Chase’s Oakland Community Center (3005 Broadway Oakland, CA 94611) to learn more about the resources available. My team and I look forward to getting to know you.
Myesha Brown, Chase’s Oakland Community Manager.
Myesha Brown teaches a fraud and scam prevention workshop at Chase’s Oakland Community Center.
By Oakland Post Staff
OAKLAND — More than 100
seniors from across the Oakland Bay Area gathered Saturday, April 4, at Jack London Square for an event designed to address a growing but often overlooked crisis: loneliness and lack of access to essential services among older adults.
The Lend A Hand Foundation hosted a Senior Resource Fair & Luncheon at Everett & Jones, bringing together seniors, service providers, and community leaders for an afternoon focused on connection, health, and support.
At a time when many older adults—particularly in Black communities—face barriers to health care, social engagement, and basic services, organizers said the event was both timely and necessary.
“Our seniors have given so much to our communities, and yet many are left feeling disconnected and underserved,” said Dee Johnson, Founder and Executive Director of Lend A Hand Foundation.
“This event is about more than a meal—it’s about restoring connection, dignity, and ensuring our seasoned citizens know they are seen, valued, and supported.”
The gathering featured a complimentary luncheon alongside direct access to health and wellness information, community-based services, and resources tailored to seniors’ needs. Attendees also had opportunities to engage socially, receive supportive items, and connect with organizations working on the front lines of aging services.
For many Black seniors in Oakland, the intersection of aging, economic inequality, and health disparities can intensify isolation. Community-based events like this one aim to close those gaps by bringing services directly to residents in culturally familiar and welcoming spaces.
The event was supported by a coalition of local and regional part-
ners, including PG&E, Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley, the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce, and Safeway. Additional contributions came from the Alameda County Department of Aging, AARP, Supervisor Lena Tam’s Office, and Arsola House—all working collectively to ensure seniors received critical information and support.
Organizers said the effort builds on the success of the foundation’s inaugural Senior Prom held in December 2025, which was sponsored by Kaiser Permanente and helped launch expanded programming focused on senior well-being across Alameda County.
Founded in 1997, the Lend A Hand Foundation has long served Oakland’s underserved communities, providing educational support, basic needs assistance, and health resources. Over nearly three decades, the organization has distributed more than 173,000 educational supply kits to students while expanding its reach to include families and seniors through year-round programming.
The foundation’s growing Senior Program reflects a broader recognition that aging populations—especially in communities of color—require targeted investments to ensure dignity, health, and quality of life.
Looking ahead, Lend A Hand plans to rotate similar events across Oakland, San Leandro, and Fremont, with the goal of reaching even more seniors who may be isolated or disconnected from critical services.
Community members, sponsors, and volunteers are encouraged to support the initiative as it expands.
“This is about building a stronger, more connected community,” organizers said, “where seniors are not just cared for—but truly valued.”
Charter Reform Recommendations ...
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the result of a six-month, citywide engagement process that was led in partnership with the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR) and the League of Women Voters of Oakland, which brought together more than 1,150 Oakland residents, along with current and former city staff, elected officials, and community stakeholders.
Informed by public meetings in every council district, surveys, and in-depth interviews, the Working Group released their recommendations in January. They focused on a strong mayor and strong council system with a clearly defined executive structure. Specifically:
• The Mayor leads city operations while the Council sets city policy and provides empowered oversight.
The Mayor would be clearly responsible for city services, have veto power over legislation and budgets, and appoint department leadership. This creates one accountable leader for citywide outcomes.
• The Council keeps its legislative and budget authority, can override mayoral vetoes with a supermajority, and gains stronger oversight tools including professional, independent analysis support and subpoena power.
Powerful Women of the Bay Honors Eight Leaders ...
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the Bay Awards is more than an event—it is a movement dedicated to honoring, uplifting, and celebrating the incredible accomplishments and contributions of women who lead, serve, and inspire,” Adams said. “Each year, we shine a light on women whose work creates lasting change in our communities and paves the way for future generations.”
The luncheon opened with a networking reception and a women’s business showcase featuring local vendors offering handcrafted clothing, jewelry and specialty items. Guests later enjoyed a gourmet meal, dessert and a complimentary glass of champagne.
Attendees, dressed in vibrant
and culturally inspired attire, filled the venue with a spirit of pride and sisterhood. Community participation was a key feature of the event, with volunteers and local organizations helping create a welcoming and seamless experience.
For nearly two decades, the Powerful Women of the Bay Awards have served as a platform to recognize excellence, resilience and leadership among women across the region. Backed by sponsors including PG&E and Comerica Bank and supported by community partners such as the Training Institute for Leadership Enrichment (TILE), the event continues to expand opportunities for women while celebrating those already making a measurable difference.
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public spending translates into opportunities for Oakland residents and businesses.
A key outcome of the April 2 meeting was clarity around the community coalition’s role moving forward. The coalition will help advise the City Administrator and departments on implementation strategies, operational improvements, industry-specific considerations, and serve as a sounding board for future staff recommendations.
This advisory role reflects a shared recognition that organizations working directly with contractors and businesses offer critical, real-world insight into how policies perform in practice— where they succeed, where they fall short, and how they must evolve to deliver meaningful results.
Said OAACC President Cathy Adams: “It was encouraging to see everyone at the table working toward implementation and council acceptance of a remediation framework. This collaboration is essential to ensuring Oakland businesses and residents benefit from the opportunities created in their own city.”
The City is also working to centralize and publish upcoming project opportunities to improve transparency and accessibility. This effort will allow contractors and organizations to prepare in advance, build partnerships, and compete effectively.
“Forecasting allows businesses to prepare and compete. When contractors have visibility into opportunities, participation increases,” said Mario Wagner, president of NAMC NorCal.
Other priority areas are prompt payment and retention relief.
City leadership is exploring ways to strengthen enforcement and streamline closeout processes to release retention funds more efficiently, ensuring contractors are paid without unnecessary delays.
“Prompt payment is critical to contractors’ viability,” said Len Turner of the Construction Resource Center. “Strengthening enforcement and making sure this policy is in every contract helps ensure small businesses can grow and sustain operations.”
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leader and longtime CeasefireLifeline Strategy partner, the initiative brings together a coalition of faith leaders, community organizers, and partners including the City of Oakland and the Oakland Police Department. Together, this effort has successfully removed more than 360 firearms from circulation, each one representing a step toward safer neighborhoods.
“Oakland is committed to investing in community-led solutions that keep our neighborhoods safe,” said Mayor Barbara Lee. “Guns to Gardens reflects the power of transformation, turning instruments of harm into tools that nurture life, healing, and hope.”
At its core, “Guns to Gardens”
reimagines what healing can look like. Firearms collected at the event are dismantled and later transformed into functional gardening tools, symbols of growth, renewal, and possibility.
The event is designed as a seamless, drive-through experience to ensure anonymity and safety. Participants are asked to keep firearms secured in the trunks of their cars and will be guided through a simple exchange process upon arrival.
Event Details: Saturday, April 18 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Exchange: Participants will receive a garden tool and/or a gift card valued up to $300 in exchange for surrendered firearms. For more information, contact: ddavis-howard@oaklandca.gov.
OUSD Reschedules Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical Finals Showcase to April 19
• The Council will also have confirmation power over the City Administrator who oversees core city functions.
The recently released poll conducted by David Binder Research found that 58% of likely November 2026 voters support the Working Group’s core proposals, with support rising to 63% after voters hear balanced information about the reforms, demonstrating significant momentum for change.
The David Binder Research poll also found:
73% support granting the mayor veto power over City Council legislation and budget decisions, subject to a twothirds Council override 72% support creating an independent Budget and Legislative Analyst Office to strengthen Council oversight 63% prefer a strong mayor system, compared to just 23% who prefer a council-manager model
These results are consistent with another recent poll. A 2025 Oakland Chamber of Commerce Pulse of Oakland Poll found 61% of likely voters support a strongmayor system, while half actively oppose a council-manager government, and only 13% named it their top choice.
Waivers (which allow departments to bypass city policy) have emerged as a major area of discussion. City leadership acknowledged on the record that existing waivers have been granted too broadly and with insufficient scrutiny and that the practice must change.
Going forward, departments will be expected to present plans demonstrating how local businesses will be utilized before waiver requests are considered and taken to City Council for approval.
For the first time, two long-dormant waivers—a 25-year exemption on a pedestrian right-of-way concrete contract and a 10-year exemption on a sewer line (plumbing) project – are under formal review, to determine whether local businesses were given an opportunity to work on either.
City leadership indicated they will examine whether these waivers can be modified or rolled back to increase local participation. The outcome of that review will be among the first concrete tests of whether the discussions translate into meaningful and enforceable change.
“This is an important step towards greater community stability,” said Derek Barnes, CEO, East Bay Rental Housing Association. “Reviewing long-term waivers and requiring departments to present data-driven participation plans increases transparency and creates opportunity for Oakland businesses.”
Over the past 20 years, the business cohort estimates that $1.5 billion in contracting opportunities bypassed minority- and womenowned businesses, while the City processes approximately 1,600 to 1,900 contracts annually—roughly eight contracting decisions made each business day.
A proposed annual investment of approximately $10–12 million, representing less than 2% of the City’s contracting spend, would support contractor capacity-building, workforce development, and implementation support strategies.
Coalition members also discussed the need for a centralized business and workforce hub to support contractor development, workforce intake, and training.
A presentation to the City Council on April 21 will be the first public presentation on the collaboration between the City and coalition organizations.
Councilmember Fife, who initiated the Disparity Study reform efforts, said she hopes the public will come out to the April 21 meeting to see how the work is going.
“It’s important for everyone to know what is being done and to hold us all accountable,” said Fife. “Public participation is the only way to ensure we continue to make progress.”
Agreeing with Fife’s mission of inclusion, Council President Kevin Jenkins said, “This is crucial work, making sure that the City implements its equity and inclusion policies that create jobs and promote local, small businesses.”
By OUSD Supt. Denise Saddle Special to The Post
“The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical Fest has been a beloved tradition in our district for nearly 50 years. It is something our students pour their hearts into every year, our families show up for, and our staff loves. Watching our students step to the mic with brilliance, courage, and conviction is one of the great joys of this work.
That is why I am writing to you with an apology, and an announcement of the new date for the rescheduled event.
The MLK Oratorical Fest Finals Showcase, originally scheduled for Sunday, March 22 at Skyline High School, did not happen as planned. We had to cancel it at the last minute because of some unforeseen issues that arose with the facility where the event was set to take place.
It was simply not prepared to welcome children and families for the spectacular event that the oratorical festival is every year.
We know many families and students were on their way, or were already there, when we realized the showcase could not proceed. Our students had been preparing for months, competing through multiple rounds to earn their place on that stage.
The cancellation was a disap-
pointment I take personally. Now, I am working to make sure what happened on March 22 does not happen again.
Our students put in the work. They deserve a proper celebration, and we are committed to giving them exactly that.
The 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical Fest is now rescheduled for Sunday, April 19, from 1-5 p.m. at Skyline High School, 12250 Skyline Blvd. The doors will open at 12:30 p.m. Families, please bring water and a snack for your student(s).
Our students will have the rest of spring break and the following week to get ready for their performances in this amazing event. We can’t wait to see them shine!”
Dr. Denise Saddler, OUSD’s interim superintendent, was born and raised in Oakland, attended local schools, and has dedicated more than 45 years of her career to serving Oakland students and families.
She began her career in 1979 as a resource specialist and teacher of students with disabilities. Over the years, she has served as a teacher, principal, district leader, and union president, always focused on equity, access, and the joy of learning.
Left to right: Petra Brady, OAACX; Charlotte Potente, Lend a Hand Foundation; Cathy D. Adams, OAACC; Dee Johnson , Lend A Hand Foundation; Angela Moore, OAACC. Photo by LaCresha Johnson.
Lockwood STEAM Academy students perform “Our Children Can Soar,” a poem highlighting civil rights leaders from Rosa Parks to Barack Obama, at 2025 Oratorical Contest Finals. Photo courtesy Oaklandside/Ashley McBride.
From left to right: Pastor Michael Wallace, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, Rev. Damita Davis Howard, and onlooker, John Rodgers. Photo by Carlos Uribe.