By Oakland Post Staff
Newly appointed Oakland Police Chief James Beere joined faith leaders, nonprofit representatives and community advocates on July
22 for a wide-ranging discussion on public safety, affordable housing, homelessness and civic engagement.
Hosted by the Interfaith Council of Alameda County (ICAC), the
meeting brought together clergy, businesses and residents to identify practical resources, strengthen community partnerships and coordinate action on issues affecting
of
100 Black Wings’ Team Oakland Sends Youth Athletes to Taiwan for 2026 International Children’s Games
By Post Staff
The Bay Area Chapter of 100 Black Men is sending nine youth athletes from its 100 Black Wings’ Team Oakland Delegation to Taiwan on Thursday, July 30, to represent the City of Oakland at the 58th International Children’s Games (IGC) in Hualien County, Taiwan.
The Games will bring together young athletes ages 12 to 15 from 76 city delegations around the world. The opening ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 2, and athletic competitions take place Aug. 3-5.
While many international com-
petitions center around national teams, the ICG brings young people together as representatives of their respective cities. This year’s theme – “Shining Hualien, Shining Together!” — reflects the host city’s vision of using sports, education, culture, and tourism to promote friendship, peace, inclusion, and sustainable development.
“Team Oakland’s participation demonstrates what can happen when young people are given opportunity, preparation, and a community that believes in them,” said Danny L. Williams, chairman of 100 Black Men of the Bay Area,
Inc.
“These athletes will carry Oakland’s talent, strength, and spirit onto an international stage while building relationships that can extend far beyond the competition,” he said.
Team Oakland will compete in track and field events including the 100-meter and 400-meter races, hurdles, long jump, shot put, javelin, and traditional and mixed 4x100-meter relays.
The athletes representing Oakland are: DeWayne Littlepage, Gia Goodlow, Abisewolu Redmond,
council meeting that would have awarded more than $6 million to suburban contractors for body and fender work on City vehicles.
Houston said, “I was concerned that, of the contracts presented, only one was awarded to a small, homegrown Oakland business—Quality Body & Fender located on Martin Luther King Jr., Way. The remaining contracts—with the exception of one additional contract added— were awarded to vendors located outside of city of Oakland (Dixon, Concord and San Leandro), leaving out certified Oakland businesses, some whom have been here for over 30 years.
“As both a City Councilmember and someone who was born and raised in Oakland, I believe we have a responsibility to invest in the businesses that invest in our community. When qualified local companies have the expertise and capacity to perform the work, they deserve a fair opportunity to compete for City contracts.
“I am proud to see Oakland’s
Quality Body & Fender receive a $1.05 million City contract. This award recognizes a longstanding Oakland business and reflects the values that local companies bring to our community. Supporting qualified local vendors helps strengthen our local economy, creates opportunities for Oakland, job, businesses, and keeps public investment circulating within our city,” he said.
Houston’s comments bring to mind the recent disparity study by Mason Tillman Associates for Oakland, which concluded that African American and women-owned businesses did not receive contracts comparable to their populations but moreover nearly 65% of the city’s prime contracts were awarded to non-Oakland businesses.
The Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce has been instrumental in keeping the issue in the public eye.
“Supporting local businesses means investing in our own economy,” Houston said. “When we
After Meeting with California Attorney General, Probate Reform Coalition Charts New Course for Reform
By Tanya Dennis
The National Probate Reform Coalition (NPRC) met with California Assistant Attorney General Eleanor Blume and her team last Monday seeking meaningful collaboration to address long-standing concerns about California’s probate and conservatorship system.
Coalition members left the meeting with a clearer understanding of the state’s enforcement structure, but also with the realization that no single agency provides comprehensive oversight of probate courts.
During the discussion, Attorney General representatives ex-
plained that allegations involving elder abuse, financial exploitation, Medi-Cal fraud, or criminal misconduct must fall within specific legal jurisdictions and are typically handled by specialized divisions, local district attorneys, or other agencies.
While the California Department of Justice welcomed future complaints, educational materials, and referrals, officials made no commitment to investigate probate courts as a system or establish statewide oversight.
For many advocates, the meeting confirmed what families across California have experi-
Congresswoman Simon Demands Investigation into Trump’s Abuse of Emergency Powers for Coal Export Terminal in West Oakland
By Post Staff
U.S. Rep. Lateefah Simon (DCA-12) joined California senators and other members of the California delegation to Congress to call on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate the Trump administration’s use of Defense Production Act and other taxpayer funds to support coal projects, including the proposed coal export terminal in West Oakland.
Defense Production Act funding is for national defense emergencies, like the ability to authorize private car companies to build
parts for tanks or ships.
Since President Donald Trump’s announcement of $75 million in funding for the Oakland Bulk and Oversized Terminal on June 4, Simon has opposed and worked to stop the proposed coal terminal.
She filed an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2027 Energy and Water Appropriations bill that would have prohibited funding for the proposed Oakland coal export terminal project; however, House Republicans blocked the amendment.
Last week, in a letter to the GAO Acting Comptroller General Orice Williams Brown, Simon and her
colleagues questioned the Department of Energy’s plan to use up to $425 million in DPA funds to sup-
and global economy into a single narrative.”
In attendance were many East Bay residents and community leaders, including retired thirdgeneration longshoreman, and prominent Black labor leader Clarence Thomas, civil rights attorney and former Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price, Secretary Treasurer of Alameda Labor Council Keith Brown, Isaac Kos-Read of KosRead Group, president of the National Council of Negro Women, Alameda County Aisha Williams.
By Post Staff
In a speech to an audience of local residents and community leaders, Port Commissioner and Maritime Attorney Derrick Muhammad delivered a presentation recently to answer a question that might seem simple on it surface but one that has many aspects that are crucial for the future of the East Bay. “What does it mean for the City of Oakland to be a port
city?”
Summing up the theme of his talk on Saturday, July 25, at Youth Uprising in East Oakland, Mr. Muhammad said, “Rather than advocating a particular policy, the presentation sought to increase public understanding of one of Oakland’s most important public assets by connecting the city’s history, labor movement, transportation network,
Quiana Canada, C.O.O. of Youth UpRising said she was excited to learn about the pathways and workforce development opportunities for our youth. “This weekend provided a wonderful introduction to the history and impact of what it really means to be a Port City. We thank all of the organizers and sponsors for their ongoing commitment to the future of our youth,” she sad. Commissioner Muhammad explored the evolution of Oakland as a Port City, how rail, the waterfront and wartime expansion was a catalyst for the growth of West Oakland, locally as well as a force for the development of
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
U.S.
(D-Calif.) joined several Senate Democrats in introducing legislation that would establish 18-year active terms for Supreme Court justices and create a regular schedule for appointing new members to the nation’s highest court.
The Supreme Court Biennial Appointments and Term Limits (BATL) Act would require the president to nominate one justice every two years, during the first and third years of each presidential term, with
status, where they would retain their lifetime appointments but hear only a limited number of constitutionally required cases and serve as substitutes when active justices are unavailable.
Senate confirmation. Under the proposal, justices would serve 18 years hearing the Supreme Court’s full docket before transitioning to senior
Supporters say the legislation is designed to reduce the politicization of Supreme Court appointments and restore public confidence in the judiciary by ensuring predictable vacancies and regular turnover on the Court.
“The Supreme Court has reached unprecedented and unacceptable levels
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced $109.6 million in Proposition 1 funding to create 278 permanent supportive homes in Bakersfield, Contra Costa County, Sacramento and Fresno, including 103 homes reserved for veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The funding, awarded through California’s Homekey+ program, is intended to expand permanent supportive housing and behavioral health services for veterans and other Californians experiencing or at risk of homelessness. State officials said the investment advances Proposition 1, the voterapproved measure aimed at increasing housing, treatment and support services for people with behavioral health needs.
“Every Californian deserves a safe place to call home, particularly the veterans who bravely served
our country,” said Newsom in a statement on July 23. “California voters approved Proposition 1 because they know we must do more to address homelessness and behavioral health challenges.”
The largest award, nearly $32.6 million, will help the City of Fresno and Parkway Prime LLC convert an interim housing project into 84 permanent supportive homes at Parkway Terrace, including nine units reserved for veterans. The City of Sacramento and Urban Capital LLC will receive nearly $31.9 million to develop the Rio Linda Senior Housing Project, which will include 100 homes, 49 of them reserved for veterans.
Contra Costa County and Satellite Affordable Housing Associates will receive $28.8 million to develop an 82-unit senior housing community, with 62 units designated for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness who have behavioral health challenges, in-
By Emil Amok Guillermo
Americans complain about inflation.
Filipinos complain about surviving.
That’s not a knock on America. It’s a reminder that for millions of Filipino Americans, the Philippines isn’t some faraway place we visit on vacation. It’s where our parents were born. Where our cousins still live. Where grandparents are buried. Where every phone call home can begin with, “We’re okay,” or, just as easily, “We need help.”
The Bay Area is home to one of the nation’s largest Filipino communities. California alone has nearly two million Filipinos—roughly half of all Filipino Americans in the United States.
Every year, Filipino Americans send an estimated $17 billion from the United States to the Philippines. Those remittances account for roughly a tenth of the Philippine economy. One wire transfer may keep children in
school, put food on the table, pay hospital bills, or help elderly parents make it another month.
That’s why Filipino Americans were paying attention to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address this week.
They were listening for justice.
They were listening for Lyle Prijoles.
Prijoles, a 40-year-old Filipino American from Hayward, was killed on April 19 during a Philippine military operation in Negros Occidental. Also killed was Kai Sorem, a 26-year-old activist from Seattle.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines say those killed were connected to the Communist Party’s New People’s Army. Their families say otherwise.
Human-rights advocates describe Prijoles and Sorem as labor organizers and peaceful activists working alongside sugar workers struggling under crushing
poverty. Prijoles had traveled repeatedly to the Philippines since 2006, documenting conditions in Negros and advocating for farm workers whose lives rarely improve no matter who occupies the presidential palace in Manila.
Those conflicting stories are exactly why members of Congress, led by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-7) of Washington, have called for an independent investigation.
After all, two American citizens are dead.
If an ally’s military kills Americans under disputed circumstances, shouldn’t we want to know exactly what happened?
Yet the story barely made news in the United States.
Perhaps because it’s inconvenient.
It’s inconvenient for Manila –and Washington.
Strategic allies aren’t supposed to kill American citizens.
The Philippines isn’t just an-
By Antonio Ray Harvey
California Black Media
California Secretary of State
Shirley Weber and top election officials in three other states have until July 31 to tell the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) whether they will cooperate with a federal effort to identify and remove alleged noncitizens
from state voter rolls.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin sent letters to the secretaries of state in California, New Jersey, Nevada and Pennsylvania, alleging that more than 250,000 potential noncitizens are registered to vote across the four states.
In an email to California Black Media (CBM), an official from
Weber’s office confirmed that the secretary received the July 17 letter and is evaluating its contents.
“We can confirm that we have received the letter from the Department of Homeland Security and are reviewing it,” the July 23 email to CBM stated.
New Jersey Secretary of State
AKA TRACI M. EDMUND AKA TRACI
MARILYN LONG A Petition for Probate has been filed by BENJAMIN
LONG-TOMELDEN in the Superior Court of California, County of ALAMEDA. The Petition for Probate requests that BENJAMIN
LONG-TOMELDEN be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The Petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing
BERKELEY,
If
of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for Petitioner: BRIAN J. TROWBRIDGE, TROWBRIDGE LAW OFFICE, 1300 CLAY STREET, SUITE 600, OAKLAND, CA 94612, Telephone: 510-893-5300 7/29, 8/5, 8/12/26 CNS-4063436# BERKELEY TRI-CITY POST NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF ALAN DAVID GLENDENNING AKA ALAN D. GLENDENNING AKA ALAN GLENDENNING CASE NO. 26PR198582 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: ALAN DAVID GLENDENNING AKA ALAN D. GLENDENNING AKA ALAN GLENDENNING A Petition for Probate has been filed by ELKE M. GLENDENNING in the Superior Court of California, County of ALAMEDA. The Petition for Probate requests that ELKE M. GLENDENNING be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The Petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court on 8/19/2026 at 9:45 A.M. in Dept. 202 Room N/A located at 2120 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR WAY, BERKELEY, CA 94704. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for Petitioner: JOHN V. DIANA / DEBORAH TAYLOR, 2875 SPRING CREEK LANE, WALNUT CREEK, CA 94598, Telephone: 925-953-2024 7/22, 7/29, 8/5/26 CNS-4061998# BERKELEY TRI-CITY POST NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF PUXUE ZHENG CASE NO. PR0001886 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: PUXUE ZHENG A Petition for Probate has been filed by JAMES SHENG KO in the Superior Court of California, County of MARIN. The Petition for Probate requests that JAMES SHENG KO be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The Petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition
will be held in this court on 08/06/2026 at 9:00AM in Dept. C located at 3501 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94903. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for Petitioner: FAYE LEE BRESLER, 3338 SACRAMENTO STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118, Telephone: (415) 776-7177 7/15, 7/22, 7/29/26 CNS-4060720# MARIN COUNTY POST
PUBLIC AUCTION/SALES
Lien Sale Auction Advertisement Notice is hereby given that Pursuant to the California SelfService Storage Facility Act, (B&P Code 21700 et. seq.) Auction to be held at on August, 1 st 2026 at www.storagetreasures.com. The property is stored at: San Anselmo Self Storage 21 Mariposa ave San Anselmo, CA 94960 NAME OF TENANT Lili Balfour E08 Lili Balfour H04 7/22, 7/29/26 CNS-4060449# MARIN COUNTY POST
TRUSTEE SALES
APN: 053-1604-030-00 FKA 0531604-030 TS No: CA0700030026-1 TO No: 101-10841824 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE (The above statement is made pursuant to CA Civil Code Section 2923.3(d)(1). The Summary will be provided to Trustor(s) and/or vested owner(s) only, pursuant to CA Civil Code Section 2923.3(d) (2).) YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED April 26, 2019. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF
CITY OF OAKLAND REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Contract Amount: TBD Terms: 2 Years + Optional 1 Year
Extension
Project Description: The City of Oakland, Fire Department, seeks a Medical Director to serve in several critical capacities with the Medical Services Division (MSD). This position is responsible for providing physician oversight of the emergency medical services and controlled substances programs that concern paramedic drug inventories. Key duties include, but are not limited to, clinical oversight of all Fire Department Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), Paramedics, and dispatchers and medical oversight of the department’s infection control programs. The Medical Director also serves as the lead in quality assurance and improvement programs.
Proposal Submittal Deadline: Friday, August 14, 2026, by 2:00 P.M. PT via iSupplier.
Reminders:
• All who wish to participate in this RFP must register (at least 5 days prior to submittal due date) through iSupplier at (https://www.oaklandca.gov/ services/register-with-isupplier) to avoid last minute submittal complications and receive addenda/updates on this RFP. For additional help registering and submitting your proposal to iSupplier please watch the user guide videos at (https://www.oaklandca.gov/documents/isupplier-user-guides).
• Did not receive an invitation? Start Early with iSupplier registration. Upon completion of registration, send an email to iSupplier@oaklandca.gov listing “RFP for Medical Director” as the subject and request an invitation to the RFP. The Contract Analyst will add your business to the RFP invitation.
• The following policies apply to this RFP: Equal Benefits • 0% L/SLBE • Living Wage • Campaign Reform Act • Professional Services Local Hire • Prompt Payment • Arizona Boycott • Dispute Disclosure • Border Wall Prohibition • Sanctuary City Contracting and Investment Ordinance.
Answers to Questions:
1. For project-related questions contact Contract Administration at contractadmin@oaklandca.gov
2. For iSupplier related questions after registration contact iSupplier@ oaklandca.gov
Asha Reed, City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council, Friday, July 31, 2026
The City Council reserves the right to reject all proposals.
07/22/2026, 07/29/2026, BERKELEY TRI-CITY POST 7/15, 7/22, 7/29/26 CNS-4059015# BERKELEY TRI-CITY POST
Continued from page 2
Dale Caldwell, Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar and Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt also received letters following President Donald Trump’s July 16 prime-time address on election security.
“Election security is national security,” Mullin stated in the letter. “As President Trump announced, DHS has identified over 250,000 potential non-citizens illegally registered to vote in just 4 U.S. states. Only Americans should be electing American leaders.”
Trump has also alleged that thousands of noncitizens are illegally registered to vote and said an internal review identified potentially ineligible voters across the four states.
The Trump administration has not publicly provided verified evidence supporting its claims, which it has presented as proof of systemic election fraud and interference. Trump has also argued that electronic voting and ballotcounting systems are fundamentally insecure, “dishonest” and vulnerable to manipulation.
Following Trump’s address, Weber issued a statement that she said, “sets the record straight” on his “fallacious election fraud claims” and unsubstantiated allegations about California elections.
“Despite President Trump’s repeated and thoroughly debunked claims, the 2020 election was free, fair, and secure,” Weber stated. “Courts across the country, including judges he appointed, re-
Cook ...
Continued from page 4
Fishing Device do? Imagine fishing with a line in the water. Usually, you have to watch carefully and pull the line at just the right moment when a fish bites. Cook wanted to make that process easier. His device was designed to react when a fish pulled on the line. The tension from the fish would trigger a lever. That lever would release a spring-loaded part of the device, causing it to move quickly and help pull in the line. The device also had an alarm gong that would ring to let the fisher know something was happening.
This invention was important because it used simple mechanical ideas in a clever way. Springs, levers, rails, and alarms
The
Phillipines Isn’t Foreign ...
Continued from page 2
other country.
It’s family.
President Marcos had bigger issues on his mind this week.
China’s growing aggression in the West Philippine Sea dominated much of the speech. Marcos rightly rejected racist insults aimed at Filipinos and insisted his country would not surrender its sovereignty.
“We are not racists. We are not liars,” Marcos declared. “We are respectful and we are dignified. We are Filipinos and we do not yield.”
Strong words. But patriotism isn’t measured only by how forcefully a government stands up to China.
Imposing Term Limits on Supreme Court Justices ...
Continued from page 2
jected allegations of widespread election fraud.”
Weber added, “Non-citizen voting remains exceedingly rare. In California, election officials work every day to maintain accurate voter rolls and ensure that only eligible voters are registered.”
Weber said her office will “carefully review DHS’s methodology to assess its claims.” Mullin has publicly warned that election officials who fail to comply with federal election changes first published July 10 could face steep fines, other federal penalties and possible prison time.
“We welcome legitimate best practices that comply with state and federal law while protecting Californians’ personal information,” Weber stated. “However, the information provided during the president’s remarks and on the White House website does not inspire any level of confidence in the methodology used or the conclusions reached.”
During a July 21 news conference with CAL FIRE officials at McClellan Airport in Sacramento, Gov. Gavin Newsom told CBM that Weber is “tough” and committed to preventing voter fraud through safeguards such as signature verification.
“It can be slow and painful. Yes, our counts, but we believe every vote counts and want to make sure every vote is counted appropriately, which means we’re verifying signatures,” Newsom told CBM. “We have a process that’s well defined. I want to improve that process, and we want to continue working with the legislature to fast-track the process.”
were not new by themselves, but Cook combined them to solve a real problem. His device showed how inventors often take familiar parts and arrange them in a new way to make life easier.
Cook looked at fishing and asked, “How can this be improved?” Then, he created a device that could respond automatically when a fish tugged on the line. His invention let fishermen relax instead of watching the line for hours, trusting the alarm to alert them.
Cook may not be as famous as some inventors, but his Automatic Fishing Device shows that creativity and innovation can be applied anywhere. His legacy lives on as part of the larger story of Black innovation in America.
It’s also measured by how a government treats its own people.
The Philippines inherited many of America’s democratic institutions. Even the “State of the Nation Address” echoes our “State of the Union.” Congress. Elections. Constitutional government. We exported the architecture of democracy. What we couldn’t export was accountability.
That’s why activists like Lyle Prijoles believed ordinary workers deserved better.
And that’s why his death matters.
About the Author Emil Guillermo is an awardwinning journalist, political analyst and comic monologist. See him on his microtalk show on YouTube@emilamok1.
of politicization,” said Padilla. “Term limits are a commonsense solution to lower the temperature on the judiciary and start restoring trust in the highest court in our land.”
Under the bill, only the nine most recently appointed justices would hear appellate cases, which make up the vast majority of the Court’s workload. Justices serving in senior status would continue to hear original jurisdiction cases and could participate in appellate cases if an active justice is recused or otherwise unavailable.
If approved by Congress, the legislation would not take effect immediately. Instead, it would become effective at the start of the first new presidential term following its enactment.
The bill is sponsored by Padilla, Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Cory Booker of New Jersey and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. The legislation is also cosponsored by Sens. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Peter Welch of Vermont, Brian Schatz of Hawaii, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Adam Schiff of California and Patty Murray of Washington State
The proposal has received endorsements from several advocacy organizations, including the Brennan Center for Justice, Public Citizen, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, the Project on Government Oversight and Stand Up America, which argue the changes would make the Court more accountable and strengthen public confidence in the judiciary.
How Oakland’s Courtsmith is Scaling its Business and Local Impact
With support from ICA Fund and JPMorganChase, founder Courtney Smith is strengthening his supply chain, creating jobs and expanding local production, and positioning the Oakland-born brand for long-term growth
By JPMorganChase
When Courtney Smith founded Courtsmith in Oakland in 2014, he was building more than an athletic apparel company. A lifelong basketball enthusiast, Smith saw an opportunity to create performance wear that reflected the culture of the game—its style, community and sense of belonging.
From the beginning, Courtsmith was rooted in the idea that basketball is not just a sport, but a lifestyle and a community. The brand set out to make athletes look and feel good on and off the court while building partnerships that give athletes a stake in the products and stories they help shape.
“As Courtsmith grew, scaling wasn’t just about selling more—it was about building the infrastructure to deliver consistently, with a strong supply chain and production process,” said Courtney Smith, founder of Courtsmith.
“We needed the right kind of capital and partners to help us expand without losing the Oakland authenticity that made us who we are.”
As the company grew, Smith faced a common challenge for small businesses: maintaining quality, reliability and authenticity of products while scaling—and having the resources to do so. The next move was not simply about expansion; it was about building
the infrastructure to last.
That is where ICA Fund—a Bay Area impact investor, small business support organization and long-time partner to Courtsmith— came in. ICA’s relationship with Smith began in 2017 through its Growth Strategies advising program, and over time, the organization paired mentorship, technical assistance and capital to help the company grow with intention. More recently, philanthropic support from JPMorganChase helped ICA expand the range of capital products it can offer entrepreneurs like Smith, including op-
tions designed for companies that are ready to scale but may not be a fit for traditional debt products or equity investments.
“Too many great businesses stay stuck small without access to fair and flexible capital— ICA Fund’s role is to change that,” said Allison Kelly, CEO of ICA Fund.
“With support from JPMorganChase, we’re able to provide founder-friendly financing alongside long-term partnership, giving entrepreneurs the tools they need to grow stronger businesses that create opportunity in their communities.”
Asm. McKinnor’s Bill Banning Drones Above Outdoor Entertainment Events Awaits Senate Decision
safety gap at public events due to the growing use of drones across California,” said McKinnor, a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC).
The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) has raised concerns about the bill’s potential effects on legitimate commercial drone operations.
The right kind of capital for a new stage of growth
ICA recently provided Courtsmith with a loan to help it buy a local manufacturing business, a major step toward bringing more of its production process closer to home, strengthening its supply chain, reducing costs, continuing its growth and creating local jobs.
The transaction also marked a milestone for ICA: the first time the organization approved capital for a merger-and-acquisition transaction. It reflects a broader expansion of the financing options it offers, supported by JPM-
organChase’s American Dream Initiative, which aims, in part, to help power 10 million small businesses—up from 7 million today—over the next several years with the capital, coaching, tools and practical policy support they need to thrive. It’s also an example of the kind of tailored support—delivered through trusted local pathways and the firm’s own relationships—that JPMorganChase provides to small businesses in the Bay Area, including our more than 295,000 small business clients.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and Courtsmith’s story shows how access to the right capital at the right time can unlock growth,” said Gwyneth Galbraith, Vice President for Global Philanthropy at JPMorganChase. “By supporting organizations like ICA Fund, we’re helping expand access to the kinds of financing and guidance entrepreneurs need to strengthen operations, create jobs and build lasting businesses across the Bay Area.”
Building with staying power
For small businesses, access to financing that fits their stage of growth can determine whether expansion is sustainable. A onesize-fits-all approach does not always work for companies with distinct cash-flow cycles, customer demand and operational
needs. In Courtsmith’s case, the ICA loan gave the company a path to invest in its future while preserving the founder’s vision and control—and reflected the kind of flexible financing JPMorganChase is helping expand through its support of local community and mission-driven lenders.
Courtsmith’s trajectory reflects that momentum. The company reports that revenue grew 259% from 2021 to 2025, while its workforce expanded from four employees in 2017 to 13 in 2025, including growth in full-time roles from one to 11.
Behind those numbers is a company deepening its roots in Oakland through local partnerships, community presence and a model built to last.
“Courtsmith is about Oakland, representing the culture that raised us and creating opportunity for the next generation,” said Smith. “With ICA Fund and JPMorganChase in our corner, we can keep turning that mission into something people can see and feel in our community.”
Courtsmith’s next chapter is still being written, but the path is clearer: a founder-led brand with deeper local production capacity, a stronger supply chain, and a larger role in Oakland’s small business economy.
‘The Power to See Threats Sooner’: Gov. Newsom, Safety Officials, Showcase California’s Investments in Hi-Tech Wildfire Prevention
By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
On July 21, Gov. Gavin Newsom held a presentation in Sacramento, alongside state emergency officials, to showcase California’s major investments in cutting-edge firefighting technology and wildfire prevention.
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs appeared with Newsom and provided updates about their respective agencies.
vigilant, support our firefighters, and work together to build a safer, more resilient California.”
By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media
Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) is advancing legislation that would prohibit unauthorized drones from operating within 400 feet of large outdoor ticketed entertainment events.
Assembly Bill 2113, titled “Aviation: Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Ticketed Entertainment Events,” passed the Senate Public Safety Committee on June 30 by a 6-0 vote and was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The Assembly approved the bill May 18 on a bipartisan 72-0 vote, with support from 54 Democrats and 18 Republicans. AB 2113 must clear the Senate Appropriations Committee before the Legislature’s Aug. 31 deadline to remain active.
“Large, ticketed entertainment events such as concerts, festivals, and sporting events bring thousands of people into dense confined spaces, including many venues in my (California State Assembly District 61),” McKinnor said. “Unauthorized drones and activities in these settings pose a real risk to public safety and can interfere with event operations and emergency response.”
McKinnor said the legislation would establish a state-level restriction that local authorities could enforce while preserving the federal government’s authority over U.S. airspace.
McKinnor also said, “While the Federal Government regulates airspace, local law enforcement is responsible for protecting public safety on the ground, yet current law does not provide a clear state-level prohibition addressing this issue.
Under the bill, the restriction would apply to outdoor professional music, sporting or performing arts events held at venues with capacities of at least 1,000 people.
Each violation would be an infraction punishable by a $500 fine.
McKinnor, who chairs the Assembly Select Committee on the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Los Angeles County Legislative Delegation, said the restrictions are particularly important as California prepares to host major international gatherings, including the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“AB 2113 protects the intellectual property rights of artists and addresses a growing public
Mason Sisk, the group’s director of government affairs, said AB 2113 would address the “disruptive use of drones,” including operations that infringe on artists’ intellectual property. However, the trade association has asked McKinnor’s office to add an exemption for commercial flights providing services such as cargo transportation and infrastructure inspections.
“Our issue with the bill really has to do with the distinction between the ‘loitering and hovering’ and the disruptive use of drones. So, I would ask that the committee not support the bill until we have language figured out,” Sisk told the Senate Committee on Public Safety.
To address concerns raised during the legislative process, McKinnor accepted amendments narrowing the bill’s scope and exempting certain authorized operations. The prohibition would not apply to venueapproved flights, venue employees conducting official business, regulated utility employees performing official duties or emergency personnel responding to an incident.
“My office and the sponsor have been engaging with stakeholders throughout this process, and I want to thank everyone for their patience and collaboration,” McKinnor said. “We remain committed to working in good faith as the bill moves forward to address concerns of stakeholders.”
The media event took place at McClellan Airport in Sacramento County, a primary hub for state aerial firefighting operations. Newsom used the presentation to highlight the state’s modern, tech-driven strategy to combat increasingly severe wildfires.
“California leads with science, innovation, and grit. We are meeting this moment with urgency and building 21st-century solutions for a 21st-century crisis,” Newsom stated. “And through it all, our extraordinary firefighters continue to step up, stand in harm’s way, and protect our communities.”
California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot, CAL FIRE Chief Joe Tyler, and
Under the Newsom administration, California’s fire protection budget has nearly doubled since 2019 — from $2 billion to $3.8 billion, including more than $2.5 billion in wildfire resilience and forest health projects.
Newsom detailed the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) programs, predictive analytics, and sophisticated software used to detect fires at their earliest stages. He also highlighted the launch of FireSat satellites, a dedicated space network designed to dramatically improve early wildfire detection and tracking.
“Every innovation we adopt supports our people on the front lines who work tirelessly to protect our communities when wildfire strikes,” Tyler stated. “Technology and innovation help us do our jobs more quickly and safely; however, we still need all Californians to stay
In addition, CAL Fire showcased a fleet of more than 100 AIguided firefighting drones positioned strategically across California to provide real-time mapping and aerial monitoring.
The presentation stated that California operates the nation’s largest state-owned aerial firefighting fleet, including the impending addition of two more C-130 aircraft by the end of the year, alongside a workforce of over 11,000 personnel.
“Technology is transforming how California prepares for wildfire, giving us the power to see threats sooner, position resources before fires start and move mutual aid faster when every second counts,” Thomas Jacobs said. “Governor Newsom’s investments are helping us turn real-time intelligence into action, so firefighters and local communities have the people, equipment and information needed to save lives and keep fires from becoming major disasters.”
Rep. Kamlager Dove Demands Care, Justice for Man Shot by ICE
Rep.
By Bo Tefu
medical care to a constituent she says has been denied treatment after being shot by ICE officers last year.
Speaking on the House floor, Kamlager-Dove urged ICE to provide urgent care for Carlitos Ricardo Parias, describing him as a father, husband and community volunteer who was recognized by his local city council for his service.
According to Kamlager-Dove, Parias was shot near his elbow by ICE during an encounter in October. She said he received initial treatment at a hospital but has not received proper medical care since being transferred to the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in December.
The congresswoman said she visited Parias in late May and found his condition had worsened. She said his hand had turned purple, his fingers had become atrophied, and he was suffering from headaches and persistent nerve pain.
“I am worried that he may have a bone infection, and that his arm could be amputated,” said Kamlager-Dove during her remarks.
Kamlager-Dove said Parias’ case highlights broader concerns about medical care at the Adelanto detention facility. She noted that a federal judge recently ordered sweeping changes to improve conditions for detainees.
“It is time for ICE to comply with this judge’s orders and end this cruelty at Adelanto and nationwide,” she said.
ICE has not publicly responded to the allegations raised during Kamlager-Dove’s House floor speech. The congresswoman urged the agency to provide Parias with immediate medical treatment while implementing the court-ordered reforms at the Adelanto facility.
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Oakland and surrounding Alameda County communities. Participants also discussed opposition to a proposed coal terminal in West Oakland.
Beere, the meeting’s keynote speaker, discussed strategies for collaborating on public safety, community policing, Oakland’s Ceasefire program and ICAC’s overnight safe-parking sites for unhoused people living in vehicles in East and West Oakland.
Dr. Jim Hopkins, pastor emeritus of Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church, offered a prayer for Beere following his remarks.
The conversation then turned to affordable housing. Evita Chavez, a senior program officer with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, discussed resources available to affordable housing developers and advocates, including predevelopment assistance, development coaching and partnership opportunities.
Representatives of No Coal in Oakland — Ann Harvey, Margaret Rossoff and Ted Franklin — joined Care 4 Community lead organizer Nicole Dean to discuss the proposed development of a coal terminal in West Oakland near the Bay Bridge.
The advocates said the transportation of thousands of tons of coal from Utah through Contra Costa and Alameda counties to Oakland for shipment overseas would increase daily traffic and pollution in West Oakland, a historically underserved community with high rates of asthma and other health problems.
Meeting participants also viewed the Oakland FAITH art gallery, which features photography and maps documenting 450 clergy members and congregations across the city. The project was created by photographer Nicolo Sertorio.
During the meeting, ICAC founding president Dr. Ken Chambers also raised concerns about funding for the organization’s safe-parking programs. Chambers said ICAC has not yet received a $450,000 grant approved by the Oakland City Council on Dec. 19, 2023, to support overnight parking sites for individuals and families living in their vehicles.
West Side Baptist Church and Williams Chapel Baptist Church have served more than 1,000 clients through the program since it opened in 2017, according to Chambers.
Chambers said he is working with Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee and the interim city administrator to secure the grant funding. He said the money would allow the program to accommodate up to 50 clients each night and provide a safe environment, wraparound services, minor automobile repairs, smog checks, Department of Motor Vehicles registration assistance, insurance support, job development and help securing permanent affordable housing.
Joe Davis, an ICAC client, described how the program helped him transition from living in his vehicle to temporary housing and employment.
“If it hadn’t been for a safe place to park overnight, and now I’ve moved into a tiny home temporary shelter, I started a new job working at the post office, walking distance from the program. I’m so thankful,” Davis said.
ICAC’s next community meeting is scheduled for Sept. 10 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Oakland FAITH Gallery, 1500 Broadway in downtown Oakland. The meeting will focus on job development at the Port of Oakland.
For more information or to donate, visit interfaithac.org or call Chambers at 510-239-6969.
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Mahari Moore, Marvin Thomas, Najae Ellison, Royal Moore, Sir. Kamryn Lloyd, and Jasani Highsmith.
The delegation’s coaching leadership includes Head Coach Dr. Tommie Smith, the 1968 Olympic gold medalist in the 200-meter sprint; Senior Coach Margaret Dixon; Girls Coach Evangela Dixon; Strength and Conditioning Coach Nola Turnage;and Boys Coach Michael Flood, Jr.
Delegation leadership also includes Williams, Head of Delegation Juanita Metters-Upshur, city representative Dr. Mark Alexander.
“Our athletes have trained with tremendous discipline, but this journey represents much more than competition,” said MettersUpshur, head of delegation. “They will have the opportunity to travel internationally, proudly represent Oakland, experience another culture, and form friendships with young people from communities across the world. We are incredibly proud of them and grateful to the families, coaches, partners, and supporters who have helped make this experience possible.”
In addition to track and field,
the games will feature swimming, tennis, table tennis, Taekwondo, archery, football, and 3x3 basketball. Hualien County is located between Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range and the Pacific Ocean and hosts the International Children’s Games for the first time this year.
The International Children’s Games were founded in 1968 by Slovenian coach Metod Klemenc, based on the belief that sports can bridge differences in culture, religion, and race.
The ICG is approved by the International Olympic Committee, and emphasizes friendship, fair play, teamwork, perseverance, and cultural understanding among young people.
The Oakland delegation’s participation reflects the 100 Black Wings’ programmatic commitment to developing young people through athletic achievement, discipline, leadership, cultural exposure, and global citizenship.
Team Oakland is supported by a network of families, coaches, community partners, and advocates who believe that international experiences can expand how young people view themselves and their possibilities.
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containerization and global trade.
He also examined the Port of Oakland’s role as an economic engine and its role as in the creation of career pathways into the maritime economy, development of small business opportunities connected to the waterfront, the impact of environmental stewardship and modernization and potential futures for the port.
He also emphasized that the Port is much more than ships and cranes that the public can see as it passes by on the highway. It is a major economic engine that provides a gateway to middleclass careers, international trade, a public asset, and an important part of Oakland’s historic identity. The presentation concluded
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keep Oakland City dollars local, we strengthen small businesses, create jobs, and build long-term economic prosperity for our community.”
A procurement process that values Local and Small Business Enterprise (L/SBE) participation should recognize the broader economic benefits of awarding contracts to qualified Oakland businesses, he said.
Houston introduced Enoch Shin, operator of an automobile repair company at 1722 International Blvd. as an example of business owner who is losing money, employees, and opportunies to generate revenues for Oakland.
Shin said he has lost $6 million in the last two years and laid off 19 employees, a workforce that consisted of African Americans, Asians and Indians and many others.
Houston noted that the issue will come up for further consideration this fall before the full City Council.
“I will continue advocating for
Congresswoman
a procurement process that gives qualified, local vendors meaningful opportunities to compete while recognizing the long-term value of keeping Oakland’s investments in Oakland.
Houston encouraged all Oaklanders to participate in the upcoming City Council hearing. “Your voice matters, and together we can ensure our city’s investments benefit the people and businesses that call our community home,” Houston said.
He also announced that he will accept an invitation to join a citywide town hall with the Post Impact Foundation to invite the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce to lead the Oakland business community and the Port of Oakland to join with the other business advocates from the Black, Asian and Hispanic communities. “A lot of these decisions to exclude Oakland-based businesses are being made by city staff who don’’ live here,” Houston said.
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port coal-fired power plants and construct the West Gateway Terminal Project in Oakland.
This terminal project would primarily serve foreign commercial markets, rather than meet national emergency needs.
“The Defense Production Act was intended to scale up domestic industrial capabilities to meet urgent military or national emergency needs; therefore, its invocation to construct a commercial, civilian export facility intended primarily to serve foreign commercial markets raises profound statutory, legal, and fiscal questions,” wrote the lawmakers, which included Senators Alex Padilla (D) and Adam Schiff (D), Jared Huffman (D-CA02), ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee, and Reps. John Garamendi (D-CA-08) and Ro Khanna (D-CA-17).
“We do not believe this satisfies the statutory definition of ‘national defense’ or ‘critical infrastructure protection’ under the DPA and that there is no legally sufficient, datadriven nexus between civilian coal exports and immediate U.S. military readiness or critical infrastructure defense,” the lawmakers’ letter said.
DPA funds are intended for U.S. national security and defense readi-
ness. The Trump administration is instead diverting these funds to support a commercial export project that primarily benefits private industries and foreign markets in East Asia.
“Congress has never appropriated funds to the DOE’s DPA account with the intent of propping up a dying industry or financing a purely commercial project,” continued the lawmakers. “We are deeply concerned that DOE has improperly diverted funds from accounts intended by Congress for the critical modernization and resilience support of our nation’s grid to instead finance a commercial fossil fuel export project.”
Simon and colleagues also raised concerns that the Trump administration has improperly diverted funds designated for critical grid modernization and may be using emergency authorities to circumvent local environmental protections.
“With no clear national security nexus, we question whether the DOE utilized emergency DPA authorities with the intent of preempting or subverting valid local health ordinances and environmental regulations. If so, this would be a gross departure from the intent of the DPA,” concluded the lawmakers.
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enced for years: when problems arise in probate court, responsibility is often divided among multiple agencies, leaving families uncertain where to turn for help.
Rather than viewing the meeting as a setback, NPRC members unanimously agreed it marked an important turning point. The coalition concluded that the most effective way to reform probate is not simply to respond after families become entangled in litigation, but to prevent unnecessary cases from entering the system in the first place.
As a result, NPRC will make mandatory pre-probate mediation its top legislative priority.
Under the coalition’s proposal, families would participate in structured mediation before contested probate petitions proceed through the courts.
probate courtroom. NPRC envisions the ombudsman serving as a neutral observer who monitors proceedings, promotes transparency, identifies recurring concerns, and provides non-binding recommendations that reflect the best interests of petitioners and the vulnerable individuals whose lives and estates are before the court.
Coalition leaders believe an ombudsman would strengthen public confidence in the probate process while providing valuable information to judicial leaders and policymakers about systemic issues affecting families statewide.
