Oakland Post
By Post Staff
administrator. Mayor Barbara Lee made the appointment two months after former City Administrator Jestin Johnson resigned in the wake of a text message scandal.
Lake has served as a city staffer since 2018, working both as deputy and assistant city administrator. She took over the city administrator position on an acting basis when Johnson left.
The vote at Tuesday’s Council meeting places her in the temporary position until Jan. 15, 2027, while the Mayor’s Office conducts a search for a new city administrator.
Lee praised Lake’s expertise and experience on Tuesday,
‘No Coal in Oakland’ Mobilizes Against Environmental Threat to Bay Area
Margaret Gordon – co-founder and former co-director of the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project, now a Community Scholar with the Just Cities Institute – speaks at a press conference on the urgent need for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to act decisively on the proposed West Oakland coal terminal. April 1 at the West Side Missionary Baptist Church. Photo courtesy of No Coal in Oakland.
By Post Staff
Responding to President Trump’s recently announced attempt to revive the dying coal industry, the East Bay’s No Coal in Oakland (NCIO) campaign is stepping up its organizing efforts all along the route coal trains would take to the proposed West Oakland terminal – from Martinez to Pinole and south through Richmond, El Cerrito, Albany, Berkeley, and Emeryville.
By Oakland Post Staff
Residents will have an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how Oakland’s waterfront influences the city’s economy, history and future during “The Waterfront: A Conversation About What It Means to Be a Port City,” a community education presentation by Derrick H. Muhammad on July 25 at Youth Uprising.
The presentation is designed to help community members better understand the Port of Oakland’s role beyond its shipping terminals, explaining how the waterfront affects employment, international trade, housing, transportation, land use, environmental policy and public investment.
“Too often, people see ships and cargo but don’t see how the waterfront shapes everyday life,” Muhammad said. “This presentation is about helping residents understand that the Port is an economic ecosystem connected to our neighborhoods, our jobs and our future.”
Using Oakland as a case study, Muhammad will trace the evolution of the city’s waterfront through historical photographs and storytelling while explaining how the Port developed into one of the nation’s leading maritime gateways.
The presentation also examines how cargo moves through the modern supply chain—from ships and marine terminals to railroads, trucks, warehouses, retailers and ultimately consumers throughout Northern California and beyond. Organizers say the goal is to make complex maritime operations understandable for a general audience.
In addition to explaining how ports function, the program highlights the people whose work built Oakland’s maritime economy, emphasizing the contributions of longshore workers, labor organizations and the broader waterfront community.
Muhammad will also discuss the legal and public policy framework that governs waterfront property, helping attendees understand why ports are managed differently from conventional commercial developments and why public participation matters in decisions affecting the waterfront.
The presentation concludes with a discussion of the future of Oakland’s waterfront and encourages residents to become more engaged in conversations about the city’s economic development and maritime industry.
By Post Staff
Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) has secured
$250,000 in federal Community Project Funding (CPF) for the Peralta Community College District, specifically the Manufacturing and Fabrication Pathway Lab (FabLab) facilities at Laney College and the College of Alameda.
“This funding will help prepare the next generation of Oaklanders for successful careers so they can continue to support themselves and their families and thrive in the city. I look forward to seeing the facilities and program upgrades this funding will support, and all the doors it will open for our students,” Simon said.
“Education is one of the most important tools we can give our young people to set them on a path to success,” she continued.
“It is critical our local colleges have adequate resources to provide students with the education they deserve.”
Congresswoman announced the funding Wednesday at Laney College alongside Peralta Community College District (PCCD)
Chancellor Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson, Laney College President Rebecca Opsata, and College of Al-
ameda President Melanie Dixon. She also toured the FabLab facilities at both colleges to discuss the planned facilities upgrades.
The FabLabs serve as essential experiential learning spaces where students, local entrepreneurs, and makers utilize advanced technologies—such as 3D printers, CNC routers, laser cutters, and robotics tools—to bring their designs to life.
This federal funding will be used to purchase new equipment and implement structured training programs for students to enhance their digital fabrication skills and prepare for high-demand careers in fields like manufacturing, construction, biomedical, and healthcare.
The federal funding will expand educational and job training opportunities for Oakland’s young people as they enter the local workforce and prepare to give back to their communities and the local economy.
This Community Project Funding (CPF) is a part of the $11.2 million that Simon secured for 15 projects across the East Bay in Fiscal Year 2026.
“We are incredibly thrilled about this investment in our stu
The Oakland City Council this week voted 6-2 to confirm Elizabeth “Betsy” Lake as interim city
Congresswoman Lateefah Simon. File photo.
Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Lake. Courtesy photo. (Left to right) ACA/NSA Constitutional Administrator Michelle Phillips; Daniel Hahn, Ralph Peterson & Associates Recruiting Firm; Mayor Barbara Lee; Interim Police Chief James Beere; Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Ken Houston, Charlene Wang, Zac Unger, and Carroll Fife.
Derrick H. Muhammad. Photo courtesy of Port of Long Beach.
Preventing Amputation: A Doctor’s Guide for Diabetes Patients
By Edward Henderson California Black Media
For many diabetes patients, amputation becomes a last-resort measure after infections, ulcers, or poor circulation worsen rapidly and leave few other treatment options.
But according to Dr. Estelle Everett, a physician and researcher specializing in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), most diabetes-related amputations can be prevented through early intervention, consistent medical care, and patient education.
For Everett, her commitment to diabetes prevention is deeply personal. Watching her younger sister navigate Type 1 diabetes exposed her early to the challenges many patients face, including barriers to advanced diabetes technologies such as continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps due to racial disparities in patient care.
Those experiences helped shape her focus on prevention, education, and equitable access to care.
Dr. Everett spoke with California Black Media (CBM)
about the warning signs of diabetic complications, prevention strategies, healthcare access, and the role of diabetes technology in improving outcomes.
What are some of the early warning signs that a person with diabetes may be developing circulation and nerve problems that could potentially lead to amputation?
Amputation is usually the final stage of diabetic foot disease. Earlier signs often involve nerve damage. Some people experience numbness, tingling, burning, or loss of sensation in their feet.
Poor circulation is another warning sign. Symptoms can include calf pain while walking, foot pain at rest, cold feet, skin color changes, or wounds that do not heal properly. Foot ulcers, thick calluses, and untreated cuts can also become serious infections that may eventually lead to amputation if they are not treated early.
Before complications reach that stage, what are some early signs of diabetes itself that people should be looking out for?
Many people are walking around with diabetes and do not even realize it. Some patients first seek medical care only after they’ve
CITY OF OAKLAND NOTICE OF ELECTION
already developed complications because they’ve had diabetes for years without knowing it.
That’s why routine screenings are so important. If you have diabetes, controlling it early can significantly reduce the risk of severe complications later on.
Many Black Californians harbor a degree of distrust in the healthcare system. What message would you send to encourage people to get regular checkups?
Distrust is real, and there are many reasons people may avoid healthcare. Some fear discrimination or worry they’ll simply be judged instead of helped.
Personally, I realized some of the care my sister received may have been influenced by racial bias. Although she had diabetes for years, she was never offered diabetes technology like insulin pumps or continuous glucose monitors. When she finally asked about them, she was told she had to jump through many hoops.
I realized her experience wasn’t unique. Research shows that minority patients and people from lower-income backgrounds are less likely to be offered diabetes technology. That inspired me to focus my research on improving access for the populations that need these tools the most.
I think building trust is important. Finding the right doctor is almost like dating. If you don’t feel comfortable with your provider, it may help to find someone you connect with and feel understands your concerns. That relationship can make a major difference in getting consistent care.
Are there newer technologies or innovations in diabetes care that people should know about?
One of the biggest advances has been continuous glucose monitors, or CGMs. These small wearable devices track blood sugar levels in real time and have really changed diabetes care over the past decade.
For providers, CGMs give a much clearer picture of blood sugar patterns throughout the day. For patients, they provide immediate feedback about how food, exercise, and other daily habits affect blood
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NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a General Municipal Election consolidated with the Statewide General Election will be held in the City of Oakland, California, on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to elect officers for the following offices:
Mayor
Councilmember, District No. 2
Councilmember, District No. 4 .
Councilmember, District No. 6 .
City Auditor.
School Board Director, District No. 2
School Board Director, District No. 4
School Board Director, District No. 6
Lower Bottom Playaz Presents Lee Blessing’s ‘Going to St. Ives’
Oakland’s oldest North American African theater company presents a story of race, women, violence, and empire
By Cat Brooks Special to the Post
The Lower Bottom Playaz 27th season will kick off on July 9 with “Going to St. Ives,” a play by Lee Blessing.
Directed by playwright, actress, and community advocate Cat Brooks, the play by Lee Blessing is the story of two impressive women brought together by the personal and divided by the political, as both seek to accomplish the greatest good.
Played by Dr. ayodele nzinga, May N’Kame, the mother of a deadly African dictator, travels to England to see Dr. Cora Gage (Teresa Foss) about medical treatment for her failing eyesight. But what she really wants is a poison to assassinate her son. Gage is then put in a personal dilemma to either uphold her vow to ‘do no harm,’ or help put an end to the atrocities the dictator visits on his people.
“While the Empire’s location is fictional, a very real genocide is happening in the Congo right now that many of us are ignoring,” Brooks observed. “We set this play there in hopes of utilizing theater to make audiences aware of injustices moving in places and amongst people that mainstream media omits from its headlines.
“In these times, it is more important than ever that theater do more than just entertain. It must tell tales that ignite us into action.”
Also explored in “Going to St. Ives” are themes of motherhood and sacrifice. What does it cost mothers to raise sons only to lose them to the violence of the world? What experiences are shared amongst mothers across race, class, and country?
“‘Going to St. Ives’ examines the weight of privilege against the cost of ‘being responsible’ in a world carved by colonialism, greed, and loss in a high-stakes chess game between two women
with only one thing in common,” said nzinga who is also the artistic director of Lower Bottom Playaz. The play was first performed in 1997 in Seattle, eventually enjoying a highly praised off-Broadway run in New York in 2005. For this production, Lower Bottom Playaz is partnering with non-government organizations that focus on raising awareness and providing support to displaced refugees across the diaspora, emphasizing community solidarity and collective action.
“Going to St. Ives” premieres on July 9 at BAM House in the Sister Thea Theater, 1540 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612. All performances are scheduled through July 26 on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. For tickets and more information, please visit http:// www.lowerbottomplayaz.com/. Reservations: 510 332-1319, leave a message.
4-year Full Term
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4-year Full Term
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The nomination period for said election opens on Monday, July 13, 2026 and closes on Friday, August 7, 2026.
Should the incumbent not file, the filing deadline is extended for 5 days after the 88th day, which is Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
In addition to the above offices, measures that qualify by the deadline will also appear on the municipal election ballot.
(Polls will open at 7:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM)
Dated: July 10, 2026
Asha Reed City Clerk and Clerk of the Council
Estelle M. Everett, MD, MHS. Courtesy photo.
“Going to St. Ives” previews on July 9, 2026, at BAM House in the Sister Thea Theater at 1540 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612. Image courtesy of Lower Bottom Playaz.
Submit Your Arguments
Now: Secretary of State Weber Announces Ballot Proposition Numbers
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
California Secretary of State
Shirley N. Weber has assigned proposition numbers to the measures that will appear on California’s Nov. 3 general election ballot and is inviting Californians to submit arguments for inclusion in the state’s Official Voter Information Guide.
The guide, which is mailed to every voting household and published online before the election, provides voters with impartial information about statewide ballot measures, along with selected arguments supporting and opposing each proposition.
“This is one of the most important ways Californians can participate in the democratic process before Election Day,” the Secretary of State’s Office said in announcing the filing period for ballot arguments.
The November ballot includes legislative measures and citizen initiatives covering a wide range of issues, including affordable housing, state budget reserves, taxes on high-income earners, campaign finance, election procedures, environmental review, health care funding and housing assistance.
Opinion: The Next 250? ...
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mentored by Roy Cohn, the hateful lawyer of Sen. Joe McCarthy who spearheaded the paranoid drive against the civil and political rights of Americans in the 1940s and ’50s by accusing them of being communists.
When you’re down in the polls and you’re losing face in the world, what else do you do but launch the “New Red Menace,” and heat up the rhetoric saying, “communism is a mortal threat to our American liberty, the greatest threat to our country.”
I was surprised Trump excluded himself, the evolving autocrat, who, considering his illegal and unconstitutional actions, would make him the greatest threat.
A missed opportunity.
In doing so, we now know the “middle-game” of his second term. Relive the blacklist era between 1947 and 1959, and the reign of the House Un-American Activities Committee, where hateful Republicans hurled allegations against innocent citizens that destroyed lives.
Were Blacks impacted? Only the best.
The actor, singer, activist Paul Robeson was blacklisted for his outspoken criticism of a racist America.
Writer Langston Hughes was
Among the measures, Proposition 1 would authorize $11.25 billion in bonds to finance affordable housing programs and housing assistance for veterans. Proposition 3 would make permanent an existing tax on high-income Californians that supports public schools and community colleges, while Proposition 39 would establish new voter identification and citi-
forced to publicly testify, which
ultimately destroyed his career.
W.E.B DuBois, the civil rights scholar and founder of the NAACP, was targeted and forced to stand chained in court when he was in his 80s.
The Red Scare impacted anyone with a critical voice who advocated for justice. Notable
And that’s how Trump and the Republicans hope to hang on to power. Communism means something to those more than 60 years old.
It may not mean anything to younger voters, who will just see Trump’s falsely labeling progressive Democrats as “communists” to be 100 percent regressive. He’s taking us back to an even meaner and nastier America.
It’s the only strategy it seems that can revive Trump and the GOP from a mid-term catastrophe.
That’s why, with the November elections only months away, we’ve got to fight hard to find our way back to America again.
About the Author
Emil Guillermo is an awardwinning journalist, news analyst, and comic monologist. See him perform at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival, Venue 24; Ace Art Gallery, July 16-July 26. See him on YouTube.com/@emilamok1 for details.
zenship verification requirements for California elections.
State law gives first priority for ballot arguments on legislative measures to legislators and, for initiative measures, to the official proponents. If additional arguments are submitted, priority is given to bona fide citizen associations and then to individual vot-
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Doctor’s Guide for Diabetes Patients ...
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sugar levels.
Someone may notice that certain foods cause major spikes while certain exercises lower their blood sugar. That real-time information helps people make healthier decisions and improve blood sugar control. Research shows these technologies can significantly improve outcomes.
What daily habits or preventative measures can reduce the risk of complications or even amputation?
The biggest thing is controlling your diabetes. A lot of people automatically think diabetes will lead to amputations, but research shows the risk is much lower when diabetes is well managed.
That means taking medications as prescribed, making dietary changes, and working to keep your A1C below 7. Managing high blood pressure and high cholesterol is also important because both contribute to circulation problems.
People should also inspect their feet every day, especially if they’ve already lost sensation. Some patients injure their feet without realizing it because they can’t feel the damage. Catching wounds early is critical. Good foot
hygiene also plays a major role in prevention.
Are there any common misconceptions about diabetes that stand out to you in your clinical work with Black patients?
One major misconception is that diabetes medications cause complications like kidney failure or amputations. In reality, poorly controlled diabetes causes those complications — not the medications used to treat it.
Those misconceptions sometimes cause patients to avoid medications or stop taking them altogether. Another issue is that some people believe diet and exercise alone should always control diabetes. While lifestyle changes are important, some patients have severe diabetes that also requires medication.
Needing medication is not a personal failure. Sometimes diet and exercise alone are simply not enough, and medication is necessary to prevent serious complications.
This article is supported by the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF). Visit www. chcf.org
Dodgers’ Back-toBack World Series Championships
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feated the New York Yankees in 2024 and the Toronto Blue Jays in 2025 to win back-to-back championships. In total, the Dodgers franchise has won nine World Series titles.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who led the Dodgers to the World Series championships, told
California Black Media (CBM) that he visited the State Capitol to meet with lawmakers on June 30 after a golfing outing with A’s manager Mark Kotsay.
“It was absolutely great. I enjoyed meeting with the legislators,” said Roberts, who has been the Dodgers’ manager for the last 11 seasons. “It was a nice occasion. Sacramento treated us really well for our first time playing here.”
‘For
Too Many Students, Math Struggles Go Unnoticed,’ Says Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson as Education Bill Advances
By Bo Tefu
California Black Media
A bill aimed at helping California’s youngest students build stronger math skills moved forward this week after winning bipartisan approval in the Assembly Education Committee.
Senate Bill 1067, authored by Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego), would establish a statewide framework for screening students in kindergarten through second grade for foundational math skills. The measure is intended to help schools identify learning gaps early and provide evidence-based support before students fall behind.
Research has consistently found that early math proficiency is one of the strongest indicators of long-term academic success. Supporters of the bill say many students reach later grades without mastering basic math concepts, making it more difficult to keep pace academically.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to build a strong foundation for future success,” Weber Pierson said in a statement. “For too many students, math struggles go unnoticed until they have already fallen significantly behind. SB 1067 gives educators the tools to identify learning needs early and provide targeted, evidence-
based support when it can make the greatest difference. By investing in our youngest learners today, we are helping prepare the next generation for success in school, college, and the workforce.”
The proposal builds on California’s recent efforts to improve early literacy by applying a similar approach to mathematics. If enacted, SB 1067 would require the development of evidence-based, culturally and linguistically appropriate assessment tools. It also would ensure parents receive information about their child’s progress and available academic support.
The bill’s sponsor, EdVoice, said early intervention can prevent small learning gaps from becoming long-term obstacles.
“Strong math skills open doors to future opportunities, but too many students miss out because they don’t receive support early enough,” said Marshall Tuck, CEO of EdVoice. “SB 1067 gives educators the ability to identify learning gaps before they become long-term barriers and helps ensure every child has the foundation they need to succeed.”
After clearing the Assembly Education Committee, SB 1067 has now advanced to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for further consideration.
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Reflection: The Legal Arguments (and Little-known California History) Behind the Supreme Court’s Birthright Citizenship Case
By Edward Henderson California Black Media
The Supreme Court rejected President Trump’s bid to end birthright citizenship.
In the executive order, Trump asserted that, “the Fourteenth Amendment has never been interpreted to extend citizenship universally to everyone born within the United States.”
At the center of the dispute is the Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, which states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.”
Supporters of the policy argue that ending birthright citizenship would reduce unauthorized immigration and eliminate what they describe as an incentive for people to travel to the United States to have children.
Opponents counter that the policy contradicts more than a century of constitutional precedent and would fundamentally redefine one of the nation’s strongest guarantees of equal citizenship.
Congress adopted the amendment in 1866, and it was ratified in 1868 during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. Its primary purpose was to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court’s infamous Dred Scott v. Sandford decision in 1857, which declared that Black Americans—whether enslaved or free—
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• Optional In-Person Pre-Proposal Meeting to be held at Alameda CTC offices, located at 1111 Broadway, Suite 800, Oakland, CA 94607, is scheduled for July 9, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (PT)
• Proposal due date: August 4, 2026 BEFORE 3:00 p.m. PT
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Newsom’s Plan for New State Education Commissioner Draws Support, Raises Questions About Student Achievement
By Joe W. Bowers Jr. California Black Media
could never be citizens of the United States.
Lawmakers wrote the amendment to guarantee citizenship and equal protection under the law for formerly enslaved people and their descendants while preventing states from denying them fundamental constitutional rights.
The amendment, considered a cornerstone of modern civil rights law, faced fierce resistance when it was adopted. Many former Confederate states refused to ratify it and were required to do so before being readmitted to the Union.
Thirty years later, the Supreme Court reinforced the amendment’s meaning in the landmark 1898 case United States v. Wong Kim Ark. Wong Kim Ark was born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrant parents who were barred from becoming U.S. citizens under the Chinese Exclusion Act. After traveling abroad, he was denied reentry into the United States because federal officials argued he was not a citizen. The Supreme Court disagreed, ruling that because he had been born on American soil, he was a U.S. citizen under the Fourteenth Amendment.
That decision established the constitutional precedent that birthright citizenship applies regardless of a parent’s nationality or immigration status—a ruling that has remained in place for more than 125 years.
California lawmakers have approved Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to create an Education Commissioner, shifting executive control of the state’s public schools from the independently elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI) to a Governor-appointed official.
Introducing the proposal during his final State of the State address, Newsom said California had improved academic achievement, including gains among Black and Latino students, but argued the state’s education governance structure needed modernization.
“It’s long overdue that we modernize the management of our educational system,” Newsom said.
Created under Assembly Bill (AB) 181 and funded through Senate Bill (SB) 111, the Education Commissioner will be appointed by the Governor, confirmed by the Senate and serve at the Governor’s pleasure. The Commissioner will
Weber Announces Ballot Proposition Numbers ...
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ers. No more than three people may sign an argument or rebuttal that appears in the voter guide.
The Secretary of State’s Office said ballot arguments are limited to 500 words and must be submitted by 5 p.m. on July 7. Rebuttals,
manage the California Department of Education (CDE), duties previously carried out by the SSPI. The restructuring comes as California continues to struggle with persistent achievement gaps. During the Assembly floor debate before voting on the proposal, supporters noted that more than half of California students do not meet state English language arts standards, nearly two-thirds fall short in mathematics, and Black students continue to post among the state’s lowest proficiency rates. They argued that the current governance structure has blurred accountability for educational outcomes and that the new model creates clearer responsibility for improving those results. Critics counter there is no evidence indicating that a reorganization alone will raise student achievement.
The Education Commissioner will administer state and federal education programs, implement policies adopted by the State
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which may not exceed 250 words, are due by 5 p.m. on July 16. Candidate statements for statewide constitutional offices must be submitted by 5 p.m. on July 15. The Official Voter Information Guide will be mailed to registered voters ahead of the Nov. 3 election, providing Californians with ballot summaries, fiscal analyses and certified arguments before they cast their votes.
Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego). File photo.
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Supreme Court’s Birthright Citizenship
Case ...
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Although California voted to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment in 1868, political infighting and procedural disputes later cast doubt on whether the state’s ratification was properly completed.
To remove any uncertainty, the California Legislature voted unanimously in 1959—91 years after the amendment became part of the U.S. Constitution—to formally reaffirm and ratify the Fourteenth Amendment.
Responding to the Supreme Court’s decision handed down in the case Trump v Barbara on June 30,
Plan for New State Education Commissioner ...
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Board of Education and coordinate education policy from early childhood through higher education. The Commissioner also must submit an interim report on a second phase of education governance reform by June 30, 2027, followed by final recommendations to the Governor and Legislature by Oct. 1, 2027.
AB 181 also expands the State Board of Education from 11 to 13 members. The Governor will continue to appoint most members, while the SSPI becomes a voting member and the President pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the Assembly each appoint one member. The Board will continue to adopt statewide education policy, while the Education Commissioner oversees its implementation through CDE.
The SSPI will remain an elected statewide office, but its role shifts from directing CDE to education advocacy, independent evaluations requested by the Legislature, reporting on the condition of public
President Trump posted on Truth Social, “The Supreme Court upheld Birthright Citizenship, which is too bad for our Country, but we can easily make it up in Congress through Legislation, with the support of the President, that has now been determined during this process.
However, changing the Constitution would be an extraordinarily difficult process. Under Article V, a constitutional amendment must first receive the support of twothirds of both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate before being ratified by three-fourths of the states. No constitutional amendment has been repealed or substantially revised through that process in more than three decades.
education, and serving as a voting member of the State Board of Education and the California Community Colleges Board of Governors.
Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego), author of AB 181, said “Student performance must improve,” describing the legislation as “just the beginning” of broader governance reforms intended to strengthen accountability and improve educational outcomes.
SSPI Tony Thurmond told CBM he supports improving California’s education governance system and said having an Education Commissioner who reports to the Governor “is not an unusual thing.”
However, Thurmond said, “the governor and the backers of this proposal have never articulated a single outcome measure.”
Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), who did not vote on AB 181, told CBM, “This isn’t just about education. It’s about protecting California’s constitutional system of checks and balances.:
“I don’t believe concentrating more power in any Governor’s office is good for California’s democracy,” she said.
Black-Run Nonprofit Gameheads Expands Youth Opportunities with New Gameheads KIDS Summer Program
By Dr. Maritony Jones
For more than a decade, Oakland-based nonprofit Gameheads has been transforming the lives of young people by turning a passion for video games into pathways toward careers in technology. This summer, the Black-led organization is expanding that mission by launching Gameheads KIDS, a
new five-week program designed to inspire children ages 8 to 11.
Running July 13 through Aug. 13, the Kids summer program introduces children to coding, digital art, storytelling, animation, and game design through handson activities that encourage creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking.
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Founded more than 12 years ago by Damon Packwood, CoFounder and Executive Director, Gameheads was created to bridge the opportunity gap facing many Oakland youth despite living in the heart of the world’s technology capital. Mr. Packwood, whose background includes leadership roles with Juma Ventures, Hack the Hood, and Upward Bound, has dedicated his career to making technology education accessible to young people from underserved communities.
That vision has grown into a nationally recognized nonprofit that connects students with nearly 200 volunteer mentors from the gaming and technology industries, including professionals who have contributed to games like Minecraft and Marvel’s SpiderMan. Through partnerships with companies such as Sony PlayStation, Microsoft Xbox, Autodesk, and other industry leaders, Gameheads has helped prepare students for successful careers in technology, with many graduates earning $75,000 to more than $100,000 in entry-level positions.
Now, Gameheads is introducing those opportunities even earlier.
Learning Through Play
The new Gameheads KIDS program is built on the belief that children learn best through play. Instead of simply playing video games, campers will discover how games are imagined, designed, and created while developing skills that extend far beyond the screen.
Throughout the five-week ex-
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perience, students will explore Scratch coding, digital illustration using drawing tablets, storytelling, technical art, animation, board games, arts and crafts, physical movement, and STEAM-based learning that encourages creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving.
No previous coding or gaming experience is required—just curiosity and a willingness to learn, organizers say.
Gameheads Program Manager Randi Dean says the program is about creating opportunities that can shape a child’s future.
“I believe in the mission of Gameheads, and that is what has drawn me to them,” Mrs. Dean said. “We give young people opportunities to change the trajectory of their lives and break away from predetermined narratives.” Families interested in enrolling are encouraged to register soon, as space is limited.
Gameheads KIDS Summer Program (Pilot Program)
• Dates: July 13 – Aug.13/
Schedule: Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
For registration and more information, visit GameHeadsOakland.org or email damon@gameheadsoakland.org
More than a summer camp, Gameheads KIDS is an investment in Oakland’s future—giving young minds the confidence, creativity, and technical skills to imagine new possibilities and become tomorrow’s innovators.
Gameheads Student Ethen Gibbs will attend UC Santa Cruz this Fall, Damon Packwood Co-Founder of Gameheads, Student Yahn Mae McCallum will attend UC San Diego this Fall. Photo Credits by: Jonathan Fitness Jones.
Mayor Appoints Interim Chief James Beere ...
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sive leadership with OPD incudes serving as interim police chief, assistant chief, deputy chief of Bureau and Field Operations, and commander of the Criminal Investigations Division.
“I want to thank Mayor Lee for her leadership in bringing departments together to better serve the community and implement a collaborative approach for a unified response to help drive down crime,” said Beere.
“By prioritizing successful initiatives like Ceasefire, building up the Police Department staffing, and reviving the Cadet Program, the mayor has both enhanced public safety and strengthened community trust. As your chief of police, I look forward to serving Oakland’s residents and businesses,” he said.
Throughout his career, Beere has received numerous depart-
The
mental honors including the Blue Star Medal, Medal of Merit, and the Chief’s Excellence in Leadership Award. He graduated magna cum laude from Golden Gate University with a bachelor’s degree in business management and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
The Police Commission’s search process included community engagement to ensure the selection of a new chief with a commitment to strengthening constitutional policing and civilian oversight, recruiting and retaining outstanding qualified, dedicated, and responsible officers, enhancing community engagement, and reducing violent crime and improving response times.
Chief Beere’s appointment will be formally introduced to the City Council on July 17, with a swearing-in ceremony to follow.
Port Shapes the City’s Economy, Neighborhoods and Future ...
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Muhammad is a maritime attorney, longtime West Coast longshoreman, labor leader and member of the Board of Port Commissioners for the Port of Oakland. Drawing on more than two decades of experience in the maritime industry, he developed the presentation to make the Port’s role more accessible and relevant to the public while encouraging broader awareness of
the economic opportunities created by the waterfront.
“The Waterfront: A Conversation About What It Means to Be a Port City” will be presented on Saturday, July 25, at 11 a.m. at Youth Uprising, 8711 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94605.
Contact Mr. Muhammad at : dhmuhammad@gmail.com, IG and TikTok:@dhmuhammadesq
‘No Coal in Oakland’ Mobilizes ...
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In late June at La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley, an overflow crowd of more than 300 showed up after Trump’s June 4 announcement that he’s granting coal terminal developers $75 million to build a proposed coal terminal in Oakland.
Following presentations by epidemiologist Dr. Bart Ostro, Rev. Ken Chambers, West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project (WOEIP) Co-Founder Margaret Gordon, NCIO’s Ted Franklin, and others, activists attended breakout meetings of a half-dozen working groups.
NCIO is organizing community outreach: signature-gathering on an ‘Open Letter’ to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), yard sign distribution, tabling at farmers’ markets and in commercial districts, canvassing in West Oakland, and speaking at neighborhood gatherings, town halls, and block parties.
The Open Letter to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, which calls on the district’s board to exercise its authority to prevent increased fine particulate matter reversed (PM 2.5) emissions from coal transport through East Bay communities, has already been signed by more than 2,000 local residents, as well as 60 organizations and businesses, including labor unions, faith groups and congregations, environmental and neighborhood groups, and more.
“Coal shipment to and through a facility adjacent to the Bay Bridge Toll Plaza would significantly harm the health of Bay Area residents, both in the immediate vicinity of the facility and all along the rail route from Martinez to Oakland. At particular risk are the West Oakland and Richmond/
Congresswoman Simon Secures Federal Funding ...
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dents, faculty, and programs,” said Gilkerson. “Congresswoman Simon’s advocacy and support directly strengthen our ability to provide top-tier, accessible technical education. This funding underscores a shared commitment to building strong, equitable pathways to career success right here in our communities, and we are deeply grateful for her partner-
ship.”
Opsata added: “The Fab Lab is a cornerstone of our career technical education, allowing students to put their classroom learning to use by making things in the lab. This vital federal funding ensures our facility remains state-of-theart and fully equipped to prepare students for the modern workforce.”
