Oakland Post
Sale of Coliseum to African American Developers Moves Toward Completion
‘This is on the precipice of actually occurring,’ said Ray Bobbitt, buyers’ representative
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Hails Pope Leo as Powerful Ally, ‘Thanked Him for his Courage’
Joe W. Bowers Jr. California Black Media
By Post Staff
On May 28, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a non-binding agreement to dispose of the County’s portion of the complex for $115 million in a deal with AASEG, with a closing
After many months of complex negotiations, the Oakland Coliseum development deal is finally nearing an agreement that will open the way for new owners – the African Americans Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG) – to revitalize the sports complex and the Hegenberger Corridor in East Oakland.
By Wanda Ravernell
Black
are inextricably linked – Black music is the sound of our freedom.
From the plaintive moans of the enslaved Africans’ ‘sorrow songs,’ to the fields of Civil War battle where Black soldiers picked up abandoned bugles, to the upright piano played in juke joints
on Saturday night and churches come Sunday morning, our ancestors’ innovation in the face of want, fear, degradation, and hopelessness has yielded genres of music imitated ’round the world.
Black Music Month started when Black Music Association members Ed Wright, Kenny Gamble and his wife, journalist
Commentary: Immigrants Respond to U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Gerrymandering
By Zac Haber Special to The Post
“I feel lonely,” Keke Palmer’s character Corvette says in the first few minutes “I Love Boosters,” the new comedy adventure film from Oakland-based director Boots Riley.
“I wish I could feel lonely,” Naomi Ackie’s character Sade responds. “Try having kids.”
“I Love Boosters” teems with kaleidoscopic colors, sharp playful social critique, otherworldly plot twists, and fast-paced action, but it’s grounded in its main characters’
simple and relatable motivations: They want to be less isolated, and more free to pursue their own creative endeavors.
They’d like to design clothes and run a fashion boutique, but, unfortunately, they’re mostly busy surviving. Corvette and Sade, along with Mariah, played by Taylour Page, hustle and scheme through their brilliant scrappy organized crime group, the Velvet Gang. The gang regularly boosts clothes in the Bay Area and sells them at discounted prices.
Riley portrays the gang in a posi-
Special to The Post
The Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) condemns the continued gutting of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) and the broader assault on Black political power unfolding across the United States.
Black immigrants in the United States — whether citizens or not — share a common condition with Black Americans. Our ability to
access housing, healthcare, education, labor protections, safety, and political representation is deeply tied to the political power of Black communities in this country.
When Black communities lose political power, all Black people across the diaspora become more vulnerable to displacement, criminalization, disenfranchisement,
Black Candidates Maintain
Joe W. Bowers Jr. California Black Media
As California continues counting ballots from the June 2 primary election, Black candidates across the state appear positioned to maintain a strong presence on the November ballot. Of the 62 Black candidates running for statewide offices, Congress, the Board of Equalization, the State Senate, and the State Assembly, at least 26 are currently tracking to
advance to the November general election.
Under California’s top-two primary system, the two candidates receiving the most votes advance to the November general election regardless of party affiliation.
In statewide contests, Black candidates are experiencing mixed results.
In the governor’s race, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond (D) is
As California continues counting ballots from the June 2 primary election, Black candidates across the state appear positioned to maintain a strong presence on the November ballot. Of the 62 Black candidates running for statewide offices, Congress, the Board of Equalization, the State Senate, and the State Assembly, at least 26 are currently tracking to advance to the November general election.
Following a private meeting with the pope at the Vatican, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson recognized Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV as a powerful global ally on social justice, migration and reparations, saying their shared roots and priorities could aid their efforts to protect the vulnerable.
“We are incredibly elated and proud of him,” Johnson told the Associated Press in an interview
Under California’s top-two primary system, the two candidates receiving the most votes advance to the November general election regardless of party affiliation.
In statewide contests, Black candidates are experiencing
last Friday, a day after the meeting with the pontiff.
ing in the crowded field led by Republican Steve Hilton (R), Democrat Xavier Becerra (D) and Democrat Tom Steyer (D).
Former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs (D) is running outside the top two in the lieutenant governor’s race.
Johnson had traveled to Rome with a delegation of about 50 local officials. A leading critic of Pres. Donald Trump, he has publicly thanked the pope for opposing the war in Iran and Trump’s immigration policies.
“I thanked him for his courage, for his moral stance against these endless wars, and certainly talked about the vote that I took in
Longtime OUSD Employee Debra KingCooper, 73
Two Black statewide incumbents are performing significantly better. Secretary of State Shirley Weber (D) and Controller Malia Cohen (D) are both holding commanding leads in their races. Weber leads Donald Wagner (R) 54.2% to 41.4%, while Cohen leads Herb Morgan (R) 53.1% to 42.2%.
Former State Sen. Steven Bradford (D) is not currently in a top-two position in the Insurance Commissioner contest.
In the governor’s race, State
Special to The Post
Debra King-Cooper, a beloved mother, grandmother, queen, sister, church member, caregiver, and matriarch, transitioned peacefully on May 20 surrounded by family and love in the comfort of her home. To her children, she was royalty, grace, strength, and unconditional love embodied.
Debra Diane Edgar was born on May 28, 1952, in San Francisco, California, to Charles Edgar
In the nonpartisan Superintendent of Public Instruction race, Nichelle Henderson and Ainye Long are also running outside of Continued on page 6
Sr. and Mamie Arthur Edgar. She was raised alongside her younger brother, Charles Edgar Jr., affectionately known as “Little Brother” or “Lil Bruh.” She also shared close bonds with her older siblings Carol Edgar-Lang, Maryann Edgar Calloway, and Lonnie Lewis Sr. A proud product of San Francisco’s historic Fillmore District, Debra attended Andrew Jackson Elementary School, where she met her lifelong best friend and adopted sister, Lynn Green, in the fifth grade. She later attended Robert Louis Stevenson Elementary School, Roosevelt Junior High School and Thomas Jefferson High School. Debra’s mother transitioned when she was only 17 years old, and her father transitioned when she was 23. Despite these profound losses, Debra remained grounded through the love and support of extended family and lifelong family friends, In 1971, she married Harold King. On Sept. 24, 1972, they welcomed their first son, Dajuan Artese King, affectionately
Strong Showing as California Counts Primary Ballots
trailing in the crowded field led by Republican Steve Hilton (R), Democrat Xavier Becerra (D) and Democrat Tom Steyer (D).
Former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs (D) is running outside the top two in the lieutenant governor’s race.
Two Black statewide incumbents are performing significantly better. Secretary of State Shirley Weber (D) and Controller Malia Cohen (D) are both holding commanding leads in their races.
Weber leads Donald Wagner (R) 54.2% to 41.4%, while Cohen leads Herb Morgan (R) 53.1% to 42.2%.
Former State Sen. Steven Bradford (D) is not currently in a top-two position in the Insurance Commissioner contest.
In the nonpartisan Superintendent of Public Instruction race, Nichelle Henderson and Ainye Long are also running outside of
By Post Staff
MeMorIaM: Peabo Bryson, Grammy-Winning
Balladeer, Dies at 75 ... see page 2
Robert Johnson (1911-1938) is thought of as the godfather of blues music, especially Delta blues. The 29 songs recorded by him during his short life have been of massive inspiration to guitarists and musicians over the last 80 years. Public domain photo.
Boots Riley’s ‘I Love Boosters.’ Courtesy photo.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson presents Pope Leo XIV with Chicagothemed gifts at the Vatican on May 28. Credit: Vatican News.
Some of the AASEG board members who attended the Alameda County vote are left to right: John Jones III, L. O., Samantha Wise, Ray Bobbitt, and Jonathan Jones. Photo by Dr. Maritony Jones.
The logo for Black Alliance for Just Immigration uses an image of Kwame Toure (Stokely Carmichael), who fought for Black civil rights in the 1960s. Courtesy image.
Debra King-Cooper. Courtesy photo.
Incumbent Congress members Maxine Waters (left), Lateefah Simon and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass are projected to be on the ballot in the November election. File photos.
By Jacksonville Free Press
Via BlackPressUSA Newswire
Peabo Bryson, the two-time Grammy Award-winning R&B singer whose powerful voice helped define romantic ballads and Disney movie classics, has died at age 75 after suffering a stroke, according to family members. Bryson passed away June 2 surrounded by family.
In a career spanning more than five decades where he recorded 20 albums, Bryson became one of music’s most recognizable vocalists, earning acclaim for both his solo recordings and memorable duets. He won Grammy Awards for “Beauty and the Beast” with Celine Dion and “A Whole New World” with Regina Belle, songs that became signature hits and introduced his voice to generations of listeners.
“Peabo had a remarkable gift for making everyone around him feel comfortable,” Belle said in
a statement. “Whether we were performing before thousands or creating music together in the studio, he always made the experience special.
“He welcomed me into his world, shared his wisdom, and trusted me with pieces of himself beyond the spotlight. Those moments are gifts I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
Born and raised in South Carolina, the singer, songwriter and balladeer launched his career with the group Moses Dillard and the Tex-Town Display in the 1970s, according to the Associated Press. Shortly afterward, Atlanta label Bang Records signed him as a solo artist. He earned two Grammy Awards, receive eight Grammy nominations, five gold albums, 25 Top 20 singles and six No. 1 hits during his distinguished career.
Among his most popular recordings were “If Ever You’re in
V&C Foods: How a Bay Area Distributor Built Leadership Across Three Generations
Advertorial
In 1945 in San Francisco, Victor and Charlotte Cortesi started V&C Foods with fresh eggs and a distributor’s vision. What makes the business distinctive isn’t just that it endured. It’s how succession actually happened. When Victor passed, his daughter Judy inherited the business and made a remarkable choice: she recognized that Steven Herrera, who’d spent years as a route driver being mentored by Victor, was ready to lead. She sold the business to Steven, ensuring the values and relationships that defined V&C would continue into its next chapter. Now Steven is mentoring his son Adam in the same way Victor developed him—teaching him operations, relationships, and what it means to lead through experience and responsibility.
V&C’s story reflects a broader truth about succession planning: long-term continuity often depends on intentionally developing the next generation of leadership, whether within a family or be-
yond it.
From Mentorship to Legacy
When Steven first arrived at V&C as a route driver, he was hungry to learn. Victor saw potential and invested in it. Over the years, Steven moved through sales, distribution, and operations—not just learning how the business worked but understanding why it mattered. By the time Steven purchased the business, he was a leader who’d earned his place through partnership and decades of trust.
Steven arrived at the helm with deep knowledge of V&C’s operations and a clear sense of how to serve the Bay Area’s evolving restaurant industry. He understood the Cortesi family’s core principle: reliability and quality matter more than anything else. Under his leadership—and the support of his wife, Liz, and his children Victoria and Adam—V&C expanded thoughtfully by building on those foundations rather than abandoning them.
Doctors Seeing More Cases of Preventable Childhood Illnesses
By Stacy M. Brown California Black Media
Doctors across the United States say they are treating children for illnesses that routine vaccinations once made increasingly uncommon, raising concerns that years of declining immunization rates are beginning to reverse decades of public health progress.
Pediatricians have described seeing more cases of whooping cough, rotavirus infections, bacterial pneumonia and other potentially life-threatening illnesses that vaccines have long helped suppress. Some physicians reported treating conditions they rarely encountered during their careers, while others said growing vaccine hesitancy is changing the way emergency rooms and hospitals care for children.
The reports come as measles outbreaks continue to spread across multiple states and vaccination coverage remains below federal public health targets.
Johns Hopkins University’s International Vaccine Access Center reported 2,077 confirmed measles cases nationwide as of May 29. Researchers warned that outbreaks reported across the
country have raised concerns about continued transmission, additional hospitalizations and deaths, and the possible loss of the nation’s measles elimination status.
Public health experts have long viewed measles as a warning sign because of its ability to spread rapidly through communities with lower vaccination coverage. The New York Times reported that physicians increasingly fear the resurgence of measles may be followed by the return of other vaccine-preventable diseases.
Doctors say that is already happening.
Dr. Meghan Hofto, a pediatric hospitalist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said she has already treated roughly as many children with rotavirus this year as she saw during the previous decade. Rotavirus once caused tens of thousands of hospitalizations annually before vaccines sharply reduced its spread. None of the children she treated this year had been vaccinated.
Hofto also described caring for infants with pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough.
“It’s hard to know when they’re
Continued on page 6
Peabo Bryson was renowned for duets with Roberta Flack, Celine Dion, Natalie Cole and Regina Belle. Instagram photo: @ peabobryson2 on Instagram.
V&C owner Steven Herrera, left, is teaching his son Adam how the business is run. Photo courtesy JPMorganChase.
Public Notices, Classifieds & Business
Black Candidates Maintain Strong Showing
the top two.
Former Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D), who is termed out of the Legislature, is running first in the Board of Equalization District 3 race with 26.3% of the vote. Gipson is positioned to advance to November.
In congressional races, the state’s three Black incumbents are in positions to advance to the November general election. In Congressional District (CD) 12, which includes Oakland and much of the East Bay, Rep. Lateefah Simon (D) leads with 80.8% of the vote. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D) is ahead with 51.1% in CD 37, covering Southwest Los Angeles and Culver City, while Rep. Maxine Waters (D) leads the field with 61.8% in CD 43, which includes South Los Angeles, Inglewood, Hawthorne and Gardena.
Two other Black candidates are also positioned to advance in congressional races. In the Central Valley’s CD 13, former Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln (R) is running second. In CD 52, which includes parts of San Diego County, Jeff Belle (R) occupies second place.
Several other Black congres-
Preventable Childhood Illnesses
safe to go home,” Hofto told the Times.
The rise in whooping cough cases has been particularly striking. More than 28,000 cases were reported nationwide last year, compared with approximately 7,000 in 2023, according to figures cited by The Times. Many of the affected infants were too young to receive vaccinations themselves and relied on broader community protection to reduce their exposure.
Other doctors described similarly troubling cases.
Dr. Jessica Kirk, a pediatric hospitalist in Alabama, recently treated an unvaccinated toddler hospitalized with pneumonia caused by simultaneous infections of Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Vaccines exist to protect against both illnesses. The child required oxygen and antibiotics to recover.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have been tracking vaccination
I’m in Atlanta ...
analysts say.
I’m skeptical of that. But ask Stacey Abrams who failed in her previous bid to be Georgia governor. Ask Kamala Harris as she ran for president. As my friend the late Dori Maynard would say, there are other fault lines that Atlanta deals with.
And then there’s California, where in a weak field, a Black statewide leader like State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond can’t crack the top three for governor.
In Atlanta, you know this is a Black city. It’s a place where Black
sional candidates are currently running outside the top two, including Lauren Babb Tomlinson (D) in CD 6, which stretches from Sacramento into the Sierra foothills; Ralph Nwobi (R) in Sacramento-area CD 7; Gregory Haynes (D) in East Bay-based CD 11; Arthur Dixon (D) in Los Angeles-centered CD 34; Shonique Williams (D) in Inland Empire-based CD 41; Eric Shaw (D) in Orange County’s CD 48; Star Parker (R) in coastal North San Diego County-based CD 49; and Jimih Jones (R) in CD 4, which covers much of California’s northeastern region and Sierra communities.
Election night results also show strong performances by Black legislative incumbents. Every Black incumbent reviewed by California Black Media is currently running in a position to advance to the November general election.
In State Senate races, three of four Black candidates are positioned to advance. Incumbent Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D), who represents Senate District 28 in South Los Angeles, dominates her race with 74.2% of the vote. Tiffanie Tate (D) is advancing in Riverside Countybased Senate District 32, while William Brown Jr. (Libertarian Party) currently holds second
trends nationwide and found continuing signs of vulnerability.
At the same time, vaccine policy has become increasingly contentious in state legislatures.
Johns Hopkins researchers reported that lawmakers across the country continue to introduce bills affecting childhood vaccination requirements, vaccine access and non-medical exemptions. Researchers also noted that state policies governing exemptions remain a significant factor in vaccination coverage and disease transmission risks.
Physicians have said vaccine skepticism has expanded beyond childhood immunizations. Doctors also reported growing resistance to other preventive treatments.
For doctors confronting the return of illnesses that vaccines once pushed to the margins of American medicine, the challenge is becoming increasingly personal.
“It just feels like you’re a tiny little boat with a giant tidal wave coming at you,” Dr. Erin Charles, a regional pediatric hospitalist at Seattle Children’s Hospital, told reporters. “And you might convince
people are in the highest offices of government and business. Black people are in high places, and they are in all the normal spaces too. Now, I see it. Atlanta is so real, it makes segregation in California apparent.
How do we fix that when I come home?
About the Author Emil Guillermo is an awardwining journalist, commentator, and humorist stage monologist. See him at the Atlanta Fringe Festival, May 29, June 2, June 4, June 6, June 7 at the 7 Stages back stage.
Tickets at https://atlantafringe.org/ events/69-emil-amok-anchormanthe-news-made-me-do-it/
place in Senate District 12, which stretches across portions of the Central Valley. Daphne Bradford (No Party Preference) is running outside the top two in Senate District 28.
Black candidates are posting some of their strongest performances in Assembly races. Incumbents Lori Wilson (D) in Solano County-based Assembly District 11, Rhodesia Ransom (D) in Stockton-based Assembly District 13, Mia Bonta (D) in Oakland’s Assembly District 18, Isaac Bryan (D) in Assembly District 55, which includes Ladera Heights, Culver City and parts of Los Angeles, Sade Elhawary (D) in South Los Angeles-based Assembly District 57, Corey Jackson (D) in Riverside County’s Assembly District 60, Tina McKinnor (D), who is running unopposed in Assembly District 61, which includes Inglewood, Hawthorne and surrounding communities, and LaShae Sharp-Collins (D) in San Diego’s Assembly District 79 are all running in positions to advance.
Other Black candidates currently occupying top-two positions include Andre Sandford (D) in Oakland-based Assembly District 18, Rickey Tracy Hayes II (R) in Assembly District 40, Ayanna Davis (D) in Compton-based Assembly District 65, Carolyn Es-
sex (D) in Long Beach-based Assembly District 69, Paula Swift (D) in Orange County’s Assembly District 70 and Constance Jewel Menzies (R) in South Los Angeles-based Assembly District 57.
The Assembly District 65 contest is attracting particular attention because it will determine who succeeds Gipson in the Legislature. Davis leads the field and is positioned to face Lydia Gutierrez (R) in November.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who is seeking a second term, has secured a place in the November runoff election, according to the Associated Press. With about 63% of the vote counted, Bass leads with 34.8%, followed by Spencer Pratt at 30.4% and City Councilmember Nithya Raman at 22.3%. The contest for the second runoff spot remains too early to call.
California election officials will continue counting vote-bymail, provisional and other ballots in the days ahead. Under state law, county elections officials must complete their canvass and certify results before the statewide certification deadline of July 10.
California voters will return to the polls for the General Election on Nov. 3.
California Birth Rate Falls Below ‘Replacement Level’
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
California’s birth rate has fallen to its lowest level on record, dropping well below the threshold needed to maintain population growth and signaling a major demographic shift that could reshape the state’s economy, schools, workforce and political influence in the decades ahead.
A new report from the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) found that the state’s total fertility rate declined from 2.21 children per woman in 2007 to 1.48 in 2023 — far below the “replacement level” of 2.1 children per woman needed to sustain a population without migration.
“The significance of falling so far below replacement level cannot be overstated,” the report states. “It signals a fundamental shift in the state’s demographic trajectory.”
Researchers project that by 2038, deaths will outnumber births in California, ending a long period in which natural population growth helped drive the state’s expansion. Without increased immigration or a rebound in birth rates, population growth could stagnate or decline.
The report found that declining
birth rates among younger women are largely responsible for the trend. Birth rates among women ages 20 to 24 fell by 54% between 2008 and 2023, while teen birth rates dropped nearly 90% since 1991. Researchers described the decline in teen births as a major public health success.
Birth rates declined across all racial and ethnic groups, with the steepest drops occurring among Latina women, particularly those born outside the United States.
The phenomenon is not unique to California. Birth rates have fallen in all 50 states, and every state now has fertility rates below replacement level.
“The decline in birth rates is one of the most important developments of recent decades and will structure policy debates for decades to come,” the report concludes.
Among the most immediate impacts could be shrinking school enrollment. PPIC projects California’s public school population will decline by roughly 630,000 students by 2038, while longer-term concerns include labor shortages, an aging population and the potential loss of congressional representation.
Leadership Across Three Generations
...
“We want to be the vendor customers don’t have to worry about,” Steven said. “And Victor always preached about clear communication—sometimes trucks are late, but he always kept customers informed. I drill those principles into my son now. We don’t want to leave any customer hanging. That’s the mantra around here.”
Deliberate Development
According to recent Chase research, 54% of San Francisco small business owners expect to retire within the next decade. In a city where 1 in 7 businesses have been operating for 20 years or more, ownership transitions will shape continuity in local commerce and community life—making proactive succession planning all the more essential.
V&C planned deliberately. The Cortesi family brought Steven in early and developed him through real responsibility. When Steven took the helm and began scaling operations, he had the continuity and clarity needed to grow. Now he’s creating the same culture with Adam—one where the next generation understands expectations and has the tools to lead.
“I had a lifetime of familiarity with the business. I even worked in high school and college during the summers, and my dad taught me how to drive one of the trucks when I was about 18,” Adam said. “So I’ve done every part of the job, just like my dad, and I think that’s helped me.”
For roughly two decades, V&C has partnered with Chase. When Steven took over and began scaling operations, having access to financial tools and a banking partner aligned with his strategy made navigating growth and transition clearer. Chase provided the guidance that supported each phase of the business’s evolution—from Victor’s leadership to Steven’s expansion to today’s preparation for Adam.
“V&C Foods shows what enduring leadership really looks like—developing people over time, creating clear expectations, and planning for transition before it’s urgent. We’ve been proud to support Steven and the team with the tools and guidance to navigate growth, stay reliable for their customers, and prepare the next generation to step in with confidence,”
Peabo Bryson, 75 ...
My Arms Again,” “Can You Stop the Rain,” “Feel the Fire,” and “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love,” his beloved duet with Roberta Flack.
His smooth tenor voice and romantic style made him a staple of R&B and adult contemporary radio throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
said Gary Li, Business Relationship manager, Chase Business Banking.
The Pattern That Lasts Succession planning works when businesses invest in developing leaders before they’re needed. Victor and Judy did this with Steven. Steven is now doing it with Adam. Each transfer happened because someone took years to teach, to trust gradually and let the next generation earn their place.
That’s what makes V&C’s story distinctive and what makes it transferable. Succession doesn’t require biological heirs alone. It requires clarity about what you’re building and the discipline to develop people who can steward it, even when that means passing it outside the family. Victor and his daughter, Judy, mentored Steven for years. Judy worked alongside him for many more before trusting him with the business. Steven is doing the same with Adam. But bringing someone along that way—investing years in their growth, then having the financial clarity to pass the reins—requires more than good intentions.
Chase for Business can help guide that work. Visit chase.com/ NationalTreasures or speak with a Chase Business advisor to learn more about succession planning resources and how to build the clarity a business needs to thrive across generations.
This article is for Informational/Educational Purposes Only: The opinions expressed in this article may differ from the official policy or position of (or endorsement by) JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates. Opinions and strategies described may not be appropriate for everyone, and are not intended as specific advice/recommendations for any individual or business. The material is not intended to provide legal, tax, or financial advice or to indicate the availability or suitability of any JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. product or service. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions, and consult the appropriate professional(s). Outlooks and past performance are not guarantees of future results. JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates are not responsible for, and do not provide or endorse third party products, services or other content.
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
©2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Bryson’s greatest commercial success came through his Disney collaborations. “Beauty and the Beast” won a Grammy Award in 1993, while “A Whole New World” became the first song from an animated film to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned both Grammy and Academy Award honors. Beyond music, Bryson appeared in stage productions including “Raisin,” “The Wiz” and “Porgy and Bess.” In 2018, he returned with “Stand for Love,” his 21st studio album, produced by hitmaking duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
The Associated Press also contributed to this report.
Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson’s Bill to Label Sugary Drinks Passes Senate
iStock.
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
The California State Senate has passed legislation that would require chain restaurants to identify beverages containing high levels of added sugar, advancing a measure supporters say is aimed at improving consumer awareness and public health.
Senate Bill 869, introduced by Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (DSan Diego), would require restaurants to clearly label drinks
containing more than 50% of the recommended daily value of added sugars on menus and menu boards.
The bill now heads to the California Assembly for further consideration.
“Consumers deserve clear and honest information about what they are putting into their bodies,” said Weber Pierson in a statement following the Senate vote.
Weber Pierson, who is a medical doctor, said many sugary beverages contain excessive levels of added sugar that contribute to serious long-term health conditions, including diabetes, obesity and heart disease.
Supporters of the proposal say the labeling requirements would help customers make more informed decisions when ordering drinks at restaurants and fast-food establishments.
Public health advocates have increasingly focused on sugar-
sweetened beverages as a major contributor to diet-related illnesses in the United States. Research has linked excessive sugar intake to higher risks of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease and dental problems.
According to advocates backing the measure, some restaurant beverages contain more than an entire day’s recommended amount of added sugar in a single serving.
The legislation is sponsored by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), which says states are increasingly stepping in to strengthen food safety and nutrition transparency policies as federal regulatory efforts slow.
“California lawmakers are continuing to lead on food safety and nutrition transparency,” said Dr. DeAnna Nara, campaign manager for CSPI.
CITY OF SAN LEANDRO STATE OF CALIFORNIA PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT NOTICE TO BIDDERS FOR CARY HAAS PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT NO. 2024.1010 BID NO. 25-26.013
1. BID OPENING: The bidder shall complete the “Proposal to the City of San Leandro” form contained in the Contract Book. The proposal shall be submitted in its entirety. Incomplete proposals will be considered non-responsive. Sealed bids containing the completed Proposal Section subject to the conditions named herein and in the specifications for Cary Haas Pedestrian Bridge Replacement addressed to the City of San Leandro will be received at City Hall, 835 East 14th Street, 2nd Floor San Leandro at the office of the City Clerk or 3:00 p.m. on June 24th, 2026 at which time they will be publicly opened and read.
2. WORK DESCRIPTION: The work to be done consists of accessibility and general improvements which include concrete and striping work, and doing all appurtenant work in place and ready for use, all as shown on the plans and described in the specifications with the title indicated in Paragraph 1 above, and on file in the office of the City Engineer. Reference to said plans and specifications is hereby made for further particulars.
3. OBTAINING THE PROJECT PLANS AND CONTRACT BOOK: The project plans and Contract Book may be obtained free of charge from the City’s website at: https://www.sanleandro.org/Bids.aspx Bidders who download the plans are encouraged to email Engineering@sanleandro.org or call (510)-577-3428, to be placed on the project plan holder’s list to receive courtesy notifications of addenda and other project information. Project addenda, if any, will be posted on the website. A bidder who fails to address all project addenda in its proposal may be deemed non-responsive.
Printed, hardcopies of the plans can be purchased directly from East Bay Blueprint and Supply Co. Contact: (510) 261-2990; https://www.eastbayblueprint.com.
Search the public projects plan room to find the subject project.
4. PRE-BID CONFERENCE: A pre-bid conference will be held as listed:
Meeting 1
Topic: Pre-Bid Meeting: Cary Haas Pedestrian Bridge Replacement Time: Jun 10, 2026 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://sanleandro-org.zoom.us/j/89854888754?pwd=XalUMxGbJgX0vBfov0kLo XBGa0wfkN.1
Meeting ID: 898 5488 8754
Passcode: 822915
Meeting 2
Topic: Pre-Bid Meeting: Cary Haas Pedestrian Bridge Replacement Time: Jun 10, 2026 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://sanleandro-org.zoom.us/j/85291961124?pwd=bFa5Y5k9TTfQputMMniT msLptzjgIB.1
Meeting ID: 852 9196 1124 Passcode: 005567
Questions regarding the plans and specifications may be submitted in writing to the project engineer until 5:00 p.m. five (5) days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays, before bids are due ( June 16th, 2026). The City will not respond to oral questions outside of the pre-bid conference. The response, if any, will be by written addendum only. Oral responses do not constitute a revision to these plans or specifications.
5. VALUE OF WORK: The Engineer has estimated that the value of work is $1,250,000.
6. SAN LEANDRO BUSINESS PREFERENCE AND PARTICIPATION GOALS: The work performed under this contract is subject to Section 1-6-225 of the San Leandro Municipal Code regarding local business preference and participation. A list of companies that hold a San Leandro business license is located on the City webpage under the finance department, here: https://www.sanleandro.org/343/ Purchasing Once on the webpage, go to the FAQ column on the far right side of the page. Scroll to the bottom of the FAQ section and click on the question “Is there a list of Local Companies and Contractors?” to access the list.
7. SAN LEANDRO COMMUNITY WORKFORCE AGREEMENT: The work performed under this contract is subject to the Community Workforce Agreement adopted by City Council Resolution 2015- 104.
Dated: June 5th, 2026 Sarah K. Bunting
2256126.1 City Clerk,
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NOTICE INVITING BIDS
The Peralta Community College District (PCCD) is calling for sealed Bids from qualified contractors to provide district-wide demolition and deconstruction services as needed at various campuses for District-wide Demolition and Deconstruction Services Projects (Bid No. 25-26/10). Bids are to be submitted electronically (via Planet Bids), by 2:00 PM, on June 30, 2026. Follow the link below for the bid opening: https://peralta-edu.zoom.us/j/85480417635
The intent of this solicitation is to establish a pool of qualified contractors to perform demolition, selective demolition, deconstruction, removal, hauling, site clearing, hazardous materials coordination, and related services at various District owned facilities on an as-needed basis through individually issued job orders, Task Orders, or Works Authorization. This first phase of work consists of the demolition of a doublewide trailer at the District Service Center, the Cougar Village (8 trailers) at College of Alameda and the Pool Complex at Laney College. Other projects will be awarded over the next five years to those who submit to the first phase. Future project that will be awarded over time include the Laney College Tower Building, Laney College Building A, Merritt College Building A, Building D, Building E and Building F. The District Project Labor Agreement will apply to those projects valued at over one million dollars. Firms with demonstrated experience in safe, environmentally responsible demolition, hazardous material handling, and sustainable deconstruction practices are encouraged to respond.
The work to be performed under this contract includes the furnishing of all labor, materials, equipment, transportation, services, permits, temporary controls and construction facilities, and all general conditions, seismic requirements, general requirements and incidentals required to complete the work on the projects in their entirety as described in the contract documents.
In order to perform the work, Bidders at the time of the Bid Opening and for the duration of the project shall possess a valid California Contractor’s license and certifications in order to qualify to perform the Work: Class A and/or B General Contractor.
A Mandatory Pre-Bid/Site Walk meeting will be held on June 9, 2026 at 9:00AM. We will start at the District Service Center 333 East 8th Street, Oakland, CA 94606, we will meet under the shade structure east of the main building. We will then walk to Laney College and finally drive to College of Alameda, located at 555 Ralph Appezzato Memorial Pkwy, Alameda, CA 94501,
Copies of the bid documents may be obtained by clicking on the following links: Planet Bids Vendor Portal
Governing Codes:
GC 53068
EC 81641
Black Music is the Sound of Black Freedom ...
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and radio host Dyanna Williams were able to persuade President Jimmy Carter to establish the observation on June 7, 1979.
In 2000, Congress made it official. In 2009, Pres. Barack Obama changed the name to African American Music Heritage Month and in 2023, Pres. Joe Biden changed it back to Black Music Month, two years after he declared Juneteenth a national holiday, the result of a movement led by Opal Lee.
Our ancestors’ battle for freedom over these last 400 years and the music that allowed them expression of their humanity deserved to be honored.
But we may be losing sight of the value of their sacrifices.
‘Sing a Song Full of the Faith That the Dark past Has Taught Us…’
Along with the long-known exploitation of Black musicians whose recordings were stolen by record companies, the commercialization of Juneteenth feels like another kind of theft.
I had never heard of Juneteenth until I moved to the Bay Area from my hometown of Philadelphia. I didn’t know it was one of many freedom festivals celebrated by descendants of the enslaved people in the United States.
Emancipation Day was Jan. 1 in Pennsylvania, April 16 in Wash., D.C., May 20 in Florida, and Aug. 8 in Kentucky. But Juneteenth, June 19, has the most renown, known in Texas as the ‘colored peoples’ Fourth of July.’
It was marked by parades, beauty pageants, rodeos, backyard barbecues and church picnics.
Yes, church.
The formerly enslaved began the day praying in thanks for their freedom just as they had prayed for Jubilee – the day of freedom –when they had chains on their feet and hands. They ‘testified’ about their past suffering and how they had managed to overcome.
And they sang.
Although, we will not hold it this year, Omnira Institute’s Juneteenth Ritual of Remembrance recalled this part of Juneteenth with prayers in the languages of the African captives. In the middle of the ceremony, a soloist would lead
us in singing “Many Thousand Gone” while we took turns reciting portions of the Emancipation Proclamation, the news of freedom that took more than two years to reach Texas – two months after the Civil War ended.
“Many Thousand Gone” was famously recorded by Black luminary Paul Robeson in 1947:
“No more auction block for me, No more, no more No more auction black for me Many thousand gone.”
Other verses refer to the ‘pint of salt’ and the ‘driver’s lash,’ the realities of enslavement that they had survived.
‘Sing a Song Full of the Hope That the Present has Brought Us’
All of the genres of African American music have at their root songs like that, the essence being, as Stevie Wonder, wrote, “the joy inside our pain.” So Black music is not just music. It is our story, our history, our very strength.
During the Civil Rights Movement, which peaked 100 years after slavery ended, the people testified that it was the freedom songs – based on spirituals – that gave them the heart to march, face attack dogs, fire hoses, beatings, and shootouts with vigilantes.
The music reminded them that power was in the people. That music, our music, can do so again. We don’t have to accept the commodification of the products of our culture.
The power of those songs is showing a resurgence across the South as we battle again for the right to self-determination through the ballot box.
Those songs are the voices of our ancestors, voices forged in their blood, their sweat, their tears, joy and, above all, faith. Those songs, those prayers live in our blood and our very breath.
This Juneteenth, let us reclaim those holy voices expressed in Black music for ourselves. It is our birthright. It can neither be bought nor sold. No more. Never again.
Wanda Ravernell is the executive director of Omnira Institute, sponsor for 18 years of the Juneteenth Ritual of Remembrance and Oakland’s 11th Annual Black-Eyed Pea Festival, which will take place on Sept. 12.
King Cooper, 73 ...
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called “Pop” or “Poppa.” On Aug. 5, 1976, they welcomed their second son, Dante Dupree King, affectionately called “Tay” or “Taboocoo the Baby.”
After her divorce in 1982, Debra assumed full responsibility for raising her sons.
She supported Dajuan’s passion for football by purchasing sports equipment and attending games faithfully. She supported Dante’s love of music by enrolling him in the San Francisco Boys Choir, Oakland Boys Choir, and the Castlemont Castleers.
Professionally, Debra built an exceptional career. She worked at Blue Shield of California from 1973 until 1994, earning multiple promotions.
She later joined the Oakland Unified School District, initially in a temporary role before being promoted into management within the Labor Relations Department. She retired from OUSD in 2015 after years of distinguished service. During her years at OUSD, she built meaningful friendships with her colleagues.
Faith was central to Debra’s life. During the 1980s, following personal hardship, she joined Love Center Church under the leadership of Bishop Walter Hawkins, where she brought her children regularly. She later became a member of Triumphant: A Church Without Walls Ministries under Pastor Dr. Larry Short, who became a beloved spiritual mentor.
Boots Riley’s ‘I Love Boosters’ ...
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tive light in “I Love Boosters,” echoing the sentiment and title of a song he recorded 20 years ago with his hip-hop band, The Coup, where he praises boosters for providing poor communities with nice clothes they can afford: like a Robin Hood of the ’hood. But while morally righteous, materially, the gang is troubled. Corvette is haunted by unpaid bills and fears getting kicked out of the building where she squats, a shuttered fast-food chicken joint.
One thing that separates Riley’s film from most others about criminal gangs is that the Velvet Gang’s members work for a living. Theirs isn’t a greedy fantasy of becoming filthy rich, or for one last hit: Boosting is a job that still doesn’t pay nearly enough.
Riley’s creative output is influenced by progressive ideals. His work, which includes six albums, the 2018 film “Sorry to Bother You,” and the 2023 comedy series “I’m a Virgo,” always shows that the alienation working-class people feel is inevitable under capitalism, he recently told The Guardian.
Visually, the film is a mix of psychedelia, afro-surrealism, noir, and perhaps a comic book.
The villain, Christie Smith, played by Demi Moore, an evil genius billionaire and fashion designer who runs the expensive clothing company the gang boosts from. She repeatedly appears on the news to put a target on the Velvet Gang members’ backs. When the gang ends up connecting with those who Christie directly exploits — workers here in the Bay Area, but also those in sweatshops overseas — the fight against Christie can commence; and uncoincidentally, Corvette starts to feel less lonely.
I don’t want to say much about that fight, but it’s delightful. Sci-Fi elements (which appear connected to Marxist theory) enter into the narrative to tie what’s become a pretty scatterbrained story together. Grounded by Palmer’s acting, “I Love Boosters” is a total joy and a refreshing break from the typical narratives we see these days. It’s totally over-the-top, but it knows it is.
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date set for June 30.
“People are seeing that this is on the precipice of actually occurring,” said Ray Bobbitt, founder of the AASEG and an East Oakland native. “People feel that this needs to happen for Oakland, for East Oakland in particular,” Bobbitt said, as reported in the East Bay Times.
carve-out,” Board of Supervisors President David Haubert said. “Noting that it’s a non-binding term sheet and terms can always be discussed going forward. It’s been pointed out that that could affect the deal, timing, which we’ve been at this for nine years, but what’s a little more time?”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Hails Pope Leo ...
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City Council a couple of years ago, calling for a ceasefire [in Gaza] and the releasing of hostages and our continuous stance on ending these illegal wars. We also talked about just elevating the awareness of the conditions that many people are living through, whether that’s in Chicago or Haiti, Venezuela, Cuba.”
He noted that Chicago’s policy agenda is aligned in many areas with the pope’s emphasis on social justice, particularly on the legacy of slavery and the treatment of migrants.
Johnson said Pope Leo’s apology for the Catholic Church’s role in slavery reinforces his administration’s push for reparations, including efforts to fund a task force examining the lasting impact on Black Americans.
“The fact that the pope made a very clear declaration apologizing for the church’s role in slavery … is an affirmation to the work that we’re doing,” he said.
Johnson said Pope Leo asked directly about conditions in Chicago following a U.S. immigration crackdown and efforts to deport migrants.
“He wanted to know the conditions on the ground in Chicago … how we were responding,” Johnson said, adding that the pontiff was aware of “the mass effort to deport immigrants from the city of Chicago and really around the country.”
Last year, Johnson signed an executive order directing the city to resist Trump’s immigration raids, including ordering all city departments to guard the constitutional rights of Chicago residents “amidst the possibility of imminent militarized immigration or
National Guard deployment by the federal government.”
Among the gifts brought to the pope were letters from families of detained immigrants, a Southwest community ICE-watch pin, as well as an “Immigrants Make America Greater” hat from the Chicago sister cities international program.
Other gifts presented to the pontiff – a White Sox fan – included a White Sox hat adorned with the Italian flag, his parents’ diplomas from DePaul University, a Pope Leo Cubs jersey, and memorabilia from community organizations and educational institutions throughout the city.
Since being elected last May, Pope Leo has criticized the U.S.Israel war on Iran, which he said was being fueled by a “delusion of omnipotence.”
Trump, meanwhile, has personally attacked the pontiff, describing him as “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy” earlier this year. Pope Leo dismissed the remarks.
Under the leadership of Pope Leo, the U.S. Catholic Church continues to view the protection of Black voting rights as a fundamental moral obligation rooted in human dignity. The Church teaches that all citizens have a right to vote and a responsibility to shape a just society, and it condemns systemic racism and voter suppression as grave offenses against God-given equality, according to social media.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops strongly advocates for full civic participation. In their pastoral letter on racism, “Open Wide Our Hearts,” the bishops identify the denial of access to the vote for communities of color as a clear example of systemic racism.
Black Alliance for Just Immigration...
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and state violence.
After Triumphant closed in 1992, Debra joined Cosmopolitan Baptist Church in Oakland under the leadership of Pastor Larry Ashley, where she remained for the rest of her life.
At Cosmopolitan, she worked in numerous ministries. She served on the usher board, sang in the choir, participated in the AIDS ministry during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, helped feed and support unhoused community members, and mentored and supported a group of young girls.
After retirement, she cared for older adults in her church community, driving them to appointments, cleaning their homes, managing finances, preparing meals, and helping families navigate funeral arrangements after loved ones transitioned.
Even while battling Stage 4 cancer herself, she continued caring for others.
Debra was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Edgar Sr. and Mamie Arthur Edgar; her brothers, Lonnie Lewis Sr. and Charles Edgar Jr.; her sisters, Maryann Edgar Calloway and Victoria Stephenson Knight; and her adopted mother, Clara Oliver.
She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved sons, Dajuan King and Dante King; grandson, Tiyler Dajuan Artese King; sister, Carol Edgar-Lang; goddaughters Monique Belle and Ricketa Matthews Jones (Leonard); daughterin-love Quiona Sullivan; son-inlove Marcel Walker; sister-in-law Delores Lewis; adopted sisters and lifelong friends Lynn Green, Barbara Stephenson Hill, and Sarah Fine; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces, greatnephews, extended family members, her church family and dear friends.
The agreement would transfer ownership of the 112-acre Coliseum complex property, which was owned 50-50 by Alameda County and the City of Oakland, to Oakland Acquisition Company, which is AASEG’s real estate wing.
The County’s approval marks an important step in the sale of the property, even though concerns about environmental liability remain. Under the terms of the nonbinding agreement, the county will pay $115 million to Coliseum Way Partners, the corporate entity of the Oakland Athletics that had previously purchased the county’s half of the property for $85 million.
AASEG will then pay $115 million to the County in three annual payments, with 5% annual interest paid on any outstanding balance, according to the term sheet.
AASEG already negotiated a purchase of the city’s half of the property for $125 million in 2025, awaiting the sale of the county’s half.
A strong supporter of the sale, Supervisor Nate Miley said he was not “breaking out the champagne” until the sale was final. This is not perfect, but it is good.
“It’s good because the County ends up with more money,” Miley continued. “It’s good because an African American team takes ownership of the property, and they’ve got a lot of potential in terms of what they want to do with the property.”
A remaining disagreement between Alameda County and the AASEG involves environmental concerns.
County supervisors unanimously supported the non-binding agreement without the carve-out, though Bobbitt said delaying or excluding the carve-out creates timing risks for the project.
“The motion is to accept the terms as presented, excluding the
The deal includes the sale of the Oakland Arena to an unidentified third-party buyer for no less than $100 million, which Bobbitt said was one of the most important aspects of the site’s future redevelopment.
“The arena represents an anchor of the site,” said Babbitt. “This arena … has become a pop culture mecca, and the opportunity to enhance that and expand that is critical to the overall process.”
Speaking at the Board of Supervisors meeting, Miley explained the County’s reasoning behind some of the complex negotiations. He asked interim County Counsel Andrea Weddle:
“In layman’s term’s who’s on the hook for the environmental (cleanup)” under the current deal with the Oakland A’s?
“When the county with a former board entered in the deal with the (A’s), we took on all of the environmental obligations,” Miley said. “Since then, we’ve learned a lot more about the environmental conditions of the Coliseum.”
“If we do a deal with Coliseum Way Partners (the A’s), we remain on the hook,” she said. “If we do a deal as we’ve currently structured with OAC (AASEG), we have eliminated some or hopefully all (or) as much as we can of that liability and aligned our deal with the terms of the city.”
Bobbitt, despite his concerns, supported the nonbinding agreement. He said the public has waited nearly a decade to come to this point.
“The community support has been overwhelming,” he said. “We’ve used a lot of P-words: patience, perseverance, persistence. And we’ve just had to do it, and we understand how complex this has been.”
The U.S. cannot claim to be a multiracial democracy while systematically dismantling Black political representation and participation. An attack on Black voting power is an attack on all Black people across the diaspora and on the very possibility of a just democracy.
Voting is more than a civic exercise. Voting is about representation, access to resources, and the ability of communities to shape policies that determine whether we survive, thrive, or are left vulnerable to harm. It is both a right and an expectation of participation in public life.
For generations, however, Black people in the United States were systematically excluded from that right through both legal and extralegal violence — especially across the Deep South. The Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965 was won through bloodshed, sacrifice, organizing, and mass resistance led by Black communities demanding full participation in democracy.
The VRA sought to remedy generations of racial exclusion by requiring states with histories of racist voter suppression to receive federal approval before changing election laws or voting procedures, a process known as preclearance. Section 2 of the VRA also created protections to ensure that Black voters and other historically marginalized communities could elect candidates who would represent their interests.
Historically, white conservative forces have sought to suppress Black political participation because Black communities have consistently organized, voted, and fought for policies rooted in justice, equity, and collective survival.
For more than a decade, the Supreme Court has steadily dismantled the VRA protections.
In 2013, the Court’s Shelby v. Holder decision removed the federal preclearance requirement, opening the floodgates for states to pass voter suppression laws and redraw districts designed to dilute Black political power.
On April 29, the Supreme Court
ruled that Louisiana’s congressional map was unconstitutional because it included two majorityBlack districts. In a state where more than one-third of the population is Black, the Court has effectively declared that Black political representation itself is suspect. This is not simply about maps or district lines. Gerrymandering is one tactic in a much larger project to weaken Black political power, undermine multiracial democracy, and consolidate power away from working-class communities and communities of color.
What the Supreme Court has done is allow racial gerrymandering to exclude Black people from political power, while the effort to ensure Black communities have representation is now considered unconstitutional. Gutting of the VRA is simply the latest chapter in a long history of efforts to silence Black voices and roll back the gains of the Civil Rights Movement.
At the same time, the rise of authoritarian, xenophobic politics under Pres. Donald Trump and the broader far right seeks to codify anti-Blackness, anti-immigrant policies, attacks on women, LGBTQ+ communities, and other marginalized groups into law. These attacks are interconnected.
“The United States cannot claim to be a multiracial democracy while systematically dismantling Black political power,” said Nana Gyamfi, executive director of BAJI. “Black immigrants understand that our conditions are tied to the conditions of Black Americans; together then, together now. When Black communities lose political power, all Black people become more vulnerable to displacement, criminalization, disenfranchisement, and state violence. Protecting Black voting rights is not just about elections. It is about protecting the possibility of collective freedom and self-determination for our communities.”
BAJI remains committed to defending Black political power, strengthening Black migrant civic participation, and building a future rooted in Black freedom, dignity, and collective liberation.
Sale of Coliseum ...
Debra
Jonathan Jones, AASEG Board member, Jim Reynolds, CEO of Loop Capital, Dave Haubert, President Alameda County Board of Supervisors, Bill Duffy, Sports Agent, OAC Board member. Photo by Dr. Maritony Jones.