Oakland Post
School District Hires Veteran Administrator and Principal Denise Gail Saddler as Interim Superintendent
tor with 40 years’ experience as a classroom teacher, principal and administrator, to lead the district as interim superintendent for the 2025-2026 school year.
Dr. Saddler’s contract is still being finalized by the board.
Besides working for the school district, she also served as president of the Oakland Education Association (OEA), the teachers’ union from 1986-1992, where she was the first African American and first special education teacher to lead the union.
In an interview this week with the Oakland Post, she discussed her goals for the coming year and her life-long commitment
By Magaly Muñoz
As Oakland faces another hefty budget cycle, residents are sharing their concerns and hopes for what they want to see the city spend and prioritize over the next two years.
Violence Prevention.
The biggest concern on residents’ minds has been stability. “Is Oakland going broke?” one person asked.
By Post Staff
The Oakland Police Commission issued a statement offering “its deepest condolences to the family of Castlemont High School teacher, Dr. Marvin Boomer,” who was killed last week in the aftermath of a California Highway Patrol highspeed police pursuit and called for a review and revision of Oakland’s police pursuit policy.
The death of Boomer, “(which) has profoundly affected not only his family and friends, but the entire City of Oakland, highlights the complexity of the challenges sur-
rounding pursuits and public safety in Oakland,” according to the June 2 statement, which was signed by Ricardo Garcia-Acosta, chair of the Oakland Police Commission.
“We must respond with urgency to ensure that Dr. Boomer’s passing serves as a catalyst for meaningful change, transforming these ripples of trauma into waves of solutions and hope for our city, both through systemic reforms and individual support,” the statement said.
Continuing, the Commission said that Oakland Police Chief
By Tanya Dennis Part 4
This week, Zakiya Folami Jendayi, beneficiary of the Dr. Laura Dean Head trust, will file a Petition Writ of Certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit after losing beneficiary status in Probate Court.
A writ of certiorari is a formal request made to a higher court, typically the Supreme Court of the United States, to review the decision of a lower court.
Jendayi says, “My experience in the California probate system reveals deep cracks in our legal institutions, cracks that disproportionately harm Black families and strip away generational wealth.
“As the sole beneficiary and trustee of a legally executed trust, I expected due process. What I received was injustice. The three most disturbing ways the probate court failed to uphold the law in
my case was the silencing in my own hearing, having to be judged in the wrong court in the wrong jurisdiction, and in a stunning departure from legal norms Judge Sandra Bean shifted the burden of proof onto me to disprove baseless accusations and defend claims brought by parties with no legal standing,” Jendayi said.
What Jendayi experienced is not novel. Maxine Ussery, Ron Lindo, Charlotte Franklin, Allen Jackson and a multitude of other people who have gone through probate make the same claim.
Maxine Ussery, who entered probate court with an estate of over $5 million and left with less than $35,000 shares said: “They wouldn’t let us speak, we had to get an attorney and even then, we weren’t allowed to inform the court regarding facts and pertinent details.”
The city hosted a series of forums across each district focused on the budget process and answering peoples’ most asked questions on city spending, such as public safety, measure funding, and Oakland’s financial stability.
When asked to describe how they felt about the budget in one word, residents said controversial, mismanaged, misprioritized, corrupt, confusing, accountability, fairness, sustainability, and family.
Oakland is facing a $260 million deficit over the next twoyear cycle, having just balanced a $130 million deficit in the latest budget term. Balancing the budget meant temporarily closing fire stations, reducing overtime police spending, and cutting community grants and programs.
The new budget proposal will cut 400 city jobs, the majority of which have been or will be vacant in the coming years, and some anticipated to come from layoffs.
One fire and three police academies will be funded through this next budget, along with all fire stations, and the Department of
“No, the city of Oakland is not going broke,” City Administrator Jestin Johnson said to the crowd of people at District 2’s budget forum.
Johnson explained that the issues the city has been experiencing started back in 2012 and have been a challenge to stabilize year after year, leading to hard decisions like the ones to public safety and community organizations back in December.
The greatest cost to Oakland comes from personnel salaries and overhead fees, city staff said. Benefits, such as pension payouts, also contribute largely to how much money is leaving the city, and costs are looking to increase by $70 million in the next few years.
Budget Administrator Bradley Johnson compared the budget problems to rising rent costs without rising income.
“We have been living in a household whose rent has been going up faster than our income. And while we have a solution for the coming two years to make sure our income is balanced, that continuing pressure of rent growing faster than income is
Special to The Post
More than 40 faith leaders from diverse spiritual traditions—including Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, New Thought, and Catholic communities—gathered in unity on Sunday, June 1 at Allen Temple Baptist Church to offer prayers and blessings for newly elected Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee.
Dr. Jacqueline Thompson, senior pastor of Allen Temple at 8501 International Blvd. in Oakland, hosted the powerful and spiritually rich service, which was attended by more than 200 people.
The clergy, adorned in their ceremonial vestments, processed into the sanctuary, led by Dr. Har-
old Mayberry, presiding elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Dr. Eloise Oliver, pastor emeritus of the East Bay Church of Religious Science. Leaders from each tradition offered heartfelt prayers, reflecting
the spiritual diversity and inclusive spirit of Oakland.
Chris Poston of the Oakland Symphony Chorus electrified the audience with a soul-stirring rendition of the O’Jays classic, “Love Train,” setting a tone of unity and
joy. Rev. Cheryl Ward, one of the organizers, remarked, “We wanted to show a representation of the community the mayor represents—intentionally inclusive of everyone. That’s why we invited
all ethnicities, cultures, and religious beliefs to the table to plan this service.”
In a poignant moment of collective support, the assembled clergy encircled Lee, laying hands on her in a communal prayer of strength,
wisdom, and guidance. The emotion in the room was palpable, moving both attendees and the mayor herself.
The service concluded with baritone Lawrence Beamon’s rousing performance of “The Impossible Dream” which brought the congregation to its feet in celebration and solidarity. Lee offered emotional closing remarks, expressing her deep spiritual calling and commitment to lead Oakland through its fiscal challenges and toward a safer, more unified future. “This is a sacred task,” she said, “and I do not carry it alone.”
By Ken Epstein
The Oakland Board of Education has hired Oakland native Denise Gail Saddler, a veteran educa-
to Oakland
Photos by Jamila Buckner. Special to The Post.
Zakiya Jendayi (l) and Dr. Laura Dean Hean (r). Zakiya Jendayi, was
Head’s estate by Dr. Head.
the danger of high-speed chases was last December when two BART Police SUVs and a medical supply vehicle responding to an overdose call at the West Oakland station were in involved in a crash. Three BART police officers and the medical supply driver were injured. Photo courtesy of SFist.
Denise Gail Saddler, Ed.D. Courtesy photo.
Kenneth D. Miller ... see page
Axe the
Tax:
Cali’s
Marijuana Store Owners Say New Increase Will Break Them
By Edward Henderson California Black Media
Marijuana store owners in California are backing a bill authored by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), Assembly Bill (AB) 564. It seeks to suspend a tax increase on cannabis from 15% to 19% that is scheduled to take effect on July 1.
“If we continue to pile on more taxes and fees onto our struggling small cannabis businesses, California’s cannabis culture is under serious threat of extinction,” Haney said in a press release. “We should be looking at how we can support this industry.”
Across California, illicit cannabis sales account for an estimated 60% of the state’s overall marijuana market, putting legal operators at a disadvantage
and giving other states an opportunity take the lead in a market that is expected to grow to $76 billion in annual revenue nationwide by 2030.
Black cannabis store owners account for about 4% of all store owners, according to Cannaclusive, an L.A. based marketing and advocacy group.
In Los Angeles, the United Cannabis Business Association recently polled 245 retailers and found that 70% of them said they were at risk of going out of business.
Conditions have become so difficult in California that the number of inactive and surrendered pot licenses in the state recently surpassed the number of active ones.
The demographic most disproportionately impacted by the red
tape and high taxes surrounding the cannabis industry are Black business owners.
Several Black business owners were present at the latest L.A. Cannabis Regulation Commission meeting to voice their concerns.
“I'm actually fighting back the tears because I actually believed in this program,” said Osajefu Oyadeye, a licensed business owner from Los Angeles, said at the meeting.
Asia Allen has been in business four years and while her dispensary makes $120,000 a month, after taxes, fees and payroll she is only left with a $2,000 profit. This is before purchasing product to stock the dispensary, she said.
“I’m so busy trying to keep up with taxes, and payroll and rent, and pay my people. We can’t
Continued on page 6
By Post Staff
“The observance of Juneteenth is about the voyage and achievement of African Americans – from a horrendous period of sanctioned enslavement to the pinnacle of human endeavors.” – San Francisco Juneteenth website.
Since Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday, observations of the holiday have expanded in the Bay Area notably in Mill Valley and Antioch. But many have been going on for decades. Here are a few below. (All are free of charge unless noted.)
San Francisco
“Liberty, Legacy, and Leadership” is the theme of San Francisco’s kick-off event on Friday, June 13 at City Hall’s rotunda at 1 Carlton Goodlett Plaza from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Mayor Daniel Lurie will be present.
On June 14, the San Francis-
co Juneteenth Freedom Celebration will take place on Fillmore from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A beer-andwine garden for those over 21 and a skating rink among other fun things for the children. Live performances by 3TOB, Dee Dee Simon, Ray J and more. For information on the City Hall event and Fillmore, go to www.sftravel.com/ article/celebrate-juneteenth-sanfrancisco-way
Sponsored by the nonprofit Livable City, San Francisco’s Third Annual Juneteenth Parade takes place on Sunday June 22 on Market Street from Spear to Eighth Street starting at 11 a.m. Bring a lawn chair or reserve a space at https://livablecity.org/citywidejuneteenth/ Oakland
Omnira Institute will present its 18th Annual Juneteenth Ritual Remembrance on Sunday June 8 at Lake Merritt’s Boathouse Picnic Pavilion at 562 Bellevue Ave. from
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The free program honors the enslaved ancestors who didn’t live to see freedom come by offering prayer in the languages/ traditions they practiced before enslavement. The Ring Shout will be performed. Seating is limited. For more information, call 510-3325851. For free tickets, go to https:// www.tickettailor.com/events/omnirainstitute/1698642
They will reprise a portion of the program on Sat., June 14 at the African American Museum and Library at 859 14th St. in Oakland, from 3-4:30 p.m.
B.H. Brilliant Minds will host its 18th Annual Oakland Juneteenth Celebration & Street Festival on Sat. June 21, at 3233 Market St. in West Oakland from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. This year’s theme is to “We Are Tapping Into The Ancestors’ Wisdom and Having the Freedom to Express Ourselves!” and features vendors, community
Continued on page 6
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
A new report by the Black Equity Collective (BEC), in partnership with Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF), highlights the powerful role Black-led nonprofits play in California’s economy and communities. The report, California Black-led Organizations: Strengthening California’s Economy and Communities, draws from a survey of 217 Black-led organizations across the state.
The findings show Black-led nonprofits employ more than 4,000 people and paid over $335 million in salaries during 2023. These organizations also contributed $22 million in payroll taxes, making them key economic drivers.
“Black-led nonprofits are not only providing essential services in areas such as health, safety, and social justice. They are also creating community wealth and economic resilience,” said Kaci Patterson, founder of Black Equity Collective. “This report makes it clear: BLOs are valuable contributors to California’s economy and deserve equitable investment and support.”
Despite their impact, 80% of these nonprofits report staff shortages, limiting their ability to meet community needs. The organizations focus on critical issues like health services, violence prevention, community safety, policy change, and racial justice.
Annie Chang, Vice President of Community Engagement at
Nonprofit Finance Fund, emphasized the importance of the report’s data. “We hope this data will drive deeper collaboration and investment that centers equity, trust, and accountability,” she said.
BEC is calling on funders, policymakers, and stakeholders to recognize the value of Black-led nonprofits and to invest in their growth through fair and lasting funding practices.
“Funders hold an important role in sustaining and supporting the impactful work of our organizations,” Patterson added, “and amplifying the economic impact they can have on their communities as job creators and service providers.”
By Regina B. Wilson, Joe W. Bowers and Tanu Henry, California Black Media
LOS ANGELES —Before Martin Luther King Jr. Day was a national holiday, before California women could secure a home loan on their own, and long before South Los Angeles began to rise from the ashes of the 1992 unrest, Nathaniel “Nate” Holden, a towering figure in state politics, had already planted seeds for a more just and equal California.
On May 29, hundreds of Californians gathered at West Angeles Church of God in Christ to celebrate the life of Holden, who passed away May 7 at age 95. More than a memorial, the service became a living testimony to a man whose legislative work and personal mentorship have
shaped lives of people — from civil rights protections to grassroots activism.
Holden’s own words framed the spirit of the day. In a television interview years ago, when asked how he wanted to be remembered, he replied simply: “He sure fought like hell for us.”
Holden’s trailblazing career included service in the California State Senate and the Los Angeles City Council, where he championed bold causes that are now embedded in the fabric of California life.
He authored the bill establishing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday as a California state holiday — years before the federal government followed suit.
He also passed the Holden Act, which prohibited financial institutions from requiring a male co-
signer for women seeking credit, a quiet but powerful stride toward economic equity.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass reminded mourners that Holden’s impact wasn’t limited to policy.
“He used public office not just for politics — but for the people,” Bass said. “He fought for things younger generations might find surprising today. Nate Holden was always ahead of his time.” Bass also recalled his mentorship. “He would call me up, often unprompted, to tell me exactly what I needed to do next. That was Nate Holden — always watching, always guiding, always fighting for justice,” she said.
Holden’s son, former Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represented a district that includ-
A marching band at the 2024 Richmond Juneteenth parade. Richmond Standard photo by Mike Aldax.
Kaci Patterson, founder of Black Equity Collective. File photo.
Soloist performing “The Lord’s Prayer” at the Nate Holden Memorial Service, May 29, 2025. Photo by Regina B. Wilson, California Black Media
Pictured are six of the scholarship recipients. Photos courtesy San Francisco Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Adult Day Program
Dedicated staff needed to work with individuals with developmental disabilities in communitybased settings, or environments. Qualifications: High school or equivalent. Driver’s license. Dependable and efficient. Background check. Physical exam and TB test. Training available. Decent wages. Please call (510) 690-9570.
Special to The Post
MacArthur Fellow Dorothy Roberts’ Advocates Restructure of Child Welfare System
of norms.
and
A graduate of Yale University with a law degree from Harvard,
posing racial inequities embedded within health and social service
fessor of Law and Sociology, and on the faculty in the department of Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
Strings and Struggle: The Story of Black Violin
By Tamara Shiloh
When grants were announced Oct. 1, it was noted that eight of the 22 MacArthur fellows were African American. Among the recipients of the so-called ‘genius grants’ are scholars, visual and media artists a poet/writer, historian, and dancer/choreographer who each receive $800,000 over
In a world where classical music often feels sealed off behind curtains, two young Black men from Florida have drawn the curtains wide open with the strength of a bow stroke. Black Violin, the genre-defying duo comprised of Wilner “Wil B” Baptiste and Kevin “Kev Marcus” Sylvester, has carved a bold space where Bach meets Biggie, and Beethoven shares airwaves with Kendrick Lamar.
a five-year period to spend as they see fit.
Their names are Ruha Benjamin, Jericho Brown, Tony Cokes, Jennifer L. Morgan, Ebony G. Patterson, Shamel Pitts, Jason Reynolds, and Dorothy Roberts. This is the eighth and last in the series highlighting the Black awardees. The report below on Dorothy Rob-
The pair formed Black Violin in 2004, the name a tribute to jazz violinist Stuff Smith’s 1965 album Black Violin. That homage is telling. Like Smith, they rejected the notion that strings belonged only in symphony halls or recital stages. Instead, they found their voices by blending the classics with hip hop’s urgency and rhythm, creating a mix that challenged racial and musical boundaries alike.
Their big break came when they won Showtime at the Apollo in 2005. It was not just a victory, but a revelation: here were two classically trained Black men using violins to remix the soundtrack of Black America. Their debut album, Black Violin, dropped in 2008, followed by Classically Trained in 2012 and the Grammy-nominated Take the Stairs in 2019. Each release has layered hip hop beats under string harmonies, gospel motifs next to orchestral sweeps, forming anthems that speak across generations.
But Black Violin is more than their music. They are cultural
Their story begins, not in the ivory towers of elite conservatories, but in the public-school classrooms of Fort Lauderdale. Both Wil B and Kev Marcus were introduced to their instruments through school music programs — Kev Marcus on violin, and Wil B on viola. For two young boys navigating a world where neither classical music nor string instruments reflected their daily lives, their early training was an act of quiet rebellion. It was also a seed. They honed their craft through discipline, eventually earning full scholarships. Kev Marcus went to Florida International University and Wil B went to Florida State University. They didn’t just learn to master their instruments; they learned to see them differently.
Roberts’s work encompasses reproductive health, bioethics, and child welfare. She sheds light on systemic inequities, amplifies the voices of those directly affected, and boldly calls for wholesale transformation of existing systems.
Roberts’s early work focused on Black women’s reproductive rights and their fight for reproductive justice. In “Killing the Black
educators. Their nonprofit work through the Black Violin Foundation aims to provide access and inspiration to young musicians from underserved communities.
“Our mission,” Kev Marcus once said, “is to break stereotypes and encourage people to think outside the box.”
Their performances often open with a classical excerpt — Mozart, perhaps — before sliding into a beat drop that electrifies the room. In doing so, they dismantle preconceived notions: of what classical music is, who it’s for, and what a Black man with a violin can sound like. In concert halls, on TED stages, and in school auditoriums, Black Violin performs a quiet revolution with every bow stroke.
In a time when lines — musical, racial, generational — are often drawn to divide, Black Violin plays to connect. Their music is a bridge, their story a testament to what happens when tradition and innovation not only meet but collaborate. Through strings and struggle, they’ve composed a new American soundtrack — rooted in history, resounding with possibility.
she
nied agency to Black women and
standing of reproductive freedom. This work prompted Roberts to examine the treatment of children of color in the U.S. child welfare
Book Cover of The Juneteenth Alphabet. Courtesy of Duopress/ Sourcebooks
By Terri Schlichenmeyer
Author: Andrea Underwood
Petifer, Illustrator: Ana Latese, c.2025, Publisher: Duopress / Sourcebooks, Price: $14.99, Page Count: 40 pages
search and advocacy work alongside parents, social workers, family defense lawyers, and organizations, Roberts has concluded that the current child welfare system is in fact a system of family policing with alarmingly unequal practices and outcomes. Her 2001 book, “Shattered Bonds: The Color of Child Welfare,” details the outsized role that race and class play in determining who is subject to
Your parents hate being late.
state intervention and the results of those interventions.
Through interviews with Chicago mothers who had interacted with Child Protective Services (CPS), Roberts shows that institutions regularly punish the effects of poverty as neglect.
It’s never bad to be where you’re supposed to be, you know — on time, ready, and eager for whatever’s next. A party, your church service, lunch at Grandma’s house, it’s always best to arrive at the start with a smile. Being prompt is just good manners or, as you’ll see in “The Juneteenth Alphabet” by Andrea Underwood Petifer (pictures by Ana Latese), it could become a much bigger matter.
CPS disproportionately investigates Black and Indigenous families, especially if they are lowincome, and children from these families are much more likely than white children to be removed from their families after CPS referral.
That was the first Juneteenth. There are A-B-Cs for that.
She also shows that blaming marginalized individuals for structural problems, while ignoring the historical roots of economic and social inequality, fails families and communities.
Roberts argues that the engrained oppressive features of the current system render it beyond repair. She calls for creating an entirely new approach focused on supporting families rather than punishing them.
A is for album, a homemade book of memories and clippings so that kids in the future can understand their history. B is for Black and for Beautiful. C is for culture and celebration and community, three very important things to remember on Juneteenth, which began in America but is celebrated in many countries.
In “Torn Apart: How the Child Welfare System Destroys Black Families—and How Abolition Can Build a Safer World (2022),” Roberts traces the historical, cultural, and political forces driving the racial and class imbalance in child welfare interventions.
These include stereotypes about Black parents as negligent, devaluation of Black family bonds, and stigmatization of parenting tices that fall outside a narrow set
After the Civil War ended in April of 1865, four million formerly enslaved people embraced the end of bondage, but enslaved people in Texas did not. They were not informed that the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed until much later, not until June 19, 1865. On that day, the Union Army arrived in Galveston, Texas, to spread the good news and there was a jubilee.
Her support for dismantling the current system of child welfare is unsettling to some, but her provocation inspires many to think more critically about its poor track record and harmful design.
G is for Galveston, the city where the celebration was born. H is for healing, but also for HBCUs, or Historically Black Colleges and Universities. K is for secrets being kept, and for families that were kept apart during slavery. And L is for laws – the good ones that made Juneteenth possible, and the bad ones, like Jim Crow laws.
O is for Opal Lee, a real per-
By uncovering the complex forces underlying social systems and institutions, and uplifting the experiences of people caught up in them, Roberts creates opportunities to imagine and build more equitable and responsive ways to ensure child and family safety.
Body: Race, Reproduction,
the Meaning of Liberty 1997)”,
Dorothy Roberts. Photo courtesy of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
Wilner “Wil B” Baptiste (left) and Kevin “Kev Marcus” Sylvester (right) of Black Violin.
Public Notices, Classifieds & Business
Celebration of Juneteenth ...
Continued from page 4
resources and the MadeMen Motorcycle Club, Homies Empowerment freedom booth, fashion show and the screening of “Sign My Name to Freedom – Betty Reid Soskin.” For more info, go to https://www.visitoakland.com/ event/18th-annual-oakland-juneteenth-celebration-%26-streetfestival/33976/
The Second Annual Hella Juneteenth comes to The Town on Thursday, June 19 at the Oakland Museum of California at 10th and Fallon streets from 12 noon to 5 p.m. Presented by Hella Creative, it calls the “community to gather in celebration of Black freedom, creativity, and legacy—through food, music, art, and collective joy.” The two stages will feature live music and the grounds will host a curated selection of Black-owned vendors and community partners. Tickets range from $10-$95. For more info, go to https://museumca.org/ event/hella-juneteenth-2025/ Berkeley
The 38th Juneteenth Berkeley Juneteenth Festival will be held on Sunday, June 15 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Adeline and Alcatraz. The
Californians
Gather to Honor Trailblazer Nate Holden ...
Continued from page 2
ed Pasadena, spoke about his father’s hands-on approach to service.
“When you brought a problem to him, it became his problem,” the younger Holden said. “And even at 95, he was still writing letters to the President. He couldn’t help it — service was who he was.”
He shared how Holden’s public life was matched by personal conviction: a World War II Army veteran, and an aerospace engineer who contributed to America’s early space program.
Holden’s grandson, also named Nate Holden, reflected on the persistence that defined his grandfa-
free event showcases local, upand-coming entertainment on its two stages, among them Yemanya Napue, DeeDee Simon, Shayla the Trumpet Master and Sellassie. There will be a vintage car show, Egyptsia’s Parade Procession, featured artist Jimi Evins and for children face-painting, Skate Like a Girl, Prescott Circus and a rock wall. Come buy crafts and eat your head off with the food vendors. For more info, go to BerkeleyJuneteenth.org
Richmond
The City of Richmond is proud to host the 2025 Juneteenth Parade & Festival on Sat., June 21, with the parade starting at Kennedy High School at 10 a.m., traveling to Nicholl Park at 3230 Macdonald Ave. 106.1 KMEL will broadcast live onsite, featuring performances by more than 20 local artists including the 3Ts Band on the main stage, a youth zone with games and activities for all ages, cultural exhibits and a lively marketplace. Ends at 6 p.m. Free.
Marin
The Ninth Annual Marin City Juneteenth Festival on Sat. June 21 at Graham Park at 800 Drake Ave. will begin with an honoring of the ancestors and singing “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” at the Af-
ther’s life.
“At 16, he was determined to fight for freedom overseas — at a time when he didn’t enjoy full freedoms at home,” his grandson said. “That spirit — to stand up for what’s right — stayed with him for life.”
Veteran actor Glynn Turman recalled Holden’s leadership in the fight to save the historic Ebony Showcase Theater in Los Angeles, later renamed the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center — a beacon for Black artists and cultural pride.
“From rebuilding Crenshaw after the riots to championing the performing arts, Nate was our ‘everything man,’” Turman said.
Holden is survived by his children — Chris, Reginald, and Melissa Holden — along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A float honoring Tuskegee University in the 2018 parade. Richmond Juneteenth web site photo.
rican Village Outdoor Mall at 11 a.m. In keeping with this year’s theme of ‘Inner Peace’ with a World Peace Lane, the market will feature items to soothe body, mind and spirit. Local talent onstage includes Black music from spirituals to hip-hop to neo-soul and for children, horseback rides and a meeting with the Juneteenth Goodnews Bear Mascot. Bring your lawn chair and hang out until 6 p.m. Mill Valley’s Fourth Annual Juneteenth Freedom Festival will be on Sat. June 14 at the Mill Valley Downtown Plaza from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Groove to incredible performances by local musicians, dancers, and spoken-word artists. Savor mouthwatering cuisine from local vendors, inspired by Afri-
Axe the Tax: Cali’s Marijuana Store Owners ...
Continued from page 2
survive like this. We need your help,” Allen told the council.
As cannabis business owners California seek policy support from Sacramento to find a way forward, opposition to Haney’s bill continues to gather.
Organizations like Youth Forward, Child Action Inc. and Indigenous Justice say suspending the tax would break promises made to the Californians they represent who were ensured by policymakers that a portion of the money raised from the sale of marijuana would be invested into health and social programs.
Even Getting it Right from the Start — an organization that bills itself as being devoted to
can American culinary traditions. Free. For more information, go to https://juneteenthcommunityfestival.info
Vallejo
The African American Family Reunion Committee presents its 35th Annual Vallejo Juneteenth Parade and Festival on Sat. June 21, at the Barbara Kondylis Waterfront Green, 301 Mare Island Way from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come for the live entertainment by Tony Lindsey, Oakland Rising and the Soul Soldiers, food and merch vendors, health and wellness, job training and employment opportunities, kids’ activities and more. The parade starts at 9 a.m. at Tennessee Street and Sonoma Boulevard and the committee is still
developing “optimal cannabis policy — opposes AB 564. That group argues that eliminating the tax would favor the cannabis industry over the needs of children.
“California’s cannabis taxes are far lower than states like Washington and fund critical services for kids, the environment, and public safety,” said Dr. Lynn Silver, a pediatrician and senior advisor at Getting it Right from the Start, in a press release. “Proposition 64 promised to invest in healthier communities.
Last week, AB 564 was ordered to a third reading in the Assembly Appropriations Committee after committee members voted 13-0 to approve it with amendments.
looking for parade participants. For more information, go to Vallejo Juneteenth.com.
San Leandro
The City of San Leandro will hold its Juneteenth as part of its Second Friday series as a ‘celebration of Black-owned Businesses, Freedom and Unity’ on June 13 at the Fieldwork Parking Lot at 100 West Juana Ave., San Leandro from 4-9 p.m. Free. For more information, go to https://downtownsanleandro.com/events/juneteenth-celebration-san-leandrosecond-fridays/
The San Leandro Senior Community Center will hold a Juneteenth Celebration Mixer at 13909 East 14th St. San Leandro, CA 94578 from 5:30-8 p.m. “Come join us for a fun Juneteenth Celebration Mixer where we’ll celebrate freedom, unity, and community together!”
Hayward
The annual Juneteenth Freedom Celebration Festival will take place from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, at Heritage Plaza, 835 C St., across from the downtown Hayward Public Library. Admission is free. Additionally, at noon on Wednesday, June 18, the City of Hayward will host ceremonial
The Juneteenth Alphabet ...
Continued from page 2
son who worked hard to make Juneteenth a national holiday; she is known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.” R and S are both important parts of the celebration: Red for the food and drink that are traditional at Juneteenth celebrations and Sounds and Songs that make the holiday great!
As an adult, you can probably think of many, many other representations for letters of the alphabet that are not inside “The Juneteenth Alphabet.” Civil War, notification, enslavement, parade, your list may be long and what’s here is often a stretch. As an adult, you may think that author Petifer missed a few points.
And that’s okay because you’re
raisings of the Juneteenth and Pan African flags in recognition of the long history of African American liberation efforts, which inspired racial equity and freedom movements around the world. On June 19, the city will be closed for the holiday.
Stockton
The San Joaquin County Juneteenth Foundation presents its 4Ninth Juneteenth Celebrate of Freedom event at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds at 943 North El Dorado St., on June 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Bring the entire family to enjoy live performances, food, vendors, poetry, history, and classes until 4:30 p.m. followed by a community pledge. The day ends with a Date Night to Celebrate Black Love’ from 6-9 p.m. For more information, go to Stocktonjuneteenth.org
Antioch’s Fourth Annual Juneteenth Freedom Celebration will take place on Thursday June 19 from 4-8 p.m. at Williamson Ranch Park headlined by Shanice. Food and music of course but also rides and games to domino and double-dutch jump rope. For more info, go to https://www.antiochca. gov/juneteenth/
an adult and this book isn’t for you.
Kids who love to celebrate Juneteenth will enjoy the narrative inside this book, and children who are just learning about the holiday will get a nice, rounded education for it here. Petifer’s A-B-Cs include many sidebars meant to launch discussion with older kids, while Ana Latese’s illustrations will keep younger children interested. And if you still notice omissions, there’s room in both word and photo for parents to make additions. What fun! This is a great book for kids ages three to five, and it gently leads six and seven-year-olds to learn more on their own. If your family has Juneteenth plans this summer, you’ll want “The Juneteenth Alphabet.” Find it now, soon, or better late than never.
OPINION:
& Trump: Trans Teen in Calif. Jumps
Trump’s Criticisms to Smashing Victory
By Emil Guillermo
This Pride Month, we have a new face from the
A.B. Hernandez.
Trans people are the most vilified in the new Trump era. We debate what sports they should play and what bathrooms they should use.
So, let’s celebrate Hernandez, the 16-year-old trans girl from Riverside County, who competed at the California high school track and field championships last weekend.
Hernandez, her nails painted, her hair pulled back, jumped higher than anyone she faced to win first place in the girls’ high jump. She was second in the long jump but added a victory in the girls’ triple-jump.
That’s where she also figuratively jumped over Donald Trump, anti-trans protesters, and the cowardly California bureaucrats who gave in to Trump on the rules.
I’d like to see Donald Trump
compete in track and field — as a woman or a man. For him, let’s give him some affirmative action. We’ll make it gender blind.
Bet he’d still finish last, if at all.
But I’m willing to give him more of a break. Let’s see him play his game, golf, against all the great Asian American women golfers.
As they say in the language Trump knows — locker room talk — the president wouldn’t be able to hold their putter head covers.
But back to track and field.
Trump finished on the losing end this weekend. Despite bullying Hernandez, Trump couldn’t stop the16-year-old trans athlete from being who she is. A girl. And a champion.
Before the championships held in Clovis, Calif., Trump used his power in an attempt to keep Hernandez from even participating in the state high school championships.
On social media, Trump said he was “ordering local authorities, if necessary, to not allow” her to compete.
He even threatened to cut off federal funds to the state.
Essentially, Trump did all he could to rig the state championships against Hernandez.
Talk about an abuse of power.
A 78-year-old president of the USA bullying a 16-year-old trans girl.
As a compromise to Trump, the CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) asterisked Hernandez in an odd way. It recognized her win. But it also claimed cis-gendered athletes who would be displaced by her would get a bump up.
In other words, the secondplace finisher to Hernandez was officially made first place also. A tie, thus diminishing Hernandez’ victory.
Wait a minute, isn’t that cisgender affirmative action? Yep.
And I thought Trump and his ilk had declared America a meritocracy.
Just goes to show you how affirmative action and its counterpart, meritocracy, are seen by Trump as relative and subjective.
Coincidently, as the president targeted the innocent Hernandez, Trump pardoned Kentrell Gaulden, the rapper known as NBA YoungBoy, for a felony gun conviction. Trump also pardoned Michael Harris, a.k.a. Harry-O, who served 33 years of a 25 years to life sentence for conspiracy to commit first degree murder.
Does Trump lift up the criminals and debase the innocent?
So, what’s a 16-year-old trans girl to do during Pride Month but to keep soaring like a champion.
About the Author
Emil Guillermo is an awardwinning journalist, news analyst and stage monologist. He has written a weekly “Amok” column in the ethnic media since 1995. Find him on YouTube, patreon and substack. And on amok.com
Investing in Excellence: San Francisco Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Hosts Scholarship Brunch to Empower Local Students
Special to the Post
The San Francisco Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. invites the community to attend its inaugural Scholarship Brunch on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the San Francisco State University Student Life Events Center (1 North State Drive, San Francisco, CA 94132).
Themed “Unapologetically Scholars, Unstoppably Brilliant,” this powerful fundraising event will honor local college-bound students and celebrate the chapter’s continued commitment to educational advancement. The brunch will feature a keynote address by Fredrika Newton, Co-Founder and President of the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation and Co-Founder of the Black Panther Party Museum, as well as live entertainment by Mickala Cheadle Josey, a catered brunch buffet, and special presentations for this year’s scholarship recipients.
Proceeds from the event will directly benefit the chapter’s annual scholarship and public service program, which provides financial support to San Francisco and Marin County -based students pursuing degrees at four-year colleges and universities. Scholarships are renewable and offered throughout each scholar’s undergraduate career, reinforcing the chapter’s long-term investment in their success.
Special to the Post
The Beebe Memorial Cathedral congregation congratulated Rev. Dr. Kenneth D. Miller on the conferral of his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Memphis Theological Seminary!
Founded in 1913 and now with over 350,000 members worldwide, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is an organization of college educated women committed to the constructive development of it’s members and to public service with a primary focus on the Black community. The San Francisco Alumnae Chapter, chartered in 1948, continues that legacy through programs that promote educational equity, economic development, social action, physical and mental health, and community empowerment. For 77 years, the chapter has awarded approximately $780,000 in scholarships to more than 500 youth, helping to close opportunity gaps and build a stronger future.
“We are proud to honor this year’s scholarship recipients, outstanding individuals whose talent, dedication, and promise inspire us all,” said Alena Maunder, Scholarship Chair of the San Francisco Alumnae Chapter. “Their achievements reflect the values our scholarship stands for, and we can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make.”
Individual tickets are $150. Tables of 8 may also be purchased and sponsorship packages are available.
Tickets can be purchased at: www.sfacdst.org/events
For sponsorships, donations, or more information, visit www. sfacdst.org/events.
Join us in celebrating and investing in the next generation of leaders.
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
Inheriting your family home and worried about immediate taxes? You may no longer have to.
Sen. Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) announced last week that eleven of his bills have passed the California State Senate and are now headed to the Assembly for consideration. The bills, which aim to improve veterans’ benefits, public safety, tax policy, and local government support, received strong bipartisan backing.
One bill that will impact families is Senate Bill (SB) 284. The legislation clarifies property tax law when siblings inherit a family home. It allows eligible family members to consolidate ownership within one year of inheritance without triggering a property tax reassessment, provided the transfer and the transferee’s residence meet specific criteria.
According to Seyarto, SB 284 seeks to protect families from undue tax burdens while preserving valuable assets.
“I’m proud to see these common-sense, solutions-oriented bills advance with strong bipartisan support,” said Seyarto. “I’m grateful to my dedicated team for their hard work and to my Senate colleagues for their partnership. I’m ready to continue working with the Assembly to deliver meaningful results for our 32nd District and the State of California.”
The other bills he lauded are:
● SB 56, which ensures that disability payments for disabled veterans are not counted when deciding if they qualify for a property tax exclusion.
● SB 67, which protects Cal Grant access for children of active-duty military, even if they finish high school in another state.
Dr. Miller says his doctoral project, “Bridging the Gap Between the Church and Community: A Curriculum of Prophetic Pedagogy for Preaching and Practice is more than research—it is a roadmap for revitalization. It answers the urgent call to reclaim the church’s rightful place as a healing agent in neighborhoods, on street corners, and within systems that so often marginalize the most vulnerable.”
Dr. Miller hopes his ministry amplifies his voice to be aligned with a new generation of clergy, activists, and community leaders who dare to believe that the gospel is still good news for the poor and power for the oppressed.
His thematic mission is in the tradition of Howard Thurman, Katie Cannon, James Cone, and Prathia Hall. Dr. Miller says that he will “walk forward not only with a degree in hand but with a mantle of responsibility upon his shoulders.”
● SB 70, which raises the contract limit for small businesses run by disabled veterans and adjusts it for inflation.
● SB 74, which creates the Infrastructure Gap Fund to help cities and counties complete projects like fire stations, schools, and roads.
● SB 76, which stops new car owners from being forced to pay registration debts left by the previous owner.
● SB 87, which extends tax breaks for fundraising efforts by all-volunteer fire departments.
● SB 233, which requires earlier talks between the state and local governments about housing needs.
● SB 255, which makes counties notify homeowners when deeds or other legal property documents are recorded.
● SB 385, which updates education requirements and timelines for peace officers.
LGBTQ community to honor: Trans athlete
Rev. Dr. Kenneth D. Miller. Photo courtesy Lady Melanie Miller..
Continued from page 1
At Jendayi’s Aug. 5, 2020 hearing, representing herself pro se, the only thing the judge allowed her to state was her name. Jendayi says, “This hearing was during COVID-19, so we were appearing remotely. After I stated my name, Judge Bean muted my phone so I was unable to respond in any form or manner.”
For a case to have standing in probate, petitioners have to possess legal standing to bring a case forward. Neither of Dr, Head’s sisters were named in the trust or will.
At Jendayi’s May 10, 2021, hearing Jendayi addressed the issue of jurisdiction. Judge Bean initially agreed and stated the case was a civil matter, yet when the sisters’ attorney stated there were other issues to consider, Bean allowed the case to be heard in probate, despite the fact that the issues addressed did not address the matter of jurisdiction.
The Petitioner is responsible for making their case, which, in
Dr. Head’s case, were her estranged sisters. In a stunning departure from legal norms, Judge Bean shifted the burden of proof onto Respondent Jendayi.
Jendayi says, “This was not a procedural error: These three issues, silencing, wrong jurisdiction and shifting burden of proof are violations of constitutional rights and principles of fairness.
“My case is one of many, and unless we confront what’s happening in our probate system, more families will be silenced, misdirected, and unjustly burdened.
“I am calling on lawmakers, legal professionals, community leaders, and everyday citizens to join me in demanding federal oversight and reform of probate courts. Help protect families from injustice. Help ensure that estate plans, especially those created by and for Black families, are honored, not erased. The time for change is now,” Jendayi concluded.
This Year’s Budget Proposal at Budget Forums ...
Continued from page 1
what we’ve been experiencing,” he said.
Organizations across the city have also spent months worrying about the loss of their city contracts and grants, but are seeing progress with their organizations included in the budget proposal.
Janice Roberts, director of Mercy Brown Bag, a program that delivers fresh groceries to over 6,000 seniors across the city, said that she’s grateful for the current administration for reintroducing funding toward the organization after the loss of a $150,000 contract last year.
“These are extremely hard times, and this is an extremely vulnerable population. The city has a responsibility to aid their older adults,” Roberts said.
Last year, the City Council passed their budget after the June deadline, and used the sale of the Oakland Coliseum to balance their deficit, which has yet to be paid off despite promises of funding by May 2025 from the new owners, the African American Sports and Entertainment Group.
The city has until June 30 to pass a balanced budget before the new fiscal year starts on July 1.
COMMENTARY: Let’s Go to the Doctor: Can You Die From a Broken Heart?
By Clifford L. Williams
Yes, You Can Die from a Broken Heart: Here’s How to Protect Yourself
If you’ve lived any length of time, chances are you’ve experienced a broken heart. Whether from a romantic breakup, the loss of a loved one, or even betrayal by someone close, heartbreak can be one of the most painful experiences. But beyond emotional distress, a broken heart can also carry serious physical consequences, according to BlackDoctor.org.
There is a real medical condition known as broken heart syndrome, or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC), which occurs when sudden emotional or physical stress weakens the heart muscle. It’s more than a metaphor; it is actually possible to die from a broken heart. The condition predominantly affects women, but men who suffer from it are statistically more likely to experience fatal outcomes.
The most common signs of
Denise Gail Saddler as Interim Superintendent ...
Continued from page 1
and educating young people She said it is crucial to keep in mind the district’s educational mission when making budget and other crucial decisions.
“We’re here to educate students; that’s what we do as a school district,” she said. “Everybody else is important to support that process.
So: we need custodians, we need nutrition services, we need Buildings and Grounds, and we need PG&E as well as dynamic school site leaders. They are the legs of the educational process. But the interaction between teachers, students, and families is really at the core of what we do.”
Saddler was born at the Oakland Naval Hospital in East Oakland. Her father was a dentist and the first Black officer at Hunter’s Point in San Francisco
Over the decades, she has worked at all levels of the education, early childhood, elementary, middle school, high school, and university.
She is a lecturer in the doctoral program at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Education and has been a network supervisor of 15 elementary schools in North Oakland and West Oakland.
District Plan
The Park District is creating our next District Plan, a high-level document to guide the Park District into its next century. It provides a strategic roadmap with key priorities to move toward the vision of an extraordinary and wellmanaged system of open space parkland in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
broken heart syndrome include chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and shortness of breath, even in individuals with no prior heart disease. If you experience these symptoms, BlackDoctor.org urges you to go to the emergency room immediately.
According to the American Heart Association, even healthy individuals can experience TC. It’s typically triggered by a surge of stress hormones in response to emotionally charged events such as the death of a loved one, a difficult breakup, divorce, financial hardship, or betrayal. Interestingly, even a positive shock, like a surprise party, can set it off.
One of the biggest dangers of TC is that it is often misdiagnosed as a heart attack. Both conditions share similar symptoms and test results, such as changes in heart rhythm and blood markers. However, unlike a heart attack, broken heart syndrome doesn’t involve blocked coronary arteries. Instead, a portion of the heart becomes temporarily enlarged and struggles to pump, while the rest of the heart continues to function normally or more forcefully.
Though the symptoms can be frightening, TC is usually treatable, and most patients recover fully within a few weeks. The risk of recurrence is low, but in rare cases, the condition can be fatal. Additional symptoms may include nausea, dizziness, sweating, and fatigue.
During a TC episode, the body releases a flood of stress hormones like adrenaline, which can essentially “stun” the heart. This causes the heart’s main pumping chamber to change shape temporarily, restricting its normal function.
Common triggers include the death of a loved one, serious illness, job loss, financial strain, divorce, and even public speaking. Because the symptoms resemble a heart attack, it’s critical not to ignore them.
While broken heart syndrome can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or lifestyle, women are disproportionately affected.
The best way to protect yourself is to manage your stress. Stress management techniques such as regular exercise, reducing caffeine, getting enough sleep, limiting alcohol, and practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation can make a big difference. Emotional health and heart health are deeply connected.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or experiencing symptoms, speak with your doctor. Understanding the risks and taking preventative steps can help protect your heart — not just emotionally, but physically.
To Our Readers: For more health-related insights or to share your thoughts, contact the Post Newspaper Group’s editorial team. Your voice matters.
When the school board interviewed her for the job, she said, “they were very clear they wanted someone who was very committed to the community, who can hit the ground running, who sees the big picture” and who understands the relationship between the school board, which is in charge of governance, and administrative staff, which implements the policies approved by the board.
She explained that maintaining the district’s financial stability was crucial. “We’ve just come out of state receivership, which is fantastic,” Dr. Saddler said, referring to the state takeover of OUSD in 2003 and the $100 million state loan, which was just repaid.
As a witness to the takeover, she emphasized, “We have to operate using the funds we have in the most productive manner, serving the overall big goal of educating students, all students.”
Continuing, Dr. Saddler said, “My background is special education, as well as regular education. I’m very sensitive to what happens to people who need to learn a different way. We need to understand how we accomplish that when it’s something that always has been underfunded, from the very beginning.”
Stressing the importance of communication, she said she will be out in the community and in the schools, talking to people face to face, and will work to strengthen communication with the school community and the public.
“Building trust, walking with integrity, and being present in the community are priorities of mine,” she said. “We have to really up our communications,” so people know what the district is doing and why decisions are made.
She also said district teachers and other employees deserve a decent income. “It costs a lot to live in the Bay, and our kids deserve our best. So, we have to ask, how do we retain top-quality people, and how do we develop our own?”
“I have always been an unofficial recruiter of staff and students for our school district,” she said.
She said, “We have a host of committed staff who are making a difference every day, and I will continue to advocate for their success.”
With deep roots in the city, Dr.
Continued from page 1
Floyd Mitchell recently has proposed changes to OPD’s pursuit policy, which the Commission will review in coming weeks.
However, the Commission said, “Revisions to the pursuit policy alone will not resolve the underlying issues that led to this heartbreaking loss. Police pursuits are a complex, multifaceted problem requiring urgent, coordinated action across city leadership, public safety agencies, and community partners.”
The Commission urged the City Council’s Public Safety Committee, the Department of Violence Prevention, Oakland Police Department, and violence prevention stakeholders to work collaboratively to develop “an enhanced
She served as principal at Chabot Elementary School, assistant principal at Dewey High, and was interim executive director at Raskob Day School, a non-public special education program at Holy Names University.
She was interim principal of schools in Oakland, including Manzanita SEED, Montclair Elementary, Sankofa United, Melrose Leadership Academy, and several child development centers: Lockwood, Highland, Harriet Tubman, and Hintil Kuu Ca.
Other jobs include working as education specialist in the office of former Mayor Elihu Harris, instructor at the Santa Clara Office of Education, and principal coach at Alameda County Office of Education.
District 3 Boardmember VanCedric Williams praised the decision to hire Dr. Saddler in a message to The Oaklandside: “I think Dr. Saddler can be an ambassador and leader for OUSD, like Barbara Lee for the City of Oakland, to repair and restore community trust,” he said.
Paul Cobb, publisher of the Oakland Post and a former Oakland school board member, said, “Denise Saddler has a proven record of commitment to educating Oakland students. Her deep connection to the city and decades of experience in OUSD will be invaluable in making progress in our school system.”
“I hope she utilizes her professional work experiences to work cooperatively with the board, teachers, classified employees, parents, and students,” he said. “If she listens to and includes all the stakeholders, the OUSD can avoid future fiscal crises or another state takeover.”
While the schools, the city and public education face many challenges, Dr. Saddler remains optimistic. “We have a mayor, Barbara Lee, who has stepped up. She has the relationships, the commitment, and will work hard to bring resources to the city.”
“I think that’s what I bring to our city: the longevity of doing the work in this community and for this community,” she said.
“We do more to highlight what’s really working and what we have to push to achieve more, working together with the community, parents, school employees, and the city.”
community provider system of care, investments in technology and resources for safer apprehension methods, and clear public messaging that communicates a significant shift in our city’s approach.”
“The focus must remain on implementing community-centered, evidence-based strategies that both address those at the center of violence whose actions impact public safety, while providing robust support and resources to those most affected,” according to the Commission.
“Oakland residents (must) receive the decisive and comprehensive solutions they deserve to prevent further loss of life and build a safer city,” the Commission stated.
Tragic Death of OUSD Teacher Marvin Boomer and Police Pursuit Policy ...