Hundreds of protesters marched near the Port of Oakland on the morning of Sept. 19, attempting to block the entry to the port and demanding that Oakland end its arms shipment to Israel.
The group carried an oversized
banner with the words, “Stop the Siege on Gaza.”
In a statement, the Port of Oakland said the protest was peaceful and there was no impact on port operations.
According to the protest organizers, they were showing solidarity with
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By Ken Epstein
Oakland’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released its annual report evaluating the Oakland Police Department’s (OPD) policies, practices and procedures over the past fiscal year.
“This annual report is a cornerstone of trust and transparency for the Oakland community,” said
Inspector General Zurvohn A. Maloof. “It reflects our unwavering commitment to independent oversight and systemic improvement.”
In the section covering in-service trainings, the report said that in 2023-2024, no officers were trained on profiling and implicit bias. In 2024-2025, 31 officers or 0.5% received the training, which is designed to help officers avoid “treating a person differently based on race, gender, or place of residence.”
In the sessions on “procedural justice,” officers received training on treating people with dignity and respect, to be impartial and “give people a voice to express their perspectives or concerns.” No officers received this training in 2023-2024, and 339 officers or 50% went to the training in 2024-2025.
In sessions on de-escalation, which emphasizes conflict resolu-
As the Shawn Carter Foundation (SCF) marks 22 years of transforming lives through access, mentorship, and opportunity, one of its proudest alumni is Oakland native Michael J. Payton, a filmmaker whose journey embodies resilience, creativity, and communityimpact.
(The foundation is named for Shawn Corey Carter, whose professionalnameisJay-Z.)
Payton’s latest project is to honor SCF’s influence on his life by producing a featurelength documentary about it. The film
By Carla Thomas
Oakland’s Mobile Assistance Community Responders of Oakland (MACRO) program is set for major growth after securing $1 million in new state funding. Thanks to the efforts of State Sen. Jesse Arreguín (D-Oakland) in partnership with Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire (DHealdsburg).
Mayor Barbara Lee thanked Arreguín for championing this investment, highlighting the transformative impact MACRO has made by reimagining public safety through a community-centered lens that prioritizes care, compassion, and equity for Oakland’s most vulnerable residents.
Launched by the Oakland Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Services Division as a pilot
in 2022, MACRO dispatches unarmed, civilian responders to non-violent, non-emergency 911 calls. These responders are specially trained to support individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, homelessness, or substance abuse. Rather than traditional law enforcement, the responders help
people in need with medical and mental health support, and immediate connections to social services.
Since expanding citywide, MACRO has diverted hundreds of calls each month from police and fire, cutting down on repeat 911 calls and offering a trusted pres-
ence in underserved communities. The program is recognized for building strong relationships between community members and responders, creating a public safety approach rooted in trust and compassion rather than enforcement.
The newly secured $1 million will allow MACRO to expand its reach, strengthen its ability to serve Oaklanders experiencing mental health crises and substance abuse challenges, and build strong community partnerships.
Lee emphasized that this funding affirms Oakland’s commitment to public safety reforms, stating, “This investment represents far more than financial support as it is an affirmation of a community-centered approach to public safety that prioritizes care,
By Cathy Adams
Congresswoman La-
teefah Simon hosted her First Annual Constituent Breakfast on Sept. 26 in Washington, D.C. The breakfast highlighted Simon’s work in Congress to address a range of issues critical to the constituents of District 12, including the economy, housing and transportation, immigration, poverty, violence prevention, civil rights, and global peace and security.
Michael Payton and Jay-Z, aka, Shawn Carter. Michael J. Payton web site photo.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee and Oakland City Hall. Photos courtesy City of Oakland.
Oakland Inspector General Zurvohn A. Maloof.
Hundreds of protesters march near the Port of Oakland on Friday, Sept. 19, attempting to block entry to the port and demanding that the city end its arms shipment to Israel. Photo courtesy of ABC7.
Left to right: Attorney Gordon Greenwood, Cathy D. Adams, OAACC; Danny Williams, business owner, OAACC board member; Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, and attorney Robert Harris, OAACC Board member. Courtesy photo.
Photo courtesy Oakland Police Department.
Logo. Courtesy of the City of Oakland.
By Geoffrey Watson, M.D.
Dr Watson and the family dog, “Elmo Watson.” Courtesy photo.
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.
Public Notices, Classifieds & Business
Belva Davis, First Black Woman on West Coast TV News, Dies at 92 Assata
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
Belva Davis, the first Black woman hired as a television reporter on the West Coast — and a pioneering voice in Bay Area journalism — died Sept. 24 at age 92. Davis broke barriers in the 1960s when she joined television newsrooms long dominated by White men. She went on to build a decades-long career in San Francisco at KPIX-TV, KRON, and KQED, where she hosted KQED Newsroom and This Week in Northern California until her retirement in
2012.
“Belva’s passing is a great loss for the Bay Area and KQED,” said Michael Isip, president and CEO of KQED. “For a half a century she covered the region’s most indelible stories with courage, integrity, grace and humanity. Along the way she fearlessly broke down barriers and opened doors for a generation of reporters.”
Born in 1932 in Monroe, Louisiana, Davis grew up during the Great Depression and the Jim Crow era. Her family later moved to California’s East Bay during the Second
Great Migration. Without a college degree, she launched her career writing for Jet and Ebony magazines before moving into television.
Her reporting spanned historic moments including the assassination of Harvey Milk, the AIDS crisis, and numerous elections. She interviewed leaders and cultural icons such as Muhammad Ali, Coretta Scott King, Fidel Castro, and Kamala Harris.
Carla Marinucci, a longtime California political reporter, remembered Davis as both a mentor and a trailblazer. “She took many of us under her wing. An entire generation of us, myself included, have Belva to thank for breaking down barriers and for giving us a hand,” she said.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee said Davis inspired generations of young journalists. “For Black women and people of color working to break into media and television, Belva was a beacon,” Lee said. “She opened doors that had long been closed, proving through her talent and perseverance that our voices belonged on the airwaves.”
Davis won eight regional Emmy Awards and received lifetime achievement honors from the National Association of Black Journalists and American Women in Radio and Television. She is survived by her husband, Bill Moore, and her two children, Darolyn and Steven Davis.
By Post Staff
Assata Shakur, considered a luminary in the movement for Black liberation, passed away in Havana, Cuba, on Sept. 25. She was 78.
Taking to heart Malcolm X’s exhortation to fight for freedom “by any means necessary,” Shakur was an unapologetic revolutionary, whose daring escape and subsequent long, peaceful life in Cuba made her an icon for Black Lives Matter and Black hip hop artists, including her godson, Tupac and Common.
The former Black Panther Party member who ditched it for the more militant but less misogynistic Black Liberation Army was most well known for her 1979 escape from a New Jersey women’s prison where she had been sentenced to life plus 24-33 years for the shooting death of a state trooper. Five years later, she appeared in Cuba. A free woman, she lived there as a writer and teacher until her death.
Her 1988 self-titled autobiography, “Assata,” lionized new generations of Black activists.
During the 2014 protests in Ferguson, Missouri, following the shooting death of Mike Brown, her words were shouted in the streets.
“It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win…”
When the movement for Black Lives convened in 2015, it became their rallying cry. It echoed, the words of freedom fighters inspiring Fannie Lou Hamer during the Civil Rights Movement. “If I fall, I’ll fall five feet four inches forward in the fight for freedom. I’m not backing off.” Hamer’s words echoed that of abolitionist Harriet Tubman. “I had reasoned this out in my mind;
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Belva Davis. File photo.
Assata Shakur. File photo.
Assata Shakur, 87 ...
there was one of two things I had a right to, liberty or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other.”
Even so, it is the second part of the BLM battle cry that belies the reputation attributed to Shakur by mainstream media and the FBI, which offered $2 million for her capture when she was placed on the Most Wanted list in 2013.
“…We must love and support one another.
We have nothing to lose but our chains.”
Born Joanne Byron in 1947, the future activist grew up in New York and Wilmington, North Carolina. While attending City College of New York in the 1960s, she became part of the movement for Black studies and later moved to Oakland to join the Black Panther Party.
Married by then to Louis Chesimard, she changed her name. ‘Assata’ means ‘she who struggles;’ ‘Olugbala’ means ‘savior’ in Yoruba and ‘Shakur’ is an Arabic name meaning ‘thankful one.’
Shakur returned to New York where she was involved in free breakfast programs and organizing with the New York chapter of BPP and then joined an offshoot, the Black Liberation Army.
From 1971 to 1973, their activities would lead to her being wanted for questioning in some bank robberies, grenade attacks on police vehicles and burglaries. She was convicted on only one of those charges, although she revealed in a 1987 interview that “There were expropriations, there were bank robberies.”
In 1973, while riding in a car on the New Jersey Turnpike, Shakur and two other BLA members –Zayd Malik Shakur and Sundiata Acoli were stopped by state police over a broken taillight. The traffic stop escalated into a shootout that left one state trooper and Sundiata Shakur dead while the other state trooper, Assata and Acoli were wounded.
She was convicted of murder by an all-white jury in 1977 in a prosecution that dismissed evidence that Shakur’s wounds proved she had her hands raised
when she was shot. In 1979, BLA members posed as visitors at the Clinton Correctional Facility for Women, took two guards hostage and spirited her away. It is believed that she hid in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for four years before flying to Mexico and then to Cuba, where President Fidel Castro granted her asylum.
On X, Black Lives Matter posted a tribute: ”Assata showed us that freedom is not granted, it is seized. That struggle is not temporary; it is eternal. That sacrifice is the soil where liberation takes hold. Today, we vow: your vision remains alive. We will carry the mantle. We will not rest until the systems that tried to bury you crumble under the weight of our love and resistance.”
While FBI Director Kash Patel tells people to “stop mourning a terrorist,” the Chicago Teachers Union instead praised Shakur in a post on X.
“Today, we honor the life and legacy of a revolutionary fighter, a fierce writer, a revered elder of Black liberation and a leader of freedom whose spirit continues to live in our struggle.”
Shakur had an impact on early hip hop artists. Public Enemy announced its support for Shakur in “Rebel Without a Pause” in the 1980s.
Shakur’s godson and nephew through marriage, the late Tupac Shakur mentioned her in his 1991 album, “Words of Wisdom.”
Inspired by her book, which he read when he was 23, Common wrote a song for Shakur after meeting her in Havana. On Facebook, he wrote, “God bless your soul, Assata Shakur. What you gave and continue to give is a gift to your people, and it changed the world. I will love you forever.”
After 46 years as a fugitive, Shakur died of health issues and old age in a Havana hospital, with her surviving daughter, Kakuya Shakur by her side. She was 78. Wikipedia, Rolling Stone, OkayPlayer, ABC7Chicago, Black, Lives Matter website, Parade, PBS News Hour, NNPA Newswire, Goodreads, Facebook and X are sources for this report.
By Geoffrey Watson, M.D.
Dogs provide significant socialization, exercise, and unconditional love. Dogs are known to soothe your emotions. A review by the mayo clinic health system, and the American kennel club addressed numerous research studies that owning a dog may be very good for your health.
Here are the Pros
1) Dogs make you feel less alone, reduce stress and are playful often bringing happiness.
2) Dogs are good for your heart health and may allow you to live longer according to a research study done between 1950 and 2019.
3) Research studies have shown that dog owners have reduced stress, lower blood pressure levels, lower sugar levels, and potentially increase lifespan of the owner,
4) Petting a familiar dog has been shown to lower the owners, heart rate, slow breathing and relaxes tense muscles, according to research scientist at Washington State University.
5) Purdue University studied military veterans with post traumatic stress disorder, and found that they did better physically and psychologically when they had a service dog.
6) Dogs encourage you to move. A British study found the dog owners walked more frequently than non-dog owners, which
Enduring Legacy of Joseph H. Smith ...
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ter pressure, which meant it could be used by more people. The patent itself praised the sprinkler as “extremely simple and inexpensive,” adding that it wasted no water—a benefit that was just as important then as it is today.
There’s not a lot of information about his personal life, however, what we do know makes his accomplishments even more remarkable. Born into slavery with little record of his family, he lived in Washington, D.C., where he worked and continued to develop his ideas. Out of that determination came an invention that not only made home gardening easier but
helped their overall health outcomes by lowering blood pressure, glucose, improving weight, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
7) Dogs can have a positive effect on seniors studies have shown. Dogs may decrease agitated behavior in seniors with dementia and has improved social interactions in nursing homes.
And the Cons
What may be some of negative health issues related to dog ownership.
1) Some people may be allergic to dogs.
2) The lifespan of an average dog is 10 to 15 years and the owner may become depressed when the dog passes away.
3) There is always the risk of a dog bite.
Dog owners will need to do some home training and the dog will need to have a babysitter when the owner leaves town.
Some apartments and facilities do not allow dogs dictating where you live. Dogs can also be expensive when it comes to veterinary expense,cost of food and grooming.
People think that we take care of dogs, though it is mutual. Dogs also take care of us.!!
also transformed agriculture. His rotary sprinkler made it possible to water large fields more evenly, even during dry seasons, helping farmers increase their harvests and sustain crops through tough years. Smith’s invention sparked what would become a multibillion-dollar industry, and his core design is still at the heart of sprinklers today. For more than 125 years, his idea has endured, proving just how powerful one person’s creativity can be. Smith’s rotary lawn sprinkler is more than just a tool — it’s a reminder of the impact African American inventors have made on everyday life, and more times than not, without the recognition they deserve.
Rochelle Sennet Pianist
“Technically accomplished, dynamic…” – American Record Guide
Program: Johann Sebastian Bach: Overture in the French Style, BWV 831; Nkeiru Okoye: African Sketches; Joseph Bolo gne, Chevalier de SaintGeorges: Adagio in F minor; Montague Ring: Carnaval; Suite of Five Dances; James Lee III: Souls of Alkebulan Saturday, Oct. 11 – 3:00 pm St. John’s Presbyterian Church
Dr Watson and the family dog, “Elmo Watson.” Courtesy photo.
Five Education Bills You Should Know About
By Edward Henderson, California Black Media
Facing a Sept. 13 deadline to pass and submit bills for the 2024–25 legislative session, California lawmakers advanced several measures to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk.
Among them are five education bills that could bring significant changes to classrooms across the state.
The Governor has until Oct. 13 to sign or veto all legislation. The bills that Newsom does not veto before that dead-
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Food Deserts ...
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and money was even more scarce. When talking about that time Mack said, “When everything shut down, people were hungry, lines were long, and food got real.”
Similar times may be approaching with the federal government cutting funds to many life-saving benefit programs like CalFresh.
Dig Deep Farms is hiring, and more information about
line will automatically become state law.
Here are five education bills you should know about.
More California-Centered Black History
SB 510 (Sen. Laura Richardson, D-Inglewood) – This bill requires the Instructional Quality Commission to consider including content on the historical, social, economic, and political contributions of African Americans during the Spanish colonization of California, the Gold Rush Era, and Antebel-
getting involved can be found on their website, www.blackagtech. org. More information about The Butterfly Movement and other justice work that Mack has done can be found on her website brandimack.com.
The Pumpkin Patch at Dig Deep Farms at Ardenwood Historic Farm at 34600 Ardenwood Blvd. in Fremont is open from Oct. 11-26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prices: $5 for 12+, $2/ages 3-11, free/2 and under. For more information, go to https://www.510families.com/ pumpkin-patch-at-ardenwood.
lum periods.
“By including African American perspectives in the broader context of history, economics, and civics, the bill helps foster greater understanding of the ongoing fight for equity and justice,” said Richardson in support of the bill.
Supporters say, this legislation would help to make history instruction more accurate and inclusive.
SB 510 was signed by Gov. Newsom on Aug. 28.
Easier Admission for Graduating Seniors to CSU Schools
SB 640 (Sen. Christopher Cabaldon, D-Napa) – Qualified high school students who have taken the required courses and maintained an appropriate grade point average will receive mailers directly admitting them to participating CSU campuses.
“We should make it as seamless for our students to go from 12th grade to the next stage of their education as it was for them to go from sixth grade to seventh grade,” Cabaldon said in a release.
After the Legislature approved the bill on Sept. 10, the Secretary of State’s office enrolled it and presented it to Gov. Newsom for his consideration on Sept. 22.
Ban on Ultra-Processed Foods in California School
AB 1264 (Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, D-Encino)
– This bill requires the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment to develop regulation to ban ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in schools. UPFs are defined as any food or beverage high in saturated fats, sodium, or specific added sugars or sweeteners.
After the Legislature approved AB 1264 on Sept. 12, the Secretary of State’s office enrolled the bill and presented it to Gov. Newsom for his consideration on Sept. 24.
More Teaching Days for Subs in Public Schools
AB 1224 (Assemblymember Avelino Valencia, D-Anaheim). This bill increases the days a substitute teacher can teach in California public school classrooms from 30 to 60 in general education and 20 to 60 in special education.
On Sept. 22, the Secretary of State’s office enrolled the bill and presented it to Gov. Newsom for his consideration. The Legislature approved it on Sept. 10.
Improving Curricula and Training to Boost Reading Skills
AB 1454 (Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Salinas)
– This bill updates statewide reading instruction curriculum to close learning gaps. It also requires the State Board of Education to adopt instructional materials that align with evidence-based means of teaching foundational reading skills and updates training standards.
“Strong reading skills are the foundation for every student’s success, and our action today demonstrates a big commitment to improving California’s reading and literacy rates,” said Rivas.
On Sept. 24, the Secretary of State’s office enrolled the bill and presented it to Gov. Newsom for his consideration. The Legislature approved it on Sept. 13.
Sankofa Akili Dance Ensemble to Restart Classes at
By Aziza Jefferson and Jaleah Winn
Sankofa Akili Dance Ensemble
(SADE) is one of various staple African dance companies in the East Bay, building community through dance and mentorship.
Artistic Director Aziza Jefferson is calling for dancers ages 7 to 107 to come to free classes at DeFremery Recreational Center at 1651 Adeline St. in Oakland on Saturday, Nov. 1 from 12 noon to 2 p.m.
This ensemble is uniquely designed to welcome multigenerational individuals to increase self-confidence, creativity, and leadership abilities. The ensemble is not only about skill-building — SADE emphasizes community.
Dormant since the COVID-19 pandemic, Jefferson wants to train new dancers for new works by SADE.
The pandemic was hard on SADE, Jefferson said. “People don’t come out like they used to.”
Jefferson has directed the company since 1992, accompanied by master drummer Ronald Williams. Jefferson accepted the mantle to fulfill the legacy of beloved dance guru, the late Akili Denianke.
Denianke was the director of Harambee, an adult arts company specializing in African American and African dancing. Jefferson, like Denianke, coordinates speakers to present to SADE.
“It’s all about people,” Jefferson
said. “It is a joy to work with our people. African American people teaching young people about history through dance. There is so much we can teach. When we are in contact with each other it is spiritual.” Jefferson, an Ethnic Studies graduate of California State UniversityHayward, now known as Cal State East Bay, was also inspired to teach dance by her high school African American studies teacher, Mozelle Watson.
Jefferson also brings in individuals to tell their success stories, like a Black veterinarian, who is rare in her field.
In addition to drumming, Williams plays the guitar and mentors SADE participants. He reported, “I love people. SADE enables me to give back to the world.” He said it is a blessing to give and to teach the significance of service and to teach a good perspective of Black people. “It’s hidden from us.”
Williams observed that “today’s teachers are making it hard to learn.” His philosophy is, “Learners should be given tools to learn, not to make the task to guess. In addition, young people should be given something positive to do from start to finish.”
Nowadays there is a “lot more to do in life that leads to negativity,” Jefferson said.
Participating in SADE leads to positive outcomes. One such outcome is the annual talent share at DeFremery Park where SADE is one of the featured dance ensembles. This event has not taken place since the COVID pandemic. SADE’s goal is to revitalize the “showcase of talents,” said Aziza.
The ensemble’s motto is, SADE is not too young for the old and not too old for the young. “We are role models and examples of reaching your goals.”
For more information about SADE- Sankofa Akili Dance Ensemble please call or text Aziza at 510.735.5150 or send email to sankofaAkilidance@gmail.com.
Sankofa Akili Dance Ensemble Director Aziza Jefferson, left, with accompanist Ronald Williams. Courtesy photo.
CALIFORNIA TEACHERS ARE VOTING
YES ON PROP 50!
Our union of 310,000 educators across California is YES on 50 to defend democracy, and to ensure funding for public education and essential services for our communities.
THE
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS:
SLASHED funds for critical education programs
DISMANTLED the Department of Education including the Office of Civil Rights FIRED hundreds of thousands of federal employees, disproportionately affecting Black workers
CUT healthcare for millions of California students and families
Meanwhile, the wealthiest top 1% will receive $1 trillion in tax cuts from Trump’s Megabill over the next decade.
WE DESERVE ELECTED LEADERS WHO WILL REPRESENT US, NOT CUT FROM OUR COMMUNITIES TO GIVE MORE TA X BREAKS TO BILLIONAIRES.
Congratulations to Rev. Dr. Antoine Shyne
By Antoinette Porter
On Sept. 18, Pastor Antoine Shyne successfully defended his dissertation. His doctoral project:
“A Model for Maintaining Corporate Worship: Despite Life’s Circumstances” at the United Theological Seminary, in Dayton, Ohio.
His doctoral journey started in the fall of 2021. He sacrificed a year of study after being invited to move to California in the summer
of 2022. He resumed his work in the winter of 2024. After long days, nights, and flights back and forth across the country, the journey is complete.
None of this would be possible without God’s grace, his wife, Leila, and inner circle who often work behind the scenes.
Rev. Dr. Antoine Shyne is the current pastor of Holsey Chapel CME Church in Columbus, Georgia. To God Be the Glory!
Bay Area Celebrates Its Second Annual African Restaurant Week
By Carla Thomas
Beyond the purple walled murals of the For the Culture complex at 7th and Clay in Oakland, the Bay Area wrapped up its second annual African Restaurant Week (ARW) on Sept. 21.
Celebrating 10 days of the richness and flavors of African and Black Diaspora cuisine, more than two dozen restaurants in Oakland, Berkeley, San Leandro, Hayward, and San Francisco showcased special menus, discounts, and signature dining experiences under the festival’s “Bite, Sip & Share” theme.
Highlights included a lively kick-off event at Oakland’s Parliament and two weekend festival days featuring food tastings, cooking classes, live music, and performances.
Restaurants such as Jollof Kitchen, Swahili Spot, 9jaGrills, Kendejah Liberian Restaurant, Meske Ethiopian Restaurant, and Sweet Fingers Jamaican Restaurant gave diners a chance to experience authentic flavors from across the continent and diaspora.
For Jollof Kitchen Food Truck owner and Bay Area Festival Director Kemi Tijaniqudus, the event was about more than food.
“Food is universal and a great way to celebrate and bring the community together,” she said, noting her pride in creating special events both locally and in her native Nigeria.
Tijaniqudus served up a tasty jollof rice dinner with savory tender chicken and spinach.
Local entrepreneurs also gained visibility. Across from Ti-
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will explore the organization’s beginnings in 2003 and highlights the ongoing impact it has had on countless individuals and communities.
“My life is truly a testament to what targeted support, like that of the Shawn Carter Foundation, can spark in the lives of young people. Mentorship is a game changer.”
From the corners of Oakland to the national stage on BET, Payton’s story is both locally and nationally inspiring. Raised in East Oakland and homeschooled for many of his formative years, Payton demonstrated an early passion for storytelling and media.
“I grew up in a household with a mother who always emphasized education,” said Payton. That drive found its footing when he became a SCF scholar, a turning point that helped make his ambitions possible.
With support from SCF, Michael earned his bachelor’s degree at San Francisco State University and obtained his master’s degree in media culture communications from New York University (NYU).
Today, he is an award-winning filmmaker whose work has reached national audiences.
“I am so grateful for the support that the foundation gave me,” Payton said. “Without that support I may not be where I am today.”
Payton made his directorial debut on BET with “The Murder Inc. Story,” a five-part documentary executive produced by Irv Gotti, featuring high-profile voices
including Jay-Z and Lyor Cohen. The series established Payton as a dynamic storyteller capable of weaving together music history, cultural commentary, and candid interviews.
While he’s gained renown, Payton continues to contribute to SFC not only through his creative talents, but by mentoring the next generation of artists and scholars.
“Giving back and helping others is my passion. There’s nothing like helping others succeed.”
He has led college prep workshops, spoken to new SCF scholars, and produced original content promoting the foundation’s work. Through collaborations with Roc Nation, he has produced content for initiatives like Megan Thee Stallion’s Pete & Thomas Foundation and the Jazz Chisholm Foundation. These projects, like his own artistic journey, are grounded in storytelling with impact.
For Payton, the connection to SCF is an ongoing relationship. In a full-circle moment, years after receiving critical support from the foundation, his professional path brought him back to Jay-Z. Only this time, behind the camera.
While directing “The Murder Inc. Story,” Payton was reintroduced to Dr. Gloria Carter, Jay-Z’s mother, and the co-founder of SCF. Their meeting reconnected him to the foundation in a way that was both professional and personal, symbolizing how cycles of mentorship and opportunity continue to ripple outward.
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with black trim.
If you recognize the individuals in the photos or know anything about this case, please contact the OPD Criminal Investigations Division at (510) 238-3821 or the TIP LINE at (510) 238-7950. Also, if
you have any videos or photos that could assist with the investigation, please send them to cidvideos@ oaklandca.gov
Paul Chambers is strategic communications manager for the Oakland Police Department.
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compassion, and equity.
janiqudus’ food truck, Victor Eyo debuted his Endowment Cakes pastry stand after recently completing baking school at the City College of San Francisco. His rum cakes, carrot cakes, and blueberry muffins sold out quickly. “I feel very blessed to have so much support,” said Eyo while guests complimented him on his pastries.
Vendors like Onore Ventures and Sankofa African Arts and Jewelry rounded out the cultural offerings with gifts of clothing, hand crafted art, and accessories.
“Festivals are a great platform for small businesses,” said Ellen Agyeman, owner of Sankofa African Art and Jewelry. “It’s a great way to celebrate, have fun, and support the talent in our community.”
Eight DJs set the tone with the festive sounds of home. Flygerian Jess, DJ Faaji, DJ Leone, DJ Slim, Dusky Rebel, DJ Black Woman, DJ Dennis, and Kwammaster kept the energy high and the beats flowing all night.
The Bay Area edition builds on African Restaurant Week’s expansion beyond its 2013 New York launch. Now established in cities like Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and New Jersey, the festival remains committed to uplifting Black-owned businesses, fostering cultural exchange, and spotlighting both established and emerging culinary talent.
“African Restaurant Week is a celebration of food, restaurants, and chefs, but also a commitment to community development and social impact,” said founder Akin Akinsanya. “We’re inviting everyone to be part of it.”
Parades, Festivals Mark Nigeria’s 65th Year of Independence
By Post Staff
On Oct. 1, 1960, Nigeria achieved independence from British, ending 99 years of colonial rule. It’s a national holiday marked by floats and festivals, parades and processions, acrobats, and traditional dancing. There are parties everywhere featuring barbecues and jollof rice, while people in Lagos flock to the beach. In Houston, Chicago, and Boston, Nigerians are holding parties while New York will hold its annual parade on Oct. 4.
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tion techniques to limit officers’ use of force, 402 officers or 57% participated in the training in 2023-2024, while 435 officers or 64% attended the training in 20242025.
In the section on staffing, according to a study conducted by outside consultants examining the department’s workload, OPD would need 199 more budgeted positions to perform its assigned workload and therefore needs to reprioritize its functions and top goals.
Recent statistics show that OPD staffing averaged 710 officers in 2023-2024 and 682 officers in 2024-2025.
Another section of the report examined how well OPD’s Internal Affairs Division monitors members with repeated allegations of misconduct, ensuring they are not violating departmental policies and procedures, which is a requirement of the federal courtordered compliance agreement’
The OIG found that (OPD) had failed to meet key requirements and needed significant improve-
ments in this area.
OPD has remained under federal court oversight since 2003 as a result of the infamous “Riders” police misconduct scandal and a subsequent civil rights lawsuit. The 2003 settlement agreement requires the department to implement significant reforms to address a pattern of misconduct and civil rights violations, and a courtappointed monitor in charge of overseeing implementation of the reform
The OIG describes itself as an independent civilian oversight agency that monitors and audits the OPD’s policies, practices, and procedures. The office’s mission is to ensure accountability, enhance community trust, and increase transparency via fair and thorough assessments of OPD’s compliance with the law and departmental policies.
The OIG’s full report can be viewed at www.oaklandca.gov/ files/assets/city/v/1/inspectorgeneral/documents/annualreports/2025-oig-annual-reportenglish-final-2.pdf
“This is a meaningful step toward reimagining public safety in a way that reflects Oakland’s values and responds to the real needs of our neighborhoods,” Lee said.
Arreguín described MACRO as “a proven success in improving mental health and public safety outcomes.”
Oakland Fire Chief Damon Covington praised state leaders for recognizing the value of innovative responder models, noting that, “Community responder programs expand our ability to ensure every call receives the most appropriate response, easing the strain on traditional emergency services while strengthening trust. With this support, Oakland is leading the way in redefining what first response can look like, one grounded in safety, compassion, and human connection.”
Elliott Jones, MACRO Program Manager, reflected on the program’s future saying, “With the state’s investment, MACRO can
continue to strengthen partnerships and model how integrating care into first response transforms public safety, uplifting the entire community, especially for our most vulnerable residents.”
As Oakland advances this new response model, advocates say the MACRO program stands as a pioneering example of how cities can deliver more compassionate, effective public safety strategies by meeting people where they are and connecting them to the care they deserve.
MACRO operates daily throughout Oakland between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. The team is made up of 26 responders, and response teams consist of a Community Intervention Specialist (CIS) and an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), both trained to handle crises with care and deescalation.
For MACRO assistance call: (510 446-2276 / (510) 44 MACRO or email: MACRO@oaklandca. gov
Protesters at Port of Oakland ...
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the Global Sumud Flotilla, which is heading to Gaza with aid and has come under attack by drones. The fleet of boats loaded with food and aid headed to Gaza is carrying pro-Palestinian activists, including Greta Thunberg. It was set to sail from Barcelona last week and is expected to reach Gaza in the next few days.
The protest was organized weeks after a report produced by the Palestinian Youth Movement said it had uncovered records showing that the Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, run by the port, has been a transit point for hundreds of shipments of military equipment headed for Israel.
According to KQED, shipping documents obtained by PYM and viewed by KQED showed “at least 280 shipments of military equipment this year, including replacement parts for the U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets,
which Israel has used in aerial bombardments of Gaza. Nearly all were bound for Nevatim Airbase, where Israel stations its F-35 fleet.”
“We, the people of the Bay Area, do not want to and will not allow that to continue to happen,” said a protester quoted by KQED who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation.
Airport spokesperson Kaley Skantz said in a statement that it is “legally required to accommodate federally authorized air traffic, including air cargo arranged by the U.S. government and/or private air cargo providers, including FedEx.”
“FedEx has a long-term ground lease with the Port of Oakland and is the largest air cargo carrier operating at the airport,” Skantz said. “All of FedEx’s flight and loading operations are carried out by FedEx employees directly in areas that FedEx exclusively controls.”
Healthy Living Festival for Seniors at Oakland Zoo Provided Resources, Music, Line-Dancing and Swag
By Carla Thomas
The Oakland Zoo transformed into a vibrant celebration of healthy aging on Thursday, Sept. 25, as over 3,000 older adults gathered for the 22nd annual Healthy Living Festival. The free community event was coordinated by Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley, the nonprofit United Seniors of Oakland and Alameda County.
The festival, dedicated to supporting seniors throughout Alameda County, brought together residents from across the region for a day filled with line dancing, blues music, education, resources, and networking. For the second consecutive year, the zoo closed its gates to the general public to create an exclusive space for older adults and their guests.
“The Healthy Living Festival is my flagship event for seniors, aged 55+,” said Miley. “We want seniors to be civically engaged, and we want them to be knowledgeable and not feel isolated from the community around them. It gives me a lot of joy to see so many seniors from throughout the community and from different cultures and backgrounds and ethnicities all together.”
The parking lot in front of the zoo’s entrance featured more than 100 organizations offering resources, information, and lots of swag. Guests visited each booth, collecting not only vital information for their well-being, but gift bags and T-shirts after engaging the representatives at each booth. There was even a booth offering free manicures. BART representatives helped seniors obtain discounted transit fares, while the League of Women Voters assisted with voter registration.
Cynthia Adams, president of the Oakland branch of the NAACP, along with staff members, also hosted a booth. “What Supervisor Miley has put together is wonderful,” said Adams. “We need these types of events for our elders.”
County agencies provided basic medical screenings, such as blood pressure checks, ensuring attendees could address their health needs on-site. Entertainment took center stage throughout the day, with live music performances, group exercise sessions, and dance opportunities that had attendees enjoying the festive atmosphere.
Real estate broker Karen Allen had fun videotaping elders dancing to “Boots on the Ground.”
“This is wonderful. It’s like a family reunion,” she said. “It’s so important to support, protect, and engage our seniors.”
Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson addressed the crowd, emphasizing her office’s commitment to prosecuting elder abuse cases. The issue remains critical, with the county’s Adult Protective Services receiving more than 6,000 reports of elder abuse annually, making it one of the area’s most underreported crimes. Emeryville Mayor Courtney Welsh, Oakland City Councilmembers Kevin Jenkins, and Ken Houston also stopped by the festival.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee also spoke, encouraging attendees to maintain active, healthy lifestyles. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Alameda County currently has more than 270,000 residents over age 65. However, the California Department of Finance projects this number could surge to over 500,000 by 2050, nearly doubling the senior population.
“This festival is great,” said Oakland resident Barbara Taylor. “When seniors come together and are active, we live longer, healthier lives,” she said. Other participating organizations included The Lend a Hand Foundation, Wellness ADU, Service Opportunity for Seniors - Meals on Wheels, and the East Oakland Senior Center.
Guests also included community activists Dondria Morgan, Sandra Johnson, and Linda Handy.
Rev. Dr. Antoine Shyne the former Pastor of Beebe Memorial Cathedral CME Church is the current Pastor of Holsey Chapel CME Church in Columbus, Georgia. Image designed by Claude Shyne.
Bay Area Festival Director for African Restaurant Week, Kemi Tijaniqudus, owner of Jollof Kitchen Food Truck poses with vendor Ellen Agyeman, owner of Sankofa African Art and Jewelry. The duo takes time out to enjoy the closing weekend of African Restaurant Week in Oakland at the For the Culture outdoor event space.
Photo By Carla Thomas
Community activist Dondria Morgan and real estate broker Karen Allen at the 22nd Annual Healthy Living Festival at the Oakland Zoo. Photo Courtesy of Dondria Morgan.
