Oakland Post
By Aiding Mass Deportations, Security Firms,
Some of the world’s largest private security companies are central to ICE’s rapidly expanding deportation machine, providing vehicles and staff to transport immigrants to deportation flights and a national and international network of detention centers, according to a report on the website The Lever and reprinted by Truthout.
Among these companies is the private equity-backed Allied Universal Security Services, the nation’s third-largest private employer, which provides vehicles
● Juno Thomas – inspired attendees with tools for building legacy and generational wealth “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18 postnewsgroup.com
and armed security guards to ICE through its subsidiary, G4S Secure Solutions.
Allied Universal Security has been actively pursuing a contract with the City of Oakland. The global company has been at the center of a politically contentious and delayed bidding process for a citywide security services contract. The contract has been in limbo since at least early 2023.
Unlike some other immigration detention companies — such as the private firms building and operat-
By Carla Thomas
The 23rd Oakland International Film Festival (OIFF) from Sept. 10–20, will unite filmmakers, artists, and film lovers for 11 days of cinematic celebration and cultural exchange.
With the inspiring theme “Promoting the Planet Through Film,” this year’s festival continues OIFF’s tradition as a beacon of truth-telling, creativity, and transformative community engagement.
“The festival’s mission is to empower local and global communities through independent cinema,” said festival co-founder David
Roach.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee commended Roach, noting, “For 23 years, the Oakland International Film Festival has made Oakland proud and given people globally the opportunity to see the richness and achievements of our city.”
Kicking off at the historic Grand Lake Theater, the festival spans several venues including Northeastern University (formerly Mills College), Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, and other cultural hubs.
“What makes OIFF unique is its full immersion into Oakland’s landscape of food, music, arts,
By Carla Thomas
Special to The Post
The Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce (OAACC) proudly hosted its Black Business Month Meet & Greet Mixer, bringing together nearly 200 entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders for an evening dedicated to celebrating and elevating Blackowned businesses.
The event served as both a networking platform and a showcase of resources, featuring eight distinguished speakers who shared insights and strategies for business growth:
By Carla Thomas
GospelFest Oakland 2025 will be held on Saturday, Sept. 13 at the historic Henry J. Kaiser Center’s recently rennovated Calvin Simmons Theater. The concert will feature headliners Dietrick Haddon, Lisa Knowles-Smith and The Brown Singers, and Lena Byrd Miles. J-Red, Tamara Edwards, and Pastor G. Hunter will serve as mas-
ters of ceremony and Bay Area artists Lawrence Matthews, Alfreda Lyons Campbell, Fuego, Olivet Oakland, Destined 2 Dance, JaCoree Prothro, Derrick Hall, and Leonard B. Lothlen, Sr. will also perform.
The event creator, Leonard B. Lothlen Sr., is a Bay Area gospel artist whose life’s work has contributed to the sound and soul of Oakland’s
noticed that some of her students lacked basic necessities. Compelled by her love for Jesus and a deep compassion for her students, she began gathering food, clothing, and books and distributing essentials from the trunk of her car. Freeman’s efforts didn’t stop there. She began tutoring students after school, determined to nurture their minds as well as meet their physical needs. Her passion drew others into the work, including a local baker, a postal carrier, and later members of her church joined in. Together, they raised funds, prayed, and eventually purchased a large Victorian house at 18th Street and 11th Avenue.
● Will Jackson (U.S. Bank) – emphasized U.S. Bank’s commitment to small business lending, resources, and financial empowerment.
● Anita Russell – highlighted approaches to strengthening operations and scaling for success.
● Ernestine Nettles – spoke on the importance of sustainable growth through community partnerships.
● Ron Busby Jr. & Braxton Bunter (ByBlack Certification Program, U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.) – introduced a national certification platform to expand visibility and opportunity for Black-owned businesses. (Link for sign-ups to be added)
For more than 50 years, Harbor House Ministries has stood as a beacon of hope in the San Antonio district of Oakland. Founded on the principles of Christian community development, the organization’s mission seeks to provide a safe place where opportunities, resources, and relationships are shared so children, teens, and families can flourish.
The seeds of Harbor House Ministries were planted in the early 1970s when Olive Freeman, a fourth-grade teacher in Oakland,
In 1972, Harbor House Ministries was officially incorporated as a nonprofit, transforming a grassroots act of kindness into a thriving, multifaceted organization.
In the early 1980s, Mary Biasotti, a recent graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, who studied Natural Resources Management, began as an intern at Harbor House teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) to refugees. Within nine months, members of
Measure C Funds to Child Care Providers
gible childcare providers and program sites will receive one-time grants ranging from $40,000 to $100,000 to remain open, improve facilities, hire staff, increase wages, and more. Eighty percent of childcare providers in Alameda County are eligible for these emergency grants.
Special to The Post
On Sept. 4, First 5 Alameda County will host a check presentation event to celebrate child care providers receiving long-awaited First 5 Early Care and Education Emergency Grants.
This check presentation marks the first round of Measure C grant funding, with more than $14 million released to over 300 childcare centers and family providers. Eli-
Over the next five years, First 5 Alameda will utilize Measure C funds to invest nearly $1 billion in strengthening early care and education and evolving the early childhood system countywide.
These efforts include a wage floor of at least $25/hour for Measure C-funded early educators, 2,400 new subsidized childcare slots, expanded support for Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers, and new ways to connect families with essential services.
The Early Care and Education Emergency Grants are part of
By Post Staff
Following Labor Day, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (DCA-12) led her colleagues in a letter to the Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer expressing alarm at the Department’s failure to protect federal contractors with
disabilities and demanding transparency from the Department of Labor. Under federal civil rights law, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal contractors are prohibited from discriminating against individuals with disabilities in recruitment, hiring, compensation, job assignments, benefits, or promotions. The law also further requires employers to take proactive steps to recruit, hire, retain and advance qualified people with disabilities.
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) is charged with enforcing these requirements.
However, in January 2025, then-Acting Secretary of Labor
Special to The Post
California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a statement in support of Washington, D.C., Attorney General Brian Schwalb’s lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s illegal deployment of National Guard troops.
“President Trump is illegally
seeking to use the military to police our people. It’s unnecessary, undemocratic, and most importantly, unlawful,” said Attorney General Bonta. “As a judge in California recently affirmed, the President’s power is not boundless, and the military may not act as the President’s personal police force.
When troops arrived in Los Angeles in early June, we knew this was likely the beginning — not the end — of the military occupation of American cities. This dangerous moment requires all of us to stand up, speak out, and hold the President and his Administration accountable to laws and democratic values he swore to uphold. California is proud to stand with D.C. in this fight.” The California Dept. of Justice is the source of this report.
By Post Staff
Braxton Gunter, left and Ron Busby Jr., both of Byblack.us and the U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce, were speakers at the mixer. Photo by Auintard Henderson.
Ice Detention Center. Photo courtesy of ACLU, Northern California.
OIFF logo. Courtesy image.
Theater.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Cal Matters photo.
Mary Biasotti, former assistant director of Harbor House Ministries. Photo courtesy of Mary Biasotti.
Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (C-CA-12). Courtesy photo.
California Highway Patrol to Protect Kamala Harris After Trump Pulls Security Detail..
California GOP Lawmaker Proposes ‘Two-State Solution’ Amid Redistricting
By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
California Assembly Republican leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) has proposed splitting the state into two separate entities as an alternative to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s redistricting plan, which voters will consider this November.
Gallagher’s “two-state solution” would separate the bluer coastal counties from the GOP-leaning inland regions, which he says have been left underrepresented.
“We don’t want any part of a government that won’t give us a voice,” said Gallagher during a press conference Aug. 27. “We can govern ourselves and make decisions that actually work for the inland parts of this state.”
Gallagher criticized Newsom’s redistricting initiative, known as Proposition 50, calling it the “Gavinmander” and claiming it diminishes representation for inland communities. “Newsom and his super majority can continue to govern in the way they want. I mean, knock yourselves out, guys, maybe gas will be $10 a gallon by the time you’re done, but we would like to pursue different policies,” he added.
The idea of splitting California is not new. In 2018, a proposal to divide the state into three was
Contract Amount: TBD
California Honors 60th Anniversary of Voting Rights Act, Showcasing State’s Efforts to Expand Access
Dispute
removed from the ballot by the state Supreme Court. Earlier, venture capitalist Tim Draper attempted a “Six Californias” initiative in 2014, which failed to qualify for the ballot.
Newsom’s office dismissed Gallagher’s plan as a political stunt, stating, “A person who seeks to split California does not deserve to hold office in the Golden State. This is a stunt that will go nowhere.” Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) echoed the sentiment, calling the proposal “ridiculous.”
Legal experts say a split is theoretically possible but unlikely.
Constitutional law professor Jessica Levinson explained, “It absolutely is the case that the Constitution provides for a path, but that’s a difficult path. California’s legislature would have to agree… and Congress, similarly, would also have to agree, and I don’t see that happening either.”
Should the legislature reject the plan, Gallagher said he could pursue a ballot initiative to give voters a direct say in the proposal. The debate highlights ongoing tensions between California’s coastal and inland regions over representation and political influence, with Gallagher positioning his plan as a response to what he sees as disproportionate control by the state’s Democratic leadership.
By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
While serving a 14-year prison sentence, Adam Cain says he learned how vital it is for citizens to have the power to participate in democracy through voting.
But formerly incarcerated people who had completed their prison terms and were placed on parole, couldn’t always vote in California.
They gained that access to voting in 2020 through Proposition (Prop) 17 when voters approved a ballot measure that restored voting rights to about 50,000 people on state parole for felony convictions. Before Prop 17 passed, the state’s constitution prohibited people with felony convictions from voting until they had completed both their prison and parole terms.
While he was locked up, Cain’s said he got involved in advocacy to pass the bill, which was introduced by former Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) as Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA) 6.
“Once I learned (about Prop 17), I was like ‘this is how I can get involved.’ So, we continued to push and make changes to open up voting rights for people who are coming home if you’re paroled or on probation,” Cain said.
Cain shared his experience, speaking at California’s 60th Anniversary celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, held at the Secretary of State's office in Sacramento on Aug. 25.
Hosted by Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Cain was one of
CITY OF OAKLAND REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR RECORDS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM UPGRADE
Terms: 3 Years
Project Description: The City of Oakland, Fire Department, is seeking a software vendor to implement a new cloud-based records management system to allow fire department personnel to input pre/post emergency incident data. Software application must be National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 901 compliant. Additionally, the software must be able to support the new United States Fire Administration incident reporting system: National Emergency Response Information System (NEIRS).
Proposal Submittal Deadline: Friday, September 26, 2025 by 2:00 P.M. via iSupplier.
Reminders:
All who wish to participate in this RFP must register (at least 5 days prior to submittal due date) through iSupplier at (https://www.oaklandca.gov/Business/Doing-Businesswith-the-City/Doing-Business-With-The-City-Register-with-iSupplier) to avoid last minute submittal complications and receive addenda/updates on this RFP. For additional help registering and submitting your proposal to iSupplier please watch the user guide videos at (https://www.oaklandca.gov/Business/Doing-Business-with-theCity/Doing-Business-With-The-City-Register-with-iSupplier/iSupplier-User-Guides).
• Did not receive an invitation? Start Early with iSupplier registration. Upon completion of registration, send an email to iSupplier@oaklandca.gov listing “RFP for Records Management System Upgrade” as the subject and request an invitation to the RFP. Contract Administration will add your business to the RFP invitation.
• The following policies apply to this RFP: Equal Benefits • 0% L/SLBE • Living Wage • Campaign Reform Act • Professional Services Local Hire • Prompt Payment
• Arizona Boycott • Dispute Disclosure • Border Wall Prohibition • Sanctuary City Contracting and Investment Ordinance.
Answers to Questions:
1. For project-related questions contact Contract Administration at contractadmin@ oaklandca.gov
2. For iSupplier related questions after registration contact iSupplier@oaklandca.gov
Asha Reed, City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council, (Friday, September 5, 2025) The City Council reserves the right to reject all proposals.
five guests on a panel that included Willie Brown, Speaker Emeritus of the California State Assembly; Melba Pattillo Beals, journalist, educator, and a member of the Little Rock Nine, who integrated Central High School in 1957; and Lexie Tesch, representative of the League of Women Voters. Guy Marzorati from KQED was the panel moderator.
Cain said he went through a “transformation” while he was behind bars that led him to advocate for Prop 57, also known as the Public Safety and Rehabilitation Act of 2016. The measure, which addressed prison overcrowding by making it easier for nonviolent felons to be considered for parole, was authored and sponsored by then-Governor Jerry Brown.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a landmark federal law, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on Aug. 6, 1965. It prohibits racial discrimination in voting. Its initial goal was to eliminate barriers that prevented African Americans from voting, particularly in Southern, formerly slave-holding states.
“I hope folks realize, I sometimes wonder as I look at what we’re doing today, that people understand the connection between your right to vote, the outcome of voting, as well as the politics,” Weber said in her remarks at the Sacramento commemoration.
Brown’s statement echoed Weber’s.
“The business of Black votes impacts who makes the decisions and enforces rights,” Brown said.
Following the panel discussion, the event included a special exhibit titled “The Journey to Democracy” curated by the California State Archives.
The exhibit is located on the fourth floor of the State Archives building and will be on display for one year.
“We want to remind folks what the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is and the people who were a part of it, lived through it, and understood why it was so important for us to have it,” Weber said.
By Post Staff
The 10th Annual Oakland
Black-Eyed Pea Festival has something for everyone: live music, food and art reflecting the resilience and creativity of our forebears passed down to the present and a little fun.
Held at West Oakland’s Marston Campbell Park at 17th and West streets, the festival is just outside KIPP Bridge Academy who will host the arts and craft area for children from 1-101.
Your children, grandchildren and great-grands and your own inner child are invited to play!
Draw, paint, cut and paste and even make designs with black-eyed peas with KIPP’s Sophia Marshall, an experienced educator and community organizer.
Ramona Hill of Credo Studio in San Juan Batista will introduce her ‘Street Mandala’ project to festival attendees.
“Join me in the making of a personal mandala!,” Hill said. “I will be guiding you through an artistic process that teaches mandala basics. Using paper and pencil, we’ll create a circular expression of self, home and community through the use of simple geometry and colorful symbols.
“This project is quick, easy and fun for all ages! I will also be making demonstration of how a mandala is drawn on the street. Come make art and discover how a mandala can represent you!”
Oakland-based artist Reshawn Goods, also known as Bushmama Africa, will return to the festival with her hands-on workshop that connects present-day blue jeans to the skills of enslaved Africans.
Indigo dyes were introduced in America as a result of the TransAtlantic Slave Trade. Many of the enslaved African people knew how to propagate indigo to create dye from the plant. The Yoruba of Benin, the Mandingo of Mali, and the Hausa of Kano were renowned for indigo processing and dyeing. Indigo was used to dye clothes throughout all of West Africa, often referred to as blue gold. Wearing these clothes was a symbol of wealth.
At Goods’ mini-workshop from 1-4 p.m., attendees will be able to use cotton, indigo, and denim to create patches that resonate with them that will be used to form a family quilt. And yes, for a short time, you’ll wear the mark of our
ancestors with blue hands.
The entertainment for the day includes Grammy-nominated Andre Thierry of Accordion Soul Music, second-line band MJ’s Brass Boppers, the Oakland School for the Arts jazz band, and vocalist Piwai. MC Carla Service by DanceA-Vision’s Carla Service will help keep you moving throughout the day, while Doug ‘Pharoah’ Stewart will introduce the concept of Blackeye Pea Radio.
Words of gratitude for our sponsors
Omnira Institute is proud to acknowledge this year’s festival sponsors: The Center for Cultural Power, Zellerbach Family Foundation, the office of District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife, and KBLX-FM and KCSM-FM radio stations. When funding promised by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Oakland Cultural Development Fund was withdrawn earlier this year, the Andy Warhol Helen Frankenthaler Foundations, Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley’s Office and Mechanics Bank stepped up and stepped in to help. Without them, the festival would have been cancelled for this year.
Previous support has come from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts, Akonadi Foundation, San Francisco Foundation, California Arts Council, NEA, the Oakland Cultural Development Fund and individuals.
Omnira Institute is especially grateful to Post News Group coowners Gay and Paul Cobb for allowing us the space to promote the festival over these last few years. As Omnira’s executive director, I lift my hat to them and the staff Brenda, Maxine, and Norman .and our summer intern Daisha Williams. Thank you! Wanda Ravernell. The 10th Annual Black-Eyed Pea Festival, a free celebration of traditional African American music, food, and art will be held on Sat. Sept. 13, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Marston Campbell Park, 17th and West streets in West Oakland. For more info, go to Oakbepf.com or call 510-332-5851. Bring a chair or blanket for lawn seating.
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, left, and former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, right, share their experiences and thoughts about the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The commemoration was held at the Secretary of State’s auditorium in Sacramento on Aug. 25. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.
California Assembly Republican leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City). File photo.
The Credo Studio in San Juan Bautista, Ca., is bringing mandala art to the streets for healing. 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.
Black History & Memoirs
By Terri Schlichenmeyer
The Bookworm Sez
Authors: Various, Copyright:
c.2025, Publishers: Various, Price
Range: $28.99 - $35.00, Page
Counts: Various
Okay, fun’s over.
Summer is done, school’s back in session, fall is here, and it’s time to get serious. And guess what? You can still do that, and enjoy reading these great history books…
First off, think about your ancestors and all they did. Now read, “The Black Family Who Built America: The McKissacks, Two Centuries of Daring Pioneers” by Cheryl McKissack Daniel with Nick Chiles (Black Privilege Publishing / Atria, $28.99). The story starts in West Africa, when Moses McKissack I was captured and enslaved in North Carolina. He became a craftsman and passed his talents down to his children. Ulti-
mately, this inheritance became a powerhouse business of builders and tradespeople who collectively left their mark on some of America’s most iconic buildings, churches, and more. Readers who love architecture will especially love this book.
And if you enjoy that kind of story, then you’ll want “Black Genius: Essays on an American Legacy” by Tre Johnson (Dutton, $30). Throughout history, Black Americans been resilient and adaptive, and have always found ways to celebrate their culture. In this book, Johnson calls attention to the sometimes-unnoticed “brilliance” of Black leaders in stories that are personal, profound, and inspirational. Readers will rejoice.
More brilliance is found in “Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler” by Susana M. Morris (Amistad, $29.99).
MacArthur Fellow Dorothy Roberts’ Advocates Restructure of Child Welfare System
erts is excerpted from the MacArthur Fellows web site.
A graduate of Yale University with a law degree from Harvard, Dorothy Roberts is a legal scholar and public policy researcher exposing racial inequities embedded within health and social service systems.
Julius Alexander: Opening the Skies for Everyone
state intervention and the results of-
of norms.
Brown Airport in Atlanta. He even wrote an article called “Wings for the Black Ghetto” that was published in a national magazine, encouraging more young people of color to consider aviation as a career.
The great writer has been gone nearly two decades, but this look at her life will bring her genius back to the forefront. Morris shows how Butler’s work was shaped, and from where her stories sprang. There were always important lessons inside her tales, and they are more relevant now than ever. Read this biography, then go back and enjoy Butler’s work anew.
Sine 2012, she has been a professor of Law and Sociology, and on the faculty in the department of Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
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
Here’s an essential read about someone whose life and death embodied change: “Tell Her Story: Eleanor Bumpurs & The Police Killing that Galvanized New York City” by LaShawn Harris (Beacon Press, $35) is the story of a muchloved neighborhood grandmother, and her murder in her own home by White police officers. Harris lived across the street from Bumpurs, and she knew her well when she was a child. This is a personal account of Bumpurs life and her death, and how it spawned a movement. Yes, this book might make you want to stand up and act.
And finally, try “The Strangers: Five Extraordinary Black Men and the Worlds That Made Them” by Ekow Eshun (Harper, $25). What do Black men have to do to stand out, to avoid being categorized as a lone member of a whole? In this book, Eshun looks at five Black men who did just that – and his representative choices will surprise you. Truly, each biographical profile is fascinating and impressive, and readers will want to think about their own list of “Extraordinary Black Men.”
Want more? Then head to your favorite bookstore or library and ask for help finding the biography or history book you most want to read now. The staff there can show you books to teach, inspire, or that are just plain fun.
By Tamara Shiloh
standing of reproductive freedom. This work prompted Roberts to examine the treatment of children of color in the U.S. child welfare system.
Julius J. Alexander loved flying, but even more than that, he loved helping others discover the world of aviation. Born and raised in Atlanta, Alexader grew up during a time when very few African Americans were given opportunities to become pilots. But he didn’t let that stop him. He worked hard and followed his dream of flying.
ed with Child Protective Servicestions regularly punish the effects-
ilies, 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.
She also shows that blaming marginalized individuals for structural problems, while ignoring the historical roots of economic and social inequality, fails families and communities.
Alexander graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1954 and attended Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee Universi-
After nearly two decades of research 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
ty) for a year. On Jan. 22, 1956, he made his very first solo flight in a small airplane called a Piper J-3 Cub. That moment sparked a lifelong career in aviation. A few years later, in 1959, he graduated from Morehouse College and began teaching high school.
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 practices that fall outside a narrow set
While teaching, Julius earned many important pilot licenses and certifications. He became a commercial pilot, a multi-engine pilot, and a certified flight instructor — the very first African American flight instructor at Fulton County’s
Julius was not just a pilot — he was a teacher and a mentor. He saw that many kids in his community didn’t know that jobs in aviation were possible for them. So, in 1980, he started the Aviation Career Enrichment (ACE) Academy at Fulton County Airport. The program’s motto is “Molding Protégés into Professionals,” and it has done exactly that. For more than 40 years, ACE has given young people the chance to learn about airplanes, flight, and aerospace careers. Many students have gone on to become private pilots, airline pilots, and airplane mechanics.
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.
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.
Alexander’s work was recognized across the country. In 2011, he was inducted into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame, making him only the third African American to receive this honor after Eugene Jacques Bullard, a World War I hero, and Charles “A-Train”
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.
a five-year period to spend as they
min, Jericho Brown, Tony Cokes,
olds, and Dorothy Roberts. This is the eighth and last in the series highlighting the Black awardees.
Dorothy Roberts. Photo courtesy of the John D. and Catherine T. Ma cArthur Foundation.
Julius J. Alexander. Photo courtesy of BPAPilots.Org.
Book Covers. Photo by Terri Schlichenmeyer.
California High-Speed Rail Faces Delays, Rising Costs Amid Funding Fight
By Bo Tefu
California Black Media
California’s long-planned high-speed rail project is now years behind schedule and could cost nearly $128 billion, more than triple the original $33 billion estimate, state lawmakers said Aug. 25. Construction is currently limited to a 119-mile stretch in the Central Valley, with full completion from San Francisco to Los Angeles unlikely before 2038.
The project, approved by vot-
ers in 2008, initially aimed to link Los Angeles and San Francisco by 2020. The first two phases now focus on connecting Merced to Bakersfield by 2032 and Gilroy to Palmdale by 2038, covering an $87 billion portion of the total projected cost.
Lawmakers held a news conference to provide updates and support Senate Bill 545, which would explore new funding sources and the economic impact of the rail corridor.
“This is how we grow our economy and cut pollution at the same time,” said Sen. Dave Cortese (D-San Jose), chair of the Senate Transportation Commit-
tee, on Aug. 25. Cortese said a majority of voters, especially younger Californians, continue to support the project and that the rail line could spur residential and commercial development along the corridor.
The funding fight escalated last month when the Trump administration pulled $4 billion in federal funding, prompting the California High-Speed Rail Authority to file a lawsuit seeking restoration.
President Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have criticized the project as a “train to nowhere.”
Republicans remain skeptical. Sen. Tony Strickland (R-Thou-
sand Oaks) questioned whether taxpayers will see a return on the investment, citing the cost increase and urging a public vote on the project’s future. Strickland suggested the funds could be better spent on public safety initiatives like Proposition 36. So far, the project has received nearly $24 billion in funding, primarily from state sources with some federal contributions. Supporters maintain that the train could ultimately pay for itself through increased ridership and development along the route, while opponents warn of escalating costs and decades of delays.
An artist’s rendering of the California high speed rail project. Photo courtesy of the California High Speed Rail Authority.
By Emil Guillermo
I just got back from Edmonton, Canada — land of hockey, politeness, and food trucks smelling like my mother’s kitchen but with health permits.
That trip made me think a lot about how and why people move.
For Filipinos, labor isn’t just work — it’s the family business. We’ve been exporting labor longer than the Philippines has been exporting Jollibee spaghetti. That’s why the diaspora feels like Costco — you buy one immigrant; you get 10 free.
For artists, labor means hitting the road. For me, that means another border crossing into Canada.
This week it’s Vancouver Fringe, Sept. 4–14 at the Revue Stage, Granville Island. Come for “Emil Amok 69.”
THE FILIPINO FOOD TRUCK
This summer I’ve already been to the Winnipeg and Edmonton Fringes. Two NHL towns that make you think hockey.
But they also love food trucks.
Roel runs Filistix, one of the OG Filipino trucks. Born in Canada, his family fled Marcos’ Philippines in the ’ 70s. Meanwhile, my dad spent 30 days on a steamer in the 1920s. His story was the west coast version of Ellis Island.
Funny how the difference between Roel’s life and mine was mostly timing.
My father was also a cook.
Where would I be if my father didn’t take that 30-day trip from the Philippines to San Francisco?
Likely still “back home.” Or, maybe, Canada.
REZ FROM TONDO, LIKE MY MOM
Then there’s Rez from Tondo, Manila. He calls Tondo “the Bronx of the Philippines.”
I’ve been to the Bronx, but I’ve also been to Tondo, where my mother was born and raised. Canada is practically heaven on earth compared to Tondo.
Rez is living proof as he standsby his food truck Flipside, where he presents “Filipino Flavorites with a Gourmet Twist.”
As a vegan, I could only eat the vegetable lumpia, but Rez sells a smashburger on an ube roll that has won local food awards.
Rez’s story is typical for those who came post-Marcos. His father came first to Canada, an easier landing spot than the U.S., then, his wife and Rez followed.
Rez went into the hotel industry, where he met his wife Zahra, a housekeeper.
Now they have two kids, and the dream — a thriving food truck business in Edmonton.
It’s the life of freedom, being his own boss, and serving up Filipino-
ness by the plate.
These are the origin stories of Filipinos in the Americas — how Filipinos made their way through all the forks in the road of immigration, bureaucracy, and politics.
That’s also our common bond with everyone else.
We are in a global diaspora searching for that next opportunity. Blacks moved from Texas to Northern California to build ships in WWII. Africans sought refuge and new opportunities in the U.S. Labor drives our dreams.
That makes food trucks an ideal metaphor.
Roel’s, Rez’s — are our stories. All of us, like food trucks, mobile, on wheels, always moving. Serving up survival with a side of identity.
Me? I’m practically a food truck, serving jokes, stories, and the occasional political punchline.
About the Author
Emil Guillermo, veteran journalist, commentator, and stage monologist, has written columns on race and politics for over thirty years. See him at the Vancouver Fringe, Sept. 4-14.
Report: Taxes and Fees California Lawmakers Are Proposing Add Up to $14 Billion a Year
By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
California legislators introduced proposals during the first eight months of the 2025-26 legislative session that could raise annual taxes and fees by more than $14 billion, according to a report from the California Tax Foundation.
The report comes as the state’s 2024-25 general fund revenue exceeded projections by $2.7 bil-
California
lion, giving lawmakers some fiscal breathing room.
The Legislature reconvened last week after summer recess, with a September 12 deadline to send bills to Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Several bills have already failed to advance but remain eligible for consideration in January as two-year bills. Others are still active and must clear committees quickly to reach floor votes.
Some high-impact measures
Highway Patrol
to
Protect Kamala Harris After Trump Pulls Security Detail
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
Former Vice President Kamala Harris will receive protection from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) after President Trump revoked her extended Secret Service detail, law enforcement sources said on Aug. 29.
Trump signed a memorandum on Aug. 28, ending Harris’ federal protection effective Sept. 1. Nor-
mally, former vice presidents receive coverage for six months after leaving office, while ex-presidents are protected for life. In January 2025, then-President Joe Biden extended Harris’ protection through July 2026 at her aides’ request. Without the order, her detail would have ended in July.
California officials quickly arranged for CHP to provide dignitary protection. Gov. Gavin New-
som’s office would not confirm the plan. “Our office does not comment on security arrangements,” spokesperson Izzy Gardon said. “The safety of our public officials should never be subject to erratic, vindictive political impulses.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was more direct, calling Trump’s move “another act of revenge following a long list of political retali-
CITY OF SAN LEANDRO STATE OF CALIFORNIA
ENGINEERING AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
NOTICE TO BIDDERS FOR ANNUAL CURB RAMP PROGRAM 2025-26
PROJECT NO. 2025.0020 BID NO. 25-26.001
1. BID OPENING: The bidder shall complete the “Proposal to the City of San Leandro” form contained in the Contract Book. The proposal shall be submitted in its entirety. Incomplete proposals will be considered non-responsive. Sealed bids containing the completed Proposal Section subject to the conditions named herein and in the specifications for Annual Curb Ramp Program 2025-26 addressed to the City of San Leandro will be received at City Hall, 835 East 14th Street, 2nd Floor San Leandro at the office of the City Clerk at up to 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at which time they will be publicly opened and read.
2. WORK DESCRIPTION: The work to be done consists of removal and replacement of concrete curb and gutter, concrete slabs, and construction of curb ramps, and doing all appurtenant work in place and ready for use, all as shown on the plans and described in the specifications with the title indicated in Paragraph 1 above, and on file in the office of the City Engineer. Reference to said plans and specifications is hereby made for further particulars. Due to project funding requirements a total of 92 ramps must be completed and the invoice for this work must be submitted by February 28, 2026.
3. OBTAINING THE PROJECT PLANS AND CONTRACT BOOK: The project plans and Contract Book may be obtained free of charge from the City’s website at: https://www.sanleandro.org/Bids.aspx Bidders who download the plans are encouraged to contact the City of San Leandro Engineering and Transportation Department at 510-577-3428 to be placed on the project planholder’s list to receive courtesy notifications of addenda and other project information. Project addenda, if any, will be posted on the website. A bidder who fails to address all project addenda in its proposal may be deemed non-responsive.
Bidders may also purchase the Project Plans and Contract Book from East Bay Blueprint & Supply Co., at 1745 14th Street, Oakland, CA 94606; Phone Number: (510) 261-2990 or email: ebbp@eastbayblueprint.com.
4. PRE-BID CONFERENCE: All bidders are strongly encouraged to attend nonmandatory one of two virtual pre-bid conference and sign the attendance sheet. Prebid conferences will be held as follows:
Pre-bid meetings will be held via zoom. Pre-bid conferences will be held for this project as follows:
• Pre-bid Meeting #1: This meeting will be cast on Zoom: the virtual meeting can be accessed by internet as follows:
Time: Wednesday, Sep 10, 2025, 01:00 PM Pacific Time Meeting ID: 867 6763 9221
Passcode: 235345
Zoom Link: https://sanleandro-org.zoom.us/j/86767639221?pwd=fHBtJPQH wqsQOgzGBEzp5Z1WNiMyk7.1
• Pre-bid Meeting #2: This meeting will be cast on Zoom: the virtual meeting can be accessed by internet as follows:
Time: Thursday, Sep 11, 2025 10:00 AM Pacific Time Meeting ID: 858 4872 3219
Passcode: 508938
Zoom Link: https://sanleandro-org.zoom.us/j/85848723219?pwd=zTgHaOxY kwcK2gyhMa66sy5NsOkw4E.1
A bidder who fails to attend one of two pre-bid conference will be held responsible for any information that could have been reasonably deduced from said attendance. Questions regarding the plans and specifications may be submitted in writing to the project engineer until 5:00 p.m. five (5) days before, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays, bids must be received by the City. The City will not respond to oral questions outside of the pre-bid conference. The response, if any, will be by written addendum only. Oral responses do not constitute a revision to these plans or specifications.
5. VALUE OF WORK: The Engineer has estimated that the value of work is between $900,000 and $1,400,000.
6. SAN LEANDRO BUSINESS PREFERENCE AND PARTICIPATION GOALS: The work performed under this contract is not subject to Section 1-6-225 of the San Leandro Municipal Code regarding local business preference and participation. A list of companies that hold a San Leandro business license is located on the City webpage under the finance department, here: https://sanleandro.hdlgov.com/Search/Index/ BusinessLicense
7. SAN LEANDRO COMMUNITY WORKFORCE AGREEMENT: The work performed under this contract is not subject to the Community Workforce Agreement adopted by City Council Resolution 2015-104. Contractors attention is directed to Section 10.
Dated: August 21, 2025 Kelly B. Clancy City Clerk
Friendship Senior Housing – OPEN WAITING LIST
Friendship Senior Housing – OPEN WAITING LIST
Friendship Senior Housing – OPEN WAITING LIST
Julius Alexander ... Taxes
Dryden, a famous Tuskegee Airman. Later, in 2017, he was awarded the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for flying safely for over fifty years.
But more important than the awards are the lives he changed.
Students often say that Julius wasn’t just teaching them to fly, he was teaching them to believe in themselves. Parents trusted him because he encouraged young people to reach for opportunities that had once felt out of reach.
Today, Alexander is remembered as a pioneer who opened the skies for everyone. Thanks to him, countless students will continue to dream big and soar both in the air and in life.
also highlights dozens of smaller measures, including new licensing fees for veterinary assistants (AB 1502), late-night alcohol sales permits (AB 342) and environmental assessments (SB 318), which together add up to millions more.
With the legislative deadline approaching, Democrats are weighing how far to push new revenue proposals while Republicans warn the tax hikes could drive businesses and residents out of California. Measures that stall this fall are expected to return in 2026, ensuring the debate over who pays for the state’s priorities will remain a central fight at the Capitol.
ation in the form of firings, the revoking of security clearances and more. This puts the former Vice President in danger, and I look forward to working with the governor to make sure Vice President Harris is safe in Los Angeles.”
The change comes as Harris prepares for a 15-city international book tour promoting her memoir, “107 Days.” Harris, the first Black woman to serve as vice president, has faced heightened security threats, though a recent Secret Service review found no credible threats.
Paris Opera Ballet Red Carpet
A North American Premiere by Hofesh Shechter Featuring live music and costumes by CHANEL
The stunning dancers of the Paris Opera Ballet take on Hofesh Shechter’s explosive choreography in Red Carpet an eagerly awaited North American premiere. A lush visual spectacle, the set includes moving catwalks and monumental chandeliers, and the CHANEL-designed costumes are inspired by evening wear and cabaret. This special tour includes only two US cities, and just this single West Coast engagement— tickets are selling fast!
Oct 2–4
Located at 1904 Adeline Street, Oakland, CA 94607
Located at 1904 Adeline Street, Oakland, CA 94607
Located at 1904 Adeline Street, Oakland, CA 94607
Accepting applications from 8/25/25 at 10:00AM to 9/10/25 at 5:00PM – 24 units that are Section 8 Project Based Vouchers and 15 units that are unsubsidized. The selection of studio and one-bedroom apartments.
Accepting applications from 8/25/25 at 10:00AM to 9/ 10/25 at 5:00PM – 24 units that are Section 8 Project Based Vouchers and 15 units that are unsubsidized. The selection of studio and one-bedroom apartments.
Accepting applications from 8/25/25 at 10:00AM to 9/ 10/25 at 5:00PM – 24 units that are Section 8 Project Based Vouchers and 15 units that are unsubsidized. The selection of studio and one-bedroom apartments.
You can apply online at https://www.friendshipseniorhousing.com/
Or pick up an application at our temporary office located at 1221 Preservation Park Way, Suite 101, Oakland, CA 94612 Monday thru Friday from the hours of 9:00AM to 4:00PM.
You can apply online at https://www.friendshipseniorhousing.com/ Or pick up an application at our temporary office located at 1221 Preservation Park Way, Suite 101, Oakland, CA 94612 Monday thru Friday from the hours of 9:00AM to 4:00PM
You can apply online at https://www.friendshipseniorhousing.com/ Or pick up an application at our temporary office located at 1221 Preservation Park Way, Suite 101, Oakland, CA 94612 Monday thru Friday from the hours of 9:00AM to 4:00PM
*If you have a disability that prohibits you from fully participating in this process, you may call (510) 649-5690 to obtain a pre-application in the mail.
ZELLERBACH HALL, BERKELEY Philharmonia Orchestra Santtu-Matias Rouvali, principal conductor Víkingur Ólafsson, piano
*If you have a disability that prohibits you from fully participating in this process, you may call (510) 649-5690 to obtain a pre-application in the mail
*If you have a disability that prohibits you from fully participating in this process, you may call (510) 649-5690 to obtain a pre-application in the mail
Income Restrictions apply: The 50 units serve households between 20% to 40% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Income R estrictions apply : The 50 units serve households between 20% to 40% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Income R estrictions apply : The 50 units serve households between 20% to 40% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Stewart Company DRE #02162292
John Stewart Company DRE #02162292
John Stewart Company DRE #02162292
Ready to hear an incredible orchestra and pianist? The stellar London-based orchestra returns to Berkeley with Finnish maestro Santtu-Matias Rouvali in two programs featuring Grammyaward winning pianist Víkingur Ólafsson! Performing piano concertos by Beethoven and Ravel.
Oct 18–19
ZELLERBACH HALL, BERKELEY
John
Private Security Firms Earn Millions of Dollars Under Trump ...
Continued from page 1
ing “Alligator Alcatraz” in Florida, which was expected to cost about $450 million a year — Allied Universal and other security firms that provide “transportation” services and private security guards to ICE have faced far less public scrutiny.
While providing vehicles and personnel to transport detained immigrants, there are reports of cases where ICE’s private security guards have been accused of arresting people, in violation of federal law.
Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” which Trump recently signed into law, provides $170 billion for immigration enforcement, including nearly $30 billion to fund ICE operations, more than tripling ICE’s annual budget.
President Trump’s border czar Tom Homan, a former private prison consultant with ties to right-wing paramilitary groups, celebrated this funding, saying the money “is going to buy more transportation contracts to remove people more efficiently and quicker.”
Allied Universal, which in the past generally provided security guards to businesses like banks and department stores, is one of the security companies making tens of millions of dollars from deportation contracts.
The firm’s subsidiary already has recorded nearly $50 million in revenue this year from the Department of Homeland Security, ICE’s parent agency.
Some of these companies have long histories of abuse, from creating dangerous conditions in holding areas to allegedly sexually abusing detainees.
“ICE can’t do its job without these firms,” said attorney Mary Van Houten Harper, a partner with the New York law firm Hausfeld, which is suing one private security firm over its role in family separations during Trump’s first term. “We are eager for there to be accountability for other private contractors who are assisting the
Trump administration in carrying out what is flagrantly unlawful and unconstitutional.”
Like other government agencies, ICE contracts out many of its basic functions to private companies. The office outsources its “detention and removal services,” giving private prison companies contracts to operate detention facilities and paying private charter airlines to fly detainees to El Salvador and other countries.
ICE’s use of private security firms like Allied Universal to transport detainees in its custody goes back to when G4S Secure Solutions, the Allied subsidiary, signed a contract with ICE in 2003, when the company was known as the Wackenhut Corporation.
The Wackenhut Corporation eventually became a multinational private security conglomerate, already one of the U.S.’s biggest private security providers, with ties to the prison industry. G4S Secure Solutions emerged after the Wackenhut Corporation was acquired in 2002 by a Danish private security firm, Group 4 Falck, to take advantage of heightened demand for private security in the U.S. post-9/11.
In 2010, Wackenhut was rebranded officially as G4S Secure Solutions, and in 2021, Allied Universal acquired the company, officially becoming the largest private security provider in the world.
Like other ICE transportation contractors, G4S Secure Solutions also provides security to private companies and militaries around the world. It provides guards to Israeli prisons and to oil companies in the Middle East, work that gives it a reputation as a “global mercenary firm.”
As of this year, G4S Secure Solutions provides “tactical transport operations” to ICE field offices in San Antonio, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and other locations, making it a key player in regions with high concentrations of arrests.
GospelFest Oakland ...
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gospel music scene for more than 40 years.
As founder of, Strait Street Music Group he has a catalog of more than 200 songs.
“I’ve always sought to inspire and encourage people to keep the faith,” said Lothlen, who plays the guitar. A longtime community mentor, Leonard has provided a platform for countless local musicians and choirs to develop their gifts and share them with the world.
Born and raised in Oakland, Leonard’s roots in gospel music began in church as a child and cultivated as a teen.
“With GospelFest Oakland, I want to bring gospel music on a higher level. Music is universal and reaches people. By bringing the concert to my hometown, GospelFest won’t just be an event, but a cultural and annual legacy that uplifts generations to come,” he said. For more information visit www. gospelfestoakland.org
Harbor House Ministries ...
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upper management left for ministry work abroad and Biasotti became the assistant director of Harbor House.
Born in Cupertino, raised in Sacramento, educated in Berkeley, and working in Oakland, Biasotti says her life experiences changed her and expanded her community vision.
“All people deserve a chance and should be seen as equal human beings,” she said. “It was great to fulfill Olive’s vision and reach out into the community,” recalled Biasotti. “My life changed while working at Harbor House because I was able to change lives alongside the founder.”
Over the decades, Harbor House Ministries has served thousands of families through a variety of programs that address the whole person, “heart, soul, mind, and body.”
From after-school programs, mentorship, family support, to community events, the organization creates pathways for growth and empowerment.
“We created programs that promoted self-sufficiency and independence,” said Biasotti. “We helped people acquire skills working with their hands.”
Biasotti said they even helped people develop micro-businesses including cleaning companies.
“Our food program became a co-op and our clothing giveaway became a full store setting.”
Biasotti’s favorite project was a
Oakland International Film Festival ...
Continued from page 1
and social activism,” said Roach. “Attendees experience more than film, they join a movement that celebrates local talent, and builds connections worldwide.”
OIFF’s opening slate highlights documentaries and features designed to prompt real-world change. Notable films include: “From Here/From There (De Aquí/De Allá),” following attorney Luis Cortes Romero, a DACA recipient who became the first undocumented immigrant to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court, “Beyond the Headlines: The NABJ Journey,” documents 50 years of advocacy by the National Association of Black Journalists for truth and representation.
“Seppuku: The Sun Goes Down,” Yuji Kakizaki’s period film explores honor and resilience in 19th-century Edo, Japan, and • “The Bear Carver of Manzanita,” features the inauguration of a high-tech basketball court in Oakland, capturing
the “Made in Oakland” spirit.
The OIFF will offer panel discussions and workshops featuring journalists, filmmakers, and cultural leaders. Post-screening discussions have featured celebrities like Mario Van Peebles and Terri J. Vaughn, alongside community leaders.
The festival addresses pressing social issues, from global hunger to youth leadership and urban activism. OIFF is also collaborating with organizations like Alameda County Public Health to offer free screenings and roundtable discussions focused on community healing.
The OIFF not only uplifts independent and underrepresented voices but centrally places Oakland as an epicenter for arts, innovation, and storytelling.
For more than two decades, the festival has strengthened cultural pride and has served as a testament to how global ties and a local heart, showcase what it truly means to be “Made in Oakland.”
For more information visit www.oiff.org
First Five Alameda County...
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First 5’s 5-Year Plan for Measure C funds, which the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved in June.
• Participants at the meeting at St. Mary’s Center Preschool at 925 Brockhurst St. include: Kristin Spanos, CEO, First 5 Alameda County
• Anais Lieu, St. Mary’s Center
• Quinetta Lewis, St. Mary’s Center
Supervisor Nikki Fortunato
Bas, Alameda County Board of Supervisors - DIST 5
• Tomás A. Magaña, First 5 Alameda County Commission
Vice Chair
Karina Moreno, First 5 Alameda County Commissioner
• Local Child Care Providers and Families
What Community Leaders are Saying
“These emergency grants are more than a financial lifeline — they are an investment in the educators who anchor our early care and education system. By getting funds to providers, we are helping to sustain classrooms to support families’ access to child care, bolster teacher compensation, and are cultivating the conditions for kids to grow. This is an important step in building a stronger, more just early childhood system for Alameda County,” said Kristin Spanos, First 5 Alameda County
chief executive officer. “At First 5 Alameda, I am proud that we are stewarding these public resources in a responsible, responsive, and equitable way to strengthen the care infrastructure with communities, families, caregivers, children, and providers.”
“We are thrilled to get Measure C funds into the community, to support our families and ensure child care providers can stay open,” said Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley, Fourth District. “I’ve proudly championed child care and early education policies for over a decade. Seeing child care providers and centers finally receive these Measure C funds is the culmination of a massive amount of advocacy in our community and a moment for celebration.”
“Measure C funds are an investment in meeting the needs of both child care providers and strengthening the entire fabric of our community as a whole,” said Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas, Fifth District. “When families have access to dependable child care, it unlocks long-term economic opportunities so parents can work, pursue education, and provide stability for their children. Good quality, affordable child care helps families break the cycle of poverty.”
Stefanie Lao of FCP Communications is the source of this report.
Continued from page 1
through entrepreneurship.
● Attorney Verleana Green-Telusca – provided key legal insights to help business owners safeguard and expand their ventures.
● CJ Johnson (Black Cultural Zone and Akoma Market) –shared resources that support small businesses while uplifting community.
In addition to the speakers, the evening featured live networking, dynamic conversations, and a celebration of the resilience and creativity of Oakland’s Black business community.
“This gathering reminded us why this work matters,” said one guest in a social media post. “To lift up small businesses, stand in the gap where support is needed most, and celebrate the resilience and creativity that makes Oakland strong.”
The event was further elevated by the presence of civic leaders and community champions, whose remarks underscored the importance of collective action and continued
...
investment in Oakland’s future. Mayor Barbara Lee attended and presented a certificate of recognition, to CEO, Adams in celebration of six years serving OAACC and the Bay Area Community.
“Black Business Month is not just about recognition—it’s about resources, visibility, and creating pathways for lasting success,” stated Cathy D. Adams, president and CEO of OAACC. “We are honored to bring our members, partners, and community together to strengthen the ecosystem for Black entrepreneurs in Oakland.”
The OAACC extends special thanks to all speakers, sponsors, and attendees whose participation made the Black Business Month Mixer a success. With nearly 200 guests in attendance, the event was a testament to the growing strength and visibility of Black businesses in Oakland.
For more information about upcoming events and resources, please visit www.oaacc.org.
Diana Ross Closes Out Stern Grove Festival and Reminds San Francisco Why She’s Still the Boss at 81
By Carla Thomas
On Sunday, Aug. 17, music legend Diana Ross closed out the Stern Grove Festival in San Francisco with a performance that was nothing short of a cultural event.
At 81, Ross reminded the Bay Area that she continues to reign as one of the most iconic entertainers of our time.
generational energy.
The pair shared playful banter and heartfelt moments, further connecting with the audience, and underscoring the legacy Ross has built not only as a performer, but as a mother and mentor.
book and tour launched on behalf of Oakland children titled, “Our World: The Children of Oakland.”
“At the time, Oakland was known as the most diverse city in the nation, and I learned so much leading this project that gave high school-age students the exposure to careers in photography, publishing, public speaking, and design.”
Biasotti said students had the opportunity to showcase the book and photography at the Oakland Museum of California, Oakland Metropolitan Airport, and the governor’s home in Sacramento.
At the heart of Harbor House’s work is a foundation in Jesus Christ, the fostering of community connections, and a mission to empower community members.
What began as one woman’s response to the needs of her students has grown into a pillar of community support in Oakland. Today, Harbor House Ministries continues to offer hope, encouragement, and tangible resources to hundreds of families each year, still fueled by the same spirit of faith and compassion that started it all.
From the trunk of a teacher’s car to a well-established community development hub, Harbor House’s story is a testament to what can happen when a community comes together.
“Today, now more than ever, we need to uplift the people around us and work together, all hands on deck.”
Congresswoman Simon Seeks to Protect Disabled Contractors
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Chavez-DeRemer directed OFCCP to notify all regulated parties under review and investigations related to Section 503 [of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973] to be held in abeyance or temporary suspension pending further guidance.
In July 2025, Secretary ChavezDeRemer lifted that abeyance.
In the letter to Secretary Chavez-DeRemer, Congresswoman Simon and members wrote:
“Undue delays in investigating complaints of discrimination, abandonment of compliance reviews, and stalled affirmative action plan monitoring call into question the agency’s commitment to enforcing protections for federal contract workers with disabilities...
“Taken together, these actions point to workers with disabilities waiting for the justice they deserve,” the letter continued. “And, even though the OFCCP has resumed processing claims under Section 503, we remain concerned that staff cuts and field office closures have completely undermined its ability to enforce the rights of individuals with disabilities.”
Congresswoman Simon and members requested answers to the following questions by Oct. 1:
• How many complaints has OFCCP received since January 24, 2025?
...
• How many of the complaints received since Jan. 24 involved complaints of discrimination due to a disability?
• How was OFCCP responding to workers who had filed complaints of discrimination due to a disability since Jan. 24, 2025? Please provide the template response the agency was using.
• During the abeyance, were workers notified that their previously filed complaints of discrimination due to a disability would not be investigated? If so, please provide the standard language used to provide workers with such notice.
• What is your specific timeline for notifying workers that investigation of their complaints of discrimination due to a disability will be resumed?
• How do you anticipate the nearly six-month delay impacting workers’ ability to get a timely resolution from their complaints of discrimination due to a disability? Congresswoman Simon was joined by Representatives LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Gwen Moore (WI-04), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12).
Draped in shimmering, feathered, and regal attire, Ross commanded the stage as she opened with the joyous fan favorite “I’m Coming Out,” immediately setting a celebratory tone. The concert, framed by the towering eucalyptus trees of Stern Grove and blessed with a late-summer blue sky, felt as much like a family reunion as it did a performance. Fans sang, danced, and swayed along, united in their love for the star whose voice and spirit have influenced generations.
One of the evening’s most memorable moments came during “Reach Out and Touch,” when Ross encouraged the audience to connect on a deeper, more human level. In that instant, the natural beauty of the setting seemed to echo the song’s message, creating an atmosphere of unity where music transcended performance and became community.
“Her performance was amazing,” said Elaine Feemster with Deborah Day of Vallejo.
“I’m so glad we made it. Diana was great,” said San Francisco community advocate Ida Hurst with friends Frances Luster and Alpha Buie of the (NCBW) National Coalition of 100 Black Women of San Francisco. Terrie Rau of San Francisco attended the concert in honor of her deceased friend and brought her photo with her. “She loved Diana Ross and I remember her always singing her songs and playing her albums all the time,” said Rau. “She would have been thrilled to be here.” Ross, ever the show woman, treated the crowd to three dazzling wardrobe changes, each one bold, glamorous, and true to her signature style. Accompanied by her daughter Rhonda Ross Kendrick, the evening carried a warm inter-
That legacy stretches back to Detroit’s North End, where Ross was born. Rising to fame in the 1960s as lead singer of the Supremes, she became the face of Motown’s global success. Hits like “Stop! In the Name of Love,” “Where Did Our Love Go,” and “You Can’t Hurry Love” cemented the group as one of the most successful acts in music history.
In 1970, Ross stepped out on her own, launching a solo career defined by groundbreaking albums and chart-topping singles such as “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Love Hangover,” and “Upside Down.” Over the decades, she recorded 26 studio albums and became the first female solo artist to dominate the Billboard Hot 100 in a trio, duet, solo, and ensemble. Ross didn’t confine her talent to music alone. In 1972, she delivered an Academy Award-nominated performance as Billie Holiday in “Lady Sings the Blues,” breaking barriers as the first African American actress to receive such distinction for a debut film role. Starring in films “Mahogany” and “The Wiz,” along with memorable television appearances, Ross crafted a career that stretched across sound and screen.
A Billboard designation as “Female Entertainer of the Century,” two Grammy Lifetime Achievement Awards, Kennedy Center Honors, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, are just a few of Ross’ honors. With over 100 million records sold worldwide, Ross remains both a symbol of the “Motown Sound” and a timeless icon of Black American glamour. Yes! Diana Ross is legendary royalty and still reigns as “The Boss.”
Post News Group journalist Carla Thomas (left) and San Francisco residents Ida Hurst, Alpha Buie, and Frances Luster enjoy the Diana Ross Concert at Stern Grove in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of Carla Thomas.