Dis Racially Motivated Violence Against Black Teen Prompts Dr. Kimberly King and Victoria King Challenge Oakland to 2024 in Review: 7 Questions for Social Justice Executive Kaci Patterson... see page 6 Seek Solutions to the Housing Crisis... see page 4 $10 Million Claim Against LAUSD... see page 2
Let’s Talk Health: Empowering Our Community with Health Literacy... see page 6
Oakland’s ‘Man of Steal,’ Baseball Icon Rickey Henderson, Dies at 65 By Post Staff
Baseball legend Rickey Henderson, known as the ‘Man of Steal,’ passed away on Dec. 20 at UCSF hospital reportedly from complications of pneumonia. He was 65. In a statement, Henderson’s wife, Pamela, said: “It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of my husband, Rickey Henderson. A legend on and off the field, Rickey was a devoted son, dad, friend, grandfather, brother, uncle, and a truly humble soul. Rickey lived his life with integrity, and his love for baseball
was paramount. Now, Rickey is at peace with the Lord, cherishing the extraordinary moments and achievements he leaves behind.” Newsbreak described the player as “a fearless, flamboyant style of play, which thrilled some players and fans thirsting for theatrical energy from a sport known for its staidness and irritated others who believed the iconoclastic approach disrespected old traditions, Henderson broke boundaries alongside reams of records during a 25-year career spent with nine teams.” Those teams included the Oak-
land As, the New York Mets, the New York Yankees, the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, Anaheim Angels, Seattle Mariners, and Boston Red Sox. A 10-time All-Star player and American League MVP in 1990, Henderson remains baseball’s greatest stealer of bases and was dubbed the “Man of Steal” during his playing time. Henderson earned the title ‘Man of Steal’ because he stole 1,406 bases during his MLB career, a record that still stands with more than 468 stolen bases by Lou Brock, the next closest all-time base stealer at 938 stolen bases.
Photos: Facebook. His last MLB game was in 2003, retiring from the game finally in 2007, coaching in various positions for a few more years. He was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibilContinued on page 8
Oakland Post “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18
postnewsgroup.com
61st Year, No. 51
Weekly Edition December 25 - 31, 2024
Life After Domestic Violence: What My Work With Black Women Survivors Has Taught Me By Paméla Michelle Tate, Ph.D., California Black Media Partners
ARTogether is a community organization that allows immigrant and refugee residents a space to express themselves through an artful and creative outlet. iStock photo.
Oakland Community Art Center is Helping Immigrants Heal from Trauma
By Magaly Muñoz
A local community art center, ARTogether, is creating a safe place for immigrants and refugees one craft at a time. After Donald Trump’s first presidential term started in 2017, Leva Zand saw firsthand the impact of discrimination toward immigrants. She wanted to give this community a space to heal through a creative outlet, which prompted her to start ARTogether. “Folks can come together and do art activities, celebrate their culture, and basically be in a judgmental free environment, no matter what is their immigration status
or how well they speak English, when they came to this country, what generation they are,” Zand explained. “The idea was how to use arts and culture for community building and connection between refugees, immigrants themselves and with the broader community.” Located in downtown Oakland, the space is dedicated partly for galleries and art shows featuring local immigrant artists. The remaining area is used as a communal studio where ARTogether hosts its regular activities. Art is used as a therapeutic medium that allows participants to Continued on page 8
It was the Monday morning after her husband had a “situation” involving their child, resulting in food flying in the kitchen and a broken plate. Before that incident, tensions had been escalating, and after years of unhappiness, she finally garnered enough courage to go to the courthouse to file for a divorce. She was sent to an on-site workshop, and the process seemed to be going well until the facilitator asked, “Have you experienced domestic abuse?” She quickly replied, “No, my husband has never hit me.” The facilitator continued the questionnaire and asked, “Has your husband been emotionally abusive, sexually abusive, finan-
iStock.
Pamela Michele Tate, Ph.D., is executive director of Black Women Revolt Against Domestic Violence in San Francisco. Courtesy photo. cially abusive, technologically abusive or spiritually abusive?” She thought about how he would thwart her plans to spend time with family and friends, the arguments, and the many years she held her tongue. She reflected on her lack of access to “their Continued on page 8
Sugar Pie DeSanto, Bay Area R&B Legend, Dead at 89
Oakland Awarded $675,000 Grant to Reduce Lead Hazards
By Post Staff
The City of Oakland has won a $675,800 grant from Partnership for the Bay’s Future (PBF) that will fund a two-year fellow to work in the Housing and Community Development (HCD) Department to support the development of lead hazard abatement and proactive rental inspection initiatives. The award will assist in Oakland’s work to reduce lead hazards in older rental housing, especially in communities most impacted by housing instability. The City hired a consultant, Green and
Healthy Homes Initiative, in 2024 to lead the technical aspect of the lead abatement work. By exploring the integration of lead hazard abatement with proactive rental inspections, the fellow’s work will aim to improve living conditions for families at risk of exposure and create safer homes for Oakland’s residents. “We are grateful for the support of Partnership for the Bay’s Future for this award,” said Emily Weinstein, HCD director. “Housing safety and habitability are top priorities for our work in the Continued on page 8
Barbara Lee Releases Statement on Possible Run for Mayor of Oakland
Oakland Trybe hosts Christmas celebration at San Antonio Park. (L-R) Oakland Trybe Clinton Park Site Director Chien Nguyen and Oakland Trybe Executive Director, Pastor Andrew Park. Photo by Carla Thomas. Sugar Pie DeSanto. Photo by Paul Cobb. By Alex Baker Special to the Post Sugar Pie DeSanto, a prolific Bay Area soul, R&B and blues artist, who performed with greats like James Brown, has died at age 89, according to a family member. DeSanto, who was of Filipino, German and Black descent, according to her brother, passed away in her sleep on Dec. 20. DeSanto, who was born Umpeylia Marcema Balinton, was
reportedly given her stage name and recording debut by blues and soul bandleader/songwriter Johnny Otis, himself a Vallejo native. With a genre-spanning career that encompassed blues, soul and jazz, DeSanto was also a “hilarious comedienne” and a “show-stopping dancer,” according to her AllMusic bio. As a songwriter, her compositions were cut by a who’s who of Continued on page 8
Oakland Trybe Hosts Community Christmas Wonderland
By Carla Thomas
was in full effect with children
On Dec. 22, at the corner of 18th and Foothill in Oakland, San Antonio Park was transformed into a winter wonderland, courtesy of the non-profit Oakland Trybe. The festiveness of the holiday
reaching for snow flurries as an artificial snow machine sprayed snowflakes from the park’s hillside. Nearby, about a dozen kids jumping up and down in an extralarge bounce house added more Continued on page 8
Congresswoman Barbara Lee. File photo By Ken Epstein Questions continue to swirl in Oakland and throughout the Bay Area over the possibility that Congresswoman Barbara Lee might run for mayor of Oakland after she leaves Congress in January. Already her backers are organizing to urge her to run for the position, left vacant by the recall of former Mayor Sheng Thao, which became effective on Dec.
17.
At present, Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas is serving temporarily as mayor. Lee is already meeting with city leaders and learning more about the major issues facing the city. In a social media post on Dec. 20, she released a statement clarifying her timeline for making a decision. “The decision to run for Mayor of Oakland, a city that I have long Continued on page 8