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Former DA O’Malley was repeatedly warned about police officer Tran paying witnesses... Page 9
Rally for Pamela Price in support of her pledge to hold police accountable 4pm , April 23... Page 12
Former Barbara Lee Staffer, Tenn. State Rep., Justin Jones is Afro-Asian, born in Oakland.
Oakland Post “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18
60th Year, No. 15
Weekly Edition. Edition. April 12 - 18, 2023
postnewsgroup.com
Proposed Office Tower is ‘Direct Threat’ to Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, Community Leaders Say GEOFFREY PETE’S INNER CIRCLE
COMMENTARY: Black and Asian, Oakland Native Justin Jones Embodies Unity in Tennessee Statehouse Showdown
By Emil Guillermo Since it happened over the Easter holiday, the parallel cannot be overlooked. Resurrection was in the air. Just five days after his political death, Oakland native Justin Jones, the newly minted voice of the voiceless, an advocate for an assault-weapons ban and an overall generational change for a more inclusive democracy in America, was not just back in the Tennessee state house–to all the world, he was also Black. Again. The Associated Press headline was pretty unequivocal. “Black lawmaker who was expelled reinstated to Tennessee seat,” blared the online Yahoo news site. The lede was even clearer. “One of two Black Democrats who were expelled last week from the GOP-led Tennessee House was reinstated Monday after Nashville’s governing council voted to send him straight back to the Legislature.” Great, but only partially right. Lester Holt on NBC Nightly News gave it a crack, but alas, he
too fell short. In “that political drama in Tennessee late today,” the anchor declared on the network’s evening news: “The Nashville Council voted to reinstate one of the Black state lawmakers expelled last week over protests….” All that was great. But when it comes to Jones’ race, Lester was only half correct. Jones isn’t just Black. He’s also Filipino by his mother’s side. He’s Justin Shea Bautista Jones, who grew up in Oakland and in the East Bay. And he fully embraces his Filipino-ness. As mentioned in his campaign collateral, Jones is as proud of his Filipino heritage as he is of his African side. He’s a mixed-race Asian American. No big deal? I’m making it one. We all should see Jones’ Asian American Filipino side. If Jones and his fellow expelled legislator, Justin Pearson, are all about inclusion, youth, and bringing in all the people from the margins to be seen and heard, then why just outright ignore Jones’ Filipino/ Asian American side? Continued on page 12
Job Fair for the Formerly Incarcerated on April 26
In recognition of National Reentry Month, the Alameda County Social Services Agency (ACSSA), in partnership with the Oakland Private Industry Council, Alameda County Probation Department, and the Alameda County Workforce Development Board, is hosting a Fair Chance Job and Resource Fair on Wed., April 26, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at RingCentral Coliseum, 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland. To date, there are more than 75 employers and community-based organizations confirmed to participate in assisting the formerly incarcerated population to find em-
ployment. The job fair organizers anticipate that there will be more than 1,000 registered job seekers. The objective of the job fair is to provide local businesses with the opportunity to meet highly skilled, but often overlooked, candidates face-to-face and offer jobs on the spot!!! Candidates who receive a contingent offer and pass employer pre-screening requirements will have the opportunity to “Ring the Bell,” signifying “I got the job!!” This small but powerful act has been added to motivate, inspire and create excitement to drive the momentum of the event. There will also be on-site drug screening, assistance with California state IDs, live scan fingerprinting, music, stylists, barbers, and more. This event is open to all job seekers. For more information, please contact Rochelle Baxter Green, ACSSA by email-rbgreen@ acgov.org.
Oakland leader and community advocate Geoffrey Pete
SITE OF PLANNED CONSTRUCTION
Oakland born Tennessee Legislator Justin Jones is Afro-Asian.
Geoffrey Pete’s Inner Circle could be Encircled by another high-rise high rent Tidewater Tower By Ken Epstein Supporters of Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, a revered downtown entertainment venue, and its owner, highly respected Oakland leader and community advocate Geoffrey Pete, want to block city approval for a 27-story office tower adjacent to Geoffrey’s and in the midst of Oakland’s Black Arts Movement and Business District (BAM). Protesters came out in force at a recent Planning Commission meeting, taking the members to task for considering the proposal by out-of-town developer Tidewater Capital. Some of the issues at stake were laid out at the meeting by Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley, one of 26 speakers at the April 5 public hearing. “The development (Tidewater) is proposing a direct threat to Geoffrey’s Inner Circle. The Black Arts Movement and Business District needs parking, galleries, a coffee shop, signage to commemorate Black Oaklanders – it needs all those things,” Miley said. “Geoffrey’s used to be the Athenian Niles Club, where the Republican white male estab-
lishment would meet. African Americans were excluded, there was racial bias,” Miley continued. “Eventually Geoffrey purchased that place. Geoffrey’s means a lot
GEOFFREY PETE’S INNER CIRCLE NEW CONSTRUCTION
Renderings of 1431 Franklin St. office building in downtown Oakland. The building will dwarf Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, the lowest building seen above. Courtesy of Tidewater Capital. Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley to us who live in Oakland and have been here for a long, long time. It’s symbolic.” Tidewater Capital has submitted two alternate development proposals – one for an office tower and another for a residential tower– to the Planning Commission to build on the parking lot at 1431 Franklin St., directly behind Geoffrey’s at 410 14th St. The proposed 39-story residential building was approved by the Planning Commission in February and but was held up awaiting an appeal hearing at City Council. The other proposal for the 27-sto-
ry office tower was heard by commissioners on April 5, but the final decision was postponed until May 17. During discussion, planning commissioners acknowledged they went through the entire design review process for the building without knowing that the BAM district existed. The district was created in 2016 by City Council resolution but never implemented by city staff. Oakland filmmaker Cheryl Fabio told commissioners she made a documentary on local blues music venues. “(Geoffrey’s) is the only surviving establishment. You’re killing off the last piece of it,” she said.
Oakland Filmmaker Cheryl Fabio “There is a conversation here
about the good of Oakland, and there’s a conversation that you’re putting a man out of business.”
Kitty Epstein, professor of ur-
ban studies and education and a Continued on page 12
An Easter Crown of Glory
Daryle Allums, founder of Adamika Village, leads a “Celebration of Life” during the Circle of Peace event. Photo by Darren White of Realized Potential.
Lake Merritt Circle of Peace Vigil, a Prayer for Change in Oakland
By Post News Staff Last Sunday, approximately 200 people came to Lake Merritt’s Amphitheater to shift energy in Oakland, where, after a 12% dip in violence in 2022, the city has seen an unprecedented number of car break-ins and crimes of opportunity in 2023. Event organizer Tanya Dennis said that though she had expected
a larger crowd based on commit-
ments voiced by several groups, the shared mission by Adamika Village and Oakland Frontline Healers to bring peacekeepers to-
gether to pray and reflect for peace in Oakland was a success.
Members of Adamika Village
held signs with images of deceased loved ones lost to violence, COV-
Continued on page 12
Sister Vena Tracy a member of Providence Baptist Church, Richmond, Ca., Bishop A.L.Cobbs, Jr. Pastor