Dis Niagara Movement Foundation Advocates for
Social Justice ... see page 7
JPMorgan Chase’s Renée Horne Talks Career, Finances and Achieving Success ... see page 2
At 104, Willard Harris Still Active in Delta Sigma Theta, S.F. Chapter ... see page 9
Black Caucus and Women Caucus Host Sacramento Screening of ‘Respect My Crown’ ... see page 8
Oakland Post “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18
Weekly Edition. Edition. March 20 - 26, 2024
postnewsgroup.com
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH:
Celebrating Historic Firsts by Female African American Ambassadors
Ambassador Ruth Davis (ret.) had a 40-year career in the U.S. State Department, becoming the first female African American Director General of the Foreign Service. American Foreign Service Association photo. By Ruth A. Davis Special to The Post
Part One About 55 African American women have served in the capacity of U.S. ambassadors. As part of a work-in-progress, I wrote an article on 14 of them for Women’s History Month last year. Now, the Post will publish in two parts a compilation of the “firsts” of 25 additional female ambassadors.
Returning Elderly Formerly Incarcerated Deserve Respect:
Ignoring their needs and conditions is a form of elder abuse
By Richard Johnson The Formerly Incarcerated Giving Back organization and the Oakland Private Industry Council (PIC) want newly released, elderly ex-prisoners to be treated with respect and dignity. “It is a form of elder abuse to abandon elderly returnees. We should be treating them as prodigal sons and daughters,” said Ray Lankford of the PIC. In my previous column, I wrote about the release of one of the elders from the clutches of the penal system. The conversation was about his release; however, the focus
These ambassadors have established U.S. missions in troubled areas of the world and covered the legal and programmatic issues related to the genocide in Rwanda; served under fire and terrorist attacks; coordinated U.S. efforts on threat reduction globally and U.S. government programs in chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological security; saved innumerable lives by securing the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDs Re-
lief (PEPFAR) for Lesotho; and they count many other diplomatic achievements during, before, and after their service overseas. Mosina Jordan was the first African American and the first woman appointed as an ambassador from the U.S. Agency of International Development (USAID). She was named to the Central African Republic by President Clinton and served from 1995 to 1998. According to Jordan, “It was a baptism of fire into U.S., Africa, and French foreign intrigue and diplomacy, as well as an unrelenting series of coup d’etats that created a dangerous, volatile, and unpredictable environment.” In the midst of dodging bullets, rockets, and mortars, she safely evacuated all Americans in the country – over 200 from religious groups, 100 Peace Corps volunteers, businesspeople, and Embassy personnel – all while influencing the peace process by promoting the principles and values that underscore democracy. Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley Continued on page 9
61st Year, No. 12
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: Delta Sigma
Theta Sorority, Inc. Welcomes Leaders Elsie Cooke-Holmes and Sadé Ried
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. leaders Elsie Cooke-Holmes and Sadé Ried will attend the 90th anniversary of the Berkeley chapter in Oakland. Photos provided by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. national headquarters. The Berkeley Bay Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (BBAAC) will celebrate its 90th anniversary on Saturday, March 23 at Scott’s Pavilion in Jack London Square. It was chartered on March 30, 1934, by six members, including Vivian Osbourne Marsh, the sorority’s
seventh national president, and on this momentous occasion, the chapter is excited that the current international president and chair of the national Board of Directors, Elsie Cooke-Holmes will be present. Cooke-Holmes will congratulate the chapter on its milestone
anniversary, speak about BBAAC's historical legacy and to the anniversary theme "An Enduring Legacy of Sisterhood, Scholarship, Service and Social Action." Given that this is an election year and that Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a public service organization committed to social action, the chapter invited BART Board member Lateefah Simon to speak to the importance of civic engagement. Other special guests in attendance will be Sadé Ried, Delta Sigma Theta's national second vice president; Rob Bonta, attorney general of California; Terry Taplin, Berkeley City Council; Treva Reid, Oakland City Council; and Enikia Ford Morthel, Berkeley Unified School District Superintendent. The mistress of ceremonies is Cheryl Hurd. This is a sold-out event with 300 guests expected. The 90th Anniversary Continued on page 9
Safety Measures, Increased Parking, Key to Downtown Nail Salon’s Survival
By Roberta Cobb
When Michael Tran closed his shoe store last week after 26 years, Amy Thieu, now, too, must consider how she can continue to make her manicure shop survive. Her business, known as Ann and Amy’s Nails is located at 412 12th St. in the heart of downtown OakPastor Raymond Lankford, Sitawa Jamaa and Richard Johnson. Photo land with great access to BART and by Jonathan Fitness Jones. AC Transit bus services. should’ve been on how the prison made worse by not being treated in She cites two major threats to her business – lack of parking and fewer system is cruel in the way it treats a humane and respectful manner. It customers. the long-term elders who return to is criminal. Thieu and her five employees, society with nearly nothing. There needs to be support who work from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Unless this practice is addressed mechanisms set in place for these Tuesday through Saturday, point now, these men and women will new elder returnees, especially out the loss of potential customundoubtedly find themselves liv- those that are physically handi- ers through diminished foot traffic arising from public safety fears. ing on the streets with nowhere to capped and disabled. This writer saw Thieu’s two call home. I was classified as a “medical hammers behind the counter. But In most instances for long-term reprieve” when I came home from she agreed they need more than a prisoners, such as lifers, certain re- San Quentin. Even though I had to hammer to protect their nails busistrictions are required in order to jump through a lot of hoops, it was ness: they need parking for their be released. worth it because Governor New- customers. Many businesses suffered beAfter having served their time, som granted this as part of his efelderly former prisoners find life forts to fight the pandemic. Continued on page 9 outside a challenging experience
Mai, Ni, Kieu, Ann, Amy at Ann and Amy’s Nails Beauty Salon, 41212th Street in Downtown Oakland. Courtesy photo. cause of the lack of parking. When the city demolished the merchants’ garage to build the Atlas Skyscraper at 13th and Franklin Streets it left a garage that charges $350.00/month with no waiting list. Thieu came to Oakland from Soc Trang, Vietnam, 16 years ago
and is worried now for her economic future. “If we are to be successful, the city must help us with safety and parking issues because that is the combination that can increase our customer numbers,” said Thieu. Ann and Amy’s Nails can be reached by phone at 510-452-6485.
Local Broadcaster Faith Fancher’s Breast Cancer Battle Remembered During Women’s History Month
Ricki Stevenson, a colleague of the late Faith Fancher, now lives in Paris, France. Courtesy photo. By Ricki Stevenson Twenty-one years after her
death, the sister friend I met in Nashville as broadcast newbies remains a warrior in the fight against
breast cancer. Faith Fancher came to mind after Friends of Faith gathered at her dedicated table at the Broadcast Legends Luncheon on March 13. Born Aug. 23, 1950, in Franklin, Tennessee, Faith Baugh Fancher was adopted by the Bay Area, becoming a much-respected television reporter and award-winning journalist. A summa cum laude graduate of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, she launched her career in 1974 at WSM-TV in Nashville, followed by stints at National Black (Radio) Network in New York City and National Public Radio in Washington, D.C. In 1983, she moved to Oakland with her husband, Bill Drummond,
and was hired as a reporter at KTVU-Channel 2 where she deftly reported on the most challenging disasters: earthquakes, fire storms, shootings and accidents. It wasn’t a perfect relationship being the only Black woman reporter there for a time, but with her Leo determination and fresh baked cookies, Faith conquered the crew at Channel 2! In Spring of 1997, Faith was diagnosed with breast cancer and made the difficult decision to go public with her battle. The result was the creation of an organization of Black women in media to help raise awareness and money to aid other Black women fighting the Continued on page 9
Oakland landlords, property managers and housing agencies simulate barriers that formerly incarcerated renters face once they’ve been released. Photos by Magaly Muñoz
Simulating Housing Barriers: Landlords Step into Formerly Incarcerated Renters’ Shoes
By Magaly Muñoz
Oakland nonprofits hosted an
event March 15 with landlords, property managers and housing
agencies to simulate housing barriers that formerly incarcerated
renters face once they’ve been released.
The event was produced by
CROP Organization and Impact
Justice, nonprofits aimed at assisting formerly incarcerated people with reentry support and doing research on the injustices they encounter in the criminal justice system. Formerly incarcerated people are 10 times more likely to experience homelessness after their release because of unfair housing barriers due to discrimination
based on their criminal records, lack of credit history, background checks, and insufficient funds for security deposits, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition. The simulation activity was intended to put participants in the shoes of those recently released by giving them fake personas to expeContinued on page 9