Turning the Tide: Young Entrepreneurs End Redemption
Home Boyz Car Wash and Detail
(L-R) Kenneth Mclendon, Kevyn Mclendon, Dremond Wilkas, Richard “Razor” Johnson, King Mclendon, Syr Willie Mclendon. Photo by Jonathan Fitness Jones.
For cash: Youth would rather wipe your window clean, not break your glass looking for it
By Richard “Razor” Johnson
On Saturday, Aug. 3, I witnessed an inspiring sight: a group of young boys working together to transform their lives by launching their own business, “Home Boyz Car Wash and Detail.” These young entrepreneurs are determined to break free from a past marked by crime
and destruction and instead build a future filled with hope and opportunity. These boys were once caught in a cycle of crime, facing a bleak future with limited prospects. However, fate intervened when they crossed paths with members of the Oakland Private Industry Council (OPIC).
This encounter was a turning point, offering them a chance to change their trajectory and discover their true potential. OPIC took these young men under their wing, providing mentorship and guidance. They emphasized that life is shaped by the choices we make and that everyone
deserves a second chance. OPIC’s mentorship was grounded in action, demonstrating the importance of hard work and perseverance. At the car wash site, I observed these boys washing their first truck. The sight brought a smile to my face and reminded me of my own past. Over 50 years ago, I was forced to
work at a detail shop on Telegraph Avenue by my parole officer. Unlike these boys, I wasn’t ready to change and ended up back behind bars. In contrast, these young men are driven by their own desire to succeed and create a better future. As a community, we often focus on the actions of young offenders
without understanding the root causes. It’s crucial to support and encourage these boys as they navigate their new path. They represent the future, and it is our duty to help them stay on course and reach their full potential. Starting a business is challengContinued on page 10
Oakland Post “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18
61st Year, No. 31
Weekly Edition. Edition. August 7 - 13, 2024
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A Son Pays Tribute to His Coach Father – Alvin ‘The Destroyer’ Attles
Oakland A’s to Sell Coliseum Stadium to Black Developers for Total Ownership
Brenda Harbin-Forte. Courtesy photo.
Al Attles, Jr. Brought his father to the Post to hear him tell the story of how he pioneered his career as a staunch defensive minded player coach who played a 10 all-Black lineup and led the warriors to a championship. He is considered as the most impactful Warrior in the team”s history. Photos and graphics courtesy of Al and Wilhelmina Attles. By Alvin Attles III “Don’t you ever touch my son! You understand me?” My father snarled at the policeman outside the Forum locker room. Just moments before, my cousins and I had been playing tag when my father saw the policeman abruptly grab my arm to stop us. A gesture that would evoke the very meaning behind my father’s moniker. In essence, the policeman had risked his life as he happened to grab the children of ‘The Destroyer.’ Bad move! My father grew up in Newark, New Jersey. He played a tough style of basketball, which sparked his reputation as an enforcer throughout his career. Standing at 6’-foot-1 and weighing around 180 pounds, he was not the tallest or heaviest player on the court. But what he lacked in size, he made up for in toughness and determination. He was aggressive on defensive, unyielding physically, and willing to stand up for his teammates. His reputation as an enforcer is a
testament to his dedication, toughness, and loyalty that separated him from his peers. In the 1960s and 1970s, basketball was a more physically demanding sport, with less stringent rules on fouls. He thrived in this environment, using his physicality to intimidate opponents and protect his teammates. His no-nonsense approach to the game earned him the nickname “The Destroyer.” As a coach, he instilled these same values in his players, fostering a culture of resilience and teamwork. One of the defining moments of his career as an enforcer came during the 1975 NBA Finals. By this time, he had transitioned from player to coach, leading the Warriors from the sidelines. The Warriors faced the heavily favored Washington Bullets in the finals. During Game 4, Rick Barry, the star player for the Warriors, was subjected to hard fouls and rough play. After my father had seen enough, he stepped onto the court to confront the Bullets’ players, leading to his ejection from the game. Make
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no mistake, had Washington Bullets All-Star behemoth Wes Unseld not stepped in front of my father, my father might have broken teammate Mike Riordan’s jaw. This was not about being tough, nor being loyal. This was my father being who I have always known him to be — selfless. This was my father protecting his Warriors family! This incident epitomized Attles’ role as an enforcer, to risk himself to ensure the safety and well-being of his team. The Warriors went on to sweep the Bullets. My father’s actions during the finals cemented his legacy as a coach who not only demanded respect but was also willing to fight for his team. But for those that don’t know, my father was far from a brute. He was a basketball savant. If you look back at the 1974-75 championship series, you’ll see that my father routinely played 10 players a night. This was unheard of as most teams played a shortened rotation. Continued on page 10
Retired Judge Brenda HarbinForte Files Final Paperwork to of the African American Sports and Entertainment Group Run for City Founder Ray Bobbitt signing the terms of agreement for the sale of the Attorney Coliseum by the City of Oakland. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.
By Post Staff
By Magaly Muñoz
Retired Alameda County Superior Court Judge Brenda HarbinForte this week filed her papers to run for Oakland City Attorney. “Oakland needs a new direction,” she said in a press statement. “My campaign theme is integrity, independence, and courage. Oakland deserves a city attorney with the integrity to learn and then enforce the law equally, without fear or political favor; the independence to avoid bowing to political pressure, and the courage to provide sound legal advice even when it is not welcomed, so we can avoid costly lawsuits against our city,” she said. “My administration will be one of transparency and community input. I will do what is best for all Oakland residents, not just a select few.” Currently, Harbin-Forte is leading the campaign to recall Mayor Sheng Thao, which will be on the November ballot. The recall campaign has raised over half a million dollars, largely from Piedmont inContinued on page 10
In a monumental move, the Oakland A’s have reached a deal to sell their half of the Coliseum to the African American Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG) for $125 million. This agreement comes only a week after the City of Oakland and AASEG signed an agreement to sell the other half of the contract for $105 million. “AASEG has a communityoriented vision for the long-term development of the site and will be strong stewards of the property. Their leadership and development provide substantial opportunities and benefits for East Oakland and the broader Oakland community,” A’s President Dave Kaval said. The sale for the site was first announced to the public in May just as Oakland was getting ready to pass their budget. Should everything fall in line the way the city is intending, the purchase will save officials from having to cut positions and funding across several departments, including to public safety sectors. Even with the sale, the city fac-
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es structural issues beyond what the large one-time funds can fix. Residents and Oakland leaders have eagerly awaited to hear news of when the A’s would enter into an agreement to sell the site, especially since they announced they would be leaving Oakland after playing here for over 50 years. The A’s will temporarily play in Sacramento while the team awaits a new stadium to be built in Las Vegas. This is the second Oakland-based team, after the Raiders, to leave for Nevada. The baseball team originally bought their share of the Coliseum from Alameda County in 2019 for $85 million and finished paying it off earlier this year. Through the term agreement with Oakland, AASEG plans to use part of the property to build affordable housing, small and local businesses, public spaces and parks, ensure anti-displacement and housing preservation policies, and other community benefits. The overall proposal is a nearly $5 billion project for restaurants, arts and entertainment centers, and a convention center, which Continued on page 10
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