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Oakland Post “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18
63rd Year, No. 15
Weekly Edition April 15 -21, 2026
postnewsgroup.com
Turning Point for Oakland Carl Anthony, Architect, Author, Environmental Justice Leader, 87 From left: Mario Wagner, National Association of Minority Contractors, NorCal; Cathy Adams, president, Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce; Derek Barnes, CEO of the East Bay Rental Housing Association; Len Turner of the Construction Resource Center. Courtesy photos.
City Reviews Disparity Remediation Plan, LongTerm Investment Strategy
Special to the Post The City of Oakland is now reviewing a comprehensive set of disparity remediation recommendations and a long-term investment strategy presented to City Administrator Jestin Johnson and Mayor Barbara Lee. The proposal represents the next phase in an ongoing effort to address disparities in public contracting and strengthen economic opportunity for Oakland residents and businesses. Following a series of collaborative meetings between City leadership and community stakeholders, the focus has shifted from identifying challenges to determining how the City will move forward. The coalition’s recommendations emphasize implementation, accountability, and sustained investment designed to produce measurable results over time. At the core of the proposal is a 10-year investment strategy of $10– $12 million annually to advance contractor development, strengthen workforce pipelines, and modernize the City’s contracting infrastructure. This includes implementing updated systems and software that will expand access to opportunities, standardize processes, and establish real-time accountability across all departments. These improvements will enable coordinated opportunity creation citywide, while allowing the City to track every project from prime contractors to subcontractor participation, with transparency and consistency. The proposed funding level is calibrated to the scale of disparities documented over decades and reflects the need for a comprehensive, coordinated strategy rather than fragmented, one-off initiatives. Over the past two decades, an estimated $1.5 billion in contracting opportunities bypassed minority- and women-owned businesses, highlighting a persistent gap between available firms and actual participation. Addressing this gap requires more than incremental
change, it requires infrastructure, coordination, and sustained investment. The proposal presented to City leadership focuses on strengthening the conditions that allow local businesses to compete and grow. Rather than relying solely on participation goals, the strategy emphasizes building long-term capacity through coordinated programs, improved transparency, and stronger alignment between workforce development and contracting opportunities. A key element of the proposed approach includes the development of a centralized business and workforce hub. This concept is designed to create a coordinated space where contractors, workforce partners, and residents can access training, technical assistance, and employment opportunities. By bringing services together, the hub aims to improve accessibility and strengthen collaboration across programs. The proposal also highlights the importance of change management across City departments. Implementing disparity remediation will require coordination, updated processes, and alignment among departments responsible for procurement and contracting. This transition is expected to take time, but the proposed framework includes early milestones and implementation phases to guide progress. The recommendations align closely with Lee’s priorities, particularly in areas related to economic development, small business growth, workforce opportunity, and equitable investment. By connecting disparity remediation efforts to broader economic goals, the proposal positions the initiative as both an equity strategy and an economic development strategy. The disparity study, which was authored by dr. Eleanor Mason Ramsey, was presented to the community by councilmember Carroll Fife, provides the foundation for this effort. Once disparities are documented, there is a recognized Continued on page 8
Carl Anthony. Courtesy of Carl Anthony’s family. By Post Staff Carl Cokine Anthony, Berkeley resident, architect, regional planner, author, and leader in the environmental justice movement, died on April 4 at 87. Over the course of his career, Anthony played a major role, both nationally and locally, in defining racial equity in connection with the environmental movement, as well
Oakland City Council Unanimously Approves Comprehensive Legislation to Stop Illegal Dumping Special to The Post
The Oakland City Council unanimously approved a comprehensive legislative package to combat illegal dumping, marking a major milestone in the City’s coordinated, citywide response to one of Oaklanders’ most persistent concerns, Mayor Barbara Lee’s office announced. The legislative package
strengthens enforcement, deploys new technology, and advances statewide accountability measures. The effort is led by Lee in partnership with City Council members, City departments, community organizations, and regional leaders. Lee said, “Oakland is also building momentum at the state level, where Senator Arreguín’s Continued on page 8
Stanford Health Care Collaborates with Alameda Health System Affiliate, Expanding Access to Care in East Bay At D. Monaghan’s On The Hill, an American restaurant in Oakland, a resolution declaring April 9 ‘100 Black Men of the Bay Area Day’ was witnessed by (l.-r.) 100 Black Men leaders Maurice Harold, Marco T. Lindsey, Danny Lee Williams, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, Oakland City Council President Kevin Jenkins, Port of Oakland Commissioner Derek Mohammad, and Oakland Councilmember
Mayor Barbara Lee Proclaims St. Rose Hospital in Hayward, Alameda Health System and Stanford Partnership.(L-R) Mark Fratzke, COO Alameda Health April 9 as ‘100 Black Men of Announce System (AHS), James Jackson, CEO AHS, Richard Espinoza, chief the Bay Area Day’ administrative officer AHS, California Assemblymember Liz Ortega By Carla Thomas When Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee announced that she would proclaim Thursday, April 9, as “100 Black Men of the Bay Area Day,” the organization’s board chairman and owner of D. Monaghan’s On The Hill, Danny Lee Williams knew he wanted to share with his
community the celebration of the organization dedicated to mentoring youth since its chapter found-
(D-San Leandro), Rick Shumway, COO Stanford Health Care (SHC), Alameda County Supervisor Elisa Márquez, and Hayward Mayor Mark Salinas. Photo by Carla Thomas.
By Carla Thomas
the broader community celebrate. Continued on page 8
On April 9, Alameda Health System (AHS) and Stanford Health Care announced a new collaboration to expand access to specialized medical services across central and southern Alameda County. Introduced at a community event
hosted at St. Rose Hospital in Hayward, an AHS affiliate, the partnership will enhance care for nearly 400,000 residents and solidify St. Rose’s position as a cornerstone of health and healing in the East Bay. The initiative marks a milestone for the region, uniting two leading Continued on page 8
She did. And she never stopped coming back. Organized by the Women’s Cancer Resource Center, the event brings people together each spring to raise funds for free cancer services for women, caregivers, and their families in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Every participant commits to fundraising before completing a mile in the way that works best for them— swimming, walking in the shal-
low end, or moving on land. This year marks McGrath’s 24th consecutive year participating in the Swim A Mile | Move A Mile, a milestone that speaks not just to her athleticism, but to something much deeper. “The day has become more personal,” McGrath says. Over the years, she has lost parents, family members, and friends to cancer. She has watched people she loves fight for more time with
their children, their partners, their lives. Now, every lap she swims carries their names with it. “I am proud to honor all of these folks that I carry in my heart while fundraising and swimming,” she said. What keeps McGrath going, beyond the personal connection, is the knowledge that her fundraising makes a tangible difference. Continued on page 8
ing in 1988.. Standing at the podium on the patio of his restaurant in the Oakland Hills, he welcomed about 150 members of the organization and
24 Years, One Mission: Swimmer Turns Personal Loss Into Power for Women With Cancer
By Oakland Post Staff
Kelly McGrath and her step-grandchildren at her 2025 Swim A Mile | Move A Mile. Photo contributed by Kelly McGrath.
as taking part in grassroots efforts for environmental justice. He was the founding director of the Urban Habitat Program, focusing on environmental justice, dealing with issues of race and class structure. He also co-founded and served as co-director of Breakthrough Communities, building multiracial Continued on page 8
Oakland City Hall. iStock.
Kelly McGrath didn’t know when she jumped into the pool for the first time, that one Swim A Mile would turn into 24 years of dedication. It was 2002, her masters swim team was training at Mills College, and a large banner caught her eye. She knew she could swim a mile. A neighbor even sweetened the deal with an extra $20 if she beat her old college time.