Loop Capital and AASEG’s Coliseum Area Development Plan Centers on Jobs, Youth and Local Contractors
“The project will connect young Oakland residents to paid internships, pre-apprenticeship programs, trade certifications, construction-management exposure and career pathways in hospitality, property management, technology and entrepreneurship,” said Loop Capital President James Reynolds Jr. The first phase will focus on arena upgrades, housing and retail. Later phases will include more housing, a hotel and local businesses. The plan projects 4,000 to 6,500 housing units, including an estimated 800 to 1,300 affordable homes.
Part 2. Read full article on page 8
Loop Capital President James “Jim” Reynolds Jr. has transformative plans for the Oakland Coliseum site and its community. Photo courtesy of Loop Capital.
Oakland Post “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18
postnewsgroup.com
63nd Year, No. 33
Weekly Edition August 19 - 25, 2026
Black Panther Museum Hosted Film on International Liberation Struggles for Freedom Prison Reform Activist and Community Advocate, Richard “Razor” Johnson, recognized for his community contributions at the first New Afrikan National Convention at De Fremery Park. Photo courtesy of RRJ.
Flyer courtesy NPRC.
New Afrikan National Convention at De Fremery Park Centers Unity, Restoration and Black August
NPRC Elder Justice Symposium Invites Community to Join Effort to Protect Alameda County Elders
By Carla Thomas
The National Probate Reform Coalition (NPRC) will host an Elder Justice Symposium on Friday, Sept. 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Oakland City Hall, bringing elders, families, advocates, policymakers and community leaders together to address elder abuse, financial exploitation and problems within probate and conservatorship systems. The symposium is designed to inform and empower the community while developing strategies and policies to better protect Alameda County’s vulnerable elders and disabled residents. “Two of our most vulnerable populations are elders and the disabled, and many times that combination resides in one individual,” said Tanya Dennis, lead facilitator of NPRC. “At our symposium,
An Oakland Black August observance took on an added focus on Saturday, Aug. 15, as the first New Afrikan National Convention under the theme, “Building Family & Community Through Unity and Action.” The event at De Fremery (Bobby Hutton) Park featured food, music, fellowship and solidarity, along with restoration program workshops, community development presentations, Black August programming and a New Afrikan national development forum. The convention brought together community members, organizers, artists, system-impacted people and allied organizations
By Post Staff
NPRC will bring decision makers and elders together in one space for a day to develop strategy and policy to protect and empower.” Dennis said NPRC has drafted proposed legislation intended to make conservatorship a true last resort by adding safeguards before and after a petition is filed. Proposals include mandatory private mediation before entering probate and placement of an ombudsman in probate proceedings to advocate for the rights and interests of prospective or current conservatees. The coalition also wants stronger protections for elders’ estates and assets, arguing that money accumulated over a lifetime should be preserved for elders, families and intended beneficiaries rather than unnecessarily depleted by courtContinued on page 8
Documentary film, “Seeds for Liberation,” highlights the Palestinian struggle and the shared fight for freedom and liberation in the United States and abroad. Graphic courtesy of www.seedsforliberationmovie. com By Carla Thomas On Saturday, August 15, community members gathered at the Black Panther Party Museum in downtown Oakland for a screening of “Seeds for Liberation,” an award-winning documentary examining the Palestinian liberation movement and its connections to Black, Chicano and other movements for collective liberation. The film presents the face of conflict and struggle and injustic-
es today and yesterday. It shows scenes of bombing in Gaza and a freed Nelson Mandela addressing thousands at the Oakland Coliseum at the end of the apartheid system in South Africa. The screening was hosted by the East Bay Democratic Socialists of America and the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation. Following the film, director Matthew Solomon joined local community leaders for a discusContinued on page 8
First 5 Alameda County Celebrates First Year of Measure C’s Implementation
Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas (left) with Community Advisory Councilmember and childcare provider Nancy Harvey. Photo by Carla Thomas. By Carla Thomas First 5 Alameda County marked the first anniversary of the impact of Measure C with a community celebration Friday, Aug. 7, at Children’s Fairyland in Oakland, highlighting more than $135 million invested to strengthen early childhood education, families and caregivers across Alameda County. The celebration brought together families, educators, caregivers, advocates, elected officials and community leaders for an evening of music, cultural performances, and children’s activities. “Oakland is on the move,” said
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, commending all the advocates who helped win the victory for early childhood education and their providers. Measure C, a community-led and voter-approved half-cent sales tax, was designed to generate approximately $150 million annually for early care and education. During its first year, the initiative reached more than 20,000 children and supported more than 6,400 early educators and caregivers throughout the county. First 5 Alameda County CEO Kristin Spanos said, “In the first 10 Continued on page 8
for a day centered on political education, healing and collective action. Speakers included Oakland City Councilmember Carroll Fife, activists Mama Ayanna, Minister King X Pyeface, and Richard “Razor” Johnson among others. Awards were presented to activists including Johnson, an Oakland-based prison reform leader who served decades behind bars including nearly 20 years in solitary confinement in Pelican Bay State Prison. Johnson was confined under the California Three Strikes Law, until he received a medical release in 2021. “It’s an honor to be recognized,” said Johnson. “We will Continued on page 8
Oakland Protesters Rally to Defend Haitian Immigrants and TPS
The historic Fox Theater celebrates the renaming of a portion of Telegraph Avenue to “OSA Way” to honor The Oakland School for the Arts (OSA)’s 25th anniversary. The tuition-free public charter school for grades 6-12 has been permanently housed inside the theater since 2009. Photo by Carla Thomas.
Street Renamed to Honor Impact of Oakland School for the Arts Over 25 Years
By Carla Thomas
Oakland School for the Arts marked the beginning of its 25th anniversary celebration Wednesday, Aug. 19, as the City of Oakland commemoratively renamed a portion of Telegraph Avenue “OSA Way,” honoring the school’s nearly quarter-century impact on arts education and Oakland’s cultural landscape. City officials, community leaders, business owners, OSA stu-
dents, alumni, faculty and families gathered along Telegraph Avenue between 18th and 19th streets, adjacent to the historic Fox Theater, for the unveiling of the new street signs. District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife joined representatives from Mayor Barbara Lee’s office, OSA Executive Director Mike Oz and other community leaders for the ceremony, which featured remarks, student voices and artistic Continued on page 8
Activists Gerald Smith and Romaine Charite at 14th and Broadway in Downtown Oakland near City Hall protest in support of Haitian immigrant rights. Photo by Carla Thomas. By Carla Thomas Protesters gathered in downtown Oakland near City Hall at 14th Street and Broadway on Thursday, Aug. 13, calling for protections for Haitian immigrants and an end to deportation policies affecting Haitian communities across the United States. Organized as a call to action by the Legalization for All Network and supported by the Haiti Action Committee and other community organizations, the demonstration carried a clear message: “Defend TPS! Legalization, Not Deportation!” Participants focused attention on the termination of Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, for Haiti and immigration policies protesters described as continuing attacks on Haitian immigrants under the Trump
administration. Haitian Romaine Charite of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization urged demonstrators to stand with Haitian families and led chants: “When Haitians are under attack, what do we do? We fight back.” “Injustice to one is an injustice to us all.” “Dump Trump!” Charite and other protesters condemned the federal government’s treatment of Haitian immigrants, describing the policies as an attack on a population already facing extraordinary hardship. Haiti’s TPS designation was terminated effective July 27, 2026, removing temporary deportation protections and work authorization for hundreds of thousands of Haitian
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