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Oakland Post “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18
63nd Year, No. 24
Weekly Edition June 17 - 23, 2026
postnewsgroup.com
Obama Presidential Center Opens Designed to motivate the next generation of ‘protectors of democracy’
Senator Obama is shown with Barbara Lee at the Congressional Black Caucus dinner prior to his announcement to seek the presidency. Photo courtesy of Mayor Lee.
Renderings of McClymond High School renovation. Courtesy image.
A Long Time Coming: School District Kicks Off Massive $97 Million Renovation of West Oakland’s McClymonds High School
‘We gather on sacred ground,’ said OUSD Supt. Denise Saddler By Post Staff
The main building on the Obama Center’s campus stands tall over onlookers at the grand opening ceremony. Photo by Chiaka Patterson. By Brandon Patterson The Obama Presidential Center’s grand opening in Chicago on June 18, was a star-studded celebration marking the dedication of the 19acre campus on the city’s South Side. Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama were joined by former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Joe Biden, as well as former Vice President Kamala Harris, Oprah Winfrey, Tom
Hanks, Tyler Perry, Gayle King, and the Obama daughters, Malia and Sasha. Musical performances featured Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera, John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, Common, Eddie Vedder, The Roots, and others. The event celebrated democracy, civic engagement, and the Obama legacy before the center’s public opening on Juneteenth. These photos were shared with the Post by Chiaka Patterson, a Chicago native and child-
Attendees at the Obama Presidential Center Grand Opening Ceremony watch the ceremony on the center’s campus in Chicago’s Jackson Park. Photo by Chiaka Patterson. hood friend of Michelle Obama’s who was invited to the ceremony by the former first lady. Brandon Patterson is theformer press staff for Barbara Lee. He is now the PostNewsGroup’s Chicago Correspondent.
Six Months in, Probate Reform Coalition Marks Progress in Protecting Elders From Financial Abuse
NPRC member Stewart E. Handte, a former Mineral County, Nevada, Sheriff and 27-year veteran of police work, currently wears an ankle monitor after he was arrested on kidnapping charges for helping his friend, Roger Hilligus, remove Hilligus’ mother, Susan Hilligus, from a nursing facility after finding her bruised and neglected. NPRC has submitted a “Letter of Compassion” for both Handte and Hilligus requesting that charges be dropped. Courtesy photo. By Tanya Dennis
probate court system, was formed
The National Probate Reform Coalition, a loose-knit national coalition of advocates, victims and families dedicated to protecting elder rights, especially within the
by the Post Newspaper Group (PNG) after reporting mistreatment of elders and the plunder of their estates for more than a decade. Continued on page 10
Lawmakers Submit Bills that Could Block Trump’s Proposed Oakland Coal Terminal
‘Our families and our bodies should not have to bear the burden of the Trump administration’s cruel and backwards decisions,’ said Rep. Simon By Post Staff
West Oakland coal terminal that
Local lawmakers Congresswoman Lateefah Simon and State Assemblymember Mia Bonta are proposing separate bills that could slow down or block a long-delayed
recently received a $75 million infusion from Pres. Donald Trump as part of his drive to ramp up coal production in the U.S. Continued on page 10
After being stalled for many years, the massive $97 million renovation of McClymonds High School is finally breaking ground under the leadership of the district’s new superintendent, Dr. Denise Saddler, and backed by the unrelenting efforts of the school’s parents, students, school board members, community, and alumni. The Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) held the groundbreaking ceremony on June 12 to kick off the three-year modernization project for McClymonds, a historic center of African American culture and educational op-
portunity in Oakland, located at 2607 Myrtle St. in West Oakland. The overhaul will include seismic and environmental upgrades, a new turf field, and modernized campus facilities. The comprehensive transformation is financed by Measure Y, a $735 million general obligation bond approved by Oakland voters to renovate and upgrade aging school sites. This renovation is considered a milestone for the West Oakland campus, which has operated in the same building since 1938 and has been in dire need of structural and plumbing safety remediation for years. Speaking at the event, Supt.
Denise Saddler said: “We gather on sacred ground that has shaped generations of Oakland leaders, scholars, artists, activists, entrepreneurs, educators like Mr. Herman Brown – one of our top math teachers. I also want to say it’s the historic home of the mighty Warriors (athletic teams). It’s a historic home of so many people.” “This was, for Black people, our high school,” she continued “For more than a century, McClymonds has stood as a beacon of excellence in West Oakland and beyond. It’s not simply a school building; it’s a symbol of resilience, pride, community, and Continued on page 10
Stop the Hate Symposium Brings Oakland Together Through Dialogue, Partnership, and Community Healing Mayor Barbara Lee speaks at City Council meeting, Tuesday, June 16, where she cast a tiebreaking vote to place a charter reform initiative on the November ballot.
Mayor Barbara Lee Breaks Tie, Sends Measure to Overhaul Oakland Government Structure to Voters ‘Our current system ensures the buck stops nowhere. That needs to change,’ said the mayor
By Post Staff Mayor Barbara Lee cast a tiebreaking vote this week at the Oakland City Council meeting, which means her Charter reform initiative will be on the November ballot. The City Council had split 4-4 Continued on page 10
Speakers and guests at the annual ‘Stop the Hate Symposium posed with Oakland Chinatown Improvement Council ambassadors. Photo by Marcus Calloway (Speakers, guest, Oakland Chinatown Improvement Council ambassadors; Photo Credit: Marcus Calloway) By Dr. Maritony Jones the ‘Stop the Hate Symposium’ ty over silence. Specialthe to The Post on June 13 at theTogether Oakland Asian free event featured key“Stop Hate Symposium Brings Oakland ThroughThe Dialogue, Partnership, and
Community Healing” With the purpose of creating safer, stronger, and more inclu-
By Maritony Jones siveDr. communities, and in part-
Cultural Center.
More than a meeting and pan-
note speakers, breakout sessions, cultural programming, creating
el discussion, the annual sym- a space where people from many June 18, 2026 nership with the Oakland Pri- posium serves as a powerful ex- backgrounds sat together with a ample of what can happen when shared purpose. vateSaturday, IndustryJune Council and other On 13, 2026, something important happened in Oakland’s Chinatown. More than a meeting, more than neighbors,gathering, community leaders, community organizations, thea community panel discussion, and more than “Stop the Hate Symposium” a powerful example of The turnoutbecame itself reflected what can happen when neighbors, leaders, organizations, residents choose conversation over division a and organizations choose con- and Oakland Chinatown Improve- community the urgency and importance of unity over silence. Continued on page 10 ment Council (OCIC) hosted versation over division, and uni-
Held at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center (OACC) in Chinatown, the symposium was hosted by the Oakland Chinato Improvement Council in partnership with local community organizations. The free event ran from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p and included keynote discussions, breakout sessions, cultural programming, and a complimentary lunch. More