Dis Trailblazers and Torchbearers: California Think Tank Celebrates the Power of Black Women ... see page 2
COMMENTARY: Black Leaders Are Standing with Immigrant Communities ... see page 2
OPINION: California’s Legislature Has the Wrong Prescription for the Affordability Crisis ... see page 8
In a Time of Discord, Dr. Weber Says Civic Engagement is Our Lifelong Duty ... see page 8
Oakland Post “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18
62nd Year, No. 25
Weekly Edition June 18 - 24, 2025
postnewsgroup.com
Juneteenth: Celebrating Our History, Honoring Our Shared Spaces
City Leaders Talk Public Safety and Funding in First of Community Listening Sessions Series
face of injustice, chose freedom, unity, and community over fear, anger, and hopelessness. We honor their resilience and the paths
Thousands marched from Wilma Chan Park to Frank Ogawa Plaza for a rally for the “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump, on June 14. Photo courtesy of ABC7 News.
Oakland city leaders hosted two community listening sessions in North and East Oakland to answer residents’ most pressing questions and concerns about the city. iStock photo. By Magaly Muñoz New Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, along with council members and city leaders, hosted two community listening sessions Thursday afternoon to speak with residents and answer their most pressing questions across topics like public safety, blight, and economic development. In an effort to understand what
is of top concern to the community, Lee kicked off the series at Cypress Mandela Training Center in East Oakland, which laid the ground for the first sets of questions on funding for job training in the new budget. Lee explained that although the Summer Youth Employment Program, which the city created to help youth ages 16 to 21 years old Continued on page 12
they paved so future generations can continue to walk with pride.
10,000 Rally in Oakland for Wilson, Public Affairs the ‘No Kings’ Protest, Joining Wayne Campaign Manager, Caltrans. By Wayne Wilson Over 5 Million Nationally
By Post Staff
transformed the government into
Over 10,000 people filled City Hall plaza in downtown Oakland last Saturday for a “No Kings” march and rally, joining more than 5 million protesters nationwide for a “Day of Defiance” against President Donald Trump, denounced by many as a lawless leader who has
Caltrans
an authoritarian regime and mobi-
Juneteenth marks an import-
lized soldiers and masked federal
ant moment in our shared histo-
agents to suppress and detain U.S.
ry—a time to reflect on the legacy
citizens and residents.
of our ancestors who, even in the
Crowds estimated at more than 140,000 people attended rallies and marches in cities and towns throughout the Bay Area, including Continued on page 12
Dozens Awarded Scholarships at Juneteenth Graduation Ceremony at Oakland California Temple
Gourdine of OUSD, and Steven Borg of Legacy Funds of Holy Names University. County
Superior
Court Judge Terry Wiley provided words of acknowledgement and Donovan Loud introduced honoree attorney Gordon D. Greenwood, a distinguished alumnus of Morehouse College. Proud auntie Charlette Richardson (left) with NAACP Oakland Branch President Cynthia Adams, scholarship recipient and Seaside College student Royal Hubbard beside his mother, Charlene Richardson (right) celebrate at the annual “Juneteenth Scholarship Graduation Ceremony” held at the Oakland California Temple. Photo by Carla Thomas. By Carla Thomas The annual “Juneteenth Schol-
School District (OUSD), Oakland Promise, and legacy funds of
Minister
Brandon
Waugh
served as master of ceremony.
arship Graduation Ceremony”
Holy Names University scholars,
Rayland Albert and the En-
was held at the Oakland Califor-
dozens of students received schol-
semble of the NAACP Oakland
nia Temple on Lincoln Avenue on
arships to Historically Black Col-
Imani Youth Council and ACT-
Saturday, June 14.
leges and Universities (HBCUs)
SO performed the Black National
and predominantly white institu-
Anthem. Program participants
tions.
included sponsors Mary Ches-
Supported by the collaborative efforts of the Oakland Unified
Other program participants included NAACP Oakland Education Chair Dr. Dela Morris and Soraya Wright of Legacy Funds of Holy Names University. Spelman College graduate Janae Burks and Morehouse College graduate, Dwayne Pittman III, inspired attendees with keynote speeches. Students
were
presented
awards from the NAACP Oakland Continued on page 12
watch Juneteenth blossom into a widely celebrated holiday, filled with vibrant outdoor events like cookouts, festivals, parades, and more. It’s inspiring to see the community embrace our history—showing up in droves to celebrate freedom, a freedom delayed for some enslaved AmeriContinued on page 12
The Case Against Probate: Appellate Court Upholds Ruling to Deny Estate Inheritance Despite Evidence
tang of Oakland Promise, Jerome
Alameda
It’s been empowering to
Dr. Laura Dean Head. Her former student, Sarah Burnsides, said: “It was as if she had a crystal ball and could see the future. What Dr. Head had was better than any crystal ball, it was her knowledge of people and life that gave her the wisdom she bestowed upon her students.” Dr. Head passed June 19, 2013. Courtesy photo. By Tanya Dennis
Part 6
Dr. Laura Dean Head, a
professor at San Francisco State
University for 35 years, taught
alongside Dr. Nathan Hare, Asa Hilliard and was a colleague and friend to Ben Chavis, activist, author, journalist, former president of the national NAACP and current president and CEO of the National Publisher’s Association and national co-chair for the political organization No Labels. Head taught “African Americans and Western Racism,” “Intro to Black Psychology, Race, Class and Gender,” “Black Child Development,” “The Economics of Poverty and Discrimination” and a call on “Black Feminist Women.” Head always encouraged people to challenge authority. One of Head’s famous quotes was “Education equals knowledge. knowledge equals power. power equals freedom.” Head’s powerful lessons have proven beneficial to Head’s former student and friend Zakiya Jendayi as Jendayi fights for Head’s estate Continued on page 12
Ballers Honor Juneteenth ICAC Meeting Unites Faith Leaders and City
Leaders to Discuss Homeless Solutions
Oakland Ballers co-founder Paul Freedman (center) celebrated Juneteenth with co-owners Blair Underwood and Gary Reeves as Underwood threw out the first pitch in honor of Jimmy Claxton, the last African American to play in the minor leagues before Jackie Robinson entered the Major leagues three decades later. Photo courtesy of the Oakland Ballers.
Pictured from left: Vanessa Russel, Bishop Terrence Millican, Rev. Ken Chambers, Leanette Higuera, Janet Jett, City of Oakland Council District, 2 Charlene Wang, Alicia Anderson, Robin Walker, Dr Kimberly Mayfield and Gloria Brown. Courtesy photo. By Oakland Post Staff On June 12, Dr. Kenneth
(ICAC) monthly meeting at Wil-
hensive strategy to provide home-
liams Chapel Baptist Church.
less solutions to the unhoused in
Anderson hosted the Interfaith
The meeting focused on iden-
Oakland. In December of 2023,
Council of Alameda County
tifying components of a compre-
the Oakland City Council unani-
mously approved a $450,000 grant to ICAC to operate and expand its Safe Car Park to one other location. The grant agreement is on the way and meeting attendees were eager to discuss how their organizations and congregations can collaborate for the launch of the new Safe Car Park. ICAC President Ken Chambers announced that Williams Chapel Baptist Church, located in Oakland City Council District 2, will be the site for a second Safe Car Park program. The 12th Street homeless encampment in District 2 was recently closed, making the opening of the program more urgent. This location will provide parking from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. for unhoused residents. Two hundred thousand dollars Continued on page 12