Dis In MeMorIaM: Peabo Bryson, Grammy-Winning R&B Balladeer, Dies at 75 ... see page 2
opInIon: I’m in Atlanta, and Now I Get Why People Move Here .. . see page 4
V&C Foods: How a Bay Area Distributor Built Leadership Across Three Generations ... see page 2
California Birth Rate Falls Below ‘Replacement Level’ ... see page 6
Oakland Post “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18
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Sale of Coliseum to African American Developers Moves Toward Completion
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Hails Pope Leo as Powerful Ally, ‘Thanked Him for his Courage’
‘This is on the precipice of actually occurring,’ said Ray Bobbitt, buyers’ representative
Robert Johnson (1911-1938) is thought of as the godfather of blues music, especially Delta blues. The 29 songs recorded by him during his short life have been of massive inspiration to guitarists and musicians over the last 80 years. Public domain photo.
Commentary:
Some of the AASEG board members who attended the Alameda County vote are left to right: John Jones III, L. O., Samantha Wise, Ray Bobbitt, and Jonathan Jones. Photo by Dr. Maritony Jones. By Post Staff After many months of complex negotiations, the Oakland Coliseum development deal is finally nearing an agreement that will open the way for new owners – the African Americans Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG) – to revitalize the
sports complex and the Hegenberger Corridor in East Oakland. On May 28, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a non-binding agreement to dispose of the County’s portion of the complex for $115 million in a deal with AASEG, with a closing Continued on page 8
Black Music is the Sound of Black Freedom: Let Us Reclaim Both This Juneteenth
By Wanda Ravernell
Black Music Month and Juneteenth are inextricably linked – Black music is the sound of our freedom. From the plaintive moans of the enslaved Africans’ ‘sorrow songs,’ to the fields of Civil War battle where Black soldiers picked up abandoned bugles, to the upright piano played in juke joints
advance to the November general election. Under California’s top-two primary system, the two candidates receiving the most votes advance to the November general election regardless of party affiliation. In statewide contests, Black candidates are experiencing mixed results. In the governor’s race, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond (D) is
trailing in the crowded field led by Republican Steve Hilton (R), Democrat Xavier Becerra (D) and Democrat Tom Steyer (D). Former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs (D) is running outside the top two in the lieutenant governor’s race. Two Black statewide incumbents are performing significantly better. Secretary of State Shirley Weber (D) and Controller Malia Cohen (D) are both holding commanding leads in their races.
Review:
Oakland Director Boots Riley Dazzles Once Again in ‘I Love Boosters’
“I feel lonely,” Keke Palmer’s character Corvette says in the first few minutes “I Love Boosters,” the new comedy adventure film from Oakland-based director Boots Riley. “I wish I could feel lonely,” Naomi Ackie’s character Sade responds. “Try having kids.” “I Love Boosters” teems with kaleidoscopic colors, sharp playful social critique, otherworldly plot twists, and fast-paced action, but it’s grounded in its main characters’
The logo for Black Alliance for Just Immigration uses an image of Kwame Toure (Stokely Carmichael), who fought for Black civil rights in the 1960s. Courtesy image. Special to The Post The Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) condemns the continued gutting of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) and the broader assault on Black political power unfolding across the United States. Black immigrants in the United States — whether citizens or not — share a common condition with Black Americans. Our ability to
Black Candidates Maintain Strong Showing as California Counts Primary Ballots
access housing, healthcare, education, labor protections, safety, and political representation is deeply tied to the political power of Black communities in this country. When Black communities lose political power, all Black people across the diaspora become more vulnerable to displacement, criminalization, disenfranchisement, Continued on page 8
on Saturday night and churches come Sunday morning, our ancestors’ innovation in the face of want, fear, degradation, and hopelessness has yielded genres of music imitated ’round the world. Black Music Month started when Black Music Association members Ed Wright, Kenny Gamble and his wife, journalist Continued on page 8
Boots Riley’s ‘I Love Boosters.’ Courtesy photo.
simple and relatable motivations: They want to be less isolated, and more free to pursue their own creative endeavors. They’d like to design clothes and run a fashion boutique, but, unfortunately, they’re mostly busy surviving. Corvette and Sade, along with Mariah, played by Taylour Page, hustle and scheme through their brilliant scrappy organized crime group, the Velvet Gang. The gang regularly boosts clothes in the Bay Area and sells them at discounted prices. Riley portrays the gang in a posiContinued on page 8
Incumbent Congress members Maxine Waters (left), Lateefah Simon and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass are projected to be on the ballot in the November election. File photos.
Joe W. Bowers Jr. ing inPope the crowded by ReChicago Mayor Brandon Johnson presents Leo XIVfield withled ChicagoCalifornia Media on May 28.publican Steve Hilton themed giftsBlack at the Vatican Credit: Vatican News. (R), Democrat Xavier Becerra (D) DemBy As Post Staff continues count- last Friday, a day after theand meeting California ocratthe Tom Steyer (D). pontiff. ingFollowing ballots from the June 2 pri- with a private meeting Former Mayor MiJohnson Stockton had traveled to Rome marythe election, candidates with pope at Black the Vatican, Chi- chael Tubbs (D) is running outwith a delegation of about 50 local across the state appear positioned cago Mayor Brandon Johnson rec- side the top two in the lieutenant to maintain a strong presence on officials. A leading critic of Pres. ognized Chicago-born Pope Leo governor’s race. the November ballot. Of the 62 Donald Trump, he has publicly XIV as a powerful global ally on Two Black statewide incumBlack candidates running for thanked the pope for opposing the social justice, migration and repa- bents are performing significantstatewide offices, Congress, the war in Iran and Trump’s immigrarations, saying their shared roots tion ly better. Secretary of State Shirpolicies. Board of Equalization, the State (D) and Maand priorities could aid their ef- ley“IWeber thanked himController for his courSenate, and the State Assembly, at lia Cohen (D) are both holding forts to protect the vulnerable. least 26 are currently tracking to age, for his moral stance against “We are incredibly elated and commanding leads in their racadvance to the November general these endless wars, and certainly es. Weber Donald proud of him,” Johnson told the talked aboutleads the vote that IWagner took in election. (R) 54.2% to 41.4%, while Cohen Continued on page 8 Associated Press in an interview Under California’s top-two prileads Herb Morgan (R) 53.1% to mary system, the two candidates 42.2%. receiving the most votes advance Former State Sen. Steven to the November general election Bradford (D) is not currently in a regardless of party affiliation. top-two position in the Insurance In statewide contests, Black Commissioner contest. candidates are experiencing In the nonpartisan SuperintenSr. and Mamie Arthur Edgar. She mixed results. dent of Public Instruction race, was raised alongside her younger In the governor’s race, State Nichelle Henderson and Ainye brother, Charles Edgar Jr., affecSuperintendent of Public Instruc- Long tionately as “Little Brothare known also running outside of She also shared tion Tony Thurmond (D) is trail- er” or “Lil Bruh.” Continued on page 6 close bonds with her older siblings Carol Edgar-Lang, Maryann Edgar Calloway, and Lonnie Lewis Sr. A proud product of San Francisco’s historic Fillmore District, Debra attended Andrew Jackson Elementary School, where she met her lifelong best friend and adopted sister, Lynn Green, in the fifth grade. She later attended Robert Louis Stevenson ElemenDebra King-Cooper. Courtesy tary School, Roosevelt Junior photo. High School and Thomas Jefferson High School. Special to The Post Debra’s mother transitioned Debra King-Cooper, a beloved when she was only 17 years old, mother, grandmother, queen, and her father transitioned when sister, church member, caregiv- she was 23. Despite these proer, and matriarch, transitioned found losses, Debra remained peacefully on May 20 surrounded grounded through the love and by family and love in the comfort support of extended family and of her home. To her children, she lifelong family friends, In 1971, she married Harold was royalty, grace, strength, and King. On Sept. 24, 1972, they unconditional love embodied. Debra Diane Edgar was born welcomed their first son, Daon May 28, 1952, in San Francis- juan Artese King, affectionately Continued on page 8 co, California, to Charles Edgar
Commentary: Immigrants Respond to U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Gerrymandering
By Zac Haber Special to The Post
63rd Year, No. 22
Weekly Edition June 3 - 9, 2026
Longtime OUSD Employee Debra KingCooper, 73
Black Candidates Maintain Strong Showing as California Counts Primary Ballots Joe W. Bowers Jr. California Black Media
Incumbent Congress members Maxine Waters (left), Lateefah Simon and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass are projected to be on the ballot in the November election. File photos.
As California continues counting ballots from the June 2 primary election, Black candidates across the state appear positioned to maintain a strong presence on the November ballot. Of the 62 Black candidates running for statewide offices, Congress, the Board of Equalization, the State Senate, and the State Assembly, at least 26 are currently tracking to
Weber leads Donald Wagner (R) 54.2% to 41.4%, while Cohen leads Herb Morgan (R) 53.1% to 42.2%. Former State Sen. Steven Bradford (D) is not currently in a top-two position in the Insurance Commissioner contest. In the nonpartisan Superintendent of Public Instruction race, Nichelle Henderson and Ainye Long are also running outside of Continued on page 6