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Oakland Post “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18
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Weekly Edition September 17 - 23, 2025
Community and Clergy Unite in Oakland to Confront Deadly Surge of Violence
62nd Year, No. 38
And The Winner Is! Artemis Lee at the ‘Best In Gospel - Bay Area 2025’ Left to right: Lagon Turner, Len Turner, District 7 City Councilmember Ken Houston, La Tanya Turner Hawkins, Lance Turner, Fred Mackay and Leland Turner. Courtesy photo.
East Oakland’s Collins Drive Renamed to Turner Group Drive, Honoring Longtime Construction Business
Photo by Brigitte Cook. By Post Staff Oakland, CA — Chants of “enough is enough” echoed through downtown Oakland on Sept. 13, as more than a hundred faith leaders, congregants, community advocates, and residents gathered at 14th and Broadway for a peace rally in response to a deadly week that left four people dead, and several others injured.
The event, called a “Peace Stand-In,” was organized by Soldiers Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE), a grassroots coalition founded in 2010 to confront gun violence in Oakland. This year alone, 49 lives have been lost to violence in the city, organizers said. “Violence is unacceptable in any society, but why is it acceptable in Continued on page 10
Special to The Post A street where brothers Len and Lance Turner played when they were kids will be named after their family business on Collins Drive in the East Oakland Coliseum neighborhood. Announced Monday by the Oakland City Council, the street
will now be known as Turner Group Drive, recognizing the contributions of the business that traces its beginnings to the mid1990s. The Turner Group Construction (TGC) stands on over 50 years of combined experience in commercial, residential, and inContinued on page 10
Oakland Private Industry Council Hosts Gala to Uplift Community Health and Opportunity
Organizers of the 40 X 40 Neighborhood Empowerment Day Festival in East Oakland. The event was produced by the Black Cultural Zone, Brotherhood of Elders Network, East Oakland Youth Development Center (EOYDC), and Roots Community Health. Photo by Carla Thomas.
40x40 Council Hosts Neighborhood Empowerment Day Festival in Oakland
By Carla Thomas
On Sept. 13, the Parker Community Resource Center at 7929 Ney Avenue came alive with music, food, and fellowship as the 40x40 Council hosted its Neighborhood Empowerment Day. A heat wave and blue skies framed the day for dozens of East Oakland residents gathered for a free, family-friendly fair that offered health and wellness resources, children’s activities, and
free barbecue. Over 30,000 Black residents call the 40x40 area home from Seminary Avenue to the San Leandro border, and MacArthur Boulevard to the Bay. For them, Neighborhood Empowerment Day is more than just an event. It is an opportunity to learn and connect with the community. Access to resources, famiContinued on page 10
Graphic courtesy of PIC. By Carla Thomas The Oakland Private Industry Council (PIC), is inviting the community to its inaugural fundraising event, “The Tropical Sunset Soirée,” on Thursday, Oct. 2, from 5-10 p.m. at the Torch Rooftop Bar, 1630 San Pablo Ave. in Oakland. The gala fundraiser will both celebrate PIC’s community reach and honor exceptional advocates. Tropical Sunset Soirée guests will enjoy an evening of entertainment, food, and celebration, highlighted by:
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Mark Ibanez, master of ceremonies – KTVU sportscaster who served the Bay Area for over 40 years Chef Michauxnee Olier, culinary director – Owner of Willow and Pines Restaurant, offering a creative fusion of Caribbean and soul food Live jazz by Oakland School for the Arts students will showcase the city’s young musical talent A DJ Dance Set – Closing out the night with high-energy muContinued on page 10
Aremmis Lee won a recording session as first-place winner in the contest. Courtesy photo.
Antoinette Porter. Photo by Don Bowden. By Antoinette Porter Artemis Lee emerged as the winner of the Best In Gospel Bay Area talent competition sponsored by Gregory Cole Production after an extended competitive series of elimination rounds that began in July at Beebe Memorial Cathedral in Oakland. Lee, 37, was selected by an esteemed panel of Gospel Music Industry Judges as the best performer with her dynamic interpretation of “Take Me to The King,” a song popularized by Tamela Mann. With her first-place prize, she will be given a professional re-
cording session that will lead to the production of a single produced by Carl Wheeler and Sylvester Burks. Wheeler, a Grammy-winner and a founding member of Tony Toni Tone, also toured with the late Frankie Beverly and Maze for 23 years. Burks, owner of Slykeys Recording Studios, will bring his 27 years of engineering and musicianship skills to that production. Donnell Garrett, the secondplace finisher, will receive $5,000. Lee, born and raised in San Francisco, California, was first discovered at the age of 6, when her family heard her singing in her room. She began sharing her voice through solos at her home church, Love Chapel Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of Pastor C. Cox. At 13, Artemis joined the Touch of Class Choir (TOCC) under Cole’s direction at Phillip Burton High School. From there, Continued on page 10
First Lady Ellesse Anderson and Rev. Dr. Kenneth J.L. Anderson of Williams Chapel in Oakland. Courtesy photo.
Faith, Fire, and 15 Years: Dr. Kenneth J.L. Anderson Marks Milestone at Williams Chapel
Courtesy image.
Christian Layman Church to Hold Garage Sale Oct. 11 to Benefit Tijuana Mission Trip
By Godfrey Lee Christian Layman Church, located on 7900 Mountain Blvd. in Oakland, will be having a garage sale on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., to help raise funds for people to go on their 2025 Tijuana Missions trip from Nov. 8 to 11. The trip is to help build homes for the families living in Tijuana, Mexico. This year, the church is excited
to launch their first-ever Garage Sale for a Cause—a fun, community-driven way to help fund their upcoming Tijuana mission trip. Specifically, they hope to raise enough to sponsor guests from CityTeam to join in serving. Here’s how the community can help: Start setting aside gently used, sellable items from your home or Continued on page 10
Special to The Post
Graphic courtesy of PIC.
In the heart of Oakland, where community challenges collide with unshakable hope, one pastor has spent 15 years turning faith into action and sermons into solutions. On Sept. 28, Rev. Dr. Kenneth J. L. Anderson, PhD known across the Bay Area as a millennial pastor, philanthropist, and community reformer, will celebrate his 15th pastoral anniversary alongside his wife and ministry partner, First Lady Ellesse Anderson, at Williams Chapel Baptist Church. Dr. Anderson’s journey began at the age of 7, when he preached
his first sermon. Decades later, his ministry has become a lifeline for Oakland residents—leading efforts for affordable senior housing, championing programs for the unhoused like the city’s Safe Car Parking initiative and mentoring the next generation of leaders. “Dr. Anderson is more than a preacher; he’s a builder, a reformer, and a voice for the voiceless,” said one longtime church member. “He’s brought the gospel out of the four walls and into the streets.” Equally impactful is his partnership with first lady Ellesse AnContinued on page 10