Oakland PIC’s Labor Day Message
We want to work (W.W.2W) for livable wages and affordable housing Oakland Police Officers Majority of Highest-Paid City Employees, Some Earning Over $500,000 Due to Overtime Read the full story on page 8
Special to The Post
Embedded in the Oakland community for more than 46 years, the Oakland Private Industry Council (OPIC) operates a number of workforce development programs that provide employment training and career pathways for every kind of job seeker – from a new job aspirant to those deeply experienced seeking a job change. OPIC also established the Cypress-Mandela Construction Trades Center in Oakland. OPIC CEO Raymond Lank-
ford said their employment training and job placement services aim to ensure clients are able to complete training and acquire a job. Clients access fully funded vocational skills training or apprenticeships, fully paid on-thejob training, work-based learning opportunities – such as paid internships – as well as job search assistance. Lankford’s Labor Day mes- The OPIC team and part of the EDP program. (L-R); Dwayne Wheatley, employment specialist; Rick Fortenberry, re-entry sage to Oakland’s unemployed program manager; Ray Lankford, CEO and president of OPIC; Minat Gezmu, program assistant; Kevin Wilheim, career Continued on page 8 workshop tutor and Richard ‘Razor’ Johnson, FIGB CEO/ OPIC outreach counselor. Photo by Jonathan Fitness Jones.
Oakland Post “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18
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Weekly Edition September 2 - 8, 2026
63nd Year, No. 35
Democratic Clubs, Other Groups Hold Endorsement Interviews for Oakland, Berkeley Candidates A cohort of young people visiting from Denmark shared skills with McClymonds High students to repair steps to the DeFremery Park Recreation Center. Photo courtesy Oakland Unified School District.
Clergy neighbors and friends held a prayer vigil last Tuesday in support of Zakiya Jendayi remaining in her home. The message was encouraging the public to make this the moment to demand accountability in the probate court. The public is encouraged to attend next week’s vigil at 6 p.m. at 3614 Randolph Ave. in Oakland. Photo by Venus Gist.
McClymonds High Students, Young People from Denmark Collaborate on DeFremery Park Construction Project
Zakiya Jendayi Makes Her Probate Case Public, Receives Overwhelming Support
Part 2 By Tanya Dennis
The Hamlin vs. Jendayi probate case came to a head last week when more than a dozen Alameda County Sheriff’s deputies came to the residence of Zakiya Jendayi to forcibly evict her despite a court ruling that would have allowed her to stay. Since 2013, Jendayi has been battling the Probate Court system to keep the house and assets she legally inherited when her friend, Dr. Laura Dean Head, passed away. Despite the terms of the trust, it was challenged in court by Dr. Head’s estranged sisters. According to Jendayi, what has ensued since is a series of ‘deliberate’ court errors that resulted in the invalidation of a legally bind-
ing will and trust. Jendayi uses the word ‘deliberate’ because the court transcripts of her case reveal more than 40 false and misleading claims and assertions that were made by the Judge Sandra K. Bean or opposing counsel that were allowed to stand. Jendayi’s case is not the first. Over the past decade, more than 100 Black homes have been taken in Alameda Probate Court over the past decade. Because of that pattern, clergy and community gathered in front of Zendayi’s home to pray over what now appears inevitable – her unlawful eviction by Alameda County sheriffs. Rev. Jeremy McCants of Imani Continued on page 8
Recent Studies Show Racial Impact of School Closings
Schools in African American neighborhoods are three times more likely to be closed, research shows
San Jose Unified School District parents flood the board room to fight against school closures as trustees make a final decision on March 26. Courtesy of San Jose Spotlight. By Post Staff. Recent studies reaffirm findings that closing schools do not save money nor lead to improved educational outcomes for students. Also, a new Stanford study confirms that schools are more likely to be closed in African American neighborhoods, exacerbating gentrification. These findings were discussed on the “Education Today,” radio show on KPFA 94.1 on Aug. 26 hosted by Dr. Kitty Kelly Epstein, an activist and education professor. Epstein reported that parents
in the San Jose Unified School District are involved in a struggle against school closings. The district decided to close five schools this school year, while saying the closings are not for financial reasons and are not going to save money. “We know from national studies that closing schools does not save money. We know this definitively, and it’s logical that it doesn’t save money because you still have the building that has to be taken care of, and they don’t lay off the staff” who take posiContinued on page 8
Special to The Post
Mayor Barbara Lee. Photo by Ken Epstein. By Ken Epstein Several Democratic clubs and other organizations jointly held endorsement interviews this past weekend for candidates running for offices in Oakland and Berkeley, including for the office of Oakland Mayor, where incumbent Barbara Lee is a leading contender. For the first time ever, the meeting was jointly sponsored by a number of organizations including: the John George Democratic Club, Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club, Oakland East Bay Democratic Club, Black Women Organized for Political Action
(BWOPA), Niagara Democratic Club, Block by Block Organizing Network, and the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce. The John George Democratic Club has issued its endorsements, only interviewing candidates who are registered as Democrats. The Oakland Post will report on other groups’ endorsements as they become available. In her interview, Mayor Lee said she is delivering on her commitments to Oakland residents. “We’re working hard on illegal dumping,” she said. “I am also really proud to be able to reinstitute Continued on page 8
For the past several weeks, young adults and their instructors from Denmark have been embedded within the McClymonds High community. The young Danes recently graduated from vocational school focused on construction and community improvement, and they have been sharing their knowledge with students and staff at McClymonds High. Together, the group has been working on renovating two sets of stairs on the historic DeFremery Park Recreation Center at 1651 Adeline St. in Oakland. The stairs have been in need of repair for a number of years, so now the community will benefit from this support. This project exemplifies the kinds of work that OUSD students do in Linked Learning as they work toward their careers.
Trade schools are an excellent opportunity after high school for Oakland’s young people to find their path toward success, and the Danish visitors also show what’s possible with this kind of training. The Recreation Center was chosen as the project because of its history as the city’s first municipal playground (1907) and a meeting place for the Black Panther party in the 1960s, along with the space it provides the West Oakland community. On Thursday afternoon, the community will come together, along with McClymonds students and staff and young leaders from Denmark, to unveil the newly revamped facility with a ribboncutting ceremony. This report comes from the Oakland Unified School District’s media relations office.
Monarchy Consulting Group Oakland International Film Festival to Host International Medical Puts Lens on Humanitarian Issues at Home and Abroad Conference in Belize Global gathering will unite healthcare leaders around innovation, equity and collaboration, Oct. 25-28
Karen Birks is the executive director and co- founder of Monarchy Consulting Group. Courtesy photo. Special to The Post Monarchy Consulting Group will convene healthcare professionals, medical leaders, executives, innovators and global health stakeholders for the International Medical Conference, taking place Oct. 25-28 in Belize City, Belize. Under the broader message “A Global Platform. Real Solutions. Lasting Impact,” the conference will create opportunities for healthcare leaders from Belize, the United States and the international community to exchange knowledge, develop relationships and
identify opportunities for meaningful cross-border collaboration. “Healthcare challenges do not stop at national borders, and neither should our solutions,” said Karen Birks, executive director and cofounder of Monarchy Consulting Group. “This conference is about bringing people together who are prepared not only to discuss health disparities and emerging challenges, but to build relationships and identify solutions that can create lasting impact in the communities we serve.” Conference programming will focus on key areas affecting healthcare systems and communities worldwide, including: ● Global health and health systems strengthening ● Infectious diseases and emerging threats ● Maternal and child health ● Intellectual Disabilities ● Chronic disease management ● Medical education and leadership ● Technology, artificial intelligence and the future of medicine Monarchy Consulting Group’s Continued on page 8
David Roach. Photo by KALW. By Carla Thomas The 24th Oakland International Film Festival (OIFF24) will bring stories of music, history, immigration, technology, environmental justice, and community resilience to audiences across the city during its annual program, running Sept. 9-19. Presented by the Oakland Film Society, OIFF24 will feature independent films, filmmaker conversations, panel discussions, networking events, and special programs at the Historic Grand Lake Theater, Northeastern University Oakland, and additional venues citywide. Founded to amplify underrepresented voices, the festival connects Oakland’s culture and activism with stories from filmmakers throughout the United
States and around the world. Co-Founder and Executive Director David Roach will welcome artists, filmmakers, and special guests for a festival designed to celebrate creativity while confronting urgent humanitarian and social issues. “We are proud to celebrate 24 years,” said Roach. “We have a great lineup this year and welcome the community to support filmmakers from all walks of life sharing their creativity and their perspectives. “Among this year’s featured films is ‘The Bill Patterson Story,’ chronicling the life of (the late) Oakland public servant Bill Patterson,” Roach said. Directed by Anthony Severo, the documentary honors Patterson’s seven decades of service and highlights Continued on page 8