Lee Joins Food Stamp Challenge

Congresswoman Barbara Lee  joined national faith leaders from the Fighting Poverty with Faith coalition, senior members of the Obama Administration, and many of her Democratic colleagues at a Washington, D.C. supermarket to announce the start of the Food Stamp Challenge 2011.
The Food Stamp Challenge is a nationwide event intended to preserve funding for vital nutrition benefits during a time of record poverty and unacceptably high unemployment.  Fighting Poverty with Faith challenges everyone to live for one week on the food budget of someone surviving on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, or what is … Continue Reading

Student Latoya Carter Needs a Little Help From Her Friends to Go to Ghana

By Latoya Carter
 
As a child I’ve always dreamed of going to Africa. My father was a lover of African history and culture. He made it a priority that his children knew about their history. I remember my father saying to me “I’m going to send you to Africa one day so that you can meet your long lost family and understand where they came from and why you are here today”. My father has never been to Africa like many other African Americans. I’ve always wanted to experience wearing African clothing, participate in African dance ceremonies, gain knowledge on different tribes and see the animals. Though many things have changed in my life I have always kept my dream alive.
I moved out to California and immediately I enrolled myself into Laney College. I decided to follow my passion and major in dance. The professor Ms. Andre Lee introduced the class to a trip to Ghana West Africa for two weeks in January with her organization (Cultural Links To Academic And Social Success, Inc.).
 My dream is to be a professional choreographer and integrate different styles of dance from around the world and Ghana are my first step.
I worried about not being able to afford the trip because I was unemployed. The cost of the trip is $3,500 which includes travel, passport, visa, food, transportation, and the hotel.  So far I have raised $1,100 from promoting a dance show, public speaking at East Bay Church Of Religious Science and a donation from the Post Newspaper Group. My next deadline is October 31, to make a deposit of $1,000. Another $1,400 is due by November 30. I need help. … Continue Reading

Praise Dance Revival

Tree of Life Empowerment Ministries recently hosted their fourth annual Praise Dance Revival. Praise dancers from Bay Area churches were invited to share in the spiritual rewards of dance. The theme was “Living the Highway of Holiness Redeemed in the Lord” and the event was only one part of a four-day Deliverance Revival at the church.
Tree of Life Faith Empowerment Dancers, standing from left to right:  Janese Mosley, Minister Cheron Mize, Imani Scott, Shavon Smith, Nielah Hicks, Janae Stewart; Kneeling: Ajene Johnson, and Miracle Chavis. See story on page 4.

Attorney General Harris Announces Seizure of $5 Million Worth of Cocaine from Mexican Cartel

Attorney General Kamala D. Harris announced the seizure last week of more than 50 kilos of cocaine worth an estimated $5 million as part of a Department of Justice-led undercover operation targeting the Guadalajara Cartel, an organization that smuggles large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine into California.
Department of Justice special agents from the Inland Crackdown Allied Task Force (INCA) conducted an undercover sting operation into the cartel’s drug trafficking activities. An undercover agent arranged to purchase cocaine from two individuals associated with the cartel. … Continue Reading

Brooks, Goodwin to Provide Thanksgiving Turkey Dinners for 1,000 Oakland Families

Oakland Vice-Mayor Desley Brooks and Sports Agent Aaron Goodwin have teamed up to provide turkey dinners for 1000 Oakland families during Thanksgiving.
“With unemployment increasing and foreclosures on the rise many of our friends and neighbors are finding it difficult to make ends meet,” said Goodwin, representing the Goodwin Family Foundation. … Continue Reading

Chief Batts Honored by Clergy and Community

Police Chief Anthony Batts

Bishops Bob Jackson and Frank Pinkard announced that outgoing Police Chief Anthony Batts will be honored and thanked for his efforts to improve Oakland’s Police Department and the City’s public safety Saturday November 5 at 6:00pm at the Evergreen Baptist Church, 408 West MacArthur Blvd., Oakland.
Bishop Jackson, who also serves as pastor for Acts Full Gospel Church of God in Christ Church, said, “Chief Batts had our hearts. He had a lot of sympathizers. And, even though the politicians didn’t appreciate him, we did. We appreciate him for trying to bring in outside resources to help.”
Bishop Pinkard said the community “could plainly see that Chief Batts tried to clean up a Police department that is … Continue Reading

Oakland’s Occupy Movement Gains International Support

After observing how her home city has become the focus of international media coverage from the police crackdown ordered by Mayor Jean Quan, Congresswoman Barbara Lee reacted to the injuries and confusion suffered by the 99% movement protesters camped at the Oakland City Hall, just one block from her office. “I shared my outrage and grave concern about the police brutality in Oakland directly with the Mayor. My thoughts go out to the injured and especially Scott Olsen. I strongly support the occupy movement and continue to stand with the peaceful protesters in this struggle for economic justice and equality.” Photo by Adam L. Turner.

By Josiah
Branaman

Repeated attempts of more than 1000 protestors to reoccupy Frank Ogawa plaza Tuesday and Wednesday of last week were met with tear gas and smoke bombs from the Oakland Police as well as other police departments from the bay area. The sound of a unit of police on motorcycles constantly circling the group was met with sarcastic cheers from the crowd. Whenever the police in riot gear arrived or used any force they were met with stronger cheers and jeers from the crowd.
 Police in riot gear blocked the protesters marching from the main Oakland Public Library first at 12th and Broadway and then at 8th and Washington and where a thin line of OPD in riot gear were surrounded but did not move while the crowd was stopped at 7th by three rows of officers. The officers then released smoke and several arrests were made. Protestors then regrouped and marched down Broadway to Frank Ogawa where they took down the barricades while an OPD negotiator read a statement warning the group that because they were assembling illegally they must disperse or be arrested.
After a few tense moments the crowd dispersed and made their way to 20th and Franklin and then Snow Park where they heard speeches from the leaders. After the speeches they made their way back to Frank Ogawa this time yelling and were met with the same treatment but did not give the same. The crowd grew in intensity, throwing bottles and a rock at some of the police near 14th and Broadway. The police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets after hearing that someone among the protesters had set off firecrackers.
 The scene was repeated throughout the night with the crowd thinning at every use of tear gas. 200 protestors were left by daylight.
On Thursday many of the protesters were discussing the national and international sympathy support statements and messages from Occupy Wall Street movements throughout the world. They also heard the announcement that Dan Siegel, a legal advisor to Mayor Jean Quan, had announced that he and his law firm would represent protesters who were beaten by police during the protests. … Continue Reading

Oakland Sees Increased Demand for Job Services

Job seekers at a recent Oakland Career Expo.

By Post Staff

The Oakland Private Industry Council reports an unprecedented increase in the number of individuals seeking job services thus far this calendar year – through September 30, 2011. Compared to the same period last year, there was more than an 18% increase.
The downtown Oakland One Stop Career Center, run jointly by the Private Industry Council (PIC) and Employment Development Department (EDD) along with the two career centers operated on behalf of the Alameda County Social Services Agency, received 43,793 job seeker visits in 2010, and 51,701 for the same period this year.  
If the rise continues at the same rate, the centers can expect to have nearly 69,000 job seeker visits by year end.  Other neighborhood-based “affiliate” centers in Oakland have experienced similar increases. … Continue Reading

Lee: Latino AIDS Awareness Day

Barbara Lee

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Co-Chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, released a statement in honor of National Latino AIDS Awareness Day on October 15th.
 Latinos represent 16% of the U.S. population but account for an estimated 18% of people living with HIV and 18% of new infections. “As we mark National Latino AIDS Awareness day, I am reminded of the devastating impact that HIV/AIDS has had on communities of color in the U.S.
“Latinos progress to AIDS faster than any other racial or ethnic group with 42% being diagnosed with AIDS within 12 months after learning of their positive HIV status — compared to 34% late diagnosis among non-Hispanic whites. In my own district, Latinos are among the most late diagnosed people living with HIV with up to 58% progressing to AIDS within 12 months of diagnosis. In light of this daunting statistic, this year’s theme is ‘Latinos Unite! Let’s Stay Healthy! Get Tested for HIV!’ … Continue Reading

The Impact of Life Style Changes on Lowering High Blood Pressure

By Jessica
Dunn
 

The good news is there are numerous ways to lower your blood pressure by making small lifestyle changes. First and foremost, if your doctor has prescribed medication to control your blood pressure, it is important that you follow the regimen.  In addition to following your prescription, simple modifications to everyday routines such as: lowering salt intake, diet control, increasing exercise, losing weight, decreasing alcohol consumption, reducing stress levels, and smoking cessation will help reduce your blood pressure.  These suggestions may seem like huge life style changes, but have no fear, you can start off by working one or two into your daily routine and gradually add in more.  Plus, these are beneficial for more than just your blood pressure.
Fine tuning your diet
& exercise routine
Diet coupled with an increase in your weekly exercise routine will not only lower your blood pressure, but will also slim your waist line to get you back into your favorite clothes. … Continue Reading

AIDS Discussion at Joyce Gordon Gallery

Joyce Gordon continues to open her art gallery’s doors, at 406 14th Street, Oakland, to HIV/AIDS education and prevention as part of her continuous tribute to her brother, Clarence Brown, who died of AIDS.
“He was my favorite brother, we were so much alike.  My brother was the other me”, she said.  On Saturday, October 22, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm, Gordon hosts Aid for AIDS Africa (AFAA) “Speaking Life into Our Community” a discussion on the state of HIV/AIDS in the African American community. Gordon says that she tries to help whenever she has an opportunity. “We all must do what we can, when we can, you are my brother, I am your sister”, she says.

Mercedes Dickerson – Inventor and Weight Lifting Champion

Mercedes Dickerson

By Carla Thomas

At 55 and with a world win in 1998 for Olympic Weight Lifting behind her belt, Mercedes Dickerson is well positioned to take home a world record when she attends the WWF World Masters Weight Lifting Competition in Greece next week for the Snatch, Clean & Jerk categories.
Attracted to the discipline and mental as well as physical benefits of the sport, Dickerson says weight lifting became a way of life after a year of one on one training and a win during her very first competition.
“There is a release of endorphins with such intensity, the kind of high, that your body is enhanced not broken down,” she said.  It’s a great response from within, not from without. “
The native North Carolinian graduate of Chapel Hill with a Masters in Kinesiology from San Jose State was recruited by Lawrence Livermore Laboratories 28 years ago and is currently an electronics engineering associate and CEO of her own company. … Continue Reading

Where Are Our Senior Nonprofit Services for Our Aging Population?

By Lenora
Williams

Seniors have a multitude of diverse needs: health care; patient visits, prescription disbursements, social welfare, community recreation centers, companionship services, in-home services, out-patient services; food and transportation, and more.  
Unfortunately, when they wait for public transportation and need assistance with getting on the bus, into a vehicle or when they have assigned transportation that can’t seem to show up at the designated time to pick them up, our seniors feel the pain of lack of services that meet their needs. This lack extends also to when they are shopping in the grocery store with little or nothing in their baskets. A variety of their needs are currently being met by some nonprofits but there are a lot that are not.  The needs of our aging population are urgent and funds for seniors are dwindling.   … Continue Reading

Putting the “G” Back into Gentlemen

Top Row: Left to Right: Filip Kragon, Aaron London, Liddon Levine, Maurice Leggette,Bakku Tarpeh, & Kyle Musick; Bottom Row: Taylor Little, Bryan Raines, Saxton Pitts, Victor Mayo; Center: Rev. Randy Rowden.

By David Scott

When a father teaches his son, the significance of knowing how to tie and wear a tie, the male child is being prepared to learn and do ‘’Man Business,’’ according to  Bay Area Fashion Clothing Designer Rev. Randy Rowden.  
Rev Rowden,  owner of Oxford Way Men’s Clothing Store in North Oakland believes fashion is taught at a young age. “When I was a child I thought like a child and did childish things, but when I became a man I pulled my pants up’’ says Rowden.  He further states “How you dress defines who you are. When you wear a fine tailored suit your self-esteem and confidence rises to new heights.’’  
Rev. Rowden is inviting the public to see what he’s talking about.  The Oxford Way Men’s Clothing store proudly presents ‘’Putting the ‘’G’’ Back in Gentleman’’ Male Pageant/Fashion Show & Banquet Saturday, November 5th, at 6:00 p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church 2619 Broadway, Oakland.   … Continue Reading

Praise Dance Showcase Coming

The Post News Group 1st Gospel Praise Dance Showcase has been rescheduled to a later date in 2012 TBA. Promoting wholesome recreational activity amongst youth, this event celebrates the creative art of praise dancing and diverts attention away from the “sideshows” and makes praise dancing the “main” show.
As youth bring a new attitude and “spiritual swag” to praise dancing, we want to encourage them to keep striving towards their goals. The Showcase is open to praise dance groups from all over the Bay Area to enter and show their unique styles of praise.
Dance groups must have a church sponsor and pay the entry fee of $15/per dancer at the time of registration. Traditional to modern and contemporary dance, praise dance teams will submit videos of their performance (not to exceed 3 minutes) to be entered into the Showcase; these performances must be faith-based and performed to gospel music. … Continue Reading

Marcus Book Store Book Signings Nov. 30

Melissa V, Harris Perry, a professor at Tulane University in New Orleans and a frequent guest on the Rachel Maddow show on MNBC TV, will autograph her newest book “Sister Citizen -Shame, Stereo-types and Black Women in America”, Oct. 24, 7:30 pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave., in Oakland.
Harris-Perry and Blanche Richardson, owner of Oakland’s Marcus Books, will  discuss the book.  Harris-Perry, is an award winning author and founding director of the Project on Gender: Race and Politics in the South.
Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.  You can obtain them at brownpapertickets.com, 800-838-3006, or Marcus Books in Oakland, 510-652-2344,
Moe’s Pegasus Books (3 shops), Diesel, A Bookstore, Walden Pond Books in Oakland, Marcus Books in S.F., or www.kpfa.org/events
Davey D will host an evening of dialogue with Harry Belafonte and Dr. Raye Richardson.  Belafonte will present his … Continue Reading

Rev. Kenneth J.L. Anderson Succeeds Dr. H.L. Hudson at Williams Chapel

Rev. Dr. Henry L. Hudson

The  historic Williams Chapel Baptist Church has chosen Reverend Dr. Kenneth J.L. Anderson as its new pastor to succeed Dr. Henry L. Hudson, who retired September 25 after serving 29 years as the fifth Pastor in the church’s 72 year history.
Rev. Anderson is the nephew of the late Reverend Carl J. Anderson, who pastored Oakland’s St. John Baptist Church. Rev. Kenneth J.L. Anderson, in his 20’s, will be among the youngest Pastors in Oakland.  
 Deacon Melvin Richardson, who serves as General Chairman, said Pastor Anderson “has been a big asset to our church already.” … Continue Reading

Holdsworth Paints Oakland’s Occupy Wall Street Camp

Artist Anthony Holdsworth steadily paints Oakland’s 99% club members who are shaking Wall Street during Thursday’s earthquake that shook City Hall. . Photo by Adam L. Turner.

AC Transit Receives $6.6 Million in Dept. of Transportation Funding

Mary King

AC Transit  announced that it has been awarded $6,677,074 in Department of Transportation funds to help upgrade facilities and equipment.  The funding comes from the Federal Transit Administration’s “State of Good Repair” program, which seeks to ensure the continued safety and integrity of America’s bus and rail systems through projects to maintain infrastructure, manage information and innovatively finance public transportation systems.
AC Transit Interim General Manager Mary King called the grant “extremely good news,” particularly at a time when funding for public transit is so difficult to obtain.
“This grant will allow us to make some critical capital improvements and repairs,” King said.  “We will now be able to replace elevators, upgrade our facilities to meet environmental standards, and develop an asset management database to more effectively track the condition of the agency’s facilities and equipment. This reduces the need for costly emergency repairs and major rehabilitation, and minimizes the drain on our operating budget which helps to ensure more bus services for the public.” … Continue Reading

Street Corner Symphonic Concert With Collins, Smith, Thibodeaux and Wilson

From left to right: Gregory Wilson, Augusta Lee Collins, Toney Thibodeaux and Melvin Smith. Photo by Adam L. Turner.

By Paul Cobb
 
“I was riding the 88 bus on my way to Dr. Geoffrey Watson’s office when I was given a copy of the Post newspaper by Augusta Lee Collins. He showed me the story about his former homelessness,” said Melvin Smith. “I was homeless too. Now I’ve got my first apartment and I’m on fire for Jesus. I shared my love for music with Collins.”
Smith said he attends Cellar Christian Ministry, at 3651 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way where Jacquelyn Jackson is the pastor.
Her church is located three blocks from Abyssinian Baptist and five blocks from the Pizza Plaza.
He told Collins how he watched guitarist Johnny Talbot rehearse in the basement of his home. “Talbot influenced me as a kid and guitarist Collins is influencing me as an adult. He and Collins will play together and hope their music and messages will inspire others, especially the homeless. … Continue Reading

Evergreen Hosts President Martin, Jeremiah Wright Speaks at ABSW

Dr. Paul M. Martin, President ABSW

Dr. Paul M. Martin, President of the American Baptist Seminary of the West (ABSW),  in Berkeley, will preach the morning service at the Evergreen Baptist Church of Oakland Sunday, November 6, Bishop Frank Pinkard is the pastor.   
Dr. Paul M. Martin was elected President of (ABSW) on July 1, 2009.
The ABSW is conducting a conference this week titled “Leaders Reaching across Barriers of Faith, Class and Culture”, October 24-26 at 2606 Dwight Way, Berkeley.
The Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Alvesta Wright, Jr., Pastor Emeritus of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Illinois and former pastor to President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama will be the featured speaker at ABSW. … Continue Reading

Dewey’s Doing It With Healthy Minds and Bodies

Top row, from left to right: Eric Young, Essence Route, Austin Johnson, Maurice Compton; Bottom row, left to right: Kevin Ingersoll, Paul Beverly, Antoine Ward, Paul Beverly with Antoine Ward. Photos and graphic by Adam L. Turner.

If ever there was a school that First Lady Michelle Obama would love to visit to commend for their commitment to excellence in physical fitness, it’s Dewey.
When it comes to fitness and health Dewey does it.
After four years the Dewey Academy has developed  an  innovative health and wellness program under the leadership of former Dewey Assistant Principal Mekael Johnson. With the help of a $20,000 grant from the Oakland Unified School District, Dewey launched its physical education wrap around program.  Under the program students and faculty also learn the benefits of a healthy diet and nutrition to augment their weekly physical activities.
The Dewey staff said that combination helps manage some of the behavioral and emotional issues for many of the students. … Continue Reading

Oakland School Board to Decide on School Closures

By Ashley
Chambers

The Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) Board of Education is expected to make a decision on the closing of five Oakland schools on October 26. This decision is a part of a District restructuring plan that the OUSD staff recommended to the board on September 27.
Last Wednesday, parents, students, and community members spoke out against the closing of Santa Fe, Maxwell Park, Lazear, Marshall, and Lakeview elementary schools at a board meeting that was held at Castlemont High School. This meeting was the fourth open discussion between board and community members since the list of school closures was released last month. Tension was heavy as parents expressed their frustrations during public comment, which lasted well over two hours.
School closure was the main topic of discussion Wednesday night but the restructuring plan also includes other modes of action. Amongst them, it is recommended that seven high schools be transformed into two comprehensive high schools, grade configuration changes for a number of schools, expansion of two others, and restructuring of adult education. … Continue Reading

Obama Dedicates National Memorial to Dr. M.L. King, Jr.

President Barack Obama formally dedicating the national memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Standing alongside generations of civil rights leaders and people from around the country, the President formally dedicated the national memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. — a 30-foot carved granite image of Dr. King emerging from a mountain, which is situated between the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials on the National Mall.
The President stood at the base of the memorial as he addressed thousands in the crowd — folks of all ages and backgrounds — drawing upon Dr. King’s own words to tell how his life and legacy have helped shape this country. … Continue Reading

Bay Area Resident Dr. Sherman Visits the Dr. Martin Luther King Monument

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. monument which is situated between the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials on the National Mall. Photo by Tom Sherman.

By Tom
Sherman, Ph.D.

I had anticipated attending the formal dedication of the Martin Luther King ceremony on August 28th for months when my excitement had a crash landing with the news that the dedication had been postponed due to Hurricane Irene.  As with most storms, this one held a silver lining for me, an unscripted, unique, intimate opportunity to meet Dr. King in his new outdoor cathedral on the shores of the tidal basin.
Since winning reserve standing area tickets through an on-line lottery, I’d kept up to date on details of the event.  I knew of the monument’s location on the tidal basin and its strategic positioning in relation to the Lincoln, Jefferson, and Washington Monuments.  I had seen pictures of the main statue and was aware the site was consciously planned to incorporate elements of nature:  trees, water, and stone.
As I neared entrance to the National Mall, I saw the Lincoln Memorial, amazed by the mass of people on the stairs of the monument until I realized the crowd was focused on an African American man reenacting recitation of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
He no doubt was standing on or near the spot King had stood 48 years before when King delivered that iconic speech to the quarter million integrated protest marchers who had gathered on that day.  As I listened to the immortal speech, I shot pictures of a somber Lincoln seated in his dark, enclosed temple with a direct line of sight down the mall to the Washington Monument and the Capitol beyond.  I understood why Dr. King had spoken from this place–the place where the principles of freedom, equality, and unity are enshrined as the legacy of Lincoln. Ideals that Dr. King reminded the country were promised yet not delivered. … Continue Reading