Lowe’s Donates $500,000 to United Negro College Fund

The United Negro College Fund – the nation’s largest minority education organization – has received a $500,000 grant from Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation (LCEF) for the Campaign for Essential Student Aid (CESA). Funding will help students at UNCF’s 39 member historically Black colleges and universities complete their senior year and receive their college degrees. “We are grateful for Lowe’s generous gift and for their commitment to education,” said Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., UNCF president and CEO. “These students have done everything in their power to graduate. Now, they have come to the last mile, and need help crossing the finish line. We encourage communities across America to follow in Lowe’s footsteps and help these students get the education they need.” As the recession lingers, many students at UNCF schools continue to find themselves in financially vulnerable positions.  Unemployment and pay cuts still reduce families’ financial support for their children’s education.  The credit crunch still keeps private student loans off the market.  And students still come up short of the funds they need to cover tuition and room and board balances. … Continue Reading

Hampton U. Opens Largest Proton Therapy Institute

Hampton University recently celebrated the grand opening of the HU Proton Therapy Institute, the world’s largest freestanding proton center. Proton therapy is regarded as the most precise form of cancer treatment available because it targets and kills tumors with millimeter accuracy, while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. The procedure leaves a patient with minimal side effects, unlike conventional radiation therapy, which is especially important for pediatric patients. The institute is expected to treat approximately 2,000 patients per year with prostate, breast, brain, lung, ocular and pediatric cancers. The institute’s 200-ton cyclotron originates and spins the protons at 60 percent of the speed of light, sending the resulting beam down a beam line to the treatment room. The actual treatment of protons lasts a mere 60 seconds. Patients are treated five days a week, from five to ten weeks. … Continue Reading

100 Black Women Focus on AIDS Relief

By Jesse Brooks The National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc., Oakland Bay area Chapter, celebrated last Saturday at the 15th Anniversary Benefit and Corporate Leadership Awards Gala. The black tie affair was held at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis, highlighting the coalition’s commitment to community and inducting six new members. The group’s mission is to provide programs and services that increase the participation of African American women in economics, civic, entrepreneurial and human service arenas in their perspective communities through education, scholarships and collaboration. … Continue Reading

Our Family Circle Foundation Holds Craft Fair Nov. 20

Our Family Circle 55 Plus Center, located at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 6038 Brann St. in Oakland  (Parrish Hall); (510) 568-9551,  is  a non-profit organization that offers various craft classes for seniors 55 plus. The seniors work very hard all year making dolls, jewelry, hats, scarves, and other items to sell at the Craft Fair which will be held Saturday, Nov,20, from 11:30-3:00 p.m.

Supremacist Tied Up in Noose Mailing Case

Daniel Lee Jones, a Portland, Ore., white supremacist, was sentenced this week to 18 months in prison and three years supervised release for threatening the president of the Lima, Ohio, chapter of the NAACP by mailing him a noose. Jones entered a guilty plea on May 17,  to using the U.S. Postal Service to send a threatening communication. In the plea agreement, Jones admitted to mailing F.M. Jason Upthegrove a hangman’s noose, which arrived at Upthegrove’s home on or about Feb. 14, 2008. Jones stated in the plea agreement that he mailed the hangman’s noose in order to convey a threat to Mr. Upthegrove because he was an African-American who publicly advocated for better police services for African-Americans in Lima, Ohio. The indictment indicated that Mr. Upthegrove also spoke out in the media against Jones’s white supremacist group’s mailing of hate flyers related to the shooting of an African American woman by a member of the Lima Police Department. … Continue Reading

Volunteers Needed to Help Adult English Learners

Opportunities are available in Oakland Unified School District classrooms for people who wish to volunteer to help parents, under the direction of an adult education instructor, improve their English so they can become full partners in the educational development of their children. Volunteers are also needed to help immigrants become U.S. citizens. For those who are interested in  participating an informational meeting will be held Monday, Nov. 29, at 1 p.m., 2111 International Blvd. in Oakland. For more details contact Joan Adams at joan.adams@ousd.k12.ca.us, or visit website http://OACEonline.org

YG and 50 Cent Join to Stop the Spread of HIV/AIDS

DEF Jam’s hottest new Hip Hop artist, YG (Young Gangster) arrived at the Fifth Annual Taste of Soul, an annual street festival hosted by the Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper.  YG was greeted by his many awaiting fans who came out to meet him as well as get tested for HIV.  “YG recently joined the team of I Choose Life, the ACT! Against AIDS Leadership Initiative, Charles R. Drew University and AIDS Healthcare Foundation to test African American youths and adults for the HIV/AIDS virus,” said Tony R. Wafford, National Director of Health and Wellness for the National Action Network.

Governor’s Veto Jeopardizes Students’

    State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell announced this week that implementation of the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS), the state’s data system, has led to enrolling over 200,000 eligible children for free meals without the need to complete any additional paperwork.  However, O’Connell warned that further progress to efficiently enroll hungry students in school nutrition programs will be delayed as a result of the Governor’s veto of funding for CALPADS.   “In these tough economic times, school nutrition programs provide the only consistently healthy meals for many students, who would otherwise go hungry,” he said. “By utilizing CALPADS, districts were able to directly certify an additional 212,000 students for free meals in just three months, about a 47 percent increase from the previous year’s total when the California Department of Education used a system other than CALPADS.” Students were immediately eligible for free, healthy lunches and breakfasts at school, and districts eliminated hundreds of thousands of pages of paperwork, O’Connell said, but “the Governor’s short-sighted veto of CALPADS funding means system improvements that could directly certify another 10 to 30 percent more students are now on hold.” … Continue Reading

Kamalaw and Order

Obama backed Oakland-born Harris, elected as  State’s first Black/Indian Woman Attorney General Oakland-born Afro-Indian American Kamala Harris became California’s first woman, Black and Indian, to be elected as Attorney General. As of Thursday afternoon, Harris maintained a 9,000 vote lead over her opponent.  Several hundred thousand provisional ballots remain to be counted, though both  campaigns have already claimed victory. The Post will provide updated results as they become available. Daughter of an Indian mother and African-American father, Harris is the District Attorney for San Francisco. She will replace Democrat Jerry Brown, who lives in Oakland and who won the election for Governor of California on Tuesday. Senator Barbara Boxer, also an Oakland resident,  was re-elected to her fourth term. State Treasurer Bill Lockyer, born and raised in Oakland, was reelected as State Treasurer. Harris, the only Indian-American candidate publicly endorsed by President Barack Obama, defeated Steve Cooley of the Republican Party in a tough fight. Harris was elected as the first woman District Attorney in San Francisco’s history in December 2003, and as the first African-American woman and South Asian American woman in California to hold the office. She was re-elected for a second term in November 2007. Harris is the daughter of the late Dr. Shyamala Gopalan, a breast cancer specialist from Tamil Nadu who traveled to the United States from Chennai to pursue her graduate studies at UC Berkeley. After attending public schools, Harris’ strong commitment to justice and public service led her to Howard University and then to the University of California and Hastings College of the Law. … Continue Reading

County Receives $2.8 Million for Electric Vehicles

  The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) announced this week that it will award a $2.8 million grant to bring 90 electric vehicles to government fleets across the Bay Area.   As part of the national demonstration project Alameda County will deploy 20 electric vehicles in their fleet beginning in the second quarter of 2011. Bringing electric vehicles to Bay Area Government Fleets will curb emissions and reduce dependence on oil. The grant funding will cover the additional cost beyond the normal cost of conventional gasoline vehicles. Grant funds will also pay for the purchase and installation of 20 electric vehicle-charging stations to be deployed in locations throughout Alameda County. “Alameda County’s Climate Action Plan, adopted earlier this year, sets goals for the County to reduce our carbon footprint. This project allows for Alameda County to demonstrate the performance of electric vehicles, as well as to help to develop an Electric Vehicle charging station infrastructure within the County,” said Aki Nakao, Alameda County’s General Services Agency Director.  This grant is a part of MTC’s $33 million Climate Innovation Grants pool, $14 million of which is allocated to this and other major electric vehicle projects in the Bay Area – approximately 44 percent of the total grants pool. MTC also funds an Electric Vehicle battery swap initiative for taxis, a program to bring additional EV infrastructure to the region, and an electrified car-sharing program. … Continue Reading

Financial Aid Finally Reaches Community College Students

California college students are finally finding financial relief as a result of the Oct. 8 signing of the Budget Act, which authorized the release of more than $1.2 billion in Cal Grant funds.  This is particularly important to African-American students who receive more than $140 million in financial aid annually at the community college level. One month ago, a budgetary stalemate left more than 60 percent of community college Cal Grant recipients, or roughly 41,000 students, without funding for the Fall 2010 semester.  The signing of the Budget Act provides some financial relief to the 112 California community colleges that, as a result of current state budget delays, have been forced to cut course selection options, limit enrollment and borrow money at a system-wide cost estimated in excess of $5 million.

Manzanita Center Hosts Amateur Boxing Event

By Godfrey Lee The Marin City Manzanita Recreation Center hosted an amateur boxing event last Sunday afternoon, presenting eight bouts that showcased local youth. Boxer Paul Nave was the ring announcer and gave a familiar voice to the event, which attracted a medium-sized crowd. Jozette Justice and her daughter Danielle Smith served the hotdogs. Justice, who operates a weight-loss business, says that the amateur boxing, even with its risks, is still a good sport that gives young people something athletic to do beyond watching television and playing videos. Isaac Garcia, 8 years old and weighing 70 pounds, represented Double Punches, defeating Cain Sandoval, 8 years and 72 pounds, from the Sacramento Boxing Club. Andre Conway, 10 years old and 73 pounds, from Ring of Fire, defeated Johnathon Rubio, 10 years old and 68 pounds, from Double Punches. Charlie Sheehy, 12 years old and 90 pounds, from Ring of Fire, defeated Isai Sandoval, 11 years old and 87 pounds, from Sacramento Boxing Club. Marcos Escobado, 18 years old and148 pounds,  from Caballero’s Boxing Club, fought well and defeated Steven Si, 21 years old and 149 pounds from Santa Clara PAL. Michael Gordan, 13 years old and 104 pounds, from Ring of Fire, defeated Alfredo Toro, 15 years old and 99 pounds, from the Sacramento Boxing Club. Toro suffered a nose injury 25 seconds into the third round. John Abella, 20 years old and 132 pounds, from Caballero’s, defeated Ulises Soriano, 18 years old and 133 pounds, from DF Boxing Club. Both are fast fighters with good reflexes. Julio Vargas, 21 years old and 142 pounds, from Double Punches, defeated Grant Hartwia, 18 years old and147 pounds, from Marin City Boxing Club. Grant’s father Jeff said his son fought well and is encouraging him to continue as an amateur boxer. Oldhina Alatriste, 16 years old and at 144 pounds, outclassed and defeated Rebecca Roth, 16 years old and 142 pounds. The referee stopped the contest 53 seconds into the first round. Both are from Marin City.

Last Words of a Black Soldier Killed in Vietnam War

Vietnamese Lt. Luu and his comrades, under dangerous fighting conditions, had made every effort to treat the fatal wounds hoping to save the  Black American soldier’s life. Luu kept the articles given to him by the unknown soldier in his backpack, promising to himself to help fulfill the last wish of the deceased enemy when peace would return to Vietnam. It turned out to be a very difficult task, and until today he is still searching for the “love” or family of the young Black American soldier killed in action.  In 1978 Luu, who by then had already left the PAVN (The People’s Army of Vietnam), visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hanoi inquiring about this American KIA but could not get any useful information.  The government later sent him to study in the former Soviet Union where he was awarded a doctoral degree. In his late 60s Luu had retired from a successful business venture. In retirement, Vu Dinh Luu, returned to Nam Dinh City, his home province some 100 km south of Hanoi. He still owns and operates a War Relics Museum next to his home, featuring articles collected during the French-Vietnamese War 1946-54 and the U.S.-Vietnam Conflict 1963-75. He kept the dog tag, the sunglasses and the Zippo lighter of the American KIA, in one of the glass cases in this museum.  During a recent interview in June of this year, at his home in Nam Dinh, he recalled  what had happened on that fateful day in 1971. … Continue Reading

Wells Fargo Sponsors State NAACP Convention in Oakland

Wells Fargo announced this week that it is a major sponsor of the NAACP 23rd Annual Convention of the California State Conference in Oakland that takes place Thursday through Sunday at the Oakland Marriott City Center Hotel, 1001 Broadway. Nearly 700 community leaders, experts, and national and state elected dignitaries are expected to attend. Wells Fargo’s $50,000 donation will help support the organization’s programs and services that serve the local community. “Wells Fargo’s support of the NAACP California State Conference is another example of the California-based company’s commitment to the African American community,” said Brenda Wright, SVP/ Wells Fargo’s California Community Development Manager.  “The vision of Wells Fargo and the NAACP, together, create a powerful voice that makes a difference in our communities.” Wells Fargo will honor NAACP President Alice Huffman at the Youth Focus convention dinner sponsored by the bank. Huffman is being recognized for her leadership and advocacy in ensuring political, educational, social and economic equality.

Santana’s Milagro Foundation Gives $205,000 to Support Education

In Marin County, 7 educational agencies received a total of $75,000 Carlos Santana’s Milagro Foundation is giving $205,000 in grants funds to agencies supporting education. The foundation’s educational mission is to support agencies that encourage college access and aspirations among underserved children to close the achievement gap and break the cycle of poverty. A grand total of $285,000 was awarded, including non-education grants for disaster relief in Pakistan, a health clinic in Autlan, Mexico, and a food bank in Las Vegas where Santana has a home and performs at the Hard Rock Hotel. In Marin County, seven educational agencies received a total of $75,000.  They are: AIM High, summer academic programs for sixth-eighth graders in Marin City and San Rafael; Bridge the Gap College Prep, an after school and evening tutoring program in Marin City; Canal Alliance, an after-school tutoring program in San Rafael; Hannah Project, a summer Freedom School for third-fifth graders and a high school student support program in Marin City; Marin County School Volunteers, which offers volunteer tutoring support in schools and Marin educational agencies; Marin Literacy Program, a fathers’ program at San Quentin; Ritter Center, a backpack program for homeless children.

Meg Whitman Talks Education in Oakland

By Lee Hubbard Republican candidate for governor Meg Whitman visited Jefferson Elementary School in East Oakland this week to talk about what it will take to get education back on track in California. Whitman, who is locked into a tight race against Democrat Jerry Brown, stressed that education is one of her top issues. “In low-income neighborhoods, 4-year-olds need to have a good start, and in these schools great teachers make the difference,” she said.  “This has been my priority, and we (as a state) have to do better in K through 8 education.” One of the elementary schools doing well is Learning Without Limits, a small school that is on the same campus as Jefferson Elementary.  Leo Fuchs, principal of Learning Without Limits, said he was glad Whitman chose to visit his campus. “The candidates are taking an interest in education and coming to see what’s happening in a school that’s trying to make a difference in the community,” said Fuchs. … Continue Reading

Viger Hicks Celebrates 100th Birthday

By Post Staff Viger Hicks will celebrate her 100th birthday on Oct. 16, surrounded by family and friends. Her sister, Mildred Pitts Walter, 86, will come from Colorado to attend the festivities. Born in Call, Texas, in 1910, Hicks completed 8th grade at Beauregard Parish Training School in DeRidder, LA. She was married for 50 years to Milton Hicks, who passed away in 1983. The couple had no children. Hicks had lived for many years with her husband in Longview, Washington. She moved to Richmond in 2000 to live with her niece and nephew, Mr. And Mrs. Grover Dixon. She currently lives at the San Pablo Care & Wellness Center, formerly known as the Brookview Care Center. She belongs to the North Richmond Missionary Baptist Church, a proud member of Sunday School Class #4. Hicks is known by her friends for her kindness and love of the Lord.  She is a faithful prayer warrior and never says a bad word about anyone. Her lifelong hobbies have included a love of cooking and sharing food, fishing  listening to gospel music, singing and appreciating nature. As a young adult, she loved to dance the Charleston. … Continue Reading

Faith-Based Leaders Demand City Reopen Police Negotiations

Leaders of the faith-based community attended the City Council’s Public Safety Committee meeting last week to demand the reopening of negotiations between the city and Oakland Police Officers Association. The leaders are hoping that new negotiations will lead to the rehiring of the laid-officers. They also want the police officers to agree to pay for part of their pension benefits, as other city employees presently do. “As a result of the faith-based community’s demands, the Mayor, members of the City Council and officers of the  police union will begin a new negotiating process to resolve these issues,” said Bishop Frank Pinkard of the Evergreen Baptist Church. Other participating leaders included Bishop Bob Jackson of Acts Full Gospel, COGIC;  Joe Smith, President of Bay Cities Baptist Ministers Union; Dr. David Kiteley, Shiloh Christian Fellowship; and Dr. Lawrence VanHook, Baptist Ministers Union, Bishop James Watkins and Rev. R. Dudley along with many others. … Continue Reading

Brown Apologizes for Calling Whitman a ‘Whore’

After Attorney General Jerry Brown campaign apologized to Republican Gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman for calling her a “whore,” he was forced to repeat his plea for forgiveness at the third debate. “It’s unfortunate, I’m sorry it happened, and I apologize,” the 72-year-old former governor said. But Whitman, 54, seemed to be left unsatisfied by Brown’s gesture to change  the “nasty” tone of the campaign. ‘It’s not just me but the people of California who deserve better than slurs,’ she said. Brown had been recorded saying to an unidentified aide five weeks ago: “Do we want to put an ad out… that I have been warned if I crack down on pensions… that they’ll go to Whitman.” The person with Brown said: “What about saying she’s a whore?” Brown answered: “Well, I’m going to use that. It proves you’ve cut a secret deal to protect the pensions.” Last week, Brown’s campaign manager Steven Glazer said: “We apologize to Mrs. Whitman and anyone who may have been offended.”

Santana’s Milagro Foundation Gives $205,000 to Support Education

Carlos Santana’s Milagro Foundation is giving $205,000 in grants to agencies supporting education. The foundation’s educational mission is to support agencies that encourage college access and aspirations among underserved children to close the achievement gap and break the cycle of poverty. … Continue Reading

X-rays Linked to Increased Childhood Leukemia Risk

Diagnostic X-rays may increase the risk of developing childhood leukemia, according to a new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley’s School of Public Health. Specifically, the researchers found that children with acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) had almost twice the chance of having been exposed to three or more X-rays compared with children who did not have leukemia. For B-cell ALL, even one X-ray was enough to moderately increase the risk. The results differed slightly by the region of the body imaged, with a modest increase associated with chest X-rays. The new findings, published in the October 2010 issue of the International Journal of Epidemiology, come from the Northern California Childhood Leukemia Study, a population-based case-control study that includes 35 counties in the northern and central regions of the state. … Continue Reading

Zarate Appointed to Marin County Foundation

By Godfrey Lee Barbara Clifton Zarate has been appointed by the Marin County Board of Supervisors to serve on the Board of Trustees on the Marin County Foundation, representing the interests the low-income residents. As part of the nine-member board for the next four years, she will be involved in making decisions on funding for non-profit organizations that submit proposals to the Marin Community Foundation. The board oversees more than 120 charitable trusts with a total current asset value of $1.1 billion, including the distribution of the Leonard and Beryl H. Buck Trust. The board’s responsibilities also include grant making, community outreach and assistance, fund development and investments. Zarate currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Marin Child Care Council and works as a program officer for First 5 Marin Children and Families Commission. She grew up in poverty and became a mother when she was a teenager. She had to raise her children on very little money, struggling to obtain a college education. Through this life experience, she is able to understand what it is like for others to struggle out of poverty and create a better life for themselves. … Continue Reading

Budget Woes Raise Community College Payment Delays to $840 Million

Fallout from the state’s budget impasse has forced the third straight monthly deferral of payments to the California Community Colleges for the 2010-11 academic year. This will leave campuses up and down the state struggling without $840 million in operating funds and may threaten the ability of some colleges to make payroll and cover basic operating expenses. Even though a proposed budget plan that was slated to be voted upon this week restores roughly $2 billion in payments to K-12 schools and community colleges, the plan defers those payments until the next fiscal year. “In the months since the state budget deadlock began, the California Community Colleges have been forced to survive by borrowing, freezing purchasing, delaying vendor payments and other drastic steps,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Jack Scott. … Continue Reading

Hotly Contested District 10 Supervisors’ Race

By Lee Hubbard With the San Francisco Board of Supervisors election just a few weeks away, the contest for the District 10 seat held by Supervisor Sophie Maxwell has narrowed to a handful of frontrunners among the 20 contenders in the field. The district stretches from Potrero Hill to Bay View Hunters Point, to the Visitation Valley. It is an area where Blacks make up a plurality of the residents. The district contains the most available land to develop city and the most school-aged children. So, people from around the city are looking at this race as one of the most important to the future of San Francisco. “This election is much more important than who is in the seat; there are a lot of issues in the district,” said Lynette Sweet, one of the frontrunners in the race. … Continue Reading

Lorraine Hansberry Theatre Turns 30

The Lorraine Hansberry Theater is hosting its annual Benefit and Gala – “Bravo 30!” – on Saturday, Oct.16, at the Westin St. Francis Hotel, 335 Powell St., in San Francisco. The event honors the 30 years that the theater has been creating exceptional productions and commemorates the artistic contributions of the late founders. The founders, Stanley Williams and Quinten Easter, established the theater with the intent of providing high quality, African American productions and a space for teaching and developing African American artistic talent. The Board of the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre is committed to keeping the legacy of its founders alive and thriving.  The 2010-2011 season features special performances and classic and cutting edge productions that have become the theater’s mainstay. … Continue Reading