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To Honor World Food Day, Mandela Foods Co-op Hosts Nutrition Justice Advocate

Published

7 years ago

October 5, 2017

In kicking off World Food Day, Mandela Foods Cooperative will host the “Where’s WANDA?” children’s book talk and signing with DC-based author and nutrition activist Tambra Raye Stevenson, on Sun., October 15th from 2 to 4 p.m. at 1430 7th Street in Oakland. Stevenson is the founder and CEO of WANDA: Women Advancing Nutrition Dietetics and Agriculture and heads the Health Committee for the NAACP branch in Wash., D.C.

“Diabetes took my grandma’s life due to her sweet tooth, depression and sedentary lifestyle. Now as a mom, I want to be a better example for my daughter and encourage her to make better choices,” says Stevenson. “I want women to recreate a world where our girls are supported by a village of WANDA women who inspire them to become future nutritionists, food policymakers, healthy food entrepreneurs, food writers and farmers that are communities desperately need.”

“Where’s WANDA? Little WANDA Finds a Cure for Nana” introduces a new girl character, Little WANDA as the “Doc McStuffins” of nutrition meets “Dora the Explorer” for Africa. Bringing black girl magic from farm to fork, Little WANDA leads young readers on a food adventure across Nigeria to find a cure for her Nana’s diabetes with the help of a local female farmer.

“The “Where’s Wanda?” series brings a new awareness to young women in how they can be more involved with nutrition locally and more importantly “globally.” Little Wanda looks like them and represents their children. It’s a cultural insight into our daily lives. Food sheroes like me love it,” says Oakland resident and owner of Wanda’s Cooking, Wanda Blake.

Seeing a lack of main girl characters, especially of color, Stevenson was inspired by her daughter to create a character for her to role model to embrace good nutrition and consider going into the field of agriculture and nutrition. So she decided to do something by creating this new book series and a nonprofit to promote more women and girls leading in the food system.

As a local champion, Cuisine Noir Magazine has been raffling copies of the book on social media. “Ms. Stevenson’s book helps to start an important conversation for families about the connection between health, culture and food. In addition, I love the book because it empowers little girls around the world to be influencers for their generation and others at any age,” says V. Sheree Williams, publisher of Cuisine Noir magazine.

Written in English and Hausa, an African language, the book addresses gender equity, education, health and wellbeing and nutrition related to the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations to promote global citizenship too.

“I wrote this book based on my journey in finding my roots in northern Nigeria as a nutritionist. I wanted to write a book to inspire kids that their heritage, gender and local food ways has value to heal our community!” That’s the message from the National Geographic’s Traveler of the Year, and internationally recognized nutrition educator Tambra Raye Stevenson.

Stevenson also shares her message as a contributing writer in the recently released “Cooking Gene: A Journey Through African American Culinary History in the Old South” by food historian and author Michael Twitty who was recently in San Francisco for his book signing and dinner talk at MoAD.

Featured in Forbes this summer, Stevenson is on a mission to inspire a new generation of women and girls to become food heroes to build and sustain healthy communities and economies in communities like Oakland and across the Diaspora and Africa.

“The book highlights the nonprofit WANDA which creates a pipeline and platform to educate, advocate, innovate and celebrate about the role of women and girls leading in creating a better food system,” says Stevenson, a D.C. Food Policy Council Member. “As a first-time author, I have enjoyed the emails and posts from parents, educators and health providers, who resonate with story and character Little WANDA in the bilingual book series.

“We are excited for WANDA connecting young girls to the food system is critical and filling a void in women’s role in agriculture. WANDA’s voice is needed to reconnect us to the land and we support WANDA,” says Dr. Gail Myers, co-founder of Farms to Grow, Inc.

“As we work to better educate our girls to become healthy eaters, readers and leaders, we must shine the light on women—WANDA Women—who are making an impact as food leaders in our community like Gail Myers of Freedom’s Farmer’s Market in Oakland to Mrs. Salamatu Garba of Kano, Nigeria—who is highlighted in the first book,” Stevenson says.

The book signing and discussion is free and open to the public. Following the book event, a special dinner with area women food leaders will be held at Ivy Moon restaurant from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to support WANDA. Tickets are available at www.iamwanda.org.

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Barbara Lee Launches Campaign for Mayor of Oakland

“At this critical moment, we must not be a city divided, but a community united,” she Lee. “If elected I will bring my hands-on leadership, new ideas and decades of experience in identifying billions in resources for our great city, so all residents and businesses are stronger and safer and our community has optimism and confidence in Oakland’s future.”

Published

10 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Oakland Post

By Post Staff

Barbara Lee on Wednesday morning formally announced her candidacy for Mayor in Oakland’s April 15 special election.

“Time and time again, Oaklanders have faced our toughest obstacles by uniting to meet our challenges,” said Lee.

“At this critical moment, we must not be a city divided but a community united,” she said. “If elected, I will bring my hands-on leadership, new ideas, and decades of experience in identifying billions in resources for our great city so all residents and businesses are stronger and safer and our community has optimism and confidence in Oakland’s future.”

“As Mayor, I’ll address our homelessness crisis, prioritize comprehensive public safety and mental health services, and lead with fiscal responsibility to deliver the core City services residents and business owners deserve. Let’s do this – together.”

“I’ve never shied away from a challenge,” said Lee. “I’m always ready to fight for Oakland.”

Watch her campaign video here, which is online at BarbaraLee4Oakland.com

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Who Wants to Be the Next Elected Mayor of Oakland?

The Oakland Post is issuing a CALL to all candidates to present their answers, plans, or solutions in response to our list of questions.

Published

2 days ago

January 7, 2025

Oakland Post

An aerial view of the downtown Oakland skyline on a clear sunny day. The federal building and other iconic buildings fill the skyline. Photo: iStock.

By Paul Cobb

Many of you probably recall the oft-repeated expression when describing leadership that “many are called but few are chosen.” We will be inundated during January with many claims of qualifications by those who want to lead Oakland.

As of Jan. 1, 2025, we have heard the names of 14 potential candidates who might become Oakland’s next Mayor.

The Oakland Post is issuing a CALL to all candidates to present their answers, plans, or solutions in response to our list of questions.

Any candidate who wishes to receive a free announcement, publicity or space in the paper must submit solutions.

The first questions we propose are 1) What is your budget balancing plan?
What is your position on requiring all city employees to work full-time in their designated offices rather than remotely from their homes?
What is your plan to provide open-access opportunities to all police officers for overtime pay?
Since many businesses, especially downtown, have closed, what is your plan to attract and increase revenues?

Please send your submissions of 300 words or less to each question to Social@postnewsgroup.com or visit www.postnewsgroup.com

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Oakland NAACP President Stands on the Frontlines for Equity

With education as a cornerstone, Adams emphasized the importance of youth having access to quality kindergarten through 12th-grade education along with college or vocational programming beyond high school. “I feel that it’s so important for our children to get a good education in K-12th grade, along with the colleges of their choice, especially with the HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).”

Published

2 days ago

January 7, 2025

Oakland Post

NAACP Oakland President Cynthia Adams. Photo Courtesy of Cynthia Adams.

By Carla Thomas

For Cynthia Adams, president of the Oakland chapter of the NAACP, fighting for the rights of Black people comes naturally. With southern roots in Arkansas, Adams experienced firsthand the injustice and unfairness of racism.

“Growing up in the Jim Crow South, I experienced the unfair treatment of people of color and how faith can inspire communities to bring about positive and long-lasting change,” said Adams. Adams says a combination of her family and faith has kept her strong in the face of adversity and inspired her life’s work of advocacy.

Adams chose education as a career path — and a means to achieve equity and overcome racism. She earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and later received an advanced degree from California State East Bay.

Adams’ experience as an Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) recorder, a counselor, a researcher, and a college recruiter has allowed her to be laser-focused on youth. She also served as the chairperson for the Oakland NAACP youth.

“The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination. We want to ensure our citizens have equal rights and opportunities without discrimination based on race.”

As a partner with the State of California’s Stop the Hate campaign, Adams says the initiative is a step in the right direction. “It’s great that our governor and state created the Stop the Hate campaign and provides resources for victims of racism and other hate crimes,” said Adams. “The racism toward Black people has increased and our children are being targeted,” she continued.

“We, at the Oakland branch, created a declaration on racism that will amplify the needs of our community to combat racism,” continued Adams. “That declaration was adopted nationally.”

Bridging communities and collaborating is also a strategy for moving society toward justice, according to Adams.

“Through the NAACP, we build connections between communities and advocate for the rights of historically marginalized and oppressed individuals,” said Adams. “Collective action is the only way to advance civil rights and promote social equity.”

By taking stands on supporting former Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong to supporting the recall of a mayor faced with a scandal that brought negative national press to the city of Oakland, Adams has always demanded more for her people, and better for Oakland, the city she calls home.

She expressed pride in the national organization’s announcement of a $200 million fund designed to empower Black funders nationwide. “We all know the health of a community begins with economics,” said Adams.

Adams says that strengthening Black businesses automatically sustains a community. “We’ve also got to educate our community on opportunities and teach our children critical thinking so that they can provide the next generation of solutions for society,” said Adams.