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MLK Jr. Freedom Center Delegation in Sacramento to Advocate for Civics Education

The Freedom Center delegation was invited to participate in the 19th bus trip for education to Sacramento May 18, 2022, and students from Alameda, Yolo and Sacramento Counties participated. The event was organized by State Senator Dave Cortese, and featured presentations by more than 25 elected officials discussing legislation that impacts all aspects of education in the state.

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A delegation of 25 students and staff from the Martin Luther King Jr, Freedom Center including (left to right) David Gaines, Dr. Karen Bohlke and Carolyn Veal Hunter travelled to Sacramento to meet with California State Superintendent of Schools Tony Thurmond and other elected officials and legislators to advocate for robust civics education in schools.  Photo courtesy Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center.
A delegation of 25 students and staff from the Martin Luther King Jr, Freedom Center including (left to right) David Gaines, Dr. Karen Bohlke and Carolyn Veal Hunter travelled to Sacramento to meet with California State Superintendent of Schools Tony Thurmond and other elected officials and legislators to advocate for robust civics education in schools.  Photo courtesy Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center.

Twenty-five high school age students and staff of the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center in Oakland spent the day in Sacramento with nearly 30 legislators advocating for robust civics education in California Schools.

The Freedom Center delegation was invited to participate in the 19th bus trip for education to Sacramento May 18, 2022, and students from Alameda, Yolo and Sacramento Counties participated. The event was organized by State Senator Dave Cortese, and featured presentations by more than 25 elected officials discussing legislation that impacts all aspects of education in the state.

Throughout the day, the Freedom Center developed, deepened and strengthened its legislative contacts and relationships and those with other groups focused on empowering students to participate in life-transforming civic engagement work.

While budget hearings in the state Legislature were in process just steps away from the delegation, Freedom Center representatives met with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, Assemblymembers Mia Bonta and Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Nicole Murillo from the Office of the Governor, Erric Garris, deputy secretary of state for Legislative Affairs and many others.

Freedom Center staff and youth made a compelling and eloquent case calling for robust civics education in California schools to strengthen democracy and make sure many generations of Americans are prepared to use their voices to create nonviolent social change.

For more information about the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center visit www.mlkfreedomcenter.org

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Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025

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Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025

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IN MEMORIAM: William ‘Bill’ Patterson, 94

Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.

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William "Bill" Patterson, 94. Photo courtesy of the Patterson family.

William “Bill” Patterson, 94, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025, at his home in Oakland, CA. He was born on May 19, 1931, to Marie Childress Patterson and William Benjamin Patterson in Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from Dunbar High School and traveled to Oakland, California, in 1948. William Patterson graduated from San Francisco State University, earning both graduate and undergraduate degrees. He married Euradell “Dell” Patterson in 1961. Bill lovingly took care of his wife, Dell, until she died in 2020.

Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.

He served on the boards of Oakland’s Urban Strategies Council, the Oakland Public Ethics Commission, and the Oakland Workforce Development Board.

He was a three-term president of the Oakland branch of the NAACP.

Bill was initiated in the Gamma Alpha chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

In 1997 Bill was appointed to the East Bay Utility District Board of Directors. William Patterson was the first African American Board President and served the board for 27 years.

Bill’s impact reached far beyond his various important and impactful positions.

Bill mentored politicians, athletes and young people. Among those he mentored and advised are legends Joe Morgan, Bill Russell, Frank Robinson, Curt Flood, and Lionel Wilson to name a few.

He is survived by his son, William David Patterson, and one sister, Sarah Ann Strickland, and a host of other family members and friends.

A celebration of life service will take place at Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center (Calvin Simmons Theater) on November 21, 2025, at 10 AM.

His services are being livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1250167107131991/

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Euradell and William Patterson scholarship fund TBA.

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