Oakland

Opinion: Let’s Raise a Stronger Alameda County Together with Measure A

Published

7 years ago

May 6, 2018

Oakland Post

Measure on June 5 ballot supports child care and preschool

By Nancy Harvey

For more than 18 years, I’ve served families as an educator in the Bay Area, focusing on children ages 0-3 years old for the last 14 years as a family child care provider out of my West Oakland home.

I’m a third-generation West Oakland resident and relish sharing my neighborhood’s endless educational resources with children in my care—from visits to the local public library to Oakland parks and arranging visits with our fire department.

It is these early education opportunities that are helping children in my care develop, thrive and be ready for kindergarten and beyond. As a former kindergarten to 3rd grade teacher in Oakland schools and a mother of three, I know the difference quality early education makes in a child’s life.

We also know our Black and Brown children are bearing the brunt of the crisis with too many of them at a disadvantage before they even start their K-12 educational path.

Sadly, only 44 percent of Alameda County’s children enter kindergarten fully ready for school. And approximately 7,000 county children are waiting to enroll in an early education program. I’ve seen families, even dual-income parents with advanced degrees, move away unable to afford quality child care in addition to the skyrocketing housing costs here.

We have an education crisis on our hands in Alameda County.

The good news is we all can do something to put them on a better course by voting YES on Measure A on June 5. Measure A will provide our local children with safe, quality child care programs and ensure we educate young minds early, when 90 percent of brain development occurs.

Through a modest one-half cent sales tax, this measure will generate $140 million per year to enroll thousands of children in child care and preschool annually.

The measure will also be used to attract and retain quality childcare workers like me, so educators can afford to live and work in this region and keep building our next generation of responsible K-12 students, college graduates and citizens.

This is a critical piece of the measure because many child care providers are struggling and not able to earn a living wage despite being tasked with the responsibility of shaping young minds. We are also often lack healthcare benefits or the ability to retire in dignity.

Despite these challenges, I maintain a low staff-to-child ratio to ensure that the children in my care have the necessary adult-children interactions that promote increased, quality learning opportunities and prevent education gaps from developing. Measure A would help more children have this type of quality education experience.

It’s been a long road to have a solid solution before us that parents, child care providers, educators and our elected leaders all agree on.
Now it’s time for our entire community to commit to raising up a stronger Oakland together by investing in children, families, and educators.

Please join me in voting YES on Measure A to help all children and families in our community thrive.

Nancy Harvey is a Family Child Care Provider in Oakland and an associate member of Service Employees International Union Local 521.

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Activism

Oakland’s Black Chamber of Commerce Awards 63 Businesses $1,000 Micro Grants

“Our members are essential to Oakland’s economic and cultural fabric,” said Cathy Adams, president of the OAACC. “These grants are a testament to our dedication to fostering business growth and sustainability within our community.” The microgrants are designed to provide vital support for members to strengthen their operations, invest in growth opportunities, or meet pressing needs, Adams added.

Published

33 minutes ago

January 6, 2025

Oakland Post

Cathy Adams, president of the OAACC. Photo courtesy of the OAACC.

By Oakland Post Staff

Last week, the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce (OAACC) announced the distribution of $63,000 in microgrants to 63 member businesses. These $1,000 grants, generously sponsored by Supervisor Nate Miley, Amazon, and the Tides Foundation, reflect the organization’s goals and unwavering commitment to empowering Black-owned businesses in Oakland.

The microgrants are designed to provide vital support for members to strengthen their operations, invest in growth opportunities, or meet pressing needs, Adams added.

As part of this initiative, OAACC leaders are encouraging all grant recipients to inspire their communities to support Oakland-based businesses by shopping locally, sharing referrals, and following their social media pages.

For more information about the OAACC and the organization’s initiatives, please visit www.oaacc.org.

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Activism

Port of Oakland to Host January Meeting for Interfaith Council of Alameda County

State, county, and city officials have been invited to join ICAC board members and the community to explore effective strategies for addressing these interconnected challenges across Alameda County, including ICAC’s Safe Car Park program expansion and efforts to convert trailers into shelter for the unhoused.

Published

10 hours ago

January 6, 2025

Oakland Post

The Port of Oakland. Courtesy photo.

Special to The Post

The Interfaith Council of Alameda County (ICAC) will hold its first meeting of 2025 on Thursday, Jan. 9, at the Port of Oakland, located at 530 Water St. Hosted by the president of the Port of Oakland, the meeting will run from 1-2:30 p.m. and will focus on pressing community issues including environmental justice, housing solutions, and crime and safety.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend and contribute to this important discussion. For more information, visit interfaithAC.org.

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Activism

2024 in Review: 7 Questions for Equality California Political Director Shay Franco-Clausen

Shay Franco-Clausen is an award-winning public advocate, speaker, political strategist and former elected official. She has contributed her thought leadership to drafting seventeen pieces of legislation in California. Notable among these accomplishments is her role in extending the statute of limitations for felony domestic violence survivors, advocating for the rights of foster youth, preserving endangered open spaces, and championing the restoration of voting rights for individuals on parole.

Published

1 day ago

January 5, 2025

Oakland Post

Shay Franco-Clausen Equality California Political Director (Facebook).

By Edward Henderson, California Black Media

Shay Franco-Clausen is Political Director for Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization.

Franco-Clausen is an award-winning public advocate, speaker, political strategist and former elected official. She has contributed her thought leadership to drafting seventeen pieces of legislation in California. Notable among these accomplishments is her role in extending the statute of limitations for felony domestic violence survivors, advocating for the rights of foster youth, preserving endangered open spaces, and championing the restoration of voting rights for individuals on parole.

California Black Media (CBM) spoke with Franco-Clausen about her successes, frustrations and future plans heading into 2025.

Looking back at 2024, what stands out to you as your most important achievement and why? 

In the role that I sit in as the political director for Equality California, we endorsed 216 candidates. I think the one achievement after this election that I’m proud of is that we overturned Prop 8 to protect same-sex marriages here because they’re about to attack our rights on the federal level, come 2025.

I’m glad at least we changed our California constitution to reflect and protect my marriage.

How did your leadership and investments contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians? 

I contribute through my lived experience. I may have achieved a lot, but I come from those same communities that are marginalized, East Oakland, East San Jose, Watts. It gives me a different perspective. I am a formerly incarcerated youth who was in foster care. I think I contribute that bit of understanding, and I operate from an equity lens. I’m willing to push people to make them recognize that hey, you cannot forget about Black people. We are the most marginalized.

What frustrated you the most over the last year?

What frustrates me is our inability to recognize that we forget people. I was tapped to work on the Harris campaign from Equality California. And through that, being at that table, I was frustrated that they weren’t listening to Americans and not looking at the data.

The reason Trump won is because he had consistent messaging, and we didn’t debunk it. I think I’m more frustrated that we don’t fully listen to people all the time when they’re critiquing us.

What inspired you the most over the last year?

All those people that came out to support Kamala Harris. I was proud that my son voted for the first time for a Black woman for President.

What is one lesson you learned in 2024 that will inform your decision-making next year?

Be fearless. Sometimes I second-guess myself. I push back, but I could push more because I’m qualified. I have the education, I have the experience, and I know what I’m talking about in all the rooms that I go in. And I must be confident in that.

In one word, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians face?

Prioritization.

We’re still not seen as a priority, but everyone likes to add us to their talking points.

What is the goal you want to achieve most in 2025?

Writing a book. I think it’s important for us to tell our stories.

I am also kicking off my campaign for Hayward City Council.