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Community Groups in ‘The Bay’ Will Help Get the Word Out About Emergency Planning

Published

4 years ago

September 11, 2020

California is prone to disasters, natural and otherwise. They range from devastating annual wildfires to earthquakes, droughts, mudslides and extreme heatwaves. A deteriorated electrical power infrastructure has also been the culprit in sparking some of those wildfires, costing tens of billions of dollars in damage and causing rolling blackouts, electrocutions, and private and public property damage resulting from power surges.

On top of that, there is a sinking coastline that exposes somewhere between four and eight million people living in low-elevation areas around San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and other coastal cities to disastrous flooding from a threatening Pacific with rising Relative Sea Levels.

In light of this menacing reality, two non-profits — one in San Francisco and the other in Alameda County — in partnership with numerous grassroots community-based organizations (CBOs) on both sides of the Bay will help get the word out to northern Californians living in those areas about being prepared if disaster strikes.

“September is National Preparedness Month, and we are geared to do things differently this year – particularly because of everything that’s happening in our state – COVID 19, the wildfires, polluted air,” said Lewis Kraus, co-director of the Center on Disability at the Public Health Institute, based in Oakland.

The Center on Disability is responsible for coordinating the public awareness campaign across Alameda County, where the second-largest concentration of African Americans in California live (next to Los Angeles county). Black Californians make up about 12.5 percent of the county’s population of more than 1.5 million people.

“We work with the community-based organizations and faith-based organizations that have experience working directly with different communities — Blacks, Asians, Latinos, people with disabilities, elders and others,” he said.

The work Kraus’s organization is doing is part of a $50 million coordinated statewide emergency preparedness informational campaign titled Listos California. Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state legislature say their intention with the program is to “ready our most vulnerable populations for disasters.”

The program is administered by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, also called CalOES. That agency has awarded $20 million to CBOs in 24 counties across the state to support education and the creation of customized disaster preparedness programs, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

The money will also support animal management preparedness, according to CalOES.

“It is critical that Californians are prepared. Community preparedness and peer-to-peer networks can literally save lives and help our first responders during and after a disaster,” said Mark Ghilarducci, Director of CalOES.

Kraus says the COVID-19 pandemic has made outreach difficult, but it has forced the grassroots groups to be more creative, especially in their efforts to reach people who may have limited or no internet access.

“The intent of the program is not just to give people information but to engage them with it. We will do face-to-face interactions when it is possible. We will show up with a table at in-person events, and some of the churches have been going out to food distribution sites, masks and gloves on, to talk to people, social distancing, of course, and they include literature with their food,” he said. “We have transitioned a lot of things to online. We put our brochure online. We also have a fillable pdf for creating your own emergency plan.

Across the Bay in San Francisco, where the African American population is 6%, another organization, SF CARD is coordinating the outreach there, prioritizing vulnerable groups, including people who are unhoused.

“SF CARD is, at heart, a collaborating agency. We hold subject matter expertise in disaster preparedness, response and recovery, but we let the embedded organizations lead the way on how to best engage their communities in learning about preparedness,” says Heather Lee, program manager at SF Card. Even if the information is on a flyer that is mailed out — it is coming from a cornerstone of that family’s support network. The trust of the organization, the one that provides a meal each week, the one that helps them navigate the world with their disabled child, is going to add the weight of importance to this work than just another billboard in the urban landscape.

Lee says everybody in California should take steps to get prepared.

“Meet one neighbor. One neighbor that you can agree to be there for in an emergency and can be there for you. In disaster work, we are always saying, the worst time to exchange business cards is during a disaster – but it happens,” she said. “And the truth is – even on the best of days, we only answer the phone when we recognize the caller ID. That’s tenfold true during a crisis.”

Michelle Snider

Associate Editor for The Post News Group. Writer, Photographer, Videographer, Copy Editor, and website editor documenting local events in the Oakland-Bay Area California area.

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Michelle Snider

Associate Editor for The Post News Group. Writer, Photographer, Videographer, Copy Editor, and website editor documenting local events in the Oakland-Bay Area California area.

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#NNPA BlackPress

OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

Oakland Post

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org