Bay Area

D.A. Pamela Price Clarifies Duties, Concerns In Sit-Down With Community Stakeholders

I had the privilege to have a sit-down interview with Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price on July 16. Accompanying me were Post News Group publisher Dr. Paul Cobb and owner Gay Plair Cobb; Jonathan ‘Fitness’ Jones from African American Sports Entertainment Group (AASEG), and Dr. Maritony Yavot from Life Impact for Humanity (LIFH).

Published

2 years ago

July 25, 2023

Oakland Post

(l-r) Alameda D.A. Pamela Price, Gay Plair Cobb, Dr. Paul Cobb, Richard Johnson, Dr. Maritony Yamot. Photo by Jonathan Fitness Jones.

By Richard Johnson

And Post Staff

As columnist and founder of Formerly Incarcerated Giving Back (FIGB), I am grateful for the opportunity to interview Madam D.A. Price. My intention was not to dwell on negative opinions or preconceived notions. Instead, I approached the conversation with objectivity, seeking the truth and focusing on solutions, objectives, and the law.

I was aware of various news outlets that held preconceived ideas and outright biases. Being a formerly incarcerated person, trust was a significant factor in our discussion. Rather than assigning blame or harboring animosity, I wanted to ask questions and seek understanding.

I posed several questions to Price that were specifically related to her role as district attorney and what she can do to address problems within her jurisdiction. It was important for me to differentiate her responsibilities from those of the county’s various mayors, police chiefs, supervisors, and members of city councils. I understood that she holds a specific position with specific tasks.

My first question to her was about her plans, services, and resources for assisting the formerly incarcerated in finding stable employment or receiving skills training for employment.

My second question focused on her opinion regarding the concept of “Giving Back” for those who have committed crimes. I asked whether activities like volunteering with faith-based groups or pursuing education or technical skills could be considered a form of restorative justice.

Her responses to both questions were a resounding “yes.” As a columnist, formerly incarcerated person, and representative of a nonprofit organization, I was pleased with her sincere answers.

In a separate interview, Yamot engaged Price on various topics concerning the formerly incarcerated community and promoting civic engagement. Yamot’s first question focused on the DA’s willingness to meet with organizations such as FIGB, Life Impact for Humanity (LIFH), and faith community-based developers to encourage affordable housing initiatives.

Without hesitation, Price responded with an enthusiastic “Yes!” Her support for building affordable housing, including tiny homes, and utilizing county-owned properties, showcased her commitment to address housing challenges.

The second question touched on the role of the DA’s office in bringing solutions, particularly for youth, based on successful methods used to end interracial hostilities within prisons.

Additionally, Yamot asked if the office could act as a drum major in promoting housing, jobs, and recreational opportunities for the community.

DA Price affirmed her office’s active involvement in supporting re-entry programs, providing opportunities, and encouraging businesses and city government to invest in these efforts. She emphasized the need to consider diverse perspectives to advocate effectively for the community’s needs.

In a separate interview, Cobb raised essential questions regarding civic engagement and voting among the formerly incarcerated population. DA Price expressed her strong support for initiatives encouraging formerly incarcerated individuals to exercise their voting rights and participate in public meetings to learn about the government.

She acknowledged the importance of amplifying the voices of those impacted by the justice system and their families, emphasizing that civic engagement fosters a sense of belonging and empowerment within the community.

Addressing concerns about fear and hesitation within certain communities, particularly regarding voting registration, Price committed to collaborating with clergy and faith communities to dispel such apprehensions. She drew parallels to the struggles faced by immigrant communities in engaging with law enforcement, stressing the importance of combatting fear and encouraging all voices to be part of the conversation.

Regarding the media’s perception, Dr. Cobb questioned why news reporters immediately turn to Price when criminal activities occur, almost treating her as the chief of police or mayor. Price acknowledged the misconception and shared her intention to work with her communications team to address this issue.

She highlighted the need for balanced reporting and ensuring that voices from various sectors of the community are represented in public safety discussions.

It is crucial for individuals in positions of trust and authority to fulfill their job descriptions and responsibilities.

After speaking with Price, it became clear that her role primarily involves prosecuting lawbreakers and enforcing the law as mandated. Arrests, street patrols, and city ordinances fall under the jurisdiction of elected City officials.

Instead of criticizing with personal sentiments unrelated to problem-solving, the City of Oakland requires significant attention and repair. It is imperative for those in power to utilize their authority to serve the city’s best interests and prevent its destruction.

In summary, the interviews with Price reveal her unwavering commitment to collaborative initiatives and civic engagement. With a focus on addressing the challenges faced by the formerly incarcerated and encouraging community involvement, Price aims to bring positive changes that benefit all residents of Alameda County.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

Help Protect D.A. Pamela Price’s Victory

Don't Miss

Former BART Director Margaret Pryor, 89

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Activism

Asm. Corey Jackson Proposes Safe Parking for Homeless College Students Sleeping in Cars

Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley), a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), is the author of AB 90, which would require community colleges and California State University campuses to create overnight parking programs where students can sleep safely in their vehicles. With one in four community college students in California experiencing homelessness in the past year, Jackson says the state must act urgently.

Published

1 day ago

April 28, 2025

Oakland Post

Assemblymember Corey Jackson. File photo.

By Bo Tefu
California Black Media

As California’s housing crisis continues to impact students, new legislation, Assembly Bill (AB) 90, promises to allow college students without stable housing to sleep in their cars on campus, offering a stark but practical solution aimed at immediate relief.

“This just deals with the harsh realities that we find ourselves in,” he said at a recent hearing.

The bill passed its first committee vote and is gaining attention as housing affordability remains a top concern across the state. California rents are more than 30% above the national average, and long waitlists for student housing have left thousands in limbo. CSU reported more than 4,000 students on its housing waitlist last year.

Supporters stress that the bill is not a long-term solution, but a humane step toward helping students who have no other place to go. A successful pilot program at Long Beach City College has already shown that safe, supervised overnight parking can work, giving students access to restrooms, Wi-Fi, and a secure environment.

However, the CSU and community college systems oppose the bill, citing funding concerns. Critics also worry about safety and oversight. But Jackson and student advocates argue the crisis demands bold action.

“If we know students are already sleeping in their cars, why not help them do it safely?” said Ivan Hernandez, president of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

Faces Around the Bay: Author Karen Lewis Took the ‘Detour to Straight Street’

“My life has been a roller-coaster with an unlimited ride wristband! I was raised in Berkeley during the time of Ron Dellums, the Black Panthers, and People’s Park. I was a Hippie kid, my Auntie cut off all our hair so we could wear the natural styles like her and Angela Davis.

Published

1 day ago

April 28, 2025

Oakland Post

Karen Lewis. Courtesy photo.

By Barbara Fluhrer

I met Karen Lewis on a park bench in Berkeley. She wrote her story on the spot.

I got married young, then ended up getting divorced, raising two boys into men. After my divorce, I had a stroke that left me blind and paralyzed. I was homeless, lost in a fog with blurred vision.

Jesus healed me! I now have two beautiful grandkids. At 61, this age and this stage, I am finally free indeed. Our Lord Jesus Christ saved my soul. I now know how to be still. I lay at his feet. I surrender and just rest. My life and every step on my path have already been ordered. So, I have learned in this life…it’s nice to be nice. No stressing, just blessings. Pray for the best and deal with the rest.

Nobody is perfect, so forgive quickly and love easily!”

Lewis’ book “Detour to Straight Street” is available on Amazon.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

Barbara Lee Accepts Victory With “Responsibility, Humility and Love”

“I accept your choice with a deep sense of responsibility, humility, and love. Oakland is a deeply divided City,” Lee said in an April 19 statement. “I answered the call to run to unite our community, so that I can represent every voter, and we can all work together as One Oakland to solve our most pressing problems.”

Published

1 day ago

April 28, 2025

Oakland Post

Barbara Lee. File photo.

By Antonio‌ ‌Ray‌ ‌Harvey‌,
California‌ ‌Black‌ ‌Media‌

As a candidate for mayor, former U.S. Representative Barbara Lee released a “10-point plan” last week to reassure residents that she will tackle Oakland’s most pressing challenges.

Now that she has edged out her competitors in the ranked-choice special election with 50% or more of the vote, the former Congresswoman, who represented parts of the Bay Area in the U.S. House of Representatives, can put her vision in motion as the city’s first Black woman mayor.

On Saturday evening, Taylor conceded to Lee. There are still about 300 Vote-by-Mail ballots left to be verified, according to county election officials. The ballots will be processed on April 21 and April 22.

“This morning, I called Congresswoman Barbara Lee to congratulate her on becoming the next Mayor of Oakland,” Taylor said in a statement.

“I pray that Mayor-Elect Lee fulfills her commitment to unify Oakland by authentically engaging the 47% of Oaklanders who voted for me and who want pragmatic, results-driven leadership.”

The influential Oakland Post endorsed Lee’s campaign, commending her leadership on the local, state, and federal levels.

Paul Cobb, The Post’s publisher, told California Black Media that Lee will bring back “respect and accountability” to the mayor’s office.

“She is going to be a collegial leader drawing on the advice of community nonprofit organizations and those who have experience in dealing with various issues,” Cobb said. “She’s going to try to do a consensus-building thing among those who know the present problems that face the city.”

Born in El Paso, Texas, Lee’s family moved to California while she was in high school. At 20 years old, Lee divorced her husband after the birth of her first child. After the split, Lee went through a tough period, becoming homeless and having to apply for public assistance to make ends meet.

But destitution did not deter the young woman.

Lee groomed herself to become an activist and advocate in Oakland and committed to standing up for the most vulnerable citizens in her community.

Lee traveled to Washington, D.C. to work for then U.S. Congressman Ron Dellums after receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mills College in Oakland in 1973. Lee later won a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) fellowship to attend the School of Social Welfare, and she earned a Master of Social Work from the University of California-Berkeley in 1975.

Lee later served in the California State Assembly and State Senate before she was elected to Congress in 1998.

After serving in the U.S. Congress for more than 25 years, Lee ran unsuccessfully for California’s U.S. Senate in the 2024 primary election.

Lee joins current Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass and former San Francisco Mayor London Breed as Black women serving as chief executives of major cities in California over the last few years.