Berkeley

Barack Obama, Stephen Curry host town hall for MBKRising

Published

6 years ago

February 20, 2019

Oakland, CA – Former President Barack Obama hosted a powerful town hall with special guest Stephen Curry. One of Oakland’s most recognized Warriors player sat along side Obama on stage in between twenty chosen young men. The mood was light and laughter was present.

Obama whose an excellent speaker and motivator was in the driver’s seat while Curry rode along during their Q&A session. Introducing himself as “Oh I’m Michelle’s husband and this is Ayesha’s husband.” Obama brought some light to a sold out private event that brought out hundreds of young African-American men from all over the U.S.

It’s the fifth anniversary of My Brother’s Keeper Rising of the initial launch of My Brother’s Keeper, an initiative started by the former President following the death of Trayvon Martin. An opportunity for young men of color and community leaders to connect, learn and share. Today’s event kicked off the two-day event and it did not disappoint.

The MBK Alliance, now part of the Obama Foundation, leads a national call to action to build safe and supportive communities for boys and young men of color where they feel valued and have clear paths to opportunity, with a focus on encouraging mentorship and reducing youth violence.

Musical genius and EGOT recipient, John legend held a Q&A with the mom’s who lost their sons to senseless violence. Dr. Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, Rep. Lucy Mcbath, mother of Jordan Davis, and Rev. Wanda Johnson, mother of Oscar Grant. Each woman spoke to the young men about hope, faith and not giving up on themselves.

“This is a club no one wants to be a part of, I wouldn’t wish this on anyone,” said McBath.

“I was broken and hurt and didn’t know how to deal with that type of pain,” Martin explained. “I reached out to other mother’s who sons were killed to senseless gun violence. I helped other woman and that helped me.”

Obama talked about his own childhood and how hard it was for him to grow up without a father present. When Curry spoke about his upbringing, he focused on not much of his dads 16 year NBA career but more his consistency to be present in his life for the ups and the downs.

“I was all kinds of screwed up when I was in high school,” said Obama. For me, I was a good kid in the sense that think I was always kind to people, I didn’t have a mean spirit. But I did not have a clear purpose or clear sense of direction during a big chunk of my high school years. Some of it was anger about my father not being there.”

Curry who relished in Obama’s advice often joined in to discuss his own hurdles throughout his career. Obama gave him an assist when he brought up his ankle issues that kept him sideline much of his early career. Curry through laughter explained just how tough that process was and how a good surrounding can lead you to success.

“The confidence to kind of get over that hump was a process,” he explained. “The swagger that you see on the court now it wasn’t always there. It was a constant struggle.

Self confidence was something that wasn’t always natural for me. It took me awhile to get to a place where I was comfortable in the room and comfortable in dealing with challenges.”

Tomorrow is Day 2 and will conclude MBKRising. Guest speakers will feature Ryan Coogler who directed “Black Panther” and is a native of Oakland along side actor Michael B. Jordan.

Malaika Bobino

Posts by Malaika Bobino

Related Topics:Barack Obama John Legend My Brother's Keeper Oakland Steph Curry Stephen Curry

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Bay Area

Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of Berkeley Celebrates 90th Anniversary

Dr. Earl C. Stuckey, Sr., who has served as Progressive Missionary’s pastor since September 1977, said the church also delights in the fact that it has hosted only five pastors in its 90-year history, including Pastors James E. Moore, H. A. Green, F. Douglas Farrell, and Edward Stovall, who served for 37 years.

Published

1 week ago

May 16, 2025

Oakland Post

Progressive Missionary Baptist Poster. Dr. Earl C. Stuckey, Sr., Pastor of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in Berkeley with his wife, Kay Frances Stuckey.

By Oakland Post Staff

The Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of Berkeley is celebrating its 90th church anniversary on Sunday, May 18 at 10 a.m. at 3301 King Street in Berkeley.

The celebration will feature Pastor Darnell Manuel of the Union Baptist Church in Vallejo as guest speaker, along with many other special presentations.

Those who wish to share in Progressive’s history can purchase a 100-page full-colored souvenir book for $25.

The church boasts a number of notable people who either regularly attended or became members of the church since its inception, including former Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, Oakland mayoral candidate Loren Taylor, and one of the organizers of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Helen J. H. Stephens.

Pastor Stuckey often remarks how longevity flourishes at the church — it boasts 13 centenarians (people who have reached 100 years or more). Currently, it has one centenarian who is still surviving, Mrs. Dorothy Chambers, and 14 members who have reached 90 years or more.

Recently, on Feb.17, the pastor and his wife Kay Frances, celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary.

Oakland Post

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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

4 weeks 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

Golden State Warriors Program Is Inspiring Next Generation of Female Engineers

Breaking down barriers and biases that deter young girls from pursuing STEAM subjects is essential for creating a level playing field and ensuring equal opportunities for all. By challenging stereotypes and promoting a culture of inclusivity and diversity in STEAM fields, experts believe young girls can be empowered to pursue their interests and aspirations without limitations confidently. Encouraging mentorship, providing access to resources, and celebrating girls’ achievements in STEAM are all crucial steps in creating a supportive environment that fosters success.

Published

2 months ago

March 23, 2025

Oakland Post

Front Row: UC Berkeley Steel Bridge Team Back Row: Girls, Inc. Participants. Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

The Golden State Warriors and e-commerce giant Rakuten are joining forces to inspire the next generation of female engineers through Building STEAM Futures, part of The City Calls campaign.

Organizers say the initiative is founded on the idea that science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) are crucial fields for innovation and progress, and empowering young girls to pursue careers in these areas is more important than ever. Studies consistently show that girls are underrepresented in STEAM fields, resulting in a gender disparity that limits potential and hinders diversity.

On Saturday, March 8, International Women’s Day, the Warriors and Rakuten hosted 20 middle school girls from Girls Inc. of Alameda County at Chase Center’s Above the Rim for a hands-on bridge-building experience. The young girls from Girls, Inc. of Alameda County had an opportunity to design, build and test their own bridge prototypes and learn the fundamentals of bridge construction from the Engineering Alliance and the UC Berkeley Steel Bridge Team.

This STEAM experience for the girls followed the first session in January, where they took a behind-the-scenes tour of the Golden Gate Bridge, learning about its design and construction from industry experts. The City Calls campaign, tipped off with the unveiling the Warriors’ new bridge-themed City Edition jerseys and court design earlier this year.