Barbara Lee

Barbara Lee, Local Youth Leaders Travel to Montgomery, AL for Nonviolence Summit

They also have met with other civil rights icons, elected officials, and leaders of community, faith-based and labor organizations to learn first-hand history of the civil rights movement.

Published

4 years ago

August 6, 2021

Isabelle Price

Civil rights march on Washington, D.C. Film negative by photographer Warren K. Leffler, 1963. From the U.S. News & World Report Collection. Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division. Photograph shows a procession of African Americans carrying signs for equal rights, integrated schools, decent housing, and an end to bias. https://www.loc.gov/item/2003654393/

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) joined East Bay youth leaders from the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center on July 31 to attend a nonviolence summit in Montgomery, Alabama.

Nine youth delegates from the Freedom Center, as well as 50 young people from Alabama, are attending the “Nonviolence in the 21^st Century” summit this week to learn about the work of Dr. King, develop leadership skills, and meet with elected officials, activists and organizers.

“I am so proud of the young people from the East Bay who are making this journey to be part of the next generation of civil rights leaders,” Lee said.

“They are carrying on the legacy of my friend Congressman John Lewis, who inspired so many young people to take the baton and continue the race for justice and equality. John’s spirit is with us as we engage in conversations about dismantling systemic racism, addressing poverty, and protecting our sacred right to vote. I am honored to partner again with the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center to provide an opportunity for these students to learn about the legacy of Dr. King and how to fight for justice through nonviolence.”

For the past 16 years, local students from the MLK Freedom Center have joined Lee on annual visits to Alabama as delegates on Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimages with members of Congress from across the nation. The late Congressman Lewis, a leader and survivor of the 1965 “Bloody Sunday” march in Selma, Ala., led the Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimages to give members of Congress and other attendees a chance to learn about the civil rights struggle with the goal of calling forth courage, conscience and compassion.

The Congressional Pilgrimages take place every year during the first weekend in March. The trip to this week’s summit is not part of a Congressional Pilgrimage and is the first time that students from the Freedom Center have travelled to Alabama in the summer.

The California youth delegation and a cohort of young leaders from Alabama Congresswoman Terri Sewell’s district have spent a week together studying nonviolence, the history of the Civil Rights Movement and tools to become more effective leaders.

They also have met with other civil rights icons, elected officials, and leaders of community, faith-based and labor organizations to learn first-hand history of the civil rights movement.

“Our students and staff are participating in the ‘Nonviolence in the 21st Century’ week fully prepared to listen and learn,” said Dr. Roy D. Wilson, executive director of the MLK Freedom Center. “They will speak up and connect with others who are prepared to own the common responsibility to confront racism, poverty and violence in ways that create an interracial, pluralistic democracy where love and friendship become our basic strategy of living.”

Sean Ryan is the communications director for Rep. Barbara Lee’s press office.

Isabelle Price

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Barbara Lee

WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

2 weeks ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

Oakland Post

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Activism

New Oakland Moving Forward

This week, several socially enterprising members of this group visited Oakland to explore ways to collaborate with local stakeholders at Youth Empowerment Partnership, the Port of Oakland, Private Industry Council, Oakland, Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, the Oakland Ballers ownership group, and the oversight thought leaders in the Alameda County Probation Department.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

iStock.

By Post Staff

Since the African American Sports and Entertainment Group purchased the City of Oakland’s share of the Alameda County Coliseum Complex, we have been documenting the positive outcomes that are starting to occur here in Oakland.

Some of the articles in the past have touched on actor Blair Underwood’s mission to breathe new energy into the social fabric of Oakland. He has joined the past efforts of Steph and Ayesha Curry, Mistah Fab, Green Day, Too Short, and the Oakland Ballers.

This week, several socially enterprising members of this group visited Oakland to explore ways to collaborate with local stakeholders at Youth Empowerment Partnership, the Port of Oakland, Private Industry Council, Oakland, Mayor-Elect Barbara Lee, the Oakland Ballers ownership group, and the oversight thought leaders in the Alameda County Probation Department.

These visits represent a healthy exchange of ideas and plans to resuscitate Oakland’s image. All parties felt that the potential to impact Oakland is right in front of us. Most recently, on the back side of these visits, the Oakland Ballers and Blair Underwood committed to a 10-year lease agreement to support community programs and a community build-out.

So, upward and onward with the movement of New Oakland.

Oakland Post

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Activism

Oakland Post Endorses Barbara Lee

Barbara Lee will be able to unify the city around Oakland’s critical budget and financial issues, since she will walk into the mayor’s office with the support of a super majority of seven city council members — enabling her to achieve much-needed consensus on moving Oakland into a successful future.

Published

2 months ago

April 2, 2025

Oakland Post

Congresswoman Barbara Lee. Courtesy photo, Office of Rep. Barbara Lee.

Former Congresswoman Barbara Lee. Courtesy photo.

As we end the celebration of Women’s History Month in Oakland, we endorse Barbara Lee, a woman of demonstrated historical significance. In our opinion, she has the best chance of uniting the city and achieving our needs for affordable housing, public safety, and fiscal accountability.

As a former small business owner, Barbara Lee understands how to apply tools needed to revitalize Oakland’s downtown, uptown, and neighborhood businesses.

It is notable that many of those who fought politically on both sides of the recent recall election battles have now laid down their weapons and become brothers and sisters in support of Barbara Lee. The Oakland Post is pleased to join them.