Berkeley

Barbara Lee Travels to Memphis to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of MLK Assassination

Published

7 years ago

April 5, 2018

Congresswoman Lee with Memphis Sanitation workers who striked with Dr. King fifty years ago for equal pay and safer working conditions. Photo from @RepBarbaraLee twitter account.

April 4th marked the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin King Jr.’s assassination. Had Dr. King lived he would have been 89 years of age. Though his life was cut short, his leadership and legacy of love lives on through many as commemoration ceremonies and marches took place across the nation bringing together millions.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee attended the official commemorative ceremony in Memphis, Tennessee at the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel where she spoke in honor of Dr. King’s ongoing fight for justice and equality. She also spoke at the AFSCME Local 1773 event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike.

Dr. King’s struggle for equality was personal for Congresswoman Lee who grew up in the segregated south where she experienced firsthand the evils of racism and injustice. “My mother couldn’t get care at the hospital due to racism, I almost wasn’t born and she had to have a c-section,” said Lee.

Propelled by the circumstances she grew up in and inspired by Dr. King, Congresswoman Lee has made it her life’s work to serve others. “Martin Luther King, Jr. was such an inspiration and to be honest, I would not be able to serve as a congresswoman and do the things I do had it not been for Dr. King and his struggle,” she said.

Inspired by her experiences, it was a natural fit for Congresswoman Lee to dedicate her life to fighting for those without a voice and moving an agenda forward that helps all people.

“During my speech I encouraged everyone to stay woke and referenced his speech ‘Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence’, which he delivered exactly one year before his assassination.”

In that speech, Dr.King challenged America to tackle racism, materialism and militarism ”through a radical revolution of values that questions the ‘fairness and justice of many of our past and present policies.’

Lee also expressed that creating systemic change requires addressing the disparities that continue to divide the country.

Lee acknowledged that King fought for the unions and the sanitation workers of Memphis and that the union busters of today are undermining the country.

“King always knew that real equality begins with economic equality,” she added.

Encouraged by the movements of today such as Black Lives Matter and the Women’s Movement, Lee was energized and excited to see so many leaders and civilians coming together.

“Everyone is here and we are ready to continue Dr. King’s great work.”

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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

2 weeks 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.

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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

1 month 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.

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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

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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.