Bay Area

Bernard James Tyson – Healthcare Hero and Humanitarian

Published

6 years ago

November 21, 2019

On Monday, Nov. 18, the celebration of a life well-lived was hosted at the Chase Center in San Francisco for the final goodbye to the beloved CEO and Board Chair of Kaiser Permanente, Bernard James Tyson. Tyson, who rose through the ranks of Kaiser for over three decades was named CEO in 2013 and Chairman of the Board in 2014. Rays of sun and clear blue skies set the tone for thousands who gathered at the brand new Chase Center in San Francisco to pay their final respects to Tyson’s family and reflect on a man who built a life on serving others with his lifelong medical mission of proving high-quality medical care to anyone who required it.

The San Francisco Symphony quartet performed along with Glad Tidings International Church of God in Christ choir members. The welcome and opening prayer were presented by Bishop J.W. Macklin, Senior Pastor of Glad Tidings International Church of God in Christ in Hayward. Videos and photos of Tyson’s life were also featured. Remarks were given by San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Kenneth I. Chenault Chairman, and Managing Director at General Catalyst also The Honorable Willie Brown Jr., Former Mayor of San Francisco and former Speaker of the California State Assembly also spoke. Entertainment icon Gladys Knight sang “The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me” as well as “Memories” and “Midnight Train to Georgia.”

Holly Humphries, President, CEO the Josiah Macy Foundation and Mark A. Schuster, MD, PhD, the founding dean and CEO of the Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine announced that on July 26, 2020, the Kaiser Permanente Bernard James Tyson School of Medicine will open in Pasadena, CA, furthering his legacy. Humphries and Schuster serve on the school’s board of directors. “Bernard Tyson was a man of many dreams and his legacy will now live through thousands of students bearing the imprint of a medical school that will transform healthcare around the world,” said Humphries.

Other remarks were provided by Frances J. Crosson, MD, Former Executive Director of the Permanente Federation and Cynthia A. Telus, PhD, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals Boards of Directors. Delane Sims represented the family of Andrew Hatch. Sims shared a video of Tyson visiting her ailing father at his bedside and what it meant to have a man of Tyson’s great stature in the community take time out to visit and truly care.

Gregory A. Adams, Interim Executive Chief Executive Officer of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals also spoke. “Bernard was a person who imbedded the best in humanity. He drove a $200 million impact investment to address homelessness and affordable housing. He felt no one should have to go to bed on the streets in America.” Adams also shared that out of his own pocket, Tyson paid for several patients and two Kaiser managers to attend the 2019 CancerCon (Cancer Conference). “Because of Bernard, CancerCon will be in Oakland next year.”

John O. Utendahl, Executive Vice Chairman, Global Corporate Investment Banking for Bank of America, Lloyd H. Dean, CEO CommonSpirit Health, Nancy Brown, CEO American Heart Association, and Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, and Alva Wheatley, Retired Kaiser Permanente Executive also spoke during the service. “He impressed and moved everyone around him and showed us to not only fight for what you believe in but own it,” said Utendahl.

“Bernard wanted to nurture the health and happiness of all patients,” said Brown.

Bernard believed in the concept of Ubuntu – “I am because we are,” said Smith. “Bernard manifested this in everything that he touched: healthcare programming in Crenshaw, homelessness in Oakland and taking on the stigma of mental health problems. America periodically invites few African Americans into its bounty, and without fail we produce (Bernard J. Tyson) a shining example of what we can be as a nation when all of its Black citizens — all citizens have a full seat at the education, civil rights, and economic inclusion table. Using his voice and his platform he pushed for MLK’s manifesto for America.”

Dean remembered Tyson for his wit, humor, and competitiveness. Dean recanted the times Bernard would call him from the White House among top healthcare professionals and question why Dean wasn’t included. Dean also joked about Tyson’s sticker shock at a shopping spree with Willie Brown at Wilkes Bashford. “He would call and say, ‘Man that Willie, got me today – the cashier rang up $10,000, I thought she meant all three suits, not $10,000 each.” Retired Kaiser Permanente Executive Director of Diversity, Alva Wiley, a mentor of Tyson said, “Bernard exceeded my expectations in every way.”

Tyson’s wife, Denise Bradley Tyson took the stage with her three sons; Bernard, Jr., Alexander, and Charles and thanked guests for the great outpouring of support. “My husband’s legacy will live on. We will continue what he began.”

The closing prayer was provided by Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. Presiding Bishop, West Angeles Church of God in Christ of Los Angeles. “Bernard was a brilliant man, said Blake. “Kaiser is a better company and the world is a better place because Bernard came through.” The audience fittingly sang “Lean On Me,” prior to departing.

Tyson died in his sleep on Sunday, Nov. 10, just 24 hours after addressing several thousand Black tech professionals at Afrotech (technology conference) at the Oakland Marriott Convention Center.Born in Vallejo California Tyson attended Vallejo High School, graduated from Golden Gate University where he received a Master of Business Administration in health services administration and held a leadership certificate from Harvard University. Tyson served on the boards of the American Heart Association and Salesforce.

Carla Thomas

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OP-ED: AB 1349 Puts Corporate Power Over Community

Since Ticketmaster and Live Nation merged in 2010, ticket prices have jumped more than 150 percent. Activities that once fit a family’s budget now take significant disposable income that most working families simply don’t have. The problem is compounded by a system that has tilted access toward the wealthy and white-collar workers. If you have a fancy credit card, you get “presale access,” and if you work in an office instead of a warehouse, you might be able to wait in an online queue to buy a ticket. Access now means privilege.

Published

4 days ago

January 9, 2026

Oakland Post

Bishop Joseph Simmons, Senior Pastor, Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, Oakland

By Bishop Joseph Simmons, Senior Pastor, Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, Oakland

As a pastor, I believe in the power that a sense of community can have on improving people’s lives. Live events are one of the few places where people from different backgrounds and ages can share the same space and experience – where construction workers sit next to lawyers at a concert, and teenagers enjoy a basketball game with their grandparents. Yet, over the past decade, I’ve witnessed these experiences – the concerts, games, and cultural events where we gather – become increasingly unaffordable, and it is a shame.

These moments of connection matter as they form part of the fabric that holds communities together. But that fabric is fraying because of Ticketmaster/Live Nation’s unchecked control over access to live events. Unfortunately, AB 1349 would only further entrench their corporate power over our spaces.

Power over live events is concentrated in a single corporate entity, and this regime operates without transparency or accountability – much like a dictator. Ticketmaster controls 80 percent of first-sale tickets and nearly a third of resale tickets, but they still want more. More power, more control for Ticketmaster means higher prices and less access for consumers. It’s the agenda they are pushing nationally, with the help of former Trump political operatives, who are quietly trying to undo the antitrust lawsuit launched against Ticketmaster/Live Nation under President Biden’s DOJ.

That’s why I’m deeply concerned about AB 1349 in its current form. Rather than reining in Ticketmaster’s power, the bill risks strengthening it, aligning with Trump. AB 1349 gives Ticketmaster the ability to control a consumer’s ticket forever by granting Ticketmaster’s regime new powers in state law to prevent consumers from reselling or giving away their tickets. It also creates new pathways for Ticketmaster to discriminate and retaliate against consumers who choose to shop around for the best service and fees on resale platforms that aren’t yet controlled by Ticketmaster. These provisions are anti-consumer and anti-democratic.

California has an opportunity to stand with consumers, to demand transparency, and to restore genuine competition in this industry. But that requires legislation developed with input from the community and faith leaders, not proposals backed by the very company causing the harm.

Will our laws reflect fairness, inclusion, and accountability? Or will we let corporate interests tighten their grip on spaces that should belong to everyone? I, for one, support the former and encourage the California Legislature to reject AB 1349 outright or amend it to remove any provisions that expand Ticketmaster’s control. I also urge community members to contact their representatives and advocate for accessible, inclusive live events for all Californians. Let’s work together to ensure these gathering spaces remain open and welcoming to everyone, regardless of income or background.

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Oakland Post: Week of December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

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2 weeks ago

January 2, 2026

Oakland Post

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Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

2 weeks ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.