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Black Military Veterans: Our Past and Our Future

The African Americans in the Military During WWII Exhibit is a pictorial history of the sacrifices and the contributions that African American men and women have made to our nation.

Published

3 years ago

November 27, 2022

Oakland Post

(Left) Bertram Clark, U.S. Navy Vietnam-era veteran, and curator of the African Americans in the Military During WWII Exhibit, examines a display at the San Leandro Main Library. / Photo credit: Conway Jones

By Conway Jones

Bertram Clark began collecting photographs, posters and memorabilia of African Americans in the military in the 1980s. His dream was to someday open a Museum/Culture Center.

The African Americans in the Military During WWII Exhibit is a pictorial history of the sacrifices and the contributions that African American men and women have made to our nation.

The exhibit honors these brave and honorable patriots who fought for the freedom of others on foreign soil while they were not afforded their full rights as citizens in their own country.

The exhibit’s more than 100 photographs, posters and articles are from long-time Oakland residents and Vietnam-era veterans.

Clark’s exhibit was on display at the San Leandro Library as a part of the Veterans’ Day celebrations.

“The African Americans in the Military During WWII Exhibit reveals American history that was, for whatever reason, hidden from most of us,” said David Moragne, a U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam-era veteran.

Clark is happy and honored to share his collection with anyone and everyone who wants to learn about the history, the culture and the contributions that people of African descent have made to America and to the world.

“My goal is to secure this African Americans in the Military During WWII Exhibit in a museum or a university or a private collection, thereby ensuring its place in history for the benefit of future generations,” said Bertram, a U.S. Navy, Vietnam-era veteran.

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Oakland Post: Week of June 25 – July 1, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of June 25 – July 1, 2025

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5 days ago

June 29, 2025

Oakland Post

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Oakland Post: Week of June 18 – 24, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of June 18 – 24, 2025

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2 weeks ago

June 20, 2025

Oakland Post

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Juneteenth: Celebrating Our History, Honoring Our Shared Spaces

It’s been empowering to watch Juneteenth blossom into a widely celebrated holiday, filled with vibrant outdoor events like cookouts, festivals, parades, and more. It’s inspiring to see the community embrace our history—showing up in droves to celebrate freedom, a freedom delayed for some enslaved Americans more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 18, 2025

Oakland Post

Wayne Wilson, Public Affairs Campaign Manager, Caltrans

By Wayne Wilson, Public Affairs Campaign Manager, Caltrans

Juneteenth marks an important moment in our shared history—a time to reflect on the legacy of our ancestors who, even in the face of injustice, chose freedom, unity, and community over fear, anger, and hopelessness. We honor their resilience and the paths they paved so future generations can continue to walk with pride.

As we head into the weekend full of festivities and summer celebrations, I want to offer a friendly reminder about who is not invited to the cookout: litter.

At Clean California, we believe the places where we gather—parks, parade routes, street corners, and church lots—should reflect the pride and beauty of the people who fill them. Our mission is to restore and beautify public spaces, transforming areas impacted by trash and neglect into spaces that reflect the strength and spirit of the communities who use them.

Too often, after the music fades and the grills cool, our public spaces are left littered with trash. Just as our ancestors took pride in their communities, we honor their legacy when we clean up after ourselves, teach our children to do the same, and care for our shared spaces.

Small acts can inspire big change. Since 2021, Clean California and its partners have collected and removed over 2.9 million cubic yards of litter. We did this by partnering with local nonprofits and community organizations to organize grassroots cleanup events and beautification projects across California.

Now, we invite all California communities to continue the incredible momentum and take the pledge toward building a cleaner community through our Clean California Community Designation Program. This recognizes cities and neighborhoods committed to long-term cleanliness and civic pride.

This Juneteenth, let’s not only celebrate our history—but also contribute to its legacy. By picking up after ourselves and by leaving no litter behind after celebrations, we have an opportunity to honor our past and shape a cleaner, safer, more vibrant future.

Visit CleanCA.com to learn more about Clean California.