Community

Black Solidarity Week at Lake Merritt in Oakland

Published

5 years ago

February 18, 2021

Kiki

Last year's event

Malcolm X and Black Panther Party Co-Founder Dr. Huey P. Newton would be proud.

Oakland’s fourth annual Black Solidarity Week (BSW), which begins on Newton’s birthday, February 17, and ends on February 21, the anniversary of the assassination of Malcolm X, honors principles of liberation for Black people that both men espoused.

Sponsored by the Community Ready Corps (CRC) and the Black Solidarity Group and supported by James Copes of Old School Copes, BSW marks a time to observe what organizers call the nine Components of Self Determination. Those components include: Self Defense & Safety; Family System & Stability; Traditions & Ways; Technology & Efficacy; Education & Competence; Art & Media; Politics & Governance; and Health & Well Being.

On Saturday, there’s an opportunity to engage in the ninth component, “Economics & Prosperity,” in one of the premier activities for BSW — a vendor marketing event held on Saturday, February 20, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the El Embarcadero, between the Lakeside Library and the Pergola and Colonnade at the northeastern end of Lake Merritt.

“The power of Black solidarity is the impetus of strengthening the Black community to help it thrive and be successful, especially in the areas of economics and prosperity,” said Tur-Ha Ak, founder, and leader of the CRC.

This Black Solidary Market is an opportunity for Black vendors to showcase and sell their products to the public, which is one of the nine areas of self-determination and self-sufficiency that make up the CRC’s primary objectives since its concept in 2017, said Ak.

“Our prime objective is to build and/or contribute to self-determination in disenfranchised communities,” Ak continued. “We believe that, in order to be truly self-determined, community needs to be able to express power where power is being expressed. With this in mind, we work towards the empowerment of oppressed people and communities in what we call the nine Components of Self Determination.”

Operating under the theme of “Contribution and Commitment,” the Black Solidarity Group has partnered with James Copes of “Old School Copes” who spearheaded and has been the spokesperson for past vendor marketing activities that have taken place on the eastern shore of Lake Merritt last summer.

That original market has since shuttered, and as a result of a pilot program that began last fall near the El Embarcadero, this new Black Solidarity Market event was born.

Copes said he expects approximately 30 vendors and artisans to be selling an array of products at Saturday’s event, some of whom have already signed up. “This is the first event at the lake organized this year and we hope to accommodate up to 40 vendors if necessary. We anticipate serving a large population of attendees as we’ve not had the opportunity to experience an event such as this for some time,” Copes said.

Pop-up vendors will have available Oakland products, art, clothing, candles, jewelry, Black books, and T-shirts, among the many unique items that attendees can purchase. Additionally, there will be food vendors offering an array of meals for everyone’s appetite and desire. There will also be live music and fresh market produce will be given away to attendees, Copes said.

“CRC’s involvement with the BSW is a concept that we created, which was launched in 2017,” said AK. “This is part of our Black solidarity agenda and we feel it is vitally important to build self-sufficiency in all nine areas. This was already happening with what Copes was doing in the past, so we didn’t have to reinvent the wheel.

“We are providing resources and basically magnifying an event that has already been established. Together, we’re fulfilling the goal of creating economics and prosperity in our community,” Ak said.

“Our goal is to collaborate and partner with the City to keep this market going,” said Copes. “We’re looking forward to the support of City Councilmembers Carroll Fife and Nikki(Fortunato) Bas whose districts border the lake. We will continue to move forward and find resources to support vendors to build a strong economic base.”

“This first pop-up event of the year is encouraging,” Copes added. “The pandemic continues and has gotten worse, particularly for Black folks, who have been struggling to stay afloat. It is people of color who have been affected most by the pandemic because we are the ones who do the service jobs and are more susceptible to becoming infected by the virus.”

Event Coordinator Denmark Peoples said precautions are in place for this weekend event. “We will be following and adhering to all CDC guidelines for the protection and safety of all attendees,” said Peoples. “Temperatures will be checked at vendor stations and everyone will be required to wear masks as they stroll throughout the market.”

“This Fourth Annual Black Solidarity Week is an opportunity for the community to support Black vendors. This ties in the overall theme and Black agenda of CRC’s primary objectives,” Peoples said.

For vendors interested in participating in the pop-up, email at oldschoolcopes@gmail.com or call 510–205–7507 to sign up.

Kiki

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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

Published

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

3 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.

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First 5 Alameda County Distributes Over $8 Million in First Wave of Critical Relief Funds for Historically Underpaid Caregivers

“Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers are lifelines for so many children and families in Alameda County,” said Kristin Spanos, CEO, First 5 Alameda County. “Yet, they often go unrecognized and undercompensated for their labor and ability to give individualized, culturally connected care. At First 5, we support the conditions that allow families to thrive, and getting this money into the hands of these caregivers and families at a time of heightened financial stress for parents is part of that commitment.”

Published

3 weeks ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Costco. Courtesy image.

Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers Can Now Opt Into $4,000 Grants to Help Bolster Economic Stability and Strengthen Early Learning Experiences

By Post Staff

Today, First 5 Alameda County announced the distribution of $4,000 relief grants to more than 2,000 Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers, totaling over $8 million in the first round of funding. Over the full course of the funding initiative, First 5 Alameda County anticipates supporting over 3,000 FFN caregivers, who collectively care for an estimated 5,200 children across Alameda County. These grants are only a portion of the estimated $190 million being invested into expanding our early childcare system through direct caregiver relief to upcoming facilities, shelter, and long-term sustainability investments for providers fromMeasure C in its first year. This investment builds on the early rollout of Measure C and reflects a comprehensive, system-wide strategy to strengthen Alameda County’s early childhood ecosystem so families can rely on sustainable, accessible care,

These important caregivers provide child care in Alameda County to their relatives, friends, and neighbors. While public benefits continue to decrease for families, and inflation and the cost of living continue to rise, these grants provide direct economic support for FFN caregivers, whose wages have historically been very low or nonexistent, and very few of whom receive benefits. As families continue to face growing financial pressures, especially during the winter and holiday season, these grants will help these caregivers with living expenses such as rent, utilities, supplies, and food.

The funding for these relief grants comes from Measure C, a local voter-approved sales tax in Alameda County that invests in young children, their families, communities, providers, and caregivers. Within the first year of First 5’s 5-Year Plan for Measure C, in addition to the relief grants to informal FFN caregivers, other significant investments will benefit licensed child care providers. These investments include over $40 million in Early Care and Education (ECE) Emergency Grants, which have already flowed to nearly 800 center-based and family child care providers. As part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, preparations are also underway to distribute facilities grants early next year for child care providers who need to make urgent repairs or improvements, and to launch the Emergency Revolving Fund in Spring 2026 to support licensed child care providers in Alameda County who are at risk of closure.

The FFN Relief Grants recognize and support the essential work that an estimated 3,000 FFN caregivers provide to 5,200 children in Alameda County. There is still an opportunity to receive funds for FFN caregivers who have not yet received them.

In partnership with First 5 Alameda County, Child Care Payment Agencies play a critical role in identifying eligible caregivers and leading coordinated outreach efforts to ensure FFN caregivers are informed of and able to access these relief funds.FFN caregivers are eligible for the grant if they receive a child care payment from an Alameda County Child Care Payment Agency, 4Cs of Alameda County, BANANAS, Hively, and Davis Street, and are currently caring for a child 12 years old or younger in Alameda County. Additionally, FFN caregivers who provided care for a child 12 years or younger at any time since April 1, 2025, but are no longer doing so, are also eligible for the funds. Eligible caregivers are being contacted by their Child Care Payment Agency on a rolling basis, beginning with those who provided care between April and July 2025.

“This money is coming to me at a critical time of heightened economic strain,” said Jill Morton, a caregiver in Oakland, California. “Since I am a non-licensed childcare provider, I didn’t think I was eligible for this financial support. I was relieved that this money can help pay my rent, purchase learning materials for the children as well as enhance childcare, buy groceries and take care of grandchildren.”

Eligible FFN caregivers who provided care at any time between April 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025, who haven’t yet opted into the process, are encouraged to check their mail and email for an eligibility letter. Those who have cared for a child after this period should expect to receive communications from their child care payment agency in the coming months. FFN caregivers with questions may also contact the agency they work with to receive child care payments, or the First 5 Alameda help desk, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, at 510-227-6964. The help desk will be closed 12/25/25 – 1/1/26. Additional grant payments will be made on a rolling basis as opt-ins are received by the four child care payment agencies in Alameda County.

Beginning in the second year of Measure C implementation, FFN caregivers who care for a child from birth to age five and receive an Alameda County subsidized voucher will get an additional $500 per month. This amounts to an annual increase of about $6,000 per child receiving a subsidy. Together with more Measure C funding expected to flow back into the community as part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, investments will continue to become available in the coming year for addressing the needs of childcare providers in Alameda County.

About First 5 Alameda County

First 5 Alameda County builds the local childhood systems and supports needed to ensure our county’s youngest children are safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and life.

Our Mission

In partnership with the community, we support a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves the lives of children from birth to age five and their families.

Our Vision

Every child in Alameda County will have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential.

Learn more at www.first5alameda.org.