City Government

Brooks Calls for City Funding of Training So Blacks and Latinos Can Overcome Barriers to Construction Trades

Published

7 years ago

April 13, 2018

City Councilmember Desley Brooks speaks Tuesday in front of City Hall about her proposal for city funding of pre-apprenticeship job training programs. She asked city officials to “listen to a community that is tired of waiting. (They) are no longer going to allow you to simply do nothing.” Photo by Ken Epstein.

City Councilmember Desley Brooks kicked off a campaign this week to push the City Council to pass a resolution to provide funding for the first time to support the nonprofits organizations in Oakland that provide pre-apprenticeship training so African Americans, Latinos and other people of color in Oakland can enter careers in the construction trades.

Operating for years without city financial support, the programs provide access to well-paying jobs with benefits and pensions to low-income young people, the formerly incarcerated and women who have long faced barriers to taking advantage of these opportunities.

“For too long, we’ve asked people of color to wait,” said Brooks, speaking at a press conference and rally Tuesday afternoon on City Hall steps before Brooks’ proposed resolution – co-sponsored by Councilmember Noel Gallo – was supposed to be discussed at the Council’s Community and Economic Development (CED) committee.

Speaking to about 150 pre-apprenticeship trainees and other community members, she said the city is going to spend $120 million in the next year on bond measure projects.

“We want to be sure you’re included in the $120 million in the work that is done,” said Brooks.

“When we push, we get what we need for our community…We not asking for anything, we are demanding that this council does what’s right,” said Brooks, who has been working for five months with the City Attorney, the administration and City Council members to move the proposal forward.

“We talk about displacement and gentrification, but we come up with no solutions that address the issue. We talk about equity, but equity only happens when it’s convenient,” she said.
“If they don’t have the political will to do what is right, we should take to the streets.”

Joining Brooks at the rally were community members and trainees from pre-apprenticeship programs, including a large group from the highly respected Cypress Mandela Training Center, which has a track record of working in Oakland for 26 years

Among those who showed up to support the resolution were participants at the Men of Valor Academy, which has been helping the formerly incarcerated for 14 years; Laborers Union Local 304, which represents workers throughout Alameda County and has offices in Oakland, Hayward and Livermore, working with others since 2007 to train future union members; and the Oakland Private Industry Council, which for years has received federal funding for to operate the Oakland Career Center, the Eastmont Career & Employment Center and the West Oakland Neighborhood Career Center.

Also represented were the Laborers Community Service and Training Foundation and Rising Sun Energy Center, which helps women, particularly formerly incarcerated women, enter the building trades.
Though the resolution had been scheduled for the CED meeting, City Attorney Barbara Parker blocked the council from discussing or voting on the issue because of an alleged technical problem with Brooks’ resolution.

Parker’s legal opinion was directed to the council and was not released to the public.

However, members of the public did have the opportunity to speak to the muted councilmembers.

“We need careers … that not only provide a decent living wage to support a family but also keep (trainees) on a positive path to life,” said Rafael Gonzalez, president of Laborers Local 304.

“I’m here to support Councilmember Brooks’ initiative. It really is a new way forward,” said Bernard Ashcraft, CEO of the Bay Area Business Roundtable, which has helped many people over the years find jobs.
Sylvester Hodges, director of training at Cypress Mandela, said providing city funding for training programs is a way to counter displacement and gentrification.

“I am concerned about the people who are leaving Oakland who should not be leaving Oakland,” he said. “We can ensure that they have jobs with good wages and benefits. We can do that here.”

Mike Hester of McGuire and Hester, a builder based in Oakland for 90 years, said training programs like Cypress Mandela and Men of Valor are part of a collective effort to make sure there are enough workers to fill the jobs.

“Industry is helping, labor is helping. It really needs the city’s support financially in a substantial way.”

Hester said he was unsure what is the best way for the city to raise the money, “but I think you need to commit to support workforce development in our community because we need the workers.”
Said Richard Harris, a client of Men of Valor Academy, “It’s really an investment in community. I feel like we’re left behind. Everything is happening, and nothing is happening for us.”

Explaining the proposed resolution, Brooks said it was patterned after the city’s “Percent for Art” ordinance that requires large real estate developments in the city include publicly accessible works of art or pay a fee to the city’s arts agency.

The proposal looks at four possible alternatives for funding the initiative, including utilizing 5 percent of the city’s Infrastructure monies; 5 percent from the parking fund; using money from the developers’ fund, which currently has $27 million in it; or requiring contractors to pay 30 cents per hour of work, similar to a program operated by the Port of Oakland.

“There is an urgency right now in our community,” said Brooks, pointing out that while the unemployment rate in the city has dropped from 19 percent overall to 4 percent, in the Latino community it’s 11 percent, and in the African American community it’s 20 percent.

Among youth, unemployment stands at 34 percent.

“Since 2012, we have failed to meet our 50 percent local hiring goals,” Brooks said. “So, we pass these things knowing that we don’t enforce them. And we don’t achieve them. But we want the community to believe otherwise.”

Opposing the proposal, several speakers said that money from the Measure KK bond should not be “diverted” to train Oakland workers for construction projects funded by the city.

Brooks criticized City Attorney Parkers for deferring the resolution rather than providing advice to expedite the process.

“The city attorney would play games with the issues that confront our communities, (failing) to provide legal advice in a timely fashion so things can actually get done,” said Brooks.

“The charter says the City Attorney’s Office is supposed to advise, not to control the council. How do we pick and choose the items that we will let go through and others that we won’t? It’s appalling.”

“There is a need for us right now to make sure that our communities, and specifically the African American communities and communities of color, have jobs in this city,” said Brooks.

The proposed resolution went to the city’s Rules Committee and Legislation Committee Thursday, where the measure was scheduled to be heard at the CED Committee on Tuesday, April 24, 1:30 p.m., at City Hall.

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California Black Media

California Department of Aging Offers Free Resources for Family Caregivers in November

In honor of National Family Caregivers Month this November, the California Department of Aging (CDA) is spotlighting a range of free resources to support caregivers of older adults and individuals with disabilities. Through its extensive network of Caregiver Resource Centers (CRCs) and Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), the state provides essential tools to help caregivers manage their responsibilities while prioritizing their own health and well-being.

Published

2 days ago

November 26, 2024

Oakland Post

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

“Caregiving is a great act of love, and this month — and every day — we uplift California’s caregivers as the under-recognized backbone of our families and communities,” said Susan DeMarois, director of the CDA. DeMarois emphasized the need for caregivers to access available support to better balance their roles without compromising their own health.

California is home to more than 4.5 million unpaid family caregivers, who contribute an estimated $81 billion annually in economic value through their care. Most caregivers are women who balance work, family, and caregiving responsibilities, often at the cost of their physical and emotional health. Given California’s aging population, the demand for caregiver support is rapidly growing, underscoring the importance of these free resources.

Thousands of caregivers accessed these services in the 2022-2023 fiscal year, benefiting from tools like professional care management and respite support. The Aging in California Resource Guide, available in six languages, offers additional information on caregiver support.

Caregivers can learn more about available resources by visiting the CDA website at aging.ca.gov and connecting with local CRCs or AAAs to discover personalized services to support them in their caregiving journey.

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California Black Media

Elections 2024: Sec. of State Weber Explains Results, Ballot Counting Process

Secretary of State Dr. Shirley N. Weber hosted a webinar on Nov. 14 to update Californians on the ballot counting process for the 2024 General Election. California is home to the largest voting base in the nation with 22.5 million registered voters. According to the Secretary of State Office (SOS), about 70% of the state’s voters participated in the November Election. So far, 15.2 million votes have been counted, processed and verified. There are still roughly 0.8 million votes to go through the process.

Published

3 days ago

November 25, 2024

Oakland Post

Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. File Photo.

By Edward Henderson, California Black Media

Secretary of State Dr. Shirley N. Weber hosted a webinar on Nov. 14 to update Californians on the ballot counting process for the 2024 General Election.

California is home to the largest voting base in the nation with 22.5 million registered voters. According to the Secretary of State Office (SOS), about 70% of the state’s voters participated in the November Election. So far, 15.2 million votes have been counted, processed and verified. There are still roughly 0.8 million votes to go through the process.

Because California allows voters more time and opportunities to vote than most states, it typically takes longer to finalize the results.

Historically, it has taken the state the longest to finalize election results. Almost half of the uncalled house races this year come from California. As of Nov 14, the closest race is in the 45^thCongressional District House race between Michelle Steel and Derek Tran. The two candidates are only separated by 58 votes with 93% of all votes counted.

“California basically makes sure that every vote counts,” said Weber. “We will receive our first actual count from all of the 58 counties on Dec. 6. After that, we have at least one week, which is until Dec. 13, when we will actually certify the state results. Then that becomes the official results for the election.”

If a recount is triggered in the 45^th district, official results may take longer than the expected deadline.

The part of the ballot counting process that tends to prolong the official results involves verifying signatures and making sure individuals who obtained provisional ballots the day of the election are all eligible to vote, Weber said.

The SOS goes as far as finding individuals who neglected to sign their ballots so they can complete the process.

“The reason we do this is we respect every vote that comes in. California’s election process is designed with a core commitment to recognizing and basically accurately counting each and every eligible vote that comes into our office,” added Weber. “This approach involves a series of rigorous checks and safeguards, including Signature verification machine audits and manual accounts.”

While technology has helped expedite the counting process in some areas, as the voter base continues to grow in the state, additional manual support is needed. For example, vote my mail ballots have to be opened and counted by hand. By Oct. 18, 1.5 million vote-by-mail ballots were already submitted.

Voting over the internet is prohibited by California Law. This eliminates all possibilities of cyber tampering or electronic voter fraud.

The SOS office also does a hand count of one percent of all ballots before Dec. 13. This is done to verify the fact there is a correlation between the hand counts and what the machines are counting.

“Some people ask the question: ‘Why do we have to be so accurate?’

We do our best to make sure that every Californian who is registered legally registered to vote will have their vote counted,” Weber emphasized.

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Activism

OCCUR Hosts “Faith Forward” Conference in Oakland

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.
Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership.

Published

4 days ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

President and CEO of OCCUR addresses the audience at OCCUR Faith Forward 2024 Conference at Resurrection Church. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Oakland Citizens Committee for Urban Renewal (OCCUR) hosted its Faith Forward 2024 Conference on Nov. 8 at Resurrection Church in Oakland.

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12^th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.

Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership. During her remarks, She commended nonprofits making a difference, and shared how she looked forward to representing Oakland and surrounding areas.

Simon also encouraged attendees to continue fighting despite their concerns about the presidential election results. She also cautioned that there may be resources that are discontinued as a result.

“We know the assignment. We have many of the resources right within our own community, and we will be ok,” Simon assured the audience.

The conference led by OCCUR president, Dr. David B. Franklin, also featured panels on funding opportunities, case studies, economic development, sustainable housing solutions, and organizing for action.

“In order for organizations serving the community to thrive, everyone must collaborate, share resources, and not operate in silos,” said Franklin.

Speakers included San Francisco Foundation CEO, Fred Blackwell, San Francisco Foundation FAITHS Program Director Dr. Michelle Chambers, and Kingmakers of Oakland Founder, Chris Chatmon. Guests were briefed on how Kingmakers of Oakland has gone from a budget of zero to several million and is set to acquire 200 acres of property to expand their programs serving young boys. The leadership at the San Francisco Foundation encouraged nonprofits, churches, and community leaders to work together, especially when donations and funding numbers are lower.

Ben Bartlett of Berkeley City Council; Trevor Parham, CEO of Oakstop; and CEO of the Lao Family Community Development, Inc., Kathy Chao Rothberg, inspired attendees with stories about their journeys in the nonprofit sector.

Additional speakers included Deka Dike, CEO of Omatachi; Landis Green, CEO of DGS Strategies; Sasha Werblin, Director of Economic Development, LISC Bay Area; Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid; Faith and Justice Organizer of East Bay Housing Organizations, Ronnie Boyd; and Todd Bendon, Executive Director of Faith in Action East Bay; among others.

The event allowed community leaders, faith-based leaders, and nonprofits to gain Insight on how to strengthen their profits financially, and communally.

OCCUR has served the community for over 70 years supporting the wellbeing of historically marginalized communities with collaborative strategies. For more information visit occurnow.org