Activism

California Teachers Association Rallies Behind Prop. 50: A Stand for Education and Democracy

“The dysfunction we’re witnessing in Washington, D.C. has profound implications for our schools,” Jones explained. She emphasized that the dismantling of the federal Department of Education and the curtailing of union rights for workers are issues that inevitably trickle down to affect the students in California classrooms. “This is not a fight we chose, but it’s one we must engage in for the future of our children.”

Published

4 months ago

October 24, 2025

Oakland Post

Among other things that were revealed in the report was that teachers say they just want to teach (94%) and report feeling like they are caught in the crossfire of a culture war (91%). Photo courtesy California Black Media.

SACRAMENTO — In a bold move reflecting the urgency of the times, the California Teachers Association (CTA) has thrown its weight behind Proposition 50, an initiative spearheaded by Governor Gavin Newsom aimed at redistricting. CTA is reaching out to California’s Black voters by activating a campaign utilizing some of the state’s legacy Black newspapers.

Prop. 50 presents an opportunity for California voters to pause and reconsider the current legislative maps that dictate representation — a reaction to a national landscape where education and voting rights are increasingly under threat. Erika Jones, the Secretary/Treasurer of the CTA pointed out that the initiative serves as a direct counter to troubling developments in states like Texas, where the political climate has grown hostile towards both educational funding and voter inclusion.

Critics from within the Democratic spectrum have voiced skepticism about the ethics of using Prop. 50 as a tool against what they perceive as unethical actions from other states. However, Jones argues convincingly that the current political climate itself — marked by a wave of voter suppression tactics and the sidelining of marginalized communities — constitutes an ethical crisis that demands a robust and proactive response.

“We have to take a stand,” Jones insists. She draws parallels between the present situation and historical struggles for voting rights, reflecting on her own family’s involvement in civil rights movements. “If we don’t act now, we risk losing decades of progress.” She voiced concerns that without intervention, there could be dire consequences for marginalized students, including cuts to funding that directly supports vulnerable populations.

With more than $15 billion in federal assistance hanging in the balance, the stakes could not be higher. Jones highlighted the importance of rallying both educators and community members to mobilize against what she describes as an “unethical assault” on democracy. “We cannot simply remain isolated in California; the fight for justice and equity reverberates across the entire nation.”

As supporters of Prop. 50 intensify their outreach, Jones invites California residents to join the movement. “We’re encouraging everyone to get involved — whether by volunteering to canvas or by spreading awareness through social media.” Those interested can visit cta.org/prop50 for more information on how to engage in meaningful activism.

With only a few weeks left to vote, the CTA’s call for action resonates across communities, urging Californians to recognize not just their rights as voters, but their responsibility to advocate for the future of education in a rapidly changing political landscape. As Jones aptly puts it, “This is our fight, and we must be heard.”

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Activism

Chase Oakland Community Center Hosts Alley-Oop Accelerator Building Community and Opportunity for Bay Area Entrepreneurs

Over the past three years, the Alley-Oop Accelerator has helped more than 20 Bay Area businesses grow, connect, and gain meaningful exposure. The program combines hands-on training, mentorship, and community-building to help participants navigate the legal, financial, and marketing challenges of small business ownership.

Published

1 week ago

February 21, 2026

Oakland Post

Bay Area entrepreneurs attend the Alley-Oop Accelerator, a small business incubation program at Chase Oakland Community Center. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Golden State Warriors and Chase bank hosted the third annual Alley-Oop Accelerator this month, an empowering eight-week program designed to help Bay Area entrepreneurs bring their visions for business to life.

The initiative kicked off on Feb. 12 at Chase’s Oakland Community Center on Broadway Street, welcoming 15 small business owners who joined a growing network of local innovators working to strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

At its core, the accelerator is designed to create an ecosystem of collaboration, where local entrepreneurs can learn from one another while accessing the resources of a global financial institution.

“This is our third year in a row working with the Golden State Warriors on the Alley-Oop Accelerator,” said Jaime Garcia, executive director of Chase’s Coaching for Impact team for the West Division. “We’ve already had 20-plus businesses graduate from the program, and we have 15 enrolled this year. The biggest thing about the program is really the community that’s built amongst the business owners — plus the exposure they’re able to get through Chase and the Golden State Warriors.”

According to Garcia, several graduates have gone on to receive vendor contracts with the Warriors and have gained broader recognition through collaborations with JPMorgan Chase.

“A lot of what Chase is trying to do,” Garcia added, “is bring businesses together because what they’ve asked for is an ecosystem, a network where they can connect, grow, and thrive organically.”

This year’s Alley-Oop Accelerator reflects that vision through its comprehensive curriculum and emphasis on practical learning. Participants explore the full spectrum of business essentials including financial management, marketing strategy, and legal compliance, while also preparing for real-world experiences such as pop-up market events.

Each entrepreneur benefits from one-on-one mentoring sessions through Chase’s Coaching for Impact program, which provides complimentary, personalized business consulting.

Garcia described the impact this hands-on approach has had on local small business owners. He recalled one candlemaker, who, after participating in the program, was invited to provide candles as gifts at Chase events.

“We were able to help give that business exposure,” he explained. “But then our team also worked with them on how to access capital to buy inventory and manage operations once those orders started coming in. It’s about preparation. When a hiccup happens, are you ready to handle it?”

The Coaching for Impact initiative, which launched in 2020 in just four cities, has since expanded to 46 nationwide.

“Every business is different,” Garcia said. “That’s why personal coaching matters so much. It’s life-changing.”

Participants in the 2026 program will each receive a $2,500 stipend, funding that Garcia said can make an outsized difference. “It’s amazing what some people can do with just $2,500,” he noted. “It sounds small, but it goes a long way when you have a plan for how to use it.”

For Chase and the Warriors, the Alley-Oop Accelerator represents more than an educational initiative, it’s a pathway to empowerment and economic inclusion. The program continues to foster lasting relationships among the entrepreneurs who, as Garcia put it, “build each other up” through shared growth and opportunity.

“Starting a business is never easy, but with the right support, it becomes possible, and even exhilarating,” said Oscar Lopez, the senior business consultant for Chase in Oakland.