Bay Area

City Council Commits to Adopting Policies to Protect and Enhance Geoffrey’s Inner Circle and the Black Arts District

The Oakland City Council adopted a motion this week potentially resolving the ongoing fight between the many backers of Geoffrey’s Inner Circle and San Francisco-based Tidewater Capital’s proposed 40-story luxury apartment tower, which city planning staff greenlighted to be built inches away from the Geoffrey’s venue in what has been designated the downtown Black Arts Movement and Business District.

Published

12 months ago

January 23, 2024

Oakland Post

Geoffrey Pete, owner of Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, at Oakland City Hall. Photo by Jonathan ‘Fitness’ Jones.

By Ken Epstein

Proposed by Councilmember Carroll Fife and seconded by Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan, the city council unanimously approved a scheduling motion to place the matter on the Feb. 27 meeting agenda of the council’s Community and Economic Development (CED) committee, pledging to write new policies to strengthen the Black Arts district and ensure the long-term viability of Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, named after its owner, Geoffrey Pete.

Speaking at Tuesday meeting, Mr. Pete withdrew his appeal challenging the planning commission’s approval of the Tidewater project and thanked his many community backers for their tenacious and vocal support.

“We have entered into an agreement with the City of Oakland in which we have decided to withdraw our appeal,” he said. “This was an unprecedented appeal … against the unjust decision by the city planners and the planning commission of the City of Oakland.”

Cautiously optimistic, he said “It is our sincere hope (that) making good on this agreement … your supportive efforts will not be in vain.”

He emphasized this resolution could not have been achieved without the many community members who raised their voices to support him and his club.

“Thank you for your seemingly undying support,” he said. “You have revitalized our community in one fell swoop … I never knew you could have the kind of impact you’ve had on this situation.”

Quoting Martin Luther King Jr., he said, “A man is a fool if he doesn’t realize that his wealth is a part of the commonwealth. No matter where you are, somebody helped you get there. Thank you for helping us get there.”

Councilmember Fife introduced the scheduling motion, which was worked out in discussions with community members prior to the meeting.

“Thank you, Mr. Pete. You’ve had an amazing amount of patience and also been a teacher and a leader throughout this entire endeavor,” she said, emphasizing that she has pledged to do what it takes to strengthen the Black Arts district.

“I made that commitment, and I’ve made it in writing,” she said.

Continuing, Councilmember Fife said, “I’d like to schedule this strengthening of existing legislation, which is (currently) the Black Arts Movement and Business District in name only. I think it was a noble effort that was passed by (former) councilmember (Lynette) McElhaney (in 2016), but it didn’t give the City of Oakland the tools necessary to really enforce what it means to be a cultural district in the (city).”

According to the scheduling motion, the Feb. 27 CED committee meeting would create city policies to:

“Implement a series of public streetscape improvements, including public banners, along Oakland’s Fourteenth Street corridor, to honor, uplift, commemorate, and increase public awareness of important Black cultural, sports, arts, and historical people and institutions.”
“Use available funds including available art funds. and to pursue grants and other funding sources to support arts, music, comedy, and cultural institutions in the district; including the preservation and financial support to ensure ongoing viability of its historic, cornerstone African American institutions, including Geoffrey’s Inner Circle.”
“To make resources available to businesses” for tenant improvements and to work with the planning and building departments to “strengthen the district and ensure long-term vitality.”

Looking ahead, in the wake of recent conflicts over market-rate real estate developments, supported by city planning staff and the Planning Commission, many community activists have begun to challenge the pro-gentrification biases that appear baked into the planning process.

These activists are raising the alarm over the lack of ordinary Oakland residents, who are unconnected to real estate development, on the Planning Commission and the readiness of planners to place the interests of developers over residents’ needs and concerns.

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Activism

In 1974, Then-Gov. Jimmy Carter Visited the Home of Oakland Black Black Political Activist Virtual Murrell While Running for President

civil rights icon Georgia State Representative Julian Bond said that Carter, along with governors Reuben Askew of Florida, Dale Bumpers of Arkansas, and Terry Sanford of North Carolina, were all a part of what was being dubbed the “New South” and so supported civil rights and voting rights for African Americans.

Published

1 day ago

January 3, 2025

Oakland Post

Virtual Murrell chats with Jimmy Carter two years before Carter was elected president in 1976. Courtesy photo.

By Virtual T. Murrell
Special to The Post

On his way to seeking the presidency, then-Gov. Jimmy Carter visited the Bay Area in his capacity as campaign chairman of the Democratic National Committee in March of 1974.

A friend of mine, Bill Lynch, a Democrat from San Francisco, had been asked to host Carter, who was then relatively unknown. Seeking my advice on the matter, I immediately called my friend, civil rights icon Georgia State Representative Julian Bond, for his opinion.

Bond said that Carter, along with governors Reuben Askew of Florida, Dale Bumpers of Arkansas, and Terry Sanford of North Carolina, were all a part of what was being dubbed the “New South” and so supported civil rights and voting rights for African Americans.

Based on Julian’s comments, I agreed to host the governor. We picked him up at the San Francisco Airport. With his toothy smile, I could tell almost right away that he was like no other politician I had ever met. On his arrival, there was a message telling him to go to the VIP room, where he met then-Secretary of State Jerry Brown.

After leaving the airport, we went to a reception in his honor at the home of Paul “Red” Fay, who had served as the acting secretary of the Navy under President John Kennedy. (Carter, it turned out, had been himself a 1946 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and served as a submariner in the 1950s.)

The following afternoon, the Niagara Movement Democratic Club hosted a reception for Carter, which was a major success. Carter indicated that he would be considering running for president and hoped for our support if he did so.

As the event was winding down, I witnessed the most amazing moment: Carter’s wife, Rosalynn, was in the kitchen with my former wife, Irene, wearing an apron and busting suds! You would have to have been there to see it: The first and last time a white woman cleaned up my kitchen.

A few months later, President Richard Nixon resigned amid the Watergate scandal. He was succeeded by his vice president, Gerald Ford.

On the heels of that scandal, Jimmy Carter’s election in 1976 represented integrity and honesty at a point in America’s history when he was just what the nation needed to lead as president of the United States.

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Oakland Post: Week of January 1 – 7, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of January 1 – 7, 2025

Published

3 days ago

January 2, 2025

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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Let’s Talk Health: Empowering Our Community with Health Literacy

At Covered California, we recognize that understanding health insurance is more than just choosing a plan –it’s about having the knowledge to make informed decisions that lead to healthier lives. That’s why this year’s open enrollment campaign, “Let’s Talk Health,” focuses on breaking down barriers and simplifying the complex language of health care.

Published

6 days ago

December 29, 2024

Oakland Post

Dr. Monica Soni. Courtesy of Covered California.

By Dr. Monica Soni

Navigating health insurance can often feel overwhelming, especially for individuals and families who are new to the system or unsure about their options.

Health literacy is critical for achieving better outcomes, reducing disparities, and ensuring every African American and Black Californian — regardless of their income, ethnicity, or background — has access to quality care. By making health insurance simpler to understand, we empower individuals to access preventive services, manage chronic conditions, and avoid costly medical bills.

Breaking Barriers in African American and Black Communities
This year, “Let’s Talk Health” places a special focus on supporting African American and Black communities, where systemic inequities in health outcomes persist. These communities often face higher rates of chronic conditions and challenges in navigating the health care system. To address these disparities, Covered California partnered with trusted organizations to provide information, tips and resources.

In San Francisco, Andre Atkins, Director of Programs at Rafiki Coalition, led a dialogue with Dr. Kim Rhoads, Community Engagement Director at UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center; Destiny Williams, Health and Wellness Program Manager at Rafiki Coalition; and myself.

These conversations play a vital role in the pursuit of health equity by sharing power and creating spaces where our community can learn, share experiences, ask questions and connect with advocates who work daily to understand their unique needs. Through these efforts, we reaffirm our dedication to fostering equity and inclusion in health care, ensuring that every voice is heard and supported.

Why Health Literacy Matters
Health literacy goes beyond understanding health care terms. It’s about empowerment. It equips individuals to make informed decisions, from choosing the right health plan to finding a provider to deliver preventive care and seeking mental health services. At Covered California, we provide tools and resources, such as side-by-side plan comparisons and financial assistance details, to ensure everyone can navigate their options confidently and access the care they need.

Taking the First Step
Whether you’re a student, part-time worker, family of four, open enrollment is your opportunity to prioritize your health and your future. This year’s open enrollment period runs from Nov. 1, 2024, to Jan. 31, 2025, and we’re here to assist you every step of the way.

Consumers must select a health plan by the Dec. 31 to receive coverage for the entire year, starting Jan. 1, 2025.

To find the plan that’s right for you, and take the first step toward a healthier tomorrow, visit CoveredCA.com and fill out the application yourself or put in your ZIP code and connect with a certified agent in your neighborhood who can guide you through your options. Together, we can break down barriers and ensure that all Californians have the tools to thrive.

Dr. Monica Soni, MD, is the Chief Medical Officer for Covered California, where she leads efforts in health equity, quality transformation, and clinical innovation. As a practicing board-certified internal medicine physician and health care leader with over a decade of experience, Dr. Soni is committed to improving affordability, access, and outcomes for all Californians.