Activism
Community Celebrates Dr. Rebecca Nanyonjo – New Leader at the Regional Center of the East Bay
The event, hosted at the historic Glenview District estate of trailblazing educator Ida Louise Jackson, paid homage both to a legacy of excellence and to a bright future for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
By Carla Thomas
In a heartfelt celebration of leadership, equity, and vision, community leaders and service providers gathered in Oakland on Sunday, Aug. 10 to welcome Dr. Rebecca Nanyonjo as the new executive director of the Regional Center of the East Bay (RCEB).
The event, hosted at the historic Glenview District estate of trailblazing educator Ida Louise Jackson, paid homage both to a legacy of excellence and to a bright future for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
Attending with her husband, Shon, and dressed proudly in a traditional Ugandan shirt in honor of her heritage, Nanyonjo was warmly received by friends, advocates, and colleagues. Known for her humility as much as her expertise, Nanyonjo took the time to connect with each guest personally.
“I am committed to providing quality healthcare and ensuring that clients and the community get the best of care and service,” she said, reaffirming her focus on equity, access, and dignity in care.
The reception’s presenters included an array of community leaders working in disability services and advocacy. Wendell James and Denise Bradley of Adult Educational Technologies; Monica and Jerry Montgomery of Golden State Residential Adult Programs; and Karen Birks of Monarchy Consulting Group all highlighted both the immense responsibility and the collective hope that comes with Nanyonjo’s new role.
Nanyonjo arrives at RCEB with more than two decades of leadership in public health. Most recently, she served as director of Public Health for Merced County, where she managed critical programs spanning emergency medical services, refugee health, environmental health, medical clinics, residency training, and vital supports for women, children, and individuals with developmental disabilities.
Her tenure was marked by an unwavering commitment to health equity and addressing the needs of underserved populations, values now at the heart of her new role.
As executive director, Nanyonjo takes the helm of RCEB, a nonprofit agency supporting thousands of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the lifespan.
One of California’s 21 regional centers, RCEB operates with offices in San Leandro and Concord and manages an annual budget of $900 million, making it one of the largest employers in the region.
Through personalized planning and case management, the center assists individuals and families in accessing housing, healthcare, employment opportunities, education, and community integration supports that promote self-determination and quality of life.
Earlier in her career, Nanyonjo served as the Public Health program coordinator for the San Bernardino County Department of Health, as the senior Public Health director for Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Australia, managing clinical and occupational staff for 30 ships across three fleets.
Nanyonjo holds a doctorate in Public Health as well as master’s degrees in Public Health and Epidemiology and International Health from Loma Linda University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of California, Riverside.
“We are confident her extensive expertise and passion for advancing equity will benefit the entire RCEB community,” said Frank Paré, president of RCEB’s Board of Directors.
Dr. Marcie Hodge, executive director of St. John’s Boys Home and the current steward of the historic estate where the reception was hosted, emphasized the significance of the leadership transition.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Nanyonjo during this important and challenging time,” Hodge said. “Her experience, vision, and dedication to improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities will be instrumental as we navigate the evolving needs of our community.”
Throughout the evening, the atmosphere was filled with joy and anticipation. Oakland NAACP President Cynthia Adams captured the collective sentiment simply: “We are excited for the community.”
RCEB will host job fairs on August 25 at their Concord location and August 27 at their San Leandro location.
For more information visit www.rceb.org
The Post will continue to highlight the organization’s regional services and contributions.
RCEB is a private non-profit corporation under contract with the California Department of Developmental Services. RCEB works in partnership with many individuals and agencies to plan and coordinate services and supports for people with developmental disabilities, family members, and community leaders in the Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Office locations include the
RCEB Main Office, San Leandro, CA
Creekside Plaza
500 Davis St., Suite 100
San Leandro, CA 94577
Main Line (510) 618-6100
Fax: (510) 678-4100
Videophone: (510) 394-1835
Over 3 Intake Referral Line: (510) 618-6122
Early Intervention Referral Line (510) 618-6195
RCEB Concord Office
1320 Willow Pass Road, Suite 300
Concord, CA 94520
Main Line (925) 691-2300
Fax: (925) 674-8001
Videophone: (866) 460-4535
Activism
Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association
The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”
Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association
The East Oakland Boxing Association (EOBA) and Youth Alive! came together on Aug. 21 to share with their community all that Black August means to them.
Held on EOBA’s patio at 816 98th Ave. in Deep East Oakland, the two organizations hosted their second annual Black August Experience, featuring a food tasting, financial literacy and mindfulness workshops, and voter registration with the League of Women Voters Oakland (LWV).
Black August is known as a time to uphold the legacy of prisoners who protested their conditions by fasting, fighting, and educating themselves on the economic and political circumstances that contributed to their incarceration.
According to its website, “EOBA is a multi-service youth and community development hub that goes far beyond the ring. While rooted in the discipline of boxing, for nearly 40 years EOBA has also integrated robust programs in workforce development, food justice, afterschool enrichment, financial literacy, mentorship, and wellness.”.
The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”
Through Coro California, another leadership organization serving young people across the state for 80 years, they gained a broader understanding of Black August.
EOBA Executive Director Dawna Williams spoke about how much she learned about Black August from the youth who created it. “I let them educate me,” she said. Instead of talking about prison reform and mass incarceration, Williams and youth interns found that Black August meant so much more. “We would have done a disservice if we had just focused on who the people were and what their situation was…We tried to take their message from back in the day and make it relevant to the young people today. What do they need to know?”
Youth interns created and placed posters around the patio to help participants understand how traditional Black foodways, civic engagement, financial literacy, and the power of education are relevant to Black resistance today.
An EOBA member described Black August with Youth ALIVE! as “a whole vibe. “This year we added the Fun Zone for the kids, because you really cannot go wrong with a Fun Zone. I also loved seeing everyone chillin’ in the outdoor lounge, catching some Vitamin D and just enjoying a Friday evening together.”
The food tasting, a popular event from last year, featured traditional Black foods such as black-eyed peas, johnny cakes, and fried chicken. Led by Williams, the tasting included a talk about how these traditional foods were made and why they are forms of Black resilience.
The “‘Plate of History’ was a favorite of the online writers. “Fun, educational, and did I mention delicious? Our Taste of History cook, Angela Southall, served up some good eats while connecting food to history and culture.”
The writer also commended the “League of Women Voters Oakland for their civic leadership and for getting our young people informed, ready, and registered to vote.”
Overall, it was a “good Friday event in East Oakland,” the writer said.
Upcoming Black August events: Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), will host “Black August: The Arc of Liberation” at Oakland City Hall on Sat. Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The websites for East Oakland Boxing Association, Youth Alive! and CORO are sources for this report.
Jana Lang is an Oakland resident, teacher, gardener and poet participating in the Propel News Initiative.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of August 26 – September 1, 2026
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of August 26 – September 1, 2026
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Activism
Oakland Post: Week of August 19 – 25, 2026
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of August 18 – 25, 2026
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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