Community
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Honored at Lincoln Child Center 130th Anniversary
The Lincoln Child Center recently hosted its “130 Years of History” gala honoring U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee for her longstanding dedication to serving children and families in the Bay Area and throughout the world.
“I am very humbled and honored that the Lincoln Child Center chose to honor me at the celebration of their 130th anniversary. Their longevity speaks volumes to the incredible work they do to strengthen children and families as well as for the tremendous need for their services,” Congresswoman Lee said.
“I am proud to be honored and hope that all Bay Area residents join me in thanking Lincoln Child Center for its 130 years of incredible program excellence,” she added.
In 1883, when Rebecca McWade opened her home to create the first integrated orphanage in Northern California, she had no idea that her act of kindness would lay the foundation for the Lincoln Child Center.
Today Lincoln is a highly respected provider of children services that has been committed to serving challenged children in the Bay Area.
Also honored was the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF), the country’s leading child advocacy organization. For the past 2 years, Lincoln Child Center has partnered with Leadership Excellence to operate CDF’s nationally acclaimed Freedom Schools, a 5-week summer academic literacy and cultural enrichment program in Oakland that serves academically underserved students who have been exposed to community violence.
“We are delighted to recognize the incredible work of Congresswoman Lee and the Children’s Defense Fund,” said Christine Stoner-Mertz, Lincoln Child Center president and CEO. “The two are great examples of how an individual and an organization have made marginalized children and families a priority across the country and around the world.”
Stoner-Mertz indicated that one of the hallmarks of Lincoln throughout its history has been the ability to adapt and change to the needs of the communities it serves.
She added that Lincoln Child Center is already thinking about its next 130 years by continually investing in its gifted staff and expanding its programs that achieve outstanding results for the populations being served.
For more information about the Lincoln Child Center, its history and programs, visit lincolnchildcenter.org.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of May 21 – 27, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May 21 – 27, 2025

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Remembering George Floyd
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OP-ED: Oregon Bill Threatens the Future of Black Owned Newspapers and Community Journalism
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Nearly half of Oregon’s media outlets are now owned by national conglomerates with no lasting investment in local communities. According to an OPB analysis, Oregon has lost more than 90 news jobs (and counting) in the past five years. These were reporters, editors and photographers covering school boards, investigating corruption and telling community stories, until their jobs were cut by out-of-state corporations.

By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.
President and CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association
For decades, The Skanner newspaper in Portland, the Portland Observer, and the Portland Medium have served Portland, Oregon’s Black community and others with a vital purpose: to inform, uplift and empower. But legislation now moving through the Oregon Legislature threatens these community news institutions—and others like them.
As President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), which represents more than 255 Black-owned media outlets across the United States—including historic publications like The Skanner, Portland Observer, and the Portland Medium—l believe that some Oregon lawmakers would do more harm than good for local journalism and community-owned publications they are hoping to protect.
Oregon Senate Bill 686 would require large digital platforms such as Google and Meta to pay for linking to news content. The goal is to bring desperately needed support to local newsrooms. However, the approach, while well-intentioned, puts smaller, community-based publications at a future severe financial risk.
We need to ask – will these payments paid by tech companies benefit the journalists and outlets that need them most? Nearly half of Oregon’s media outlets are now owned by national conglomerates with no lasting investment in local communities. According to an OPB analysis, Oregon has lost more than 90 news jobs (and counting) in the past five years. These were reporters, editors, and photographers covering school boards, investigating corruption, and telling community stories, until their jobs were cut by out-of-state corporations.
Legislation that sends money to these national conglomerate owners—without the right safeguards to protect independent and community-based outlets—rewards the forces that caused this inequitable crisis in the first place. A just and inclusive policy must guarantee that support flows to the front lines of local journalism and not to the boardrooms of large national media corporations.
The Black Press exists to fill in the gaps left by larger newsrooms. Our reporters are trusted messengers. Our outlets serve as forums for civic engagement, accountability and cultural pride. We also increasingly rely on our digital platforms to reach our audiences, especially younger generations—where they are.
We are fervently asking Oregon lawmakers to take a step back and engage in meaningful dialogue with those most affected: community publishers, small and independent outlets and the readers we serve. The Skanner, The Portland Observer, and The Portland Medium do not have national corporate parents or large investors. And they, like many smaller, community-trusted outlets, rely on traffic from search engines and social media to boost advertising revenue, drive subscriptions, and raise awareness.
Let’s work together to build a better future for Black-owned newspapers and community journalism that is fair, local,l and representative of all Oregonians.
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., President & CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association
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