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Congresswoman Barbara Lee Makes Final Remarks on House Floor

“For 26 years now, it has been the privilege of my lifetime to serve my incredible constituents of California’s 12th Congressional district,” said Lee. Lee has been a member of Congress for over 25 years. During a quarter century of service, she has been a fierce advocate in the fights for peace, equity, and justice.

Published

1 year ago

December 24, 2024

Ken Epstein

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12). Courtesy of Barabara Lee’s office.

By Ken Epstein

On Dec. 17, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) delivered her final remarks on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives as a member of Congress.

“For 26 years now, it has been the privilege of my lifetime to serve my incredible constituents of California’s 12^th Congressional district,” said Lee.

Lee has been a member of Congress for over 25 years. During a quarter century of service, she has been a fierce advocate in the fights for peace, equity, and justice.

She is the highest-ranking Black woman appointed to Democratic Leadership, serving as co-chair of the Policy and Steering Committee. She also serves as the ranking member of the House Appropriations subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations.

“As I look back on my time, I feel a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to not only serve my community but to advance justice, equity, and peace throughout our country and the entire world,” continued Lee.

On the House floor, many Congressmembers spoke about Lee’s legacy and her accomplishments. They also shared memories of working with her.

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12) said, “Your determination, and what I’ve watched you do, has changed this institution forever. You have this amazing momentum and movement around talking about poverty. Congress wasn’t ready for people like us.”

“You pushed against the stigma in health disparities of our neighbors living with HIV and AIDS when it was unpopular. You helped end the discriminatory Hyde Amendment that restricted access to abortion care when some people in this chamber wouldn’t even say abortion,” Tlaib continued. “You have done so much for all of the incredible residents of City of Oakland and its surrounding communities.”

Speaking to Lee on the floor, Congresswoman Lucy McBath (D-GA-07) said, “Congresswoman Lee, you’re more than a servant leader. You are an example by which countless women of color can seek to emulate as they step up to be the voices of our communities. You are unabashed in speaking truth to power and unwavering in your convictions. You have never been afraid to stand up and speak out, even when the odds are against you. You inspire me each and every day.”

Said Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL-07). “You have done so much great work over your time in Washington and in Congress. I want to thank you for guiding so many of us through the appropriations process. But when I think about being effective, your record is bar none.” \

Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY-20) said, “Barbara Lee has been a progressive champion, a fierce advocate and dear friend during my time in Congress. Your efforts in this body will be remembered — your courage, your tenacity and your strength of spirit. You have dedicated your time as an elected representative to serving those in need, the voiceless.”

Concluding, Lee said:

“Let me once again thank everyone: all of my colleagues, but especially my constituents who I consider the most enlightened, most diverse, and most progressive. Thanks for giving me the faith and trust to fight alongside you for a better tomorrow.”

Ken Epstein

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Oakland Post: Week of February 25 – March 3, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – February 25 – March 3, 2026

Published

4 days ago

March 1, 2026

Oakland Post

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Oakland Post

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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

2 weeks 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.