Activism

Dezie Woods-Jones Honored for 50+ Years Leading BWOPA

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, who was mentored by Woods-Jones, recognized her as a living legend, loving mentor, and community developer as she proclaimed Saturday, July 26 as Dezie Woods Jones Day in the City of Oakland.

Published

7 months ago

August 10, 2025

Carla Thomas

Honoring Dezie Woods-Jones (right) longtime to commitment to community at leader of BWOPA, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee (left) presented BWOPA Founder Dezie Woods-Jones with kente cloth at the "Passing the Torch, Celebrating Legacy & Leadership” event on July 26. Photo Courtesy of Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

On Saturday, July 26, Black Women Organized for Political Action, BWOPA held their “Passing the Torch, Celebrating Legacy & Leadership” event at the Metropolitan Golf Course Fairview in Oakland.

Over 200 guests came to honor BWOPA founding member, Dezie Woods-Jones for her leadership, sisterhood, and dedication to the BWOPA mission of developing Black women as political activists and elected officials throughout the nation.

She presented Woods-Jones a piece of traditional kente cloth, made in Ghana, from the Kamala Harris presidential campaign.

“As your mayor, I am privileged to present this mayor’s proclamation,” said Lee. “Whereas Dezie Woods-Jones’ tireless efforts on behalf of the underserved, the disenfranchised, women, and youth have earned her widespread recognition and respect as a transformative voice for justice.”

“Join me in celebrating her indelible contributions, fearless leadership, and unwavering dedication to our city, our state, and our collective future. May her legacy continue to light the path for generations to come.”

Lee expressed that Jones always knew the power of Black women and stepped into politics at a time when Black women were not taken seriously.

“Dezie, along with Edith M. Austin, Alfreda Abbott, and Margaret Amoureaux, and several other Black women stepped out early in politics at a time when they were questioned, while facing hate, and pushback. Dezie always knew that Black women lead not only for Black women and the Black community, but for everyone. Because, who better than Black women, who have gone through so much, so many struggles, and who have uplifted so many people, can save this world if it isn’t Black women?”

Lee also commended LaNiece Jones for receiving the BWOPA torch as the new state director. Jones has served BWOPA for decades and is currently Lee’s director of community engagement.

Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley joked that when he first ran for Oakland City Council, Woods-Jones discouraged him. Ironically, Miley ran a successful campaign and won. However, Miley valued and credits Jones for incubating the many Black elected officials serving the community.

“Years ago, Dezie pushed to rename 14th Street, International Boulevard,” said Miley. “Now, I encourage elected officials to rename International Boulevard, Dezie Woods-Jones Boulevard.” Miley also said he and his board have made a six-figure contribution to BWOPA to create a documentary about Jones’ life and “all the extraordinary things she has done.”

A variety of guests from as far away as Fresno and Madera, including Ladies In Red Founder Brenda Knight; Senator Ana Caballero, Senate District 14; BWOPA Richmond-Contra Costa County President, Joey D. Smith; volunteer Dondria Morgan, producer Lathan Hodge, and Teresa Cox of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Cox, who has served on the Fremont City Council and the Ohlone Community College Board of Trustees, said Jones’s guidance was crucial throughout her career as an elected official.

“Dezie was always available and answered every phone call,” said Cox. “Because of her leadership, giving back to the community and uplifting us all as African American women, we’re able to move forward and keep the torch lit.”

Carla Thomas

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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.