Activism

Giving is a Manifestation of the Heart

Under the warm rays of the sun, Stanley “Mista” Cox orchestrated his annual back-to-school backpack giveaway at the 44th and Linden Park in North Oakland. The event, a heartfelt endeavor, saw a diverse crowd of people coming together to partake in a day of celebration and community bonding.

Published

2 years ago

October 5, 2023

Oakland Post

(L-R) Carde Taylor, Mistah F.A.B., Richard Johnson, Richard Johnson & Senator Nancy Skinner. Photos by JonathanfitnessJones

By Richard Johnson

Under the warm rays of the sun, Stanley “Mista” Cox orchestrated his annual back-to-school backpack giveaway at the 44th and Linden Park in North Oakland.

The event, a heartfelt endeavor, saw a diverse crowd of people coming together to partake in a day of celebration and community bonding.

Attendees of all genders, races, ages, and political orientations gathered not only to receive school supplies but also to exchange positive thoughts and ideas that stimulate the mind and nurture growth.

Known as a prominent figure in the community, Mr. Fab’s sense of pride, love, and generosity has left a mark on the fabric of time. His actions have become a guiding example for all to emulate, highlighting the importance of giving back to one’s community.

Such values resonate deeply with me as the founder and CEO of Formerly Incarcerated Giving Back (FIGB), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping and giving back. FIGB is committed to serving the community it originates from, and it finds great pleasure in collaborating with individuals like Mr. Fab who embody the true essence of giving back.

I had the honor of contributing a substantial number of donated books, many of which were geared towards children. This gesture underscores the collective responsibility to nurture healthy minds and bodies in the upcoming generation.

Some of our elected officials and other public personalities such as State Senator Nancy Skinner, Oakland City Councilman Kevin Jenkins, and other distinguished individuals came to engage and support the cause.

We have a responsibility not only to ourselves but also to invest in the younger generation because they will inevitably shape the future. In a world increasingly dominated by the promise of artificial intelligence (AI), the human intellect and spirit of giving back and caring for others must remain foremost.

While machines are tools operated by humans, it is the innate power of the human mind that propels progress. The potential for a brighter future lies within the collective efforts of the people, and it is essential to provide the upcoming generation with the tools, resources, and most importantly, the knowledge required to lead society forward.

Given the difficulties we are now experiencing in this post-COVID era, we must recognize that the present cannot serve as a blueprint for the future.

Instead, it is imperative to equip the youth with the determination and skills necessary to elevate society to new heights.

FIGB emphasizes that the prospect of better days hinges on the dedication of individuals to pave the way for success. In a world driven by change, the human mind remains the ultimate force to usher mankind through its journey of progress.

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Activism

Remembering George Floyd

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Minnesota State Attorney General Keith Ellison acknowledges that the Floyd case five years ago involved a situation in which due process was denied, and five years later, the president is currently dismissing “due process. “The Minnesota Atty General also says, “Trump is trying to attack constitutional rule, attacking congressional authority and judicial decision-making.” George Floyd was an African American man killed by police who knocked on his neck and on his back, preventing him from breathing.

Published

2 days ago

June 2, 2025

Oakland Post

Mural showing the portrait of George Floyd in Mauerpark in Berlin. To the left of the portrait the lettering "I can't Breathe" was added, on the right side the three hashtags #GeorgeFloyd, #Icantbreathe and #Sayhisname. The mural was completed by Eme Street Art (facebook name) / Eme Free Thinker (signature) on 29 May 2020. (Wikimedia Commons)

By April Ryan
BlackPressUSA Newswire

“The president’s been very clear he has no intentions of pardoning Derek Chauvin, and it’s not a request that we’re looking at,” confirms a senior staffer at the Trump White House. That White House response results from public hope, including from a close Trump ally, Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. The timing of Greene’s hopes coincides with the Justice Department’s recent decision to end oversight of local police accused of abuse. It also falls on the fifth anniversary of the police-involved death of George Floyd on May 25th. The death sparked national and worldwide outrage and became a transitional moment politically and culturally, although the outcry for laws on police accountability failed.

The death forced then-Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden to focus on deadly police force and accountability. His efforts while president to pass the George Floyd Justice in policing act failed. The death of George Floyd also put a spotlight on the Black community, forcing then-candidate Biden to choose a Black woman running mate. Kamala Harris ultimately became vice president of the United States alongside Joe Biden. Minnesota State Attorney General Keith Ellison prosecuted the cases against the officers involved in the death of Floyd. He remembers,” Trump was in office when George Floyd was killed, and I would blame Trump for creating a negative environment for police-community relations. Remember, it was him who said when the looting starts, the shooting starts, it was him who got rid of all the consent decrees that were in place by the Obama administration.”

In 2025, Police-involved civilian deaths are up by “about 100 to about 11 hundred,” according to Ellison. Ellison acknowledges that the Floyd case five years ago involved a situation in which due process was denied, and five years later, the president is currently dismissing “due process. “The Minnesota Atty General also says, “Trump is trying to attack constitutional rule, attacking congressional authority and judicial decision-making.” George Floyd was an African-American man killed by police who knocked on his neck and on his back, preventing him from breathing. During those minutes on the ground, Floyd cried out for his late mother several times. Police subdued Floyd for an alleged counterfeit $20 bill.