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Los partidarios de Malonga Center dicen que el proyecto de Mercado puede acabar con la Institución Cultural

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Casi un mes después de que el Ayuntamiento aprobó una resolución que designa el corredor de la calle 14 en el centro de Oakland como el Distrito Black Arts Movement Business “para resaltar, celebrar, preservar y apoyar las contribuciones de los artistas afroamericanos y propietarios de negocios de Oakland”, uno de los principales centros culturales instituciones de la ciudad está siendo amenazada por dos propuestas para desarrollar proyectos de vivienda a precio de mercado a través de la calle.

 

 

El Centro Malonga Casquelourd para las Artes, ubicado en la 14th y Alice St., ha sido una institución cultural reconocible en Oakland durante más de cuatro décadas y un eje central para las comunidades de la diáspora africana.

 

 

La cantidad de aparcamiento a lo largo de la calle 14, dos de los únicos lugares donde los clientes del Centro Malonga pueden aparcar sus coches al tomar clases o asistir a espectáculos culturales, están programadas para ser reemplazados por los desarrollos de vivienda a precio de mercado que también significará la destrucción del icónica mural de la Calle Alice.

 

 

De acuerdo con activistas culturales y vecinos del centro Malonga, las dos de las propuestas de desarrollo fueron por la vía rápida a través de la Comisión de Planificación de la ciudad y no incluyen unidades de vivienda asequible, no hay aparcamiento para reemplazar las plazas de aparcamiento y beneficios de poca a ninguno para la comunidad para compensar los impactos negativos en el Centro Malonga.

 

 

Carla Service, propietaria de Dance-A-Vision Entertainment y residente de largo plazo del Centro Malonga, dice que el proyecto y la falta de aparcamiento serán perjudiciales para la institución cultural y sus vecinos.

 

 

“Se van a ahogar nuestros negocios, y van a ser paralizados”, dijo Service. “Por aquí, estas empresas están en rectas nefastas, y la ciudad debe asegurarse de que se hace cargo de las personas que ya existen en los barrios, sobre todo si el desarrollo está llegando.”

 

 

“El centro es un destino internacional que atrae a visitantes de toda la región”, dijo. “Algunos vienen de lugares tan lejanos como Hayward, Antioquía, o Santa Rosa. El aparcamiento es ya muy difícil, y por lo general hay coches aparcados en doble fila o personas durmiendo en sus coches en espera de un espacio libre”.

 

 

Cerca de 200 artistas, activistas culturales, tambores y los estudiantes de Oakland se reunieron el jueves en frente del Mural de la calle Alice y marcharon al Ayuntamiento para protestar por la voluntad de la Comisión de Planificación a la “evolución de la vía rápida sin negociar una parte equitativa de los beneficios para la comunidad”, según un comunicado de prensa de Oakland Creative Neighborhoods Coalition (OCNC).

 

 

Los organizadores exigieron que las decisiones sean detenidas hasta que los costos para reemplazar el mural estén completamente financiados y la planta baja de los edificios se conviertan en un garaje de estacionamiento dedicado al personal y los clientes de Malonga Arts Center.

 

 

También quieren que del 15 al 28 por ciento de las unidades sea asequible para las familias que ganan menos de $64.000 al año.

 

 

“El Teatro Malonga es uno de los iconos culturales de la ciudad, y la gente viene de todas partes para verlo”, dijo el ex-alcalde Jean Quan, quien asistió a la manifestación.

 

 

“El ayuntamiento de la ciudad realmente no ha seguido adelante con la sugerencia del Mapa de Ruta para la Equidad de la Vivienda, y que realmente necesitan”, dijo el alcalde Quan. “De lo contrario, van a ser incompatibles luchando por equidad espacio por espacio a lo largo de Oakland, y vamos a perder la mezcla diversa de la ciudad.”

 

 

De acuerdo con Eric Arnold, miembro del comité de dirección de OCNC, los dos desarrollos van en contra de la promesa de la ciudad para apoyar un distrito de Black Arts.

 

 

La presidenta del Consejo Lynette Gibson McElhaney no respondió a las preguntas del Post con respecto a cómo la reciente aprobación del distrito Black Arts ayudaría a proteger a las instituciones como el Centro Malonga.

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Activism

Oak Temple Hill Hosts Interfaith Leaders from Across the Bay Area

Distinguished faith leaders Rev. Ken Chambers, executive director the Interfaith Council of Alameda County (ICAC); Michael Pappas, executive director of the San Francisco Interfaith Council; and Dr. Ejaz Naqzi, president of the Contra Costa County Interfaith Council addressed the group on key issues including homelessness, food insecurity, immigration, and meaningful opportunities to care for individuals and communities in need. 

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Troy McCombs (from the state of Washington), Elder Mark Mortensen (from Irvine, CA), Michael Pappas, Rev. Ken Chambers, Dr. Ejaz Naqvi, Elder Sigfried Nauman (from the state of Washington), and Richard Kopf. Courtesy photo.
Troy McCombs (from the state of Washington), Elder Mark Mortensen (from Irvine, CA), Michael Pappas, Rev. Ken Chambers, Dr. Ejaz Naqvi, Elder Sigfried Nauman (from the state of Washington), and Richard Kopf. Courtesy photo.

Special to the Post

Interfaith leaders from the Bay Area participated in a panel discussion at the annual meeting of communication leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held on Temple Hill in Oakland on May 31. Distinguished faith leaders Rev. Ken Chambers, executive director the Interfaith Council of Alameda County (ICAC); Michael Pappas, executive director of the San Francisco Interfaith Council; and Dr. Ejaz Naqzi, president of the Contra Costa County Interfaith Council addressed the group on key issues including homelessness, food insecurity, immigration, and meaningful opportunities to care for individuals and communities in need.

Chambers, said he is thankful for the leadership and support of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints’ global ministry, which recently worked with the interfaith congregations of ICAC to help Yasjmine Oeveraas a homeless Norwegian mother and her family find shelter and access to government services.

Oeveraas told the story of how she was assisted by ICAC to the Oakland Post. “I’m a Norwegian citizen who escaped an abusive marriage with nowhere to go. We’ve been homeless in Florida since January 2024. Recently, we came to California for my son’s passport, but my plan to drive for Uber fell through, leaving us homeless again. Through 2-1-1, I was connected to Rev. Ken Chambers, pastor of the West Side Missionary Baptist Church and president of the Interfaith Council of Alameda County, and his car park program, which changed our lives. We spent about a week-and-a-half living in our car before being blessed with a trailer. After four years of uncertainty and 18 months of homelessness, this program has given us stability and hope again.

“Now, both my son and I have the opportunity to continue our education. I’m pursuing cyber analytics, something I couldn’t do while living in the car. My son can also complete his education, which is a huge relief. This program has given us the space to focus and regain our dignity. I am working harder than ever to reach my goals and give back to others in need.”

Richard Kopf, communication director for The Church of Jesus Christ in the Bay Area stated: “As followers of Jesus Christ, we embrace interfaith cooperation and are united in our efforts to show God’s love for all of his children.”

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Activism

Learning Life’s Lessons

Since his release over five years ago, Richard has committed himself to making a difference, particularly by reaching out to women and families who lack the presence of a father or husband.  He knows he cannot undo the years lost behind prison walls, but he is determined to use his past to build a better future for others. His story mirrors that of many who have walked a similar path. Yet, it remains uniquely his own – a testament to the power of change, resilience, and the belief that even from tragedy, something good can emerge.

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Richard Johnson and son Fati. Courtesy photo.
Richard Johnson and son Fati. Courtesy photo.

“California’s three-strike laws gave me 2 life sentences for drug possession. After serving 28 years, mostly in solitary confinement, I am free to lead a movement to get the formerly incarcerated to give back.”

 By Richard Johnson

I have written this book in hopes of being able to help others from not traveling down the path that leads to imprisonment or a cemetery.  At the very beginning of writing this book, it began as a message to my son Fati Yero Gaidi, who was only two years old at the time that I was given two life sentences in prison for drug possession, under the newly implemented three-strikes-you-out law. The more that I wrote, the book began to evolve beyond its intended purpose for my son; it became something that any and everyone could utilize on their separate journeys through life challenges that we encounter. The book helped me put my thoughts, reasoning, perceptions, and views on display, while opening doors that, for the most part, were closed. The book can be purchased via Amazon. Learning life lessons.

About the Author

By Post staff

Richard “Razor” Johnson, 74, is a man whose life journey is marked by hard-earned wisdom, redemption, and an unshakable commitment to guiding the next generation. Once sentenced to life under California’s Three Strikes Law, he was released through what he calls nothing short of divine intervention.  His time behind bars, particularly in Pelican Bay State Prison, gave him a new raw and unfiltered understanding of life’s hardest truths.

With the realization that time is precious and the future is shaped by the lessons we learn, Richard writes with urgency and purpose. His book—a 300-page labor of love—is dedicated to young men who may not have a father to teach them the meaning of life’s most important words. Through definitions filled with wisdom, experience, and deep personal insight, he offers direction to those who find themselves lost, just as he once was.

Since his release over five years ago, Richard has committed himself to making a difference, particularly by reaching out to women and families who lack the presence of a father or husband.  He knows he cannot undo the years lost behind prison walls, but he is determined to use his past to build a better future for others. His story mirrors that of many who have walked a similar path. Yet, it remains uniquely his own – a testament to the power of change, resilience, and the belief that even from tragedy, something good can emerge.

His words are not just lessons; they are a call to action.  He hopes that by investing in young minds with wisdom and insight, they will be better equipped to navigate life’s trials, learn from their mistakes, and find their path to success. Richard “Razor” Johnson writes not just to be heard, but to help – because he knows firsthand that sometimes guidance can make all the difference.

Post publishers Paul and Gay Cobb visited Johnson in San Quentin and attended his graduation while he was in prison. He became a columnist with the Post News Group and has continued his advocacy for the formerly incarcerated by urging them to “give something back”. Johnson says he will be speaking at prisons, colleges, and media outlets to help organize voter registration and community service projects.

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Activism

New Oakland Moving Forward

This week, several socially enterprising members of this group visited Oakland to explore ways to collaborate with local stakeholders at Youth Empowerment Partnership, the Port of Oakland, Private Industry Council, Oakland, Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, the Oakland Ballers ownership group, and the oversight thought leaders in the Alameda County Probation Department.

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iStock.
iStock.

By Post Staff

Since the African American Sports and Entertainment Group purchased the City of Oakland’s share of the Alameda County Coliseum Complex, we have been documenting the positive outcomes that are starting to occur here in Oakland.

Some of the articles in the past have touched on actor Blair Underwood’s mission to breathe new energy into the social fabric of Oakland. He has joined the past efforts of Steph and Ayesha Curry, Mistah Fab, Green Day, Too Short, and the Oakland Ballers.

This week, several socially enterprising members of this group visited Oakland to explore ways to collaborate with local stakeholders at Youth Empowerment Partnership, the Port of Oakland, Private Industry Council, Oakland, Mayor-Elect Barbara Lee, the Oakland Ballers ownership group, and the oversight thought leaders in the Alameda County Probation Department.

These visits represent a healthy exchange of ideas and plans to resuscitate Oakland’s image. All parties felt that the potential to impact Oakland is right in front of us. Most recently, on the back side of these visits, the Oakland Ballers and Blair Underwood committed to a 10-year lease agreement to support community programs and a community build-out.

So, upward and onward with the movement of New Oakland.

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