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Michelle Obama Inspires at Oakland’s Oracle Arena

Published

7 years ago

April 4, 2018

Carla Thomas, June Williams, former First Lady Michelle Obama, Jennifer Madden

Former First Lady Michelle Obama took the stage at Oracle Arena on March 28th for an open with TaskRabbit’s CEO Stacy Brown-Philpot. Thousands packed the arena, young, old, men and women to hear who they still consider their first lady speak.

Presented by Unique Lives and Experience and sponsored by Claremont Hotel and Spa, Obama breath of fresh air as her transparency, down to earthiness and resilient spirit resonated with many in the arena.

Obama spoke of raising a family in the White House, the decision to support her husband’s candidacy and presidency and what life was like prior to the White House.

Stacy Brown-Philpot, while moderating took a moment to let Obama know just how special she was.

“You helped so many black girls and women walk taller and dream much bigger” she said.

When asked how she maintains her authenticity, Michelle stated she’s the same person on stage, back stage and serving the White House.

“I’m authentic-me wherever I am and I’m proud of my story in my voice,” she said. “It’s so much easier in the public eye when you’re not pretending.”

Obama spoke with pride on being born and raised on the south side of Chicago born and raised by her parents Marion and Frazier Robinson, neither of which had a college degree.

“My parents were hard-working, led by their values and used common sense and foresight for our education.”

The Princeton and Harvard Law grad, said having to console families after tragic losses were the toughest times for her. “In order to get through those times, you have to take yourself out of the equation because it’s not about you, you are there for the families,” she said.

When discouraged, Mrs. Obama said she sought the company of children. “I’d ask to be taken to visit some children or a school.” Hosting the full production of the musical “Hamilton” and events with performers like Common and Jill Scott were highlights for her.

“The wealthy are always invited to events at the White House but we saw the kids at the gate that never get to see themselves walking into the White House, those were the ones that we invited to our receptions and events. We hosted events because we knew that it had never been done and it will probably never happen again,” she added.

Obama joked about raising children in the White House and having to pretend that it was normal to have a 20 car motorcade a 20 car motorcycle escort and sharpshooters on the roof of their daughter’s school during parent-teacher conferences. “’Malia was like really Dad.’” “We really worked at creating a sense of normalcy, love and consistency in order for them to handle the extraordinary treatment.”

After a whirlwind trip to the Vatican and meeting the Pope with pomp and circumstance, a very young Sasha wrote about her summer experience. ‘I saw the pope and a piece of his thumb was missing.’ “The statement ran all through the school bulletin board”, she laughed. “We still don’t know what it was, but from a child’s perspective, that was a highlight for her.”

In light of current times Michelle says everyone should be empathetic. “If everyone did the same for other kids as they did for their own the country would be much farther.”

Obama spoke of how she loves people and people give her energy and advises everyone to find their passion, explore and seek joy and happiness, not perfection. She assured the audience that running for office was not in her future.

Grateful to have had a posse of close supportive girlfriends Obama said “the sisterhood makes the journey worthwhile.” “As Black women we are very good at taking care of others but not always ourselves so I encourage professional women and all women to support each other.”

Obama says she there’s a need to bring more women to the table. “I’m on my 5th career and it’s lonely out there. Women are still far and few in between. I encourage people with seats to leverage your own power to make sure others get there. We must take risks, not get too comfortable and be uncomfortable, that way we don’t have to continue to explain to the future generations why misogyny and inequity still exist. If everyone at the table looks like you -that’s a problem,” she said.

A lucky few had the opportunity to not only meet Obama but receive a hug and briefly speak with her in addition to a group photograph. Civic leaders and politicians such as Ken Houston, Keith Carson, Abel Guillen, Larry Reid and Buffy Wicks, Jennifer Madden and June Williams were in attendance. Students from the East Oakland Youth Development Center also had the opportunity meet the former First Lady, thanks to Congresswoman Barbara Lee.

Obama is currently completing her book, which is expected to be released this November.

Sadly, despite calls for political leadership, Obama made it painfully clear that she would not seek a political office in the future.

“I want to support more people with a moral compass that are ready to run. And we must all tap into the goodness in us and not the fear that divides us. Do that and vote,” she said.

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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

6 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.

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Oakland Post: Week of May 28 – June 30, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May 28 – June 3, 2025

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1 week ago

May 30, 2025

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Black Feminist Movement Mobilizes in Response to National Threats

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States.

Published

1 week ago

May 30, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States. The event, led by the organization Black Feminist Future, is headlined by activist and scholar Angela Y. Davis. Paris Hatcher, executive director of Black Feminist Future, joined Black Press USA’s Let It Be Known to outline the mission and urgency behind the gathering, titled “Get Free.” “This is not just a conference to dress up and have a good time,” Hatcher said. “We’re building power to address the conditions that are putting our lives at risk—whether that’s policing, reproductive injustice, or economic inequality.” Hatcher pointed to issues such as rising evictions among Black families, the rollback of bodily autonomy laws, and the high cost of living as key drivers of the event’s agenda. “Our communities are facing premature death,” she said.

Workshops and plenaries will focus on direct action, policy advocacy, and practical organizing skills. Attendees will participate in training sessions that include how to resist evictions, organize around immigration enforcement, and disrupt systemic policies contributing to poverty and incarceration. “This is about fighting back,” Hatcher said. “We’re not conceding anything.” Hatcher addressed the persistent misconceptions about Black feminism, including the idea that it is a movement against men or families. “Black feminism is not a rejection of men,” she said. “It’s a rejection of patriarchy. Black men must be part of this struggle because patriarchy harms them too.” She also responded to claims that organizing around Black women’s issues weakens broader coalitions. “We don’t live single-issue lives,” Hatcher said. “Our blueprint is one that lifts all Black people.”

The conference will not be streamed virtually, but recaps and updates will be posted daily on Black Feminist Future’s YouTube channel and Instagram account. The event includes performances by Tank and the Bangas and honors longtime activists including Billy Avery, Erica Huggins, and Alexis Pauline Gumbs. When asked how Black feminism helps families, Hatcher said the real threat to family stability is systemic oppression. “If we want to talk about strong Black families, we have to talk about mass incarceration, the income gap, and the systems that tear our families apart,” Hatcher said. “Black feminism gives us the tools to build and sustain healthy families—not just survive but thrive.”