Activism
My Brother’s Keeper Chair Broderick Johnson Donates Laptops to Members of Oakland’s Hidden Genius Project
“The tremendous impact that Hidden Genius Project has made in the lives of Black male youth in Oakland, Richmond, and the East Bay is the reason we’ve been a partner since 2014 and have steadily increased our support and commitment to the organization,” said Broderick Johnson, chair of President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Alliance Advisory Council, former member of the Obama Administration, and current executive vice president of Digital Equity and Public Policy for Comcast. “I’m delighted that our ongoing support will enable the organization to continue its important mission and potentially expand to other cities across the country, helping even more Black male youths.”
By COMCAST
The Hidden Genius Project in downtown Oakland recently had a renowned special guest visit the organization.
Broderick Johnson, chair of President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Alliance Advisory Council, former member of the Obama Administration, and current executive vice president of Digital Equity and Public Policy for Comcast, met with members of the organization.
He punctuated his visit by making a surprise donation of free laptops to the 40+ Geniuses in attendance.
The event featured a fireside chat during which Johnson was interviewed by former Hidden Genius Kevin Butler, 22, of Oakland, who studied computer science and is now an educator and entrepreneur. Mr. Butler founded a startup called TechZen Collective, which supports artists seeking to participate in Web 3.0 and creates Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) to showcase their work.
The Hidden Genius Project was founded in 2012 by five Black male entrepreneurs/technologists who were dismayed by the dramatic gap between high unemployment among young Black males and the abundance of career opportunities within the technology sector.
To address the challenge, the founders established a program to connect young Black males with skills, mentors, and experiences that they need to become high-performing entrepreneurs and technologists in a 21st century global economy. The Hidden Genius Project has served more than 8,400 students and offered more than 612,800+ hours of direct training.
“The tremendous impact that Hidden Genius Project has made in the lives of Black male youth in Oakland, Richmond, and the East Bay is the reason we’ve been a partner since 2014 and have steadily increased our support and commitment to the organization,” said Johnson. “I’m delighted that our ongoing support will enable the organization to continue its important mission and potentially expand to other cities across the country, helping even more Black male youths.”
The Hidden Genius Project partnership showcases Comcast’s long-standing investment in diversity, inclusion, and equity by empowering the Geniuses with digital training and leadership skills.
Furthering its commitment to Oakland specifically, Comcast has also established more than 20+ Lift Zones in the area. Lift Zones provide free high-speed WiFi from Comcast in community centers and other locations to allow students, seniors, and families to get online and more fully participate in the digital economy.
Comcast has also twice selected Oakland as a RISE Investment Fund Grant city, making $2 million in cash contributions to 200 diverse-owned small businesses in the city. In fact, the location at which the event was held, Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, was a RISE recipient.
Jon Koriel is the public relations manager for the California region of Comcast.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025
To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025
To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.
Activism
IN MEMORIAM: William ‘Bill’ Patterson, 94
Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.
William “Bill” Patterson, 94, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025, at his home in Oakland, CA. He was born on May 19, 1931, to Marie Childress Patterson and William Benjamin Patterson in Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from Dunbar High School and traveled to Oakland, California, in 1948. William Patterson graduated from San Francisco State University, earning both graduate and undergraduate degrees. He married Euradell “Dell” Patterson in 1961. Bill lovingly took care of his wife, Dell, until she died in 2020.
Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.
He served on the boards of Oakland’s Urban Strategies Council, the Oakland Public Ethics Commission, and the Oakland Workforce Development Board.
He was a three-term president of the Oakland branch of the NAACP.
Bill was initiated in the Gamma Alpha chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
In 1997 Bill was appointed to the East Bay Utility District Board of Directors. William Patterson was the first African American Board President and served the board for 27 years.
Bill’s impact reached far beyond his various important and impactful positions.
Bill mentored politicians, athletes and young people. Among those he mentored and advised are legends Joe Morgan, Bill Russell, Frank Robinson, Curt Flood, and Lionel Wilson to name a few.
He is survived by his son, William David Patterson, and one sister, Sarah Ann Strickland, and a host of other family members and friends.
A celebration of life service will take place at Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center (Calvin Simmons Theater) on November 21, 2025, at 10 AM.
His services are being livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1250167107131991/
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Euradell and William Patterson scholarship fund TBA.
WORK FROM HOME
Home-based business with potential monthly income of $10K+ per month. A proven training system and website provided to maximize business effectiveness. Perfect job to earn side and primary income. Contact Lynne for more details: Lynne4npusa@gmail.com 800-334-0540
Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors
LIHEAP Funds Released After Weeks of Delay as States and the District Rush to Protect Households from the Cold
Seven Steps to Help Your Child Build Meaningful Connections
Seven Steps to Help Your Child Build Meaningful Connections
Teens Reject Today’s News as Trump Intensifies His Assault on the Press
Thanksgiving Celebrated Across the Tri-State
Breaking the Silence: Black Veterans Speak Out on PTSD and the Path to Recovery
Trinidad and Tobago – Prime Minister Confirms U.S. Marines Working on Tobago Radar System
‘Tis the Season: Festive Holiday Pop-ups Happening Around Atlanta
IN MEMORIAM: Mardelle Walker, 101
Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025
‘Targeted’ Shooting of Two National Guardsmen Blocks From the White House
Meet Roxanne Brown, The First African American And The First Woman President Of The United Steelworkers
Tax Refunds Expected to Rise by About $1,000 Next Year
CFP Rankings: Top Five Remains Unchanged; Major Decision Looms for Lane Kiffin
A Call to Save Liberty Hall: Oakland’s Beacon of Black Heritage Faces an Uncertain Future
Port of Oakland September Cargo Volumes Dip Amid Shifting Trade Patterns
Oakland School Board Proposes Budget Solutions to Avoid State or County Takeover
Oakland Post: Week of October 22 – 28, 2025
Prescribing Prevention: Doctors Turn to Lifestyle, Herbs and Veggies to Protect Against Chronic Illness in Black Californians
Mayor Lee Responds to OPD Chief Floyd Mitchell’s Decision to Resign
Past, Present, Possible! Oakland Residents Invited to Reimagine the 980 Freeway
Oakland Post: Week of October 29 – November 4, 2025
Man Arrested for Making Death Threats Against Mayor Barbara Lee
Essay: Intentional Self Care and Community Connections Can Improve Our Wellbeing
Oakland Post: Week of November 12 – 18, 2025
Oakland Post: Week of November 5 – 11, 2025
IN MEMORIAM: William ‘Bill’ Patterson, 94
MLK Way at 57th Street in Oakland Renamed Bobby Seale Way for Black Panther Co-Founder
How Charles R. Drew University Navigated More Than $20 Million in Fed Cuts – Still Prioritizing Students and Community Health
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Parking, Safety, and 360 View #shorts
2025 Ioniq 5 New Wiper & Powerful Performance! #shorts
Electric SUV Range: Is 259 Miles Enough? #shorts
EV Charging: How Fast Can You Charge an Electric Vehicle? #shorts
Biometric Cooling… Messaging Seats…Come on! 2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph 4WD
Charged Up: Witness the Magic of a Fully Electric Car! #shorts
Range Rover Sport PHEV Included…: See What’s Inside This Luxury SUV! #shorts
Invisible Hood View: Perfect Parking with X-Ray Vision! #shorts
AI Is Reshaping Black Healthcare: Promise, Peril, and the Push for Improved Results in California
ESSAY: Technology and Medicine, a Primary Care Point of View
Sanctuary Cities
The RESISTANCE – FREEDOM NOW
STATE OF THE PEOPLE: Freddie
ECONOMIC BOYCOTT DAY!!!!!
I told You So
-
Activism3 weeks agoOakland Post: Week of November 12 – 18, 2025
-
Activism3 weeks agoIN MEMORIAM: William ‘Bill’ Patterson, 94
-
Activism3 weeks agoHow Charles R. Drew University Navigated More Than $20 Million in Fed Cuts – Still Prioritizing Students and Community Health
-
Bay Area3 weeks agoNo Justice in the Justice System
-
#NNPA BlackPress2 weeks agoLewis Hamilton set to start LAST in Saturday Night’s Las Vegas Grand Prix
-
#NNPA BlackPress3 weeks agoThe Perfumed Hand of Hypocrisy: Trump Hosted Former Terror Suspect While America Condemns a Muslim Mayor
-
#NNPA BlackPress3 weeks agoTrump’s Death Threat Rhetoric Sends Nation into Crisis
-
#NNPA BlackPress2 weeks agoBeyoncé and Jay-Z make rare public appearance with Lewis Hamilton at Las Vegas Grand Prix
