Community
NAACP/Nike Sunday at Abyssinian Missionary Baptist Church Emphasizes Social Justice

A Nike shirt giveaway, wise words from NAACP representative and national board member Morandon A. Henry, and rousing enthusiasm for social justice, rocked the walls of Abyssinian Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday, Sept. 23, in Oakland.
“If you’re going to make some changes, register to vote,” said Mr. Henry as he reviewed the ongoing social justice campaign of former football star Colin Kaepernick to address police violence in the U.S. The NFL has boycotted Kap, who is suing. Kap’s “take a knee” protest and new contract with the Nike company, has sparked a movement and sales yielding huge profits for Nike.
Other churches also designated this NAACP/Nike Sunday, and wore their gear to worship. In a political climate that harms our communities, the call for all to do what they can was loud and clear throughout the service.
Bishop Kevin D. Barnes, Sr., who presides over Abyssinian at the Oakland and Vallejo campuses, preached in what he called a more “casual” style, and appealed to the church to “tell them about Jesus and tell them about our church.”
He preached about the need to fill churches with active members who will work for better housing, work to stop forcing people of color out of Oakland because of skyrocketing cost-of-living, and work for social justice for everyone. He cautioned that Christians need to ask themselves, “What am I standing for; what do I do for Jesus Christ?”
Returning to active pastoral leadership after health challenges, Bishop Barnes was joyously welcomed by everyone, who applauded the sermon message and the announcement that the NAACP is honoring Bishop Barnes on Sept. 25 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Emeryville.
The 44th Church Anniversary will be celebrated October 14, at 3:30 p.m. at the Oakland campus at 528 33rd Street in Oakland. All are invited to join in the celebration and the church’s work for social justice.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of May 21 – 27, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May 21 – 27, 2025

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OP-ED: Oregon Bill Threatens the Future of Black Owned Newspapers and Community Journalism
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Nearly half of Oregon’s media outlets are now owned by national conglomerates with no lasting investment in local communities. According to an OPB analysis, Oregon has lost more than 90 news jobs (and counting) in the past five years. These were reporters, editors and photographers covering school boards, investigating corruption and telling community stories, until their jobs were cut by out-of-state corporations.

By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.
President and CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association
For decades, The Skanner newspaper in Portland, the Portland Observer, and the Portland Medium have served Portland, Oregon’s Black community and others with a vital purpose: to inform, uplift and empower. But legislation now moving through the Oregon Legislature threatens these community news institutions—and others like them.
As President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), which represents more than 255 Black-owned media outlets across the United States—including historic publications like The Skanner, Portland Observer, and the Portland Medium—l believe that some Oregon lawmakers would do more harm than good for local journalism and community-owned publications they are hoping to protect.
Oregon Senate Bill 686 would require large digital platforms such as Google and Meta to pay for linking to news content. The goal is to bring desperately needed support to local newsrooms. However, the approach, while well-intentioned, puts smaller, community-based publications at a future severe financial risk.
We need to ask – will these payments paid by tech companies benefit the journalists and outlets that need them most? Nearly half of Oregon’s media outlets are now owned by national conglomerates with no lasting investment in local communities. According to an OPB analysis, Oregon has lost more than 90 news jobs (and counting) in the past five years. These were reporters, editors, and photographers covering school boards, investigating corruption, and telling community stories, until their jobs were cut by out-of-state corporations.
Legislation that sends money to these national conglomerate owners—without the right safeguards to protect independent and community-based outlets—rewards the forces that caused this inequitable crisis in the first place. A just and inclusive policy must guarantee that support flows to the front lines of local journalism and not to the boardrooms of large national media corporations.
The Black Press exists to fill in the gaps left by larger newsrooms. Our reporters are trusted messengers. Our outlets serve as forums for civic engagement, accountability and cultural pride. We also increasingly rely on our digital platforms to reach our audiences, especially younger generations—where they are.
We are fervently asking Oregon lawmakers to take a step back and engage in meaningful dialogue with those most affected: community publishers, small and independent outlets and the readers we serve. The Skanner, The Portland Observer, and The Portland Medium do not have national corporate parents or large investors. And they, like many smaller, community-trusted outlets, rely on traffic from search engines and social media to boost advertising revenue, drive subscriptions, and raise awareness.
Let’s work together to build a better future for Black-owned newspapers and community journalism that is fair, local,l and representative of all Oregonians.
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., President & CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association
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