By Carla Thomas

Community leader and dental practitioner, Dr. James Sweeney III passed away on Aug. 10.

A Nashville native, Sweeney earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Fisk University in his hometown in 1967. He then attended Meharry Medical College, also in Nashville, where he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1971. From 1971 to 1973, Dr. Sweeney served in the United States Air Force at David Grant Hospital, Travis AFB, CA. At the completion of his service, Dr. Sweeney began his private practice as an associate dentist with Dr. Henry Lucas in San Francisco, CA.

In 1975, he joined what is now known as Oasis Dental and practiced there throughout his career.

Sweeney’s career stands as a testament to his dedication to excellence in dentistry, mentorship, and community service. His decades-long commitment to both his patients and the neighborhood he serves has left a lasting legacy of compassion, leadership, and impact.

“He was devoted to his patients and enjoyed chatting with them during their appointments,” said his wife of 46 years, Pamela Sweeney. Sweeney said the doctor took meticulous notes on the lives of his patients, charting vacations and graduations. “He really enjoyed what he did and cared so much about his patients.”

Yet, Sweeney’s legacy extends far beyond the walls of his practice. His career has been a tapestry woven with threads of outreach, leadership, and mentorship. From co-directing dental services at Our Lady of Guadalupe Health Center in Daly City to guiding the next generation of dentists as a volunteer clinical professor at the University of California and the University of the Pacific. His dedication to neighborhood well-being led to the founding of the MacArthur Blvd. Merchants’ Association, fostering collaboration and economic vitality for Oakland’s diverse communities. Sweeney’s leadership was felt in countless roles: Board Member and Fundraising Chair for the Oakland Neighborhood Housing Service, and a driving force behind local initiatives like the Oakland Sharing the Vision Task Force.

As a member of the Greater Bay Area Dental Society, he helped shape the standards and practices of his profession. Sweeney was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and a pillar in professional societies mentoring the next generation of professionals.

He enjoyed reading, playing golf, trips to Mexico, and retelling his favorite stories. Sweeney courageously fought cancer three times in his life, losing the last battle earlier this month.

Sweeney’s surviving family members include his daughter, Kelly Woolfolk, Esq.; his son, James Sweeney, IV; and his grandson, Andrew Woolfolk. He is also survived by a wide circle of friends and cherished community members in Oakland and beyond.

“As per his wishes, no memorial services will be held,” said his wife.”

“In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in his memory to Fisk University or Meharry Medical College in Nashville – continuing his legacy of support for his beloved institutions,” she said.

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By Stacy M. Brown
BlackPressUSA.com Newswire

Sylvester “Sly” Stewart—known to the world as Sly Stone, frontman of the groundbreaking band Sly and the Family Stone—has died at the age of 82.

His family confirmed that he passed away peacefully at his Los Angeles home surrounded by loved ones, after battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other health complications.

Born March 15, 1943, in Denton, Texas, Stone moved with his family to Vallejo, California, as a child. He began recording gospel music at age 8 with his siblings in a group called the Stewart Four. By his teenage years, he had mastered multiple instruments and was already pioneering racial integration in music—an ethos that would define his career.

In 1966, Sly and his brother Freddie merged their bands to form Sly and the Family Stone, complete with a revolutionary interracial, mixed-gender lineup.

The band quickly became a commercial and cultural force with hits such as “Dance to the Music,” “Everyday People,” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”—all penned by Stone himself.

Their album “Stand!” (1969) and live performances—most notably at Woodstock—cemented their reputation, blending soul, funk, rock, gospel, and psychedelia to reflect the optimism and turmoil of their era.

Sly Stone’s musical approach radically reshaped popular music. He transcended genre boundaries and empowered a new generation of artists. The band’s socially conscious message and infectious rhythms sparked a wave of influence, reaching artists as diverse as Miles Davis, George Clinton, Prince, Dr. Dre, and the Roots.

As the 1970s progressed, Stone confronted personal demons. His desire to use music as a response to war, racism, and societal change culminated in the intense album “There’s a Riot Goin’ On” (1971). But drug dependency began to undermine both his health and professional life, leading to erratic behavior and band decline through the early 1980s.

Withdrawn from the public eye for much of the 1990s and early 2000s, Stone staged occasional comebacks. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys in 2017, and captured public attention following the 2023 release of his memoir “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”—published under Questlove’s imprint. He also completed a biographical screenplay and was featured in Questlove’s documentary “Sly Lives!” earlier this year.

His influence endured across generations. Critics and historians repeatedly credit him with perfecting funk and creating a “progressive soul,” shaping a path for racial integration both onstage and in the broader culture.

“Rest in beats Sly Stone,” legendary Public Enemy frontman Chuck D posted on social media with an illustrative drawing of the artist. “We should thank Questlove of the Roots for keeping his fire blazing in this century.”

Emmy-winning entertainment publicist Danny Deraney also paid homage. “Rest easy Sly Stone,” Deraney posted. “You changed music (and me) forever. The time he won over Ed Sullivan’s audience in 1968. Simply magical. Freelance music publicist and Sirius XM host Eric Alper also offered a tribute.

“The funk pioneer who made the world dance, think, and get higher,” Alper wrote of Sly Stone. “His music changed everything—and it still does.”

Sly Stone is survived by three children.

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By Paul Cobb

“I’m deeply saddened to hear of the passing of President Jimmy Carter,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. “President Carter displayed a lifelong commitment to global peace, justice, and human rights. He inspired me and countless others.”

“I send my condolences to his family, his loved ones, and all who loved him. May he now Rest in Peace with his wife, Rosalynn,”. Lee continued.

Barbara Lee said she still treasures her CD Sunday school lessons that she participated in as a visitor to Jimmy Carter’s Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia. She told The Post that she attended gospel concerts at the Carter White House as the staff aide for the late Congressman Ron Dellums.

“I also invited congressional staff to visit his Sunday school teachings. He taught us lessons on how to apply our faith to our policy work in government and in our respective communities. He practiced what he preached and represented a change in social and racial advancements.”

Barbara Lee with President Carter and First Lady Rosalyn. Lee has treasured the Carters and notes of his Sunday School Bible lessons through the years. Photos courtesy of Rep. Lee’s office.

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