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“Old School Copes Day” in the City Of Oakland

OAKLAND POST — Oakland residents Zack and Odell have something in common; they both wore their “Born n’ Raised in Oakland” T-shirts in Paris, France and at the Great Wall of China, respectively, and posted their photos online for the world to see. The T-shirts were designed by entrepreneur and businessman, James V. Copes. Bay Area residents and visitors alike have been purchasing Cope’s T-shirts for nearly four decades, making him a ‘one-man retail institution’ in the city he has always loved so much.

Published

5 years ago

October 2, 2019

Oakland Post

James Copes wearing one of his iconic T-shirts. (Photo by: Clifford Williams.)

By Clifford L. Williams

Oakland residents Zack and Odell have something in common; they both wore their “Born n’ Raised in Oakland” T-shirts in Paris, France and at the Great Wall of China, respectively, and posted their photos online for the world to see.

The T-shirts were designed by entrepreneur and businessman, James V. Copes. Bay Area residents and visitors alike have been purchasing Cope’s T-shirts for nearly four decades, making him a ‘one-man retail institution’ in the city he has always loved so much.

Copes will be honored and recognized by Oakland Mayor Libby Schaff and invited council members to the ceremony on Sept. 29 at 1:00 p.m. at Frank Ogawa Plaza. The ceremony will officially dedicate the day as “Old School Copes Day” in the City of Oakland.

The proclamation will recognize Copes for his hard work, dedication and commitment to the City of Oakland, spreading the message that Oakland is the most-loved, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural city in the nation. The event will also mark the first-year birthday celebration of his daughter Lisa Margo.The public is invited to attend the afternoon event, which will include music, food and family activities.

The event will also mark the grand opening of Copes’ new kiosk, located adjacent to Oakland City Hall, which he dedicates to his mother, Mrs. Dorothy Salem (aka Granny Goo Goo with the Quickness); his father James L. Copes; the Honorable Judge James S. White, and friend, mentor and tennis champion the late Arthur Ashe.

“These people have given me unwavering support and unrelenting guidance, which has allowed me to continue my path to success,” said Copes.

A West Oakland native and household name to thousands in the Bay Area, Copes started his entrepreneurial career at an early age. During this time, he also taught tennis to Oakland youth, and went on to become a protégé to the late-great tennis icon Arthur Ashe.

In 1972, Copes began creating, marketing and distributing his Oakland-themed T-shirts, later opening his first store on Foothill Boulevard in 1981 under the name “Copes T-shirts & More,” which later became “Copes California,” “Copes of Oakland,” and finally “Old School Copes.”

In 1985, Copes opened up his Eastmont store, and during thattime he was elected president of the Eastmont Merchant Association. He later became affectionately known as the Mayor of Eastmont, a title bestowed upon him by then-Oakland Mayor Elihu Harris, and recognized by the East Bay Express.

Copes also coined the term “Oaktown” in 1987 and released his “Oaktown is Kickin’ It” T-shirt which is still in print. His other staple T-shirts include “I Found My Soul in Oakland,” “Oakland Forever,” “I Hecka Love Oakland,” Brooklyn In Oakland,” “Puttin Down Roots” and the popular “Christmas In Oakland,” among others.

Copes later expanded his operations with the opening of another store on Lakeshore Avenue which became the most popular retail clothing store in the area. In recent years, he became a founding member and organizer of Oakland’s First Friday’s event on Telegraph Avenue. Currently, Copes continues his community involvement throughout Oakland’s neighborhoods.

Since its inception to present-day, Old School Copes remains the oldest privately-owned T-shirt business in Oakland. Copes is often a prominent street merchant across the street from the Grand Lake Farmer’s Market, as well as Jack London Square’s waterfront. He is also a mainstay at just about all annual and major street festivals and fairs throughout Oakland.

To learn more about Old School Copes, visit his website at www.oldschoolcopes.com or contact Copes at 510-205-7507.

This article originally appeared in Oakland Post.

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org