Oakland
Op-Ed: Where is the Economic Fairness to Oaklanders?
By Darrel Carey
Time and time again we see the game of economic unfairness and disparity play itself out, and generally affecting women and people of color.
Now we see it taking place right here in Oakland.
There are billions of dollars in construction project occurring here in the city, and for some reason minority-filled communities seem to get the short end of every opportunity to participate fairly.
Take for instance the $1.5 billion Brooklyn Basin project along Oakland’s waterfront on the Embarcadero. Not even 2 percent of small local business have participated in the planning for this critical development.
As this project prepares for construction the phase, it makes one wonder if the developer is going to do right.
Are the politicians from the Port of Oakland and City of Oakland going to ensure a level of fairness occurs on this project or other projects, such as the West Oakland Transit Orientated Development (housing around the West Oakland BART Station)?
As we watch our city grow, we cannot allow for our native communities to suffer.
There’s a funny saying in Oakland: “if you want a job in Oakland, you should live in Livermore.”
There is a clear disparity in treatment of small local-, minority- and women-owned businesses in many of these local development and construction projects.
Let’s ensure that fairness takes place and all communities impacted become part of the deal, not just stuck in traffic.
A community action is now being organized. So stay tuned. The Oakland Post will keep you updated. It is our challenge as shareholders of Oakland to make sure the politicians wake up.
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Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025
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Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025
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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.
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