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Open Letter: Together, Let’s Help East Oakland Reach  Its Full Potential

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I’m running for Oakland City Council District 6 because we need change so we can focus on addressing the serious challenges that have gone unaddressed in our community.
Homelessness is a crisis, with too many neighbors on the streets. Housing costs are pricing and pushing folks out. Unemployment is high. Our district has few grocery stores, and just one bank, which will close in December.

With new leadership and new focus, we can sweep away the distractions, and tackle these issues together.

Oakland’s future is personal for me. I was born and raised in Oakland, in a family that put service above self. My mom is a retired Oakland public school teacher and my parents always taught me to give back.

I’ve seen my own family members forced out of Oakland because of housing prices, and some have been homeless. I want my family—my kids, and their kids—to live in an Oakland full of promise and opportunity.

I’ve spent my life and career in non-profits and business helping others. I was proud to help raise $4 million for local homeless youth, support children exposed to violence, and help low-income women start businesses.

On the City Council I will fight for more jobs, affordable housing, and reliable services and infrastructure for East Oakland.

I’m honored that so many of our District 6 neighbors are standing with me as well as local leaders like Bishop Bob Jackson of Acts Full Gospel Church, Pastor J. Alfred Smith, Jr. of Allen Temple Baptist Church, and former Black Panther Party Chair Elaine Brown.

 

 

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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.

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William "Bill" Patterson, 94. Photo courtesy of the Patterson family.

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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