Oakland

Opinion: Councilmember Desley Brooks is a Passionate Advocate for Oakland

Published

8 years ago

January 19, 2018

Oakland Post

By Darin T. Wesley

In Oakland, most electeds claim to play nice. But with whom? At whose expense?

As rents skyrocket and affordable housing becomes a distant dream, local politicians make nice with big developers, venture capitalists and rich tech companies – partnerships that leave residents literally outside in the cold.

As more families lose their homes, the representatives they elected to represent them smile widely while cutting deals with deep pocket investors responsible for making the Bay Area the most expensive place to live in America.

Those who dare question the game are framed as contentious. They are ostracized from political power circles and smeared outside of them. This is politics as usual—a game of life or death for many, and one that Oakland’s public servants happily play by the rules.

Not Desley Brooks.

Brooks is a politician who has always been a passionate advocate for our community. Anyone who has witnessed her hold court during a City Council meeting could not deny her vocal, unyielding approach to her legislative duties.

A licensed attorney, Brooks was in-house counsel for several departments at both federal and state levels before being elected to represent District 6 in East Oakland. It’s a sound bet that those around during her trial days would describe her pursuit of justice back then in a similar way.

No matter the role, throughout her career Brooks has been a staunch advocate for the interests of those she represents, bravely challenging those that oppose.

She doesn’t often seem concerned with nice—that much is true. Her focus is lasered in on what’s right. During her 16 years on the Council, Brooks has challenged City Hall from within, refusing to play politics in an arena of closed door deals.

Instead, she’s worked to foster an open-door policy with residents.

She has a long list of accomplishments:

Backing legislation to keep tenants and homeowners safe from eviction and foreclosure;
Organizing free legal assistance at Eastmont Mall for Oakland residents;
Backing Oakland’s Prompt Payment Policy ensuring nonprofits are paid on time;
Sponsoring the new Department of Race and Equity, created to end systemic racism in the City of Oakland;
Helping pass an historic Cannabis Equity Ordinance, winning rights for those from neighborhoods most devastated by War on Drugs to participate in legal cannabis industry;
Backing measures to increase police accountability;
Sponsoring concerts, food giveaways and other activities in neighborhoods that get little attention from City Hall.

When decisions are made that affect people’s livelihoods, she makes sure the community pays attention and participates. She extends her political power beyond the walls of City Hall, attending local meetings to hear concerns directly from the community.

These methods have helped make Brooks’ reputation as an advocate well known in Oakland.
What’s lesser known is how those efforts often find her pitted against the interests of other Council members and government officials.

Big developers and others set to gain from rampant speculation see Brooks’ adherence to the needs of her base as an obstacle, and Brooks herself as a contentious nuisance rather than a valued voice.

District 6, full of Black and Brown families with little economic power, don’t often figure in political big money games, even as a bargaining chip.

As most government representatives reach up for the next rung on the political ladder, Desley Brooks has time and time again chosen to reach back to her community.

Brooks has consistently risked political gain in favor of public good.

She has sacrificed personal comfort for good public policy and taken plenty of hits along the way.

Despite big opposition, Brooks continues to fight for her district, granting her constituents exactly what they voted for: a seat at the table.

D. Wesley is a freelance writer and native Midwesterner who loves hiking, cooking and living somewhere it doesn’t snow.

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Activism

Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

3 days ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.

Oakland Post

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Activism

First 5 Alameda County Distributes Over $8 Million in First Wave of Critical Relief Funds for Historically Underpaid Caregivers

“Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers are lifelines for so many children and families in Alameda County,” said Kristin Spanos, CEO, First 5 Alameda County. “Yet, they often go unrecognized and undercompensated for their labor and ability to give individualized, culturally connected care. At First 5, we support the conditions that allow families to thrive, and getting this money into the hands of these caregivers and families at a time of heightened financial stress for parents is part of that commitment.”

Published

3 days ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Costco. Courtesy image.

Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers Can Now Opt Into $4,000 Grants to Help Bolster Economic Stability and Strengthen Early Learning Experiences

By Post Staff

Today, First 5 Alameda County announced the distribution of $4,000 relief grants to more than 2,000 Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers, totaling over $8 million in the first round of funding. Over the full course of the funding initiative, First 5 Alameda County anticipates supporting over 3,000 FFN caregivers, who collectively care for an estimated 5,200 children across Alameda County. These grants are only a portion of the estimated $190 million being invested into expanding our early childcare system through direct caregiver relief to upcoming facilities, shelter, and long-term sustainability investments for providers fromMeasure C in its first year. This investment builds on the early rollout of Measure C and reflects a comprehensive, system-wide strategy to strengthen Alameda County’s early childhood ecosystem so families can rely on sustainable, accessible care,

These important caregivers provide child care in Alameda County to their relatives, friends, and neighbors. While public benefits continue to decrease for families, and inflation and the cost of living continue to rise, these grants provide direct economic support for FFN caregivers, whose wages have historically been very low or nonexistent, and very few of whom receive benefits. As families continue to face growing financial pressures, especially during the winter and holiday season, these grants will help these caregivers with living expenses such as rent, utilities, supplies, and food.

The funding for these relief grants comes from Measure C, a local voter-approved sales tax in Alameda County that invests in young children, their families, communities, providers, and caregivers. Within the first year of First 5’s 5-Year Plan for Measure C, in addition to the relief grants to informal FFN caregivers, other significant investments will benefit licensed child care providers. These investments include over $40 million in Early Care and Education (ECE) Emergency Grants, which have already flowed to nearly 800 center-based and family child care providers. As part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, preparations are also underway to distribute facilities grants early next year for child care providers who need to make urgent repairs or improvements, and to launch the Emergency Revolving Fund in Spring 2026 to support licensed child care providers in Alameda County who are at risk of closure.

The FFN Relief Grants recognize and support the essential work that an estimated 3,000 FFN caregivers provide to 5,200 children in Alameda County. There is still an opportunity to receive funds for FFN caregivers who have not yet received them.

In partnership with First 5 Alameda County, Child Care Payment Agencies play a critical role in identifying eligible caregivers and leading coordinated outreach efforts to ensure FFN caregivers are informed of and able to access these relief funds.FFN caregivers are eligible for the grant if they receive a child care payment from an Alameda County Child Care Payment Agency, 4Cs of Alameda County, BANANAS, Hively, and Davis Street, and are currently caring for a child 12 years old or younger in Alameda County. Additionally, FFN caregivers who provided care for a child 12 years or younger at any time since April 1, 2025, but are no longer doing so, are also eligible for the funds. Eligible caregivers are being contacted by their Child Care Payment Agency on a rolling basis, beginning with those who provided care between April and July 2025.

“This money is coming to me at a critical time of heightened economic strain,” said Jill Morton, a caregiver in Oakland, California. “Since I am a non-licensed childcare provider, I didn’t think I was eligible for this financial support. I was relieved that this money can help pay my rent, purchase learning materials for the children as well as enhance childcare, buy groceries and take care of grandchildren.”

Eligible FFN caregivers who provided care at any time between April 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025, who haven’t yet opted into the process, are encouraged to check their mail and email for an eligibility letter. Those who have cared for a child after this period should expect to receive communications from their child care payment agency in the coming months. FFN caregivers with questions may also contact the agency they work with to receive child care payments, or the First 5 Alameda help desk, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, at 510-227-6964. The help desk will be closed 12/25/25 – 1/1/26. Additional grant payments will be made on a rolling basis as opt-ins are received by the four child care payment agencies in Alameda County.

Beginning in the second year of Measure C implementation, FFN caregivers who care for a child from birth to age five and receive an Alameda County subsidized voucher will get an additional $500 per month. This amounts to an annual increase of about $6,000 per child receiving a subsidy. Together with more Measure C funding expected to flow back into the community as part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, investments will continue to become available in the coming year for addressing the needs of childcare providers in Alameda County.

About First 5 Alameda County

First 5 Alameda County builds the local childhood systems and supports needed to ensure our county’s youngest children are safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and life.

Our Mission

In partnership with the community, we support a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves the lives of children from birth to age five and their families.

Our Vision

Every child in Alameda County will have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential.

Learn more at www.first5alameda.org.