Oakland

Opinion – The Oakland Coliseum Should be Developed by and with Blacks

Published

4 years ago

October 15, 2020

When I heard the sad news of the death of former Oakland A’s player Joe Morgan it reminded me of last week’s talk with Dave Kaval, President of the Oakland A’s last week about his team’s views on the

Future of the A’s franchise in Oakland. I was particularly impressed with his upbeat attitude toward economic inclusion.

Of the Black community in the team’s development vision for the Coliseum area and the Howard Terminal Port of Oakland site.

He reiterated his commitments to include the West Oakland community in their plans to provide extensive economic, environmental and employment benefits.

He was confident that the Port and the City, led by the Mayor, would be supportive of their efforts to build near the estuary.

I asked him why the A’s needed to purchase the Coliseum if they preferred to go the Howard terminal site. He said he felt a sense of commitment and responsibility to help with the development of the East Oakland site that had been neglected for more than 50 years.

At that point I proposed an alternative plan to garner maximum support from the Black community and the elected officials.

I explained how the A’s had opportunity to champion significant Black participation and ownership that no other American city has achieved thus far.

I proposed that the A’s promote their Black Vice President Taj Tashombe and put him atop the A’s development corporate entity that could function as a co-development with a Black Developer to complete the commercial and housing complex within the coliseum complex zone. I also told Kaval that I had not consulted with Taj, but I was just recommending a major move to help establish credibility since Taj had grown and played in the shadow of the coliseum.

I further recommended that he set aside an equity stake for Taj, Black investors and former Black A’s stars who had helped to bring championships to Oakland. They could joint-venture with a group of Black investors who are also seeking to own the Coliseum.

The A’s could make a major statement about race and equity modeling by building half of the planned 4,000 housing units in the first phase, before the market rate units, as truly affordable for very, very low-income displaced Black residents. The homes could be dedicated for the first right of refusal for those who are now dwelling in tents and makeshift shelters in East Oakland. The development could be a joint effort with several non-profits and faith-based housing development groups. He said he thought it was an “interesting idea” but wondered aloud if the state, county or city would approve. I told him he should go for it and the community would thank him for recognizing the “Black straws that stirred the A’s drinks” for many years.

Michelle Snider

Associate Editor for The Post News Group. Writer, Photographer, Videographer, Copy Editor, and website editor documenting local events in the Oakland-Bay Area California area.

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024, 2024

Published

2 days ago

November 30, 2024

Oakland Post

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Activism

OCCUR Hosts “Faith Forward” Conference in Oakland

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.
Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership.

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

President and CEO of OCCUR addresses the audience at OCCUR Faith Forward 2024 Conference at Resurrection Church. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Oakland Citizens Committee for Urban Renewal (OCCUR) hosted its Faith Forward 2024 Conference on Nov. 8 at Resurrection Church in Oakland.

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12^th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.

Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership. During her remarks, She commended nonprofits making a difference, and shared how she looked forward to representing Oakland and surrounding areas.

Simon also encouraged attendees to continue fighting despite their concerns about the presidential election results. She also cautioned that there may be resources that are discontinued as a result.

“We know the assignment. We have many of the resources right within our own community, and we will be ok,” Simon assured the audience.

The conference led by OCCUR president, Dr. David B. Franklin, also featured panels on funding opportunities, case studies, economic development, sustainable housing solutions, and organizing for action.

“In order for organizations serving the community to thrive, everyone must collaborate, share resources, and not operate in silos,” said Franklin.

Speakers included San Francisco Foundation CEO, Fred Blackwell, San Francisco Foundation FAITHS Program Director Dr. Michelle Chambers, and Kingmakers of Oakland Founder, Chris Chatmon. Guests were briefed on how Kingmakers of Oakland has gone from a budget of zero to several million and is set to acquire 200 acres of property to expand their programs serving young boys. The leadership at the San Francisco Foundation encouraged nonprofits, churches, and community leaders to work together, especially when donations and funding numbers are lower.

Ben Bartlett of Berkeley City Council; Trevor Parham, CEO of Oakstop; and CEO of the Lao Family Community Development, Inc., Kathy Chao Rothberg, inspired attendees with stories about their journeys in the nonprofit sector.

Additional speakers included Deka Dike, CEO of Omatachi; Landis Green, CEO of DGS Strategies; Sasha Werblin, Director of Economic Development, LISC Bay Area; Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid; Faith and Justice Organizer of East Bay Housing Organizations, Ronnie Boyd; and Todd Bendon, Executive Director of Faith in Action East Bay; among others.

The event allowed community leaders, faith-based leaders, and nonprofits to gain Insight on how to strengthen their profits financially, and communally.

OCCUR has served the community for over 70 years supporting the wellbeing of historically marginalized communities with collaborative strategies. For more information visit occurnow.org