Berkeley

Peralta Colleges Offer Best African American and Ethnic Studies Courses in the Country

Published

7 years ago

February 15, 2018

By Jeffrey Heyman

Throughout the year, the Peralta Colleges—Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College and Merritt—hold some of the best African-American and Ethnic Studies courses anywhere in the country. In fact, not a lot of people know that the first African-American Studies classes in the nation started right here in Oakland at Merritt College. You can easily enroll for these classes by visiting www.peralta.edu.

Soul Mechanix, an Oakland-based soul and funk cover band will be performing at College of Alameda’s SoulFest on February 22. (Credit: Photograph by Ashleigh Castro).

The Peralta Colleges also have a series of events in February in commemoration of Black History Month. Here are just a few of these events, all of which are free and open to everyone.
At Merritt College, the birthplace of the Black Panther Party, the African-American Studies Program and the Black Student Union are presenting a number of events in the Huey Newton and Bobby Seale Student Lounge. On Feb. 22, from noon until 2:00 p.m., there will be a film screening and discussion with Khalid White entitled “Black Fatherhood: Trails and Tribulations.” Then on Feb. 28, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Jason Seals will facilitate a forum, “Awakening the Natural Genius of Black Children.” You will not want to miss these enlightening events at the hilltop college. Merritt College is located at 12500 Campus Drive in Oakland.

Berkeley City College has a number of Black History Month events as well. On Feb. 20, there will be an art show in the college’s atrium hosted by BCC’s Black Student Union. Then, on Feb. 21 and Feb. 22, the film “I’m Not Your Negro” will be screened in the college’s auditorium. And everyone will want to attend the closing celebration in BCC’s atrium put on in conjunction with the Black Student Union. For times and more information, contact Andre Singleton at 510-981-2877. BCC is just a block away from the downtown Berkeley BART station at 2050 Centre Street.

There will be dancing in the quad at College of Alameda during SoulFest 2018. This free outdoor musical event takes place from noon to 1:00 p.m. on Feb. 22, and features Soul Mechanix, an Oakland-based soul and funk cover band. Join the fun at the island campus. Call 510-748-2327 for more details. College of Alameda is located at 555 Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway.

If you haven’t yet seen Peralta TV’s award winning film, “Merritt College: Home of the Black Panthers,” you will have a couple of opportunities to do so in February. Featuring exclusive interviews, the documentary, which is narrated by Congresswomen Barbara Lee, traces of the early days of the Panthers and the influence that Merritt College had on the group’s founders. You can watch the film Monday, Feb. 19 at 4:00 and 8:00 p.m., and on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 8:30 p.m. Peralta TV is seen on cable channel 27 in Alameda and Berkeley, cable channel 28 in Emeryville, Piedmont and Oakland and on AT&T U-verse channel 99.

Contact Jeffrey Heyman at jheyman@peralta.edu and follow him on Twitter at @JeffHeyman.

Oakland Post

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Bay Area

Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of Berkeley Celebrates 90th Anniversary

Dr. Earl C. Stuckey, Sr., who has served as Progressive Missionary’s pastor since September 1977, said the church also delights in the fact that it has hosted only five pastors in its 90-year history, including Pastors James E. Moore, H. A. Green, F. Douglas Farrell, and Edward Stovall, who served for 37 years.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 16, 2025

Oakland Post

Progressive Missionary Baptist Poster. Dr. Earl C. Stuckey, Sr., Pastor of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in Berkeley with his wife, Kay Frances Stuckey.

By Oakland Post Staff

The Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of Berkeley is celebrating its 90th church anniversary on Sunday, May 18 at 10 a.m. at 3301 King Street in Berkeley.

The celebration will feature Pastor Darnell Manuel of the Union Baptist Church in Vallejo as guest speaker, along with many other special presentations.

Those who wish to share in Progressive’s history can purchase a 100-page full-colored souvenir book for $25.

The church boasts a number of notable people who either regularly attended or became members of the church since its inception, including former Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, Oakland mayoral candidate Loren Taylor, and one of the organizers of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Helen J. H. Stephens.

Pastor Stuckey often remarks how longevity flourishes at the church — it boasts 13 centenarians (people who have reached 100 years or more). Currently, it has one centenarian who is still surviving, Mrs. Dorothy Chambers, and 14 members who have reached 90 years or more.

Recently, on Feb.17, the pastor and his wife Kay Frances, celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary.

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Activism

Faces Around the Bay: Author Karen Lewis Took the ‘Detour to Straight Street’

“My life has been a roller-coaster with an unlimited ride wristband! I was raised in Berkeley during the time of Ron Dellums, the Black Panthers, and People’s Park. I was a Hippie kid, my Auntie cut off all our hair so we could wear the natural styles like her and Angela Davis.

Published

1 month ago

April 28, 2025

Oakland Post

Karen Lewis. Courtesy photo.

By Barbara Fluhrer

I met Karen Lewis on a park bench in Berkeley. She wrote her story on the spot.

I got married young, then ended up getting divorced, raising two boys into men. After my divorce, I had a stroke that left me blind and paralyzed. I was homeless, lost in a fog with blurred vision.

Jesus healed me! I now have two beautiful grandkids. At 61, this age and this stage, I am finally free indeed. Our Lord Jesus Christ saved my soul. I now know how to be still. I lay at his feet. I surrender and just rest. My life and every step on my path have already been ordered. So, I have learned in this life…it’s nice to be nice. No stressing, just blessings. Pray for the best and deal with the rest.

Nobody is perfect, so forgive quickly and love easily!”

Lewis’ book “Detour to Straight Street” is available on Amazon.

Oakland Post

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Activism

Golden State Warriors Program Is Inspiring Next Generation of Female Engineers

Breaking down barriers and biases that deter young girls from pursuing STEAM subjects is essential for creating a level playing field and ensuring equal opportunities for all. By challenging stereotypes and promoting a culture of inclusivity and diversity in STEAM fields, experts believe young girls can be empowered to pursue their interests and aspirations without limitations confidently. Encouraging mentorship, providing access to resources, and celebrating girls’ achievements in STEAM are all crucial steps in creating a supportive environment that fosters success.

Published

2 months ago

March 23, 2025

Oakland Post

Front Row: UC Berkeley Steel Bridge Team Back Row: Girls, Inc. Participants. Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

The Golden State Warriors and e-commerce giant Rakuten are joining forces to inspire the next generation of female engineers through Building STEAM Futures, part of The City Calls campaign.

Organizers say the initiative is founded on the idea that science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) are crucial fields for innovation and progress, and empowering young girls to pursue careers in these areas is more important than ever. Studies consistently show that girls are underrepresented in STEAM fields, resulting in a gender disparity that limits potential and hinders diversity.

On Saturday, March 8, International Women’s Day, the Warriors and Rakuten hosted 20 middle school girls from Girls Inc. of Alameda County at Chase Center’s Above the Rim for a hands-on bridge-building experience. The young girls from Girls, Inc. of Alameda County had an opportunity to design, build and test their own bridge prototypes and learn the fundamentals of bridge construction from the Engineering Alliance and the UC Berkeley Steel Bridge Team.

This STEAM experience for the girls followed the first session in January, where they took a behind-the-scenes tour of the Golden Gate Bridge, learning about its design and construction from industry experts. The City Calls campaign, tipped off with the unveiling the Warriors’ new bridge-themed City Edition jerseys and court design earlier this year.