Bay Area

Post News Group Welcomes New Associate Editor

Published

4 years ago

July 9, 2020

On July 1, 2020, the Post News Group formally appointed Michelle Snider, a Laney College student who previously worked as a reporter and social media consultant for the Post, as associate editor of the publication.

Snider, a San Francisco native who has lived in the Bay Area for most of her life, first dipped her toes in journalism in 2017, when she learned that white nationalist groups were coming to Berkeley to incite violence.

“I fell into white nationalist Twitter and I just quietly followed them,” said Snider. “I really didn’t want to see my country and my community attacked like this…I was intent on recording them and making sure that I captured what they planned on doing.”

Snider’s persistence paid off. Her footage was used in the Emmy Award-winning documentary “Documenting Hate” and helped identify members of the Rise Above movement — a white nationalist group whose members later pleaded guilty to a federal charge of conspiracy to riot during in the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Va.

Encouraged by the success of her footage, Snider enrolled in journalism courses at Laney College in Oakland, where she began writing and photographing for the Laney Tower, the college’s student-run publication.

By the end of her first semester, Snider’s work had gone viral after she filmed the infamous “Barbeque Becky” video, in which a white woman is seen harassing two Black men barbecuing at Lake Merritt.

Snider had been eating breakfast with her daughters when her then-husband — one of the barbequing men — had called her and said he feared being arrested.

“I was using the same tactics as in Berkeley where not only did I have to confront white nationalists, but sometimes I would just start asking questions — and it would get them kind of riled up. But I knew that if I kept my composure and didn’t do anything unlawful then there was nothing that I could lose,” said Snider.

Snider spent the next two years reporting for the Laney Tower, acting as editor-in-chief for two semesters and co-editor for another.

Post Publisher Paul Cobb said he decided to hire Snider because of her familiarity with the community and because he believes she will be instrumental in guiding the paper into the digital world.

“I wanted her because of her accomplished, extensive knowledge of how to utilize social media in conjunction with our content approach, and how she emphasizes precision and exactitude when editing, proofreading and fact-checking,” said Cobb.

Snider said she hopes to expand the reach of the Post as much as possible by building engagement with consistent content and high-quality photography and video.

“I think one of the biggest challenges is it’s not only a small publication, it’s a historically Black-owned publication. We’re talking about actually modernizing the way we do content, so it is a challenge — but it’s also a challenge to get people to take this seriously,” said Snider. “We need more content, that’s the bottom line.”

Snider hopes to continue the legacy of the Post News Group as a community-centered publication and welcomes people of all ages and levels of experience to contribute.

“I want to inspire local students, young people, people of all ages to understand journalism and get involved,” said Snider. “ If you are a writer, photographer, someone who wants to submit video…just let us know.”

Send your story pitches and ideas to msnider@postnewsgroup.com

Saskia Hatvany

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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

4 days ago

November 30, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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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

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Bay Area

Richmond’s New Fire Chief Sworn In

“Chief Osorio rose up through the ranks in the Richmond Fire Department over the last 21 years before being elevated to chief,” noted Harpreet Sandhu, field representative for Congressmember John Garamendi,. “He joined the department in 2002 and has served in multiple roles including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, training director and deputy fire chief.”

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Chief Osorio (far left) was sworn in at a well-attended ceremony at Richmond City Hall on Nov. 15. All photos by Mike Kinney.

By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard

Richmond Fire Chief Aaron Osorio was sworn into his new role in a well-attended ceremony at Richmond City Council Chambers on Friday, Nov. 15.

The crowd included Osorio’s family and friends, rank-and-file Richmond firefighters, fellow fire chiefs from Bay Area agencies, elected officials and community members.

Richmond City Manager Shasa Curl provided an introduction and acknowledged Chief Osorio’s “heroic service to Richmond.”

Harpreet Sandhu, field representative for Congressmember John Garamendi, presented the chief with a Congressional Commendation, citing his 23 years of serving in the fire service in Richmond in numerous positions.

“Chief Osorio rose up through the ranks in the Richmond Fire Department over the last 21 years before being elevated to chief,” Sandhu noted. “He joined the department in 2002 and has served in multiple roles including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, training director and deputy fire chief.”

The chief’s wife, Maria, and two sons Roman and Mateo helped perform the badge-pinning.

Richmond City Clerk Pamela Christian then conducted the swearing-in ceremony.

Chief Osorio thanked his family, colleagues, and city for their support, calling it “very humbling” to take on leadership of an “amazing organization.”

Once the ceremony was done, the chief stated, “I’m ready to get to work.”