Connect with us

Featured

School Opens for Oakland Students

Published

on

Schools in Oakland started early this year, Monday, Aug. 13, one week earlier than in recent years to align the school district’s schedule with local colleges so high school students can also enroll in college classes and to allow for an easier payroll system for new teachers.

The first day was filled with excitement, joy and some tears, as students were eager to return to school to see old friends, make new ones and get to know new teachers.

One person who was as excited as anyone for the first day of classes was Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell. She traversed the district visiting schools along the way, greeting students and staff, observing the learning process and helping with a backpack giveaway.

“The best thing about the first day is the energy: the energy of the families, the energy of the staff (and) of the students, just seeing kids excited,” she said.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf joined part-way through the tour.

The group stopped at five locations: the co-located Elmhurst Community Prep and Alliance Academy middle schools, Brookfield Elementary, the co-located Futures Elementary and Community United Elementary schools, Skyline and Sankofa Elementary School.

At Brookfield, Dr. Johnson-Trammell helped out with the school’s backpack and school supply giveaway, which was organized and funded by SupplyBank with support from Kaiser Permanente.

Later, at Skyline, Oakland Unified School District Board of Education President Aimee Eng, Superintendent Johnson-Trammell and much of OUSD’s leadership team toured the campus and stopped in several classrooms, including the leadership class and the new Skilled Trades FabLab.

At a press conference, Dr. Johnson-Trammell talked about the increase in pathways offered for high school students, especially at Skyline where all students are now in career-related pathways.

She also spoke of the improved graduation rates across the District, which last year saw more than 70 percent of students graduate. At Skyline, the graduation rate increased more than six percentage points.

Board President Eng said she is confident in the Board of Education and the district leadership team’s ability to ensure the financial stability and sustainability of OUSD well into the future.

From the Skyline community, new Co-Principals Bianca D’Allesandro and Nicole Pierce-Davis shared their excitement for the new year in their new environment. Student Body President Antwan Adams and Vice President Melesungu Ofa stressed that they plan to build school spirit and they look forward to improved culture and safety on campus.

The team ended the day with an after school visit to Sankofa Elementary School, where they met with principal Renee Bullie.


They also got to play with some transitional kindergarten students in the afterschool program and speak with teachers in a professional development session.

“Everybody quite honestly has been working on the first day of school since school let out in June. So being able to see all the hard work… the first day is the culmination, we were able to see the execution of all the planning,” said Johnson-Trammell.

At Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School there was a huge backpack giveaway Monday morning hosted by the Lend A Hand Foundation and Wells Fargo.

Students from MLK, Lafayette and West Oakland Middle School received backpacks filled with school supplies. Wells Fargo brought its trademark stagecoach and horses and gave students rides around the playground.

 

­­

 

Activism

Undocumented Workers Are Struggling to Feed Themselves. Slashed Budgets and New Immigration Policies Bring Fresh Challenges

Founded more than 20 years ago, Street Level Health Project started with a handful of nurses and volunteers visiting day laborer sites in East Oakland to provide medical assistance and other resources to newly arrived immigrants. They quickly spotted symptoms common among day laborers: nausea, fatigue, and headaches. Sitting in the sun for hours waiting for work is typical. Once on a job, some men shared incidents of nearly passing out while working. Volunteer nurses also noticed signs of hunger among the men, with some going days without eating a proper meal.

Published

on

Day laborer zone sites are scattered across several streets in East Oakland, California. The sites allow workers to find temporary jobs in skilled labor such as construction, landscaping, and agriculture. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.
Day laborer zone sites are scattered across several streets in East Oakland, California. The sites allow workers to find temporary jobs in skilled labor such as construction, landscaping, and agriculture. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

By Magaly Muñoz

Up and down the streets of the Fruitvale neighborhood in Oakland, immigrant workers head to empty parking lots and street corners waiting for a job. Some are as young as 14 and as old as 60.

Diego, a man in his late thirties, is a construction worker who arrived in the United States nine months ago. He, like many of the men standing beside him at the day laborer site, came to the U.S. in the hopes of providing a new life for his family. Now, Diego and other immigrants are worried as threats of deportation increase from the Trump administration.

Also worried are organizations such as Street Level Health Project, an Oakland-based nonprofit dedicated to providing access to health care and basic services to these laborers.

Street Level Health Project’s funding primarily comes from federal and local grants, These are in jeopardy because of city budget constraints and proposed cuts to federal social service dollars.

Already, the nonprofit’s local funding has been cut. The City of Oakland decreased one of the organization’s grants by $35,000 in one of its latest rounds of budget cuts, with city officials citing a looming budget deficit.

“Our primary day laborer program funding right now is secured, but we do have concerns in this next budget cycle if it will continue to be secured, given [the budget shortfall], and the recent cut to 13 community grants across the city,” said Executive Director Gabriela Galicia.

Founded more than 20 years ago, Street Level Health Project started with a handful of nurses and volunteers visiting day laborer sites in East Oakland to provide medical assistance and other resources to newly arrived immigrants. They quickly spotted symptoms common among day laborers: nausea, fatigue, and headaches. Sitting in the sun for hours waiting for work is typical. Once on a job, some men shared incidents of nearly passing out while working. Volunteer nurses also noticed signs of hunger among the men, with some going days without eating a proper meal.

“We’re the safety net to the safety net,” said Galicia. As Oakland’s sole organization devoted to helping undocumented workers, Street Level is often tasked with “picking up the leftovers” for groups that provide resources to the larger immigrant or underserved communities, she added. Now, that mission is under threat.

Level Health Project is a nonprofit organization in East Oakland that provides health and employment resources for immigrant day laborers and their families. The staff upped their efforts to provide information about immigration rights in the wake of Donald Trump’s presidency. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

Level Health Project is a nonprofit organization in East Oakland that provides health and employment resources for immigrant day laborers and their families. The staff upped their efforts to provide information about immigration rights in the wake of Donald Trump’s presidency. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

At day laborer sites in East Oakland, several workers said that they often skip buying groceries or meals for themselves in order to save money for rent or other necessities.

Diego, who like others interviewed for this story asked to not share his full name because of his undocumented status, said he’s lucky if he makes $300 a week. He said that is enough to pay for the small room he and his son rent in the Fruitvale – but not enough to feed them both. Diego said that he will sometimes go days without food.

The family Diego rents from is more fortunate, he said, because they’re able to afford meat and rice. At times, Diego said, it’s hard to ignore the savory smell that finds its way to his bedroom. Diego tells his son to look away from his landlord’s table to avoid feeling envious about what they cannot buy themselves.

“It’s hard because I know there’s food at the store, but there’s never enough [money] to buy it,” Diego said. “We barely have enough to pay our rent every month.”

On top of paying for the basics here in the U.S., day laborers also face pressure to support relatives in their home countries.

Pedro, interviewed on his BART ride home after an unsuccessful day of trying to find work in East Oakland, said his family in Guatemala regularly goes days without eating because he can’t make enough money in the Bay Area to send home to them.

“A lot of [day laborers] have their families back in [Latin America], making it harder to keep up with our needs here,” Pedro said. Some days he said the only thing he eats is the fruit that some local organizations hand out to workers like him.

Street Level Health Project is providing weekly grocery bags to immigrant day laborers and their families to address the growing need for food in the community. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

Street Level Health Project is providing weekly grocery bags to immigrant day laborers and their families to address the growing need for food in the community. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

Bracing for bigger challenges

Before the pandemic, Street Level Health Project had a hot meal lunch program at their central office in the Fruitvale, where the organization provided meals twice a week for over 50 people. The organization also had a hot meal breakfast program where they prepared 50 to 90 meals, three times a week.

Understanding the food insecurity that many day laborers face, the project launched a food distribution program in 2011, distributing nearly 70 bags of groceries weekly. Thanks to additional funding, they were able to increase that to 150 food bags a week during the pandemic.

In recent years, Street Level Health Project reduced its weekly grocery distribution back to 70 bags and cut its hot meal program completely. Galicia, the director, said that’s because of the end of COVID-19 funding and staffing reductions.

Street Level Health Project also receives regular donations from the Alameda County Food Bank, but Galicia said it has not been enough to restore the food distribution program to what it was during the pandemic.

Currently, Street Level has a $100,000 grant from the city of Oakland to provide wrap-around services for day laborers, such as getting jobs for the workers, providing assistance with CalFresh and MediCal applications, and referring people to legal aid or immigration assistance. Galicia said that funding is barely enough to do the amount of work that the city expects.

Meanwhile, the $35,000 cut in funding has impacted the organization’s workers’ rights outreach and education services, she said.

The Oakland Post tried reaching out to city and county officials several times for comment but did not get a response.

Galicia fears city leaders will make even harsher cuts during the upcoming budget cycle this spring to balance a $130 million shortfall. Last year, Oakland cut funding for public safety, arts and culture programs, and 13 other nonprofits that serve the city’s most vulnerable populations.

Yet the budget concerns don’t stop with local government.

In the wake of Trump 2.0, organizations across the country are handing out “red cards” with the rights that immigrants should be aware of when encountering immigration officers. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

In the wake of Trump 2.0, organizations across the country are handing out “red cards” with the rights that immigrants should be aware of when encountering immigration officers. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

Since President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, immigrant communities and the organizations that serve them have been in crisis mode.

Trump, who ran on a promise to deport millions of immigrants, has signed executive orders to stop birthright citizenship, shipped migrants to Guantanamo Bay, and attempted to freeze federal funding to social programs. Undocumented residents are increasingly anxious that their families might get separated.

Galicia said this is the time for local and state governments to invest in their organizations’ staff and direct resources, not take them away, from the people on the frontlines.

“I think that it’s just as important that funders are able to give to our teams, not just for the community but because the people doing the work have to be well, and we need ample resources to be able to do this work to support our community,” Galicia said.

For Pedro, the day laborer in Oakland, the combination of less support from nonprofits like Street Level Health Project, along with fear raised by the Trump administration’s deportation threats, has left him fearful. He is not alone, he said. He has noticed fewer day laborers showing up to their usual spots. Pedro said he himself fears encountering an immigration officer on his way to work.

“We don’t want to leave our homes, but at the same time, if we don’t go outside, we don’t work,” he said. “If we don’t work, we can’t afford to live.”

Oakland Post reporter Magaly Muñoz produced this story as part of a series as a 2024 USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism Data Fellow and Engagement Grantee.

Continue Reading

Arts and Culture

Beverly Lorraine Greene: A Pioneering Architect and Symbol of Possibility and Progress

Greene graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1936 with a degree in Architecture — a remarkable accomplishment for an African American woman at the time. She was never discouraged by the racial and gender discrimination that saturated her field.

Published

on

Beverly Lorraine Greene. Public domain photo.
Beverly Lorraine Greene. Public domain photo.

By Tamara Shiloh

In the mid-20th century, Beverly Lorraine Greene was recognized as the first African American woman licensed to practice architecture in the United States.

Greene was born on Oct. 4, 1915, in Chicago during an era when opportunities for African Americans, particularly women, were severely limited.

Her parents, James and Vera Greene, were deeply invested in her education, instilling in her a belief in the power of intellect and perseverance. She grew up during the Great Migration that transformed Chicago starting in 1900.

Greene graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1936 with a degree in Architecture — a remarkable accomplishment for an African American woman at the time. She was never discouraged by the racial and gender discrimination that saturated her field.

Greene continued her education, earning a master’s degree in City Planning and Housing in 1937, also from the University of Illinois. Her ambition was not merely to design structures but to shape spaces that fostered equity and community. In 1942, she became the first African American woman licensed as an architect in the United States, obtaining her credentials in Illinois. This groundbreaking achievement, however, did not translate immediately into job opportunities.

Early in her career, she faced significant discrimination from firms unwilling to hire a Black woman. However, her determination never wavered. In 1945, Beverly moved to New York City, a place she believed could offer broader professional opportunities.

She joined the architectural department of the New York City Housing Authority, focusing on affordable housing projects. Her work during this time reflected her commitment to using architecture as a tool for social justice, ensuring that marginalized communities had access to well-designed, dignified living spaces.

Greene’s talents soon drew the attention of prominent firms. She was hired by Isadore Rosenfield, a respected architect known for designing hospitals. She contributed to the design of healthcare facilities, including the modernization of Harlem Hospital. Her portfolio expanded in collaboration with architectural personalities such as Marcel Breuer and Edward Durell Stone.

Notably, she worked on the prestigious UNESCO headquarters in Paris — a landmark project that brought her skills to an international stage. Her involvement underscored her ability to navigate the intricacies of large-scale, global projects, proving that her talents transcended the limitations society sought to impose.

Greene’s career was tragically cut short when she passed away unexpectedly in 1957 at the age of 41. Though her life was brief, her impact was profound. She shattered entrenched barriers, paving the way for future generations of Black architects and women in the field.

Continue Reading

#NNPA BlackPress

Target Takes a Hit: $12.4 Billion Wiped Out as Boycotts Grow

Target Corporation’s stock plummeted by approximately $27.27 per share by the end of February, erasing about $12.4 billion in market value. The drop came on February 28, the designated economic blackout day, and coincided with mounting backlash over the retailer’s decision to abandon its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments. The National Newspaper Publishers Association […]

Published

on

Target Corporation’s stock plummeted by approximately $27.27 per share by the end of February, erasing about $12.4 billion in market value. The drop came on February 28, the designated economic blackout day, and coincided with mounting backlash over the retailer’s decision to abandon its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments.

The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) has taken action through its Public Education and Selective Buying Campaign. NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. said, “Black consumers helped build Target into a retail giant, and now they are making their voices heard. If corporations believe they can roll back diversity commitments without consequence, they are mistaken.”

Reverend Jamal Bryant, pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Georgia, has led calls for a “40-Day Target Fast,” urging Black consumers to withhold their spending at the retailer. “Black people spend $12 million a day at Target,” Bryant said. “If we withhold our dollars, we can make a statement that cannot be ignored.”

The NAACP also issued a Black Consumer Advisory in response to Target’s DEI rollback, warning Black consumers about corporate retreat from diversity initiatives. The advisory urges them to support businesses that remain committed to investing in Black communities.

Target is also facing legal battles. Shareholders have filed lawsuits challenging the company’s DEI policies, arguing that the commitments hurt financial performance. Meanwhile, conservative groups have sued over Target’s diversity efforts, claiming they discriminated against white employees and other groups.

“Consumers have the power to demand change, and Target is learning that lesson the hard way,” Chavis said.

 

Continue Reading

Subscribe to receive news and updates from the Oakland Post

* indicates required

CHECK OUT THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE OAKLAND POST

ADVERTISEMENT

WORK FROM HOME

Home-based business with potential monthly income of $10K+ per month. A proven training system and website provided to maximize business effectiveness. Perfect job to earn side and primary income. Contact Lynne for more details: Lynne4npusa@gmail.com 800-334-0540

Facebook

Day laborer zone sites are scattered across several streets in East Oakland, California. The sites allow workers to find temporary jobs in skilled labor such as construction, landscaping, and agriculture. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.
Activism17 hours ago

Undocumented Workers Are Struggling to Feed Themselves. Slashed Budgets and New Immigration Policies Bring Fresh Challenges

Beverly Lorraine Greene. Public domain photo.
Arts and Culture2 days ago

Beverly Lorraine Greene: A Pioneering Architect and Symbol of Possibility and Progress

#NNPA BlackPress3 days ago

Target Takes a Hit: $12.4 Billion Wiped Out as Boycotts Grow

#NNPA BlackPress4 days ago

BREAKING Groundbreaking Singer Angie Stone Dies in Car Accident at 63

#NNPA BlackPress4 days ago

NAACP Legend and Freedom Fighter Hazel Dukes Passes

#NNPA BlackPress5 days ago

Seniors Beware: O’Malley Says Trump-Musk Cuts Will Cripple Social Security

#NNPA BlackPress5 days ago

Trump Kicks the Ukrainian President Out of the White House

#NNPA BlackPress5 days ago

Apple Shareholders Reject Effort to Dismantle DEI Initiatives, Approve $500 Billion U.S. Investment Plan

Activism5 days ago

Oakland Post: Week of February 26 – March 4, 2025

#NNPA BlackPress5 days ago

NNPA Launches ‘Missing & Black 2025’ Campaign to Spotlight Disparities in Media Coverage of Missing Black Individuals

#NNPA BlackPress5 days ago

WATCH St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones Defends Her City From Trump And Project 2025

#NNPA BlackPress5 days ago

A Black Church CREDO For An “Undemocratic and Dysfunctional” America

#NNPA BlackPress6 days ago

24 Hour Blackout Begins Friday, February 28

#NNPA BlackPress1 week ago

Jamal Gray’s Mezzanine Record Fair: Vinyl, Culture & Afrofuturism 🎶💿 #DCMusicScene

#NNPA BlackPress1 week ago

Musk Targets Federal Workers And Federal Contractors

#NNPA BlackPress3 days ago

Target Takes a Hit: $12.4 Billion Wiped Out as Boycotts Grow

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (left) and Rep. Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) (Right).
Activism2 weeks ago

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Lateefah Simon to Speak at Elihu Harris Lecture Series

Activism1 month ago

Oakland Post: Week of January 22 – 28, 2025

Oakland Poll: Tell Us What You Think About the Cost of Groceries in Oakland
Activism1 month ago

Oakland Poll: Tell Us What You Think About the Cost of Groceries in Oakland

Albert L. Brooks MD. Courtesy photo.
Activism4 weeks ago

OP-ED: Like Physicians, U.S. Health Institutions Must ‘First, Do No Harm’

Activism1 month ago

Oakland Post: Week of January 29 – February 4, 2025

#NNPA BlackPress1 month ago

PRESS ROOM: Top Climate Organizations React to Trump’s Executive Orders Attacking Health, Environment, Climate and Clean Energy Jobs

iStock.
Activism2 weeks ago

Lawsuit Accuses UC Schools of Giving Preference to Black and Hispanic Students

Rep. Barbara Lee. File photo.
Activism3 weeks ago

Former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee Reflects on Her Career as She Bids Farewell to Congress

Blair Underwood (left) and Barbara Lee (right). Courtesy photo.
Activism2 weeks ago

Actor, Philanthropist Blair Underwood Visits Bay Area, Kicks Off Literacy Program in ‘New Oakland’ Initiative

Oakland City Hall. File photo.
Alameda County2 weeks ago

After Years of Working Remotely, Oakland Requires All City Employees to Return to Office by April 7

#NNPA BlackPress1 month ago

Trump Exploits Tragedy to Push Racist and Partisan Attacks

#NNPA BlackPress1 month ago

BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2025 We Proclaim It

#NNPA BlackPress1 month ago

Black Reaction to Trump DEI Blame on The Plane Crash

Barbara Lee. Courtesy photo.
Alameda County2 weeks ago

Lee Releases Strong Statement on Integrity and Ethics in Government

Trending

Copyright ©2021 Post News Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.