Activism

Sharon Kidd Honored by National Law Enforcement Group for Justice, Equity Work

Kidd is a commissioner of the Personnel Board for the City of Berkeley and vice chairperson of the BART Citizen Review Board. Kidd is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and has also served for more than five years as vice chair of Berkeley’s Police Review Commission and on the Board of the West Contra Costa chapter of Girl’s Inc. in Richmond for seven years.

Published

6 months ago

August 25, 2025

Carla Thomas

Sharon Kidd was presented the NOBLE National "Detective Rafaela A. Valdez," 2025 Outstanding NOBLE Associate Member of the Year Award in Hollywood, Florida. Photo courtesy Sharon Kidd.

By Carla Thomas

On Tuesday, August 12, Sharon Kidd was presented the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) national 2025 Outstanding Associate Member of the Year Award in Hollywood, Florida.

NOBLE, consists of community leaders united to promote justice, equity, and excellence in the administration of justice.

Kidd was recognized for her commitment and work in NOBLE and the community affiliations. Kidd was chosen for her fortitude and dedication to NOBLE’s mission statement and the legacy of Detective Rafaela A. Valdez.

Kidd thanked her family members for their continued support, her Oakland Police Department (OPD) mentor-brother, retired Lieutenant James Meeks and retired Detective Mike Gantt.

“They were very inspirational, and my reason for continuing to work in law enforcement,” said Kidd, the chief development officer of Ripple Effect 22 in San Francisco where she supports funding efforts and compliance standards.

Kidd also thanked her Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) family, Lifelong Medical Care family, and childhood friends who often give her encouraging words. “My supporters have always encouraged me to never give up fighting for our communities,” said Kidd. “With so much support, I spend a lot of time fighting for the rights of seniors, youth, and anyone who needs help.”

Kidd has received numerous local and national awards recognizing her work in support of underserved populations, justice system reform, and community development. Whether working with law enforcement, parolees, young adults, or seniors, Kidd always brings the same level of commitment, compassion, and excellence. “This is one of my biggest national awards and I couldn’t be more excited.”

Carla Thomas

Posts by Carla Thomas

Up Next

Cal Performances Presents Angélique Kidjo & Yo-Yo Ma in Sarabande Africaine at UC Berkeley Greek Theatre on Aug. 30

Don't Miss

Imports and Exports Surge at Port of Oakland

Carla Thomas

Click to comment

Activism

Chase Oakland Community Center Hosts Alley-Oop Accelerator Building Community and Opportunity for Bay Area Entrepreneurs

Over the past three years, the Alley-Oop Accelerator has helped more than 20 Bay Area businesses grow, connect, and gain meaningful exposure. The program combines hands-on training, mentorship, and community-building to help participants navigate the legal, financial, and marketing challenges of small business ownership.

Published

1 week ago

February 21, 2026

Oakland Post

Bay Area entrepreneurs attend the Alley-Oop Accelerator, a small business incubation program at Chase Oakland Community Center. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Golden State Warriors and Chase bank hosted the third annual Alley-Oop Accelerator this month, an empowering eight-week program designed to help Bay Area entrepreneurs bring their visions for business to life.

The initiative kicked off on Feb. 12 at Chase’s Oakland Community Center on Broadway Street, welcoming 15 small business owners who joined a growing network of local innovators working to strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

At its core, the accelerator is designed to create an ecosystem of collaboration, where local entrepreneurs can learn from one another while accessing the resources of a global financial institution.

“This is our third year in a row working with the Golden State Warriors on the Alley-Oop Accelerator,” said Jaime Garcia, executive director of Chase’s Coaching for Impact team for the West Division. “We’ve already had 20-plus businesses graduate from the program, and we have 15 enrolled this year. The biggest thing about the program is really the community that’s built amongst the business owners — plus the exposure they’re able to get through Chase and the Golden State Warriors.”

According to Garcia, several graduates have gone on to receive vendor contracts with the Warriors and have gained broader recognition through collaborations with JPMorgan Chase.

“A lot of what Chase is trying to do,” Garcia added, “is bring businesses together because what they’ve asked for is an ecosystem, a network where they can connect, grow, and thrive organically.”

This year’s Alley-Oop Accelerator reflects that vision through its comprehensive curriculum and emphasis on practical learning. Participants explore the full spectrum of business essentials including financial management, marketing strategy, and legal compliance, while also preparing for real-world experiences such as pop-up market events.

Each entrepreneur benefits from one-on-one mentoring sessions through Chase’s Coaching for Impact program, which provides complimentary, personalized business consulting.

Garcia described the impact this hands-on approach has had on local small business owners. He recalled one candlemaker, who, after participating in the program, was invited to provide candles as gifts at Chase events.

“We were able to help give that business exposure,” he explained. “But then our team also worked with them on how to access capital to buy inventory and manage operations once those orders started coming in. It’s about preparation. When a hiccup happens, are you ready to handle it?”

The Coaching for Impact initiative, which launched in 2020 in just four cities, has since expanded to 46 nationwide.

“Every business is different,” Garcia said. “That’s why personal coaching matters so much. It’s life-changing.”

Participants in the 2026 program will each receive a $2,500 stipend, funding that Garcia said can make an outsized difference. “It’s amazing what some people can do with just $2,500,” he noted. “It sounds small, but it goes a long way when you have a plan for how to use it.”

For Chase and the Warriors, the Alley-Oop Accelerator represents more than an educational initiative, it’s a pathway to empowerment and economic inclusion. The program continues to foster lasting relationships among the entrepreneurs who, as Garcia put it, “build each other up” through shared growth and opportunity.

“Starting a business is never easy, but with the right support, it becomes possible, and even exhilarating,” said Oscar Lopez, the senior business consultant for Chase in Oakland.