News

The Rich Black Genealogical Roots of Oakland’s Political and Publishing Greats

Published

6 years ago

January 23, 2020

As we prepare to celebrate the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the beginnings of Black History month in February, it is important and instructive that, as we appreciate the present growth of political achievements, we know the roots of the bay area’s local African American political organizations.

Washington J. Oglesby was the first African American to run for public office in the Township of Oakland and in Alameda County.

Oglesby was also the first African American to pass the California bar examination making him the first African American licensed to practice law in California.

In 1918 Frederick Madison Roberts, a Republican from Los Angeles, was the first African American elected to the California Legislature. His opponent campaigned with the slogan that he was running against a “nigger.”

Roberts, one of the first African Americans elected to a state legislature west of the Mississippi, served eight terms and became known as the “Dean of the Assembly.” He was defeated in 1934, by the legendary Augustus “Gus” Hawkins.

Hawkins rode the Democratic wave from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s 1932 election which saw a major exodus of African Americans from the Republican Party.

Even though Roberts was elected as a Lincoln Republican with a distinguished record of scholarly achievements, he was considered a “race man” (Black Nationalist.)

I especially want African Americans in California to understand the economic, political, and social struggles experienced by the first wave of Black migration to the state.

Roberts, along with his brother William, inherited the A.J. Roberts and Son Funeral Home, which was one of the state’s first African American enterprises. Roberts was the owner and publisher of the American Eagle, an African American weekly. He was actively engaged in fighting intolerance and racial segregation.

He co-sponsored anti-lynching legislation with assemblyman William “Bill” Knowland who also was the publisher of the Oakland Tribune.

His legislative successes also created the University of California at Los Angeles. Thomas L. Berkley, founder of the Oakland Post and the first Black Port Commissioner, graduated from UCLA in 1938.

Roberts sponsored legislation that doubled fines to businesses that discriminated against minorities.

He married Pearl Hines Roberts in 1921. She was raised in Tulare County and later she and her family relocated to Oakland.

In 1918, she graduated from Oakland High school. She later studied classical music at the Boston Conservatory of Music.

Roberts was born September 14th, 1879 in Chillicothe, Ohio. He was the son of Andrew Jackson Roberts, a graduate of Oberlin College. His mother was Ellen Wayles Hemings, the granddaughter of Sally Hemings and President Thomas Jefferson. Sarah “Sally” Hemings was an enslaved woman of mixed race owned by President Thomas Jefferson

Sally Hemings’ elder sister Mary, was the great aunt of Monroe Trotter, thus making Trotter and Roberts first cousins.

Monroe Trotter’s genealogical tree connects to Oakland through his niece Virginia Craft Rose, the wife of Oakland’s first Black councilmember Joshua Rose.

Roberts graduated from Los Angeles High School and is believed to be its first African American graduate. He attended the University of Southern California and graduated from Colorado College.

In 1908 he edited the Colorado Springs Light newspaper. He became the President of the Mound Bayou Normal & Industrial Institute, in Mississippi. Mound Bayou, an all-black town that was founded in 1887 by former slaves.

In 1912, Roberts returned to Los Angeles, where he founded and edited The New Age Dispatch newspaper until 1948. On July 19th, 1952, Roberts died in an automobile accident in route to the Republican State party convention.

(This narrative is an excerpt from Virtual Murrell’s book “I had an Angel on my Shoulder”. All rights are reserved)

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Oakland Post: Week of December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

Published

5 days ago

January 2, 2026

Oakland Post

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Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

1 week ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.

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First 5 Alameda County Distributes Over $8 Million in First Wave of Critical Relief Funds for Historically Underpaid Caregivers

“Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers are lifelines for so many children and families in Alameda County,” said Kristin Spanos, CEO, First 5 Alameda County. “Yet, they often go unrecognized and undercompensated for their labor and ability to give individualized, culturally connected care. At First 5, we support the conditions that allow families to thrive, and getting this money into the hands of these caregivers and families at a time of heightened financial stress for parents is part of that commitment.”

Published

1 week ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Costco. Courtesy image.

Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers Can Now Opt Into $4,000 Grants to Help Bolster Economic Stability and Strengthen Early Learning Experiences

By Post Staff

Today, First 5 Alameda County announced the distribution of $4,000 relief grants to more than 2,000 Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers, totaling over $8 million in the first round of funding. Over the full course of the funding initiative, First 5 Alameda County anticipates supporting over 3,000 FFN caregivers, who collectively care for an estimated 5,200 children across Alameda County. These grants are only a portion of the estimated $190 million being invested into expanding our early childcare system through direct caregiver relief to upcoming facilities, shelter, and long-term sustainability investments for providers fromMeasure C in its first year. This investment builds on the early rollout of Measure C and reflects a comprehensive, system-wide strategy to strengthen Alameda County’s early childhood ecosystem so families can rely on sustainable, accessible care,

These important caregivers provide child care in Alameda County to their relatives, friends, and neighbors. While public benefits continue to decrease for families, and inflation and the cost of living continue to rise, these grants provide direct economic support for FFN caregivers, whose wages have historically been very low or nonexistent, and very few of whom receive benefits. As families continue to face growing financial pressures, especially during the winter and holiday season, these grants will help these caregivers with living expenses such as rent, utilities, supplies, and food.

The funding for these relief grants comes from Measure C, a local voter-approved sales tax in Alameda County that invests in young children, their families, communities, providers, and caregivers. Within the first year of First 5’s 5-Year Plan for Measure C, in addition to the relief grants to informal FFN caregivers, other significant investments will benefit licensed child care providers. These investments include over $40 million in Early Care and Education (ECE) Emergency Grants, which have already flowed to nearly 800 center-based and family child care providers. As part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, preparations are also underway to distribute facilities grants early next year for child care providers who need to make urgent repairs or improvements, and to launch the Emergency Revolving Fund in Spring 2026 to support licensed child care providers in Alameda County who are at risk of closure.

The FFN Relief Grants recognize and support the essential work that an estimated 3,000 FFN caregivers provide to 5,200 children in Alameda County. There is still an opportunity to receive funds for FFN caregivers who have not yet received them.

In partnership with First 5 Alameda County, Child Care Payment Agencies play a critical role in identifying eligible caregivers and leading coordinated outreach efforts to ensure FFN caregivers are informed of and able to access these relief funds.FFN caregivers are eligible for the grant if they receive a child care payment from an Alameda County Child Care Payment Agency, 4Cs of Alameda County, BANANAS, Hively, and Davis Street, and are currently caring for a child 12 years old or younger in Alameda County. Additionally, FFN caregivers who provided care for a child 12 years or younger at any time since April 1, 2025, but are no longer doing so, are also eligible for the funds. Eligible caregivers are being contacted by their Child Care Payment Agency on a rolling basis, beginning with those who provided care between April and July 2025.

“This money is coming to me at a critical time of heightened economic strain,” said Jill Morton, a caregiver in Oakland, California. “Since I am a non-licensed childcare provider, I didn’t think I was eligible for this financial support. I was relieved that this money can help pay my rent, purchase learning materials for the children as well as enhance childcare, buy groceries and take care of grandchildren.”

Eligible FFN caregivers who provided care at any time between April 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025, who haven’t yet opted into the process, are encouraged to check their mail and email for an eligibility letter. Those who have cared for a child after this period should expect to receive communications from their child care payment agency in the coming months. FFN caregivers with questions may also contact the agency they work with to receive child care payments, or the First 5 Alameda help desk, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, at 510-227-6964. The help desk will be closed 12/25/25 – 1/1/26. Additional grant payments will be made on a rolling basis as opt-ins are received by the four child care payment agencies in Alameda County.

Beginning in the second year of Measure C implementation, FFN caregivers who care for a child from birth to age five and receive an Alameda County subsidized voucher will get an additional $500 per month. This amounts to an annual increase of about $6,000 per child receiving a subsidy. Together with more Measure C funding expected to flow back into the community as part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, investments will continue to become available in the coming year for addressing the needs of childcare providers in Alameda County.

About First 5 Alameda County

First 5 Alameda County builds the local childhood systems and supports needed to ensure our county’s youngest children are safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and life.

Our Mission

In partnership with the community, we support a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves the lives of children from birth to age five and their families.

Our Vision

Every child in Alameda County will have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential.

Learn more at www.first5alameda.org.