Community

Theo Miller Seeks to Implement a Black Agenda in San Francisco

Published

10 years ago

October 27, 2014

The San Francisco Main Public Library auditorium was packed with Black students and parents as Theo Miller paced the floor. It was a Saturday morning in early September and, as the organizer for the African American Family Breakfast and Resource Fair, Miller wanted to make sure everything was right.

While he had been working for the city over the past year, it was also an important moment for him. He wanted to make sure the event was a success, and it was his first real introduction to San Francisco’s African American community.

As a special adviser to Mayor Ed Lee, Miller is his liaison to the African American community and director of the San Francisco Out Migration Initiative, which stems from the Out Migration report.

Commissioned by former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, the Out Migration report studied and looked at the decline of Black people living in San Francisco.

In 1970, there were over 100,000 Black people in San Francisco, as they made up 15 percent of the cities population. Today, those numbers have dwindled to just at 6 percent of the cities population and roughly 50,000 people.

The numbers dropped in part due to the Redevelopment Agency, which moved Blacks out of the Western Addition and parts of Bay View. But also due to the high price of housing and black families wanting to live in safer and newer neighborhoods.

In the last 30 years, of all the major U.S. cities, San Francisco’s Black community has seen the steepest decline of residents leaving the city.

The Out Migration report looked at some of the historic trends that led to the decline of Blacks in San Francisco, as well as coming up with remedies to grow the Black community in San Francisco.

One of the remedies was improving the education for Black students in the San Francisco Unified School District.

This breakfast meeting was seen by Miller as a step in trying to address long standing issues. Over 300 parents and students attended the networking event, as it connected parents to the various programs within the public school and non-profit education sector that can help African American students.

“We are trying to reach the African American community, letting them know about all of the educational resources available to them,” said Miller.

“It takes a village to raise a child. Not a mayor, not a supervisor, not a corporation. It takes everyone helping to make things work.”

It will be a daunting task to try and address the multitude of issues that impact African Americans in San Francisco.

The main three issues outlined in the Out Migration report that led to the decline of Blacks in San Francisco included the lack of affordable housing, lack of jobs and educational issues. If there is one who may be able to make a dent in these issues, it may be Miller.

A native of Los Angeles, Miller spent his summers in San Francisco, as he had a aunt that lived in Bay View Hunters Point.

A graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School, he practiced corporate law in New York for a few years before moving to San Francisco to practice law.

“Mayor Lee has been in city government a long time, and he trusts competent people who care about the issues,” said Miller. “I took this job, because I wanted to improve and help the Black community in the city.”

As the liasion to the Mayor, Miller is tasked with trying to come up with ways to keep Black people in San Francisco, by using public and private partnerships to improve the lives of Black people in education, housing and economics.

“San Francisco has a $8.4 billion budget, and one thing we can do, as a city, is to have the city government leverage departments across the city to make sure there are opportunities for African Americans in San Francisco,” said Miller.

Tyra Fennell, a Black community activist who works with the San Francisco Art Commission, called Miller a very intelligent man. But she wondered how much can he do to help African Americans in San Francisco?

“He gets a salary, but he has no budget to implement anything,” said Fennell. “He can partner with people and he is finding partnerships and being creative, but without a budget what can you really do?”

Ed Donaldson, a Black community activist and candidate for supervisor in District 10, also questioned how much Miller can do.

“Miller is a cool dude, but he is not going to rock the boat and make the structural changes that need to be made,” said Donaldson.

Miller is upbeat about the situation. He said that housing is starting to boom in certain areas, and more outreach is being done to keep San Franciscans in the city instead of moving to the suburbs such as Antioch, Pittsburgh and Vallejo.

The city government is making progress in hiring Blacks in city departments such as Public Works and Public Utilities Commission, according to Miller.

“There are 2,000 technology and pharmaceutical companies in San Francisco, that employ over 50,000 people,” said Miller. “There needs to be more Black folks working in these areas.”

Miller said that pressure needs to be put on companies to hire more native San Franciscans, as well as hiring Black people from other areas of the country.

“We need to have an increase in migration of Black professional people into San Francisco. Black folks from Memphis, Atlanta and the Northeast coming here,” continued Miller. “We need to recruit more Black professionals to San Francisco.”

He also wants city agencies to start recruiting people from some of the historical black colleges and universities. Currently, out of the 6 percent of Black residents in San Francisco, Miller said that 70 percent are low-income or working poor.

“The problems for Blacks in San Francisco are very complex,” continued Miller. “But if we have a commitment to address the issues, then we could really do something for this city.”

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Activism

City of Oakland Celebrates Reopening of Main Library

“Libraries are such critical facilities for all Oaklanders, whether it’s children coming to story-time, adults reading the newspapers or borrowing the latest novels, and people engaging with a range of services and programs that the library hosts,” said Council President and District 2 Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas. “Such library services and programs are only possible when the facility’s electricity, heating, roof, and lighting are fixed and running efficiently. I’m proud to join this re-opening of our Main Public Library.”

Published

9 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Left to Right- Jamie Turbak, Director of Library Services, LaTonda Simmons, Assistant City Administrator, Nikki Bas, President Oakland City Council, Shen Thao, Mayor of Oakland, Carroll Fife, Oakland City Councilmember District 3, Harold Duffey, Assistant City Administrator, Sean Maher, Projects Coordinator. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

The branch had been closed since May for critical infrastructure upgrades

Special to the Post

The City of Oakland leadership and community partners gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Main Library after completion of critical infrastructure upgrades to enhance the library’s facilities and provide a better experience for patrons.

Renovations include new roof installation, skylight repair, critical electrical system upgrades, new boiler control system installation, auditorium heating and cooling system installation, and improvements to lighting, flooring and ceilings throughout the building.

“This is truly something to celebrate, the reopening of our wonderful Main Library! I congratulate the staff and our partners for this important project to make the Main Library a more comfortable place for everyone for years to come, said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “Thank you to Oakland voters and the California State Library for making these crucial improvements possible.”

“Public libraries are a wonderful resource for our residents, offering a safe space for learning and being,” said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife. “It is critical to improve and modernize our libraries so more members of our community can utilize and enjoy them. I’m excited that the necessary renovations to the Main Library have been completed successfully and thank everyone involved, particularly the City team, who helped secured the necessary grant funds for this work.”

“I am proud of the City staff and project partners who kept this important project on schedule and under budget,” said Assistant City Administrator G. Harold Duffey. “The library is an incredibly important resource for our community members, and this project is an investment into the library’s future.”

“December 2nd was a momentous occasion for Oakland Public Library as we proudly reopened the doors of the Main Library following extensive infrastructure repairs,” said Director of Library Services Jamie Turbak. “Closing the Main Library for six months was no easy decision, as it serves as the central hub for our library system and is truly the heart of Oakland. Yet, this renovation was essential, representing more than just physical upgrades—it reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone.”

The City Administrator Jestin Johnson also attended the press conference and signalled his support for the completion of the record-setting completion of the renovations. Gay Plair Cobb, a newly appointed Library Commissioner said the Library represents the soul and brains of our community.

The Oakland Public Library secured funding for these crititcal repairs through a variety of sources. The California State Library’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program awarded the Main Branch $4.2 million. To comply with the grant terms, the City of Oakland provided matching funds through Measures KK, as approved by the Oakland City Council in October 2023.

The Main Library will host an Open House to celebrate the reopening on February 22, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About the Oakland Public Library

The Oakland Public Library is a part of the City of Oakland in California and has been in existence since 1878. Locations include 16 neighborhood branches, a Main Library, a Second Start Adult Literacy Program, the Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect, and grow. Oaklandlibrary.org

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Activism

Biden’s Legacy Secured with Record-Setting Black Judicial Appointments

His record surpasses previous efforts by his predecessors. President Jimmy Carter appointed 37 Black judges, including seven Black women. In stark contrast, Donald Trump’s first term resulted in only two Black women appointed out of 234 lifetime judicial nominations. The White House said Biden’s efforts show a broader commitment to racial equity and justice.

Published

9 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

iStockphoto.

By Stacy M. Brown
WI Senior Writer

President Joe Biden’s commitment to diversifying the federal judiciary has culminated in a historic achievement: appointing 40 Black women to lifetime judgeships, the most of any president in U.S. history.

Biden has appointed 62 Black judges, cementing his presidency as one focused on promoting equity and representation on the federal bench.

The White House said Biden’s efforts show a broader commitment to racial equity and justice.

Meanwhile, Trump has vowed to dismantle key civil rights protections, including the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

“Having the Black woman’s experience on the federal bench is extremely important because there is a different kind of voice that can come from the Black female from the bench,” Delores Jones-Brown, professor emeritus at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told reporters.

Lena Zwarensteyn of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights told reporters that these district court judges are often the first and sometimes the final arbiters in cases affecting healthcare access, education equity, fair hiring practices, and voting rights.

“Those decisions are often the very final decisions because very few cases actually get heard by the U.S. Supreme Court,” Zwarensteyn explained.

Biden’s nomination of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court further reflects his commitment to judicial diversity. Jackson became the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court.

Patrick McNeil, spokesperson for the Leadership Conference, pointed out that over half of Biden’s Black female judicial appointees have backgrounds as civil rights attorneys and public defenders, experience advocates consider essential for a balanced judiciary.

Meanwhile, Congress remains divided over the expansion of federal judgeships. Legislation to add 66 new judgeships—approved unanimously by the Senate in August—stalled in the GOP-controlled House until after the election. House Republicans proposed distributing the new judgeships over the next decade, giving three administrations a say in appointments. President Biden, however, signaled he would veto the bill if it reached his desk.

Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., argued the delay was a strategic move to benefit Trump’s potential return to office. “Donald Trump has made clear that he intends to expand the power of the presidency and giving him 25 new judges to appoint gives him one more tool at his disposal,” Nadler said.

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Activism

A Student-Run Group Provides Critical Support Services to Underserved Residents

Those visiting The Suitcase Clinic can get legal advice, sign up for food assistance, receive housing resources, get medical help, or enjoy a hot, fresh meal. They can also get haircuts and foot washes from the student volunteers. Nilo Golchini, executive director of the clinic, said one of the goals for most of the students working there is helping bridge the gap of trust that exists between many unhoused people and the healthcare and social welfare systems.

Published

10 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

UC Berkeley Law Students help a clinic visitor with legal advice at their Tuesday night services. The Clinic offers a variety of resources, including medical, to those in the community who have little access to these services. Photo by Magaly Muñoz

Part One

By Magaly Muñoz

Every Tuesday evening, the dining hall of First Presbyterian Church fills up with dozens of people eating, laughing and moving from table to table, receiving much-needed services from UC Berkeley students – just a few blocks away from the university’s campus.

Individuals seeking support services can be found in this multi-stationed room on the south end of the church talking to law students, student case managers, or receiving medical attention in a corner by healthcare professionals.

This weekly event is hosted by Cal students through a volunteer-run program called The Suitcase Clinic.

The clinic, founded in 1989, was intended to offer free resources to underserved communities in Berkeley and surrounding cities. The majority of the clinic’s clientele are unhoused or low-income people looking for extra support.

Those visiting the clinic can get legal advice, sign up for food assistance, receive housing resources, get medical help, or enjoy a hot, fresh meal. They can also get haircuts and foot washes from the student volunteers.

Nilo Golchini, executive director of the clinic, said one of the goals for most of the students working there is helping bridge the gap of trust that exists between many unhoused people and the healthcare and social welfare systems.

During their tenure in the program, many of the students say they become strong advocates for homelessness rights.

Visitors of the Suitcase Clinic can receive haircuts and foot washing by student volunteers every Tuesday evening. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

“We’re also standing in solidarity with them. So, it’s not saying, ‘I’m going to help you, but I’m also going to stand with you,’” Golchini said.

Student volunteers get extensive training prior to working directly with clients. Those interested have to take a semester-long class to become versed in areas such as outreach, intersectionality, how to interact with unhoused people, how to sign people up for social services. and more.

Volunteers then get to pick from three different clinics: General, Women’s, or Youth and LGBTQ+.

The General Clinic is the most popular among visiting residents, while Women’s and Youth/LQBTQ+ have more specialized services for attendees.

The Women’s Clinic has many of the similar services to General, but also includes nail painting, childcare, and massages.

The Youth and LGBTQ+ Clinic offers a safe space for young people navigating living on the streets, with services that include housing referrals, wellness and recreation classes and employment resources.

Golchini explained that it’s important for them to keep these clinics separate because the different demographics experience poverty and homelessness differently than those who visit the General Clinic.

Suitcase Clinic student workers posing for a photo with a frequent clinic attendee. The Clinic is open to Berkeley unhoused and low-income residents who need medical or legal service, or a hot meal. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

“We’re able to provide spaces where people can come in and feel safe and not feel like they’re constantly worried that something’s going to happen to them,” she said.

An outreach team also visits encampments every other Saturday in the Berkeley area to provide hygiene kits and encourage people to visit the in-person clinic, if possible.

However, Golchini said engagement has been low for some time now due to a recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that allows cities to ban and cite people for sleeping on the streets.

She said a lot of their clientele got displaced to other cities over time, making it difficult to stay in contact with the services the Clinic was providing for them.

But that hasn’t slowed down the students at the Clinic, if anything, it has pushed them to do more for the community they serve.