Community

Theo Miller Seeks to Implement a Black Agenda in San Francisco

Published

11 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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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

4 days ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

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LIHEAP Funds Released After Weeks of Delay as States and the District Rush to Protect Households from the Cold

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The federal government has released $3.6 billion in home heating assistance after a delay that left states preparing for the start of winter without the program’s annual funding.

Published

6 days ago

December 1, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The federal government has released $3.6 billion in home heating assistance after a delay that left states preparing for the start of winter without the program’s annual funding. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, helps eligible households pay heating and cooling bills. The release follows a shutdown that stretched 43 days and pushed agencies across the country to warn families of possible disruptions.

State officials in Minnesota, Kansas, New York, and Pennsylvania had already issued alerts that the delay could slow the processing of applications or force families to wait until December for help. In Pennsylvania, more than 300,000 households depend on the program each year. Minnesota officials noted that older adults, young children, and people with disabilities face the highest risk as temperatures fall.

The delay also raised concerns among advocates who track household debt tied to rising utility costs. National Energy Assistance Directors Association Executive Director Mark Wolfe said the funds were “essential and long overdue” and added that high arrearages and increased energy prices have strained families seeking help.

Some states faced additional pressure when other services were affected by the shutdown. According to data reviewed by national energy advocates, roughly 68 percent of LIHEAP households also receive nutrition assistance, and the freeze in multiple programs increased the financial burden on low-income residents. Wolfe said families were placed in “an even more precarious situation than usual” as the shutdown stretched into November.

In Maryland, lawmakers urged the Trump administration to release funds after the state recorded its first cold-related death of the season. The Maryland Department of Health reported that a man in his 30s was found outdoors in Frederick County when temperatures dropped. Last winter, the state documented 75 cold-related deaths, the highest number in five years. Rep Kweisi Mfume joined more than 100 House members calling for immediate federal action and said LIHEAP “is not a luxury” for the 100,000 Maryland households that rely on it. He added that seniors and veterans would be placed at risk if the program remained stalled.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore used $10.1 million in state funds to keep benefits moving, but noted that states cannot routinely replace federal dollars. His administration said families that rely on medical equipment requiring electricity are particularly vulnerable.

The District of Columbia has already mapped out its FY26 LIHEAP structure in documents filed with the federal government. The District’s plan shows that heating assistance, cooling assistance, weatherization, and year-round crisis assistance operate from October 1 through September 30. The District allocates 50 percent of its LIHEAP funds to heating assistance, 10 percent to cooling, 13 percent to year-round crisis assistance, 15 percent to weatherization, and 10 percent to administrative costs. Two percent is used for services that help residents reduce energy needs, including education on reading utility bills and identifying energy waste.

The District’s plan lists a minimum LIHEAP benefit of $200 and a maximum of $1,800 for both heating and cooling assistance. Crisis benefits are provided separately and may reach up to $500 when needed to resolve an emergency. The plan states that a household is considered in crisis if it has been disconnected from energy service, if heating oil is at 5 percent or less of capacity, or if the household has at least $200 owed after the regular benefit is applied.

The District’s filing notes that LIHEAP staff conduct outreach through community meetings, senior housing sites, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, social media, posters, and mass mailings. The plan confirms that LIHEAP applicants can apply in person, by mail, by email, or through a mobile-friendly online application and that physically disabled residents may request in-home visits.

As agencies nationwide begin distributing the newly released funds, states continue working through large volumes of applications. Wolfe said LIHEAP administrators “have been notified that the award letters have gone out and the states can begin to draw down the funds.”

Stacy M. Brown

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Seven Steps to Help Your Child Build Meaningful Connections

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Swinging side by side with a friend on the playground. Sharing chalk over bright, colorful sidewalk drawings. Hiding behind a tree during a spirited game of hide-and-seek. These simple moments between children may seem small, but they matter more than we think

Published

6 days ago

December 1, 2025

Oakland Post

By Niyoka McCoy, Ed.D., Chief Learning Officer, Stride/K12

Swinging side by side with a friend on the playground. Sharing chalk over bright, colorful sidewalk drawings. Hiding behind a tree during a spirited game of hide-and-seek. These simple moments between children may seem small, but they matter more than we think: They lay the foundation for some of life’s most important skills.

Through everyday play, young children begin learning essential social and emotional skills like sharing, resolving conflicts, showing empathy, and managing their emotions. These social skills help shape emotional growth and set kids up for long-term success. Socialization in early childhood isn’t just a “nice-to-have”—it’s essential for development.

Yet today, many young children who haven’t yet started school aren’t getting enough consistent, meaningful interaction with peers. Research shows that there’s a decline in active free play and peer socialization when compared to previous generations.

There are many reasons for this. Children who are home with a parent during the day may spend most of their time with adults, limiting opportunities for peer play. Those in daycare or preschool may have restricted free play, and large classrooms can reduce supervision and social coaching. Some children live in rural areas, are homebound due to illness, have full schedules, or rely on screens to fill their playtime. And for some families, finding other families with young children to connect with isn’t easy.

While these challenges can feel significant, opportunities for connection still exist in every community. Families can take simple steps to help children build friendships, create a sense of belonging, and strengthen social skills. Here are some ideas to get started:

Storytime sessions at libraries or local bookstores
Community offerings such as parent-child workshops, art, music, gymnastics, swimming, or sports programs
Weekly events at children’s museums, which may include art projects, music workshops, or science experiments
Outdoor exploration, where kids can play with peers
Local parenting groups that organize playdates and group activities
Volunteer opportunities where children can participate, such as pet adoption events or packing meals at a food bank
Classes for kids at local businesses, including hardware, grocery, or craft stores

Some of these community activities are free or low-cost and give kids the chance to build friendships and practice social skills. Parents can also model positive social behavior by interacting with other parents and encouraging their children to play with their peers.

These may seem like small moments of connection, but they can have a powerful impact. Every time your child shares a toy, plays make-believe with peers, or races a friend down the slide, they’re not just playing—they’re learning the skills that build confidence, empathy, and lasting friendships. And it’s good for you, too. Creating intentional opportunities for play also helps you strengthen your own network of parents who can support one another as your children grow together.