Berkeley
UC Black Staff and Faculty Organization, Union Leaders Protest UCPD Following Black Staff Member Assault

Libertad Ayala, lead organizer for AFSCME Local 3299, delivers an emotional speech at a protest on UC Berkeley’s campus on Tuesday, February 6. Ayala joined with the Black Staff and Faculty Organization in front of the UC Police Department to protest the excessive use of force on David Cole, a Black UC Berkeley staff member, during a rally for better wages. Photo by Sarah Carpenter.
On the first day of Black History Month, a Black UC Berkeley staff member was assaulted and detained by officers from University of California, Berkeley’s Police Department. David Cole, a long time employee at UC Berkeley, was one of many staff members participating in an AFSCME/UPTE rally at which the university’s professional and technical employees were protesting against pay inequities, unfair treatment, and other workplace issues. In the midst of the rally, chaos emerged as UCPD officers proceeded to detain Cole for alleged vandalism, subsequently and forcibly taking him into custody. An injured Cole was booked into Berkeley city jail and later released with charges of vandalism and obstruction of justice.
In support of Cole and to demand all charges be dropped against him, UC Berkeley’s Black Staff and Faculty Organization and allies gathered on Tuesday, February 5, 2018 at 12:15PM in front of UCPD, on the south side of Sproul Hall.
In a statement from UC Berkeley’s Vice Chancellor for Administration, Marc Fisher, noted “UCPD and the campus administration always see the use of force as a last resort and it is used only when a person is not cooperating or complying with the instructions of officers involved in carrying out their duties.” Throughout this communication, Cole was depicted as an aggressor. Despite eye-witness accounts that say otherwise and video showing Cole slammed to the ground after asking why he was being detained, UCPD maintains the position of just doing their job.
Cole was suspected of throwing his protest sign at a passing car, although the video of his detainment show him still holding his protest sign.
The Black Staff and Faculty Organiztion at UC Berkeley maintain that the use of force and the charges Cole faces are unwarranted and reflect continued racial bias and mistreatment of Black people on UC Berkeley’s campus and reflect a larger issue in America.
Bay Area
Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of Berkeley Celebrates 90th Anniversary
Dr. Earl C. Stuckey, Sr., who has served as Progressive Missionary’s pastor since September 1977, said the church also delights in the fact that it has hosted only five pastors in its 90-year history, including Pastors James E. Moore, H. A. Green, F. Douglas Farrell, and Edward Stovall, who served for 37 years.

By Oakland Post Staff
The Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of Berkeley is celebrating its 90th church anniversary on Sunday, May 18 at 10 a.m. at 3301 King Street in Berkeley.
Dr. Earl C. Stuckey, Sr., who has served as Progressive Missionary’s pastor since September 1977, said the church also delights in the fact that it has hosted only five pastors in its 90-year history, including Pastors James E. Moore, H. A. Green, F. Douglas Farrell, and Edward Stovall, who served for 37 years.
The celebration will feature Pastor Darnell Manuel of the Union Baptist Church in Vallejo as guest speaker, along with many other special presentations.
Those who wish to share in Progressive’s history can purchase a 100-page full-colored souvenir book for $25.
The church boasts a number of notable people who either regularly attended or became members of the church since its inception, including former Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, Oakland mayoral candidate Loren Taylor, and one of the organizers of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Helen J. H. Stephens.
Pastor Stuckey often remarks how longevity flourishes at the church — it boasts 13 centenarians (people who have reached 100 years or more). Currently, it has one centenarian who is still surviving, Mrs. Dorothy Chambers, and 14 members who have reached 90 years or more.
Recently, on Feb.17, the pastor and his wife Kay Frances, celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary.
Activism
Faces Around the Bay: Author Karen Lewis Took the ‘Detour to Straight Street’
“My life has been a roller-coaster with an unlimited ride wristband! I was raised in Berkeley during the time of Ron Dellums, the Black Panthers, and People’s Park. I was a Hippie kid, my Auntie cut off all our hair so we could wear the natural styles like her and Angela Davis.

By Barbara Fluhrer
I met Karen Lewis on a park bench in Berkeley. She wrote her story on the spot.
“My life has been a roller-coaster with an unlimited ride wristband! I was raised in Berkeley during the time of Ron Dellums, the Black Panthers, and People’s Park. I was a Hippie kid, my Auntie cut off all our hair so we could wear the natural styles like her and Angela Davis.
I got married young, then ended up getting divorced, raising two boys into men. After my divorce, I had a stroke that left me blind and paralyzed. I was homeless, lost in a fog with blurred vision.
Jesus healed me! I now have two beautiful grandkids. At 61, this age and this stage, I am finally free indeed. Our Lord Jesus Christ saved my soul. I now know how to be still. I lay at his feet. I surrender and just rest. My life and every step on my path have already been ordered. So, I have learned in this life…it’s nice to be nice. No stressing, just blessings. Pray for the best and deal with the rest.
Nobody is perfect, so forgive quickly and love easily!”
Lewis’ book “Detour to Straight Street” is available on Amazon.
Activism
Golden State Warriors Program Is Inspiring Next Generation of Female Engineers
Breaking down barriers and biases that deter young girls from pursuing STEAM subjects is essential for creating a level playing field and ensuring equal opportunities for all. By challenging stereotypes and promoting a culture of inclusivity and diversity in STEAM fields, experts believe young girls can be empowered to pursue their interests and aspirations without limitations confidently. Encouraging mentorship, providing access to resources, and celebrating girls’ achievements in STEAM are all crucial steps in creating a supportive environment that fosters success.

By Y’Anad Burrell
The Golden State Warriors and e-commerce giant Rakuten are joining forces to inspire the next generation of female engineers through Building STEAM Futures, part of The City Calls campaign.
Organizers say the initiative is founded on the idea that science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) are crucial fields for innovation and progress, and empowering young girls to pursue careers in these areas is more important than ever. Studies consistently show that girls are underrepresented in STEAM fields, resulting in a gender disparity that limits potential and hinders diversity.
Breaking down barriers and biases that deter young girls from pursuing STEAM subjects is essential for creating a level playing field and ensuring equal opportunities for all. By challenging stereotypes and promoting a culture of inclusivity and diversity in STEAM fields, experts believe young girls can be empowered to pursue their interests and aspirations without limitations confidently. Encouraging mentorship, providing access to resources, and celebrating girls’ achievements in STEAM are all crucial steps in creating a supportive environment that fosters success.
On Saturday, March 8, International Women’s Day, the Warriors and Rakuten hosted 20 middle school girls from Girls Inc. of Alameda County at Chase Center’s Above the Rim for a hands-on bridge-building experience. The young girls from Girls, Inc. of Alameda County had an opportunity to design, build and test their own bridge prototypes and learn the fundamentals of bridge construction from the Engineering Alliance and the UC Berkeley Steel Bridge Team.
This STEAM experience for the girls followed the first session in January, where they took a behind-the-scenes tour of the Golden Gate Bridge, learning about its design and construction from industry experts. The City Calls campaign, tipped off with the unveiling the Warriors’ new bridge-themed City Edition jerseys and court design earlier this year.
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