Oakland

Williams Chapel Baptist Church, Community Groups and Family Join Rev. Dr. Kenneth Anderson to Celebrate His 8th Anniversary

Published

5 years ago

September 26, 2019

On Sunday, September 22, 2019, well over 200 people gathered at Williams Chapel Baptist Church in Oakland, to celebrate their young, gifted Pastor on his eight anniversary.
The worship service in the morning and the appreciation banquet following, were joyous expressions of thankfulness for Dr. Anderson’s work. The intergenerational audience consisting of members, friends, family and guests from community groups and other Bay Area churches repeated the refrain…”we will keep you here as long as we can. Praise the Lord.”

Dr. Anderson started preaching, “when he was 7 years old,” said a beloved family member, and both during the service and the banquet, expressions of joy were abundant.
County Supervisor Wilma Chan and Congresswoman Barbara Lee sent staff to present commendations. The Oakland branch of the NAACP and District 2 council staff acknowledged Dr. Anderson’s hard work for the community. The NAACP’s Antoinette Clark thanked the church for welcoming chapter meetings twice a month.

Williams Chapel is the first of four congregations this year providing overnight parking for car-dwelling homeless in Oakland and has consistently worked with government offices to provide affordable housing. Ultimately, the church will build housing on their property, along with street level service entities.

A deep commitment by Dr. Anderson led him to help his grandfather close his auto service business on Foothill Boulevard for building more housing in Oakland. The Anderson family celebrated in full force throughout the day.

“We will focus on home and on our senior preachers,” said Dr. Anderson as he invited retired pastor Rev. Dr. T.P. Fields, of Foothill Baptist Church to preach during the service. Clearly multi-generational love and commitment are part of his service, and church ministries expressed deep love and support for their Pastor.

Sue Taylor

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Activism

OCCUR Hosts “Faith Forward” Conference in Oakland

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.
Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership.

Published

4 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

President and CEO of OCCUR addresses the audience at OCCUR Faith Forward 2024 Conference at Resurrection Church. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Oakland Citizens Committee for Urban Renewal (OCCUR) hosted its Faith Forward 2024 Conference on Nov. 8 at Resurrection Church in Oakland.

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12^th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.

Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership. During her remarks, She commended nonprofits making a difference, and shared how she looked forward to representing Oakland and surrounding areas.

Simon also encouraged attendees to continue fighting despite their concerns about the presidential election results. She also cautioned that there may be resources that are discontinued as a result.

“We know the assignment. We have many of the resources right within our own community, and we will be ok,” Simon assured the audience.

The conference led by OCCUR president, Dr. David B. Franklin, also featured panels on funding opportunities, case studies, economic development, sustainable housing solutions, and organizing for action.

“In order for organizations serving the community to thrive, everyone must collaborate, share resources, and not operate in silos,” said Franklin.

Speakers included San Francisco Foundation CEO, Fred Blackwell, San Francisco Foundation FAITHS Program Director Dr. Michelle Chambers, and Kingmakers of Oakland Founder, Chris Chatmon. Guests were briefed on how Kingmakers of Oakland has gone from a budget of zero to several million and is set to acquire 200 acres of property to expand their programs serving young boys. The leadership at the San Francisco Foundation encouraged nonprofits, churches, and community leaders to work together, especially when donations and funding numbers are lower.

Ben Bartlett of Berkeley City Council; Trevor Parham, CEO of Oakstop; and CEO of the Lao Family Community Development, Inc., Kathy Chao Rothberg, inspired attendees with stories about their journeys in the nonprofit sector.

Additional speakers included Deka Dike, CEO of Omatachi; Landis Green, CEO of DGS Strategies; Sasha Werblin, Director of Economic Development, LISC Bay Area; Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid; Faith and Justice Organizer of East Bay Housing Organizations, Ronnie Boyd; and Todd Bendon, Executive Director of Faith in Action East Bay; among others.

The event allowed community leaders, faith-based leaders, and nonprofits to gain Insight on how to strengthen their profits financially, and communally.

OCCUR has served the community for over 70 years supporting the wellbeing of historically marginalized communities with collaborative strategies. For more information visit occurnow.org