Activism
Xi Gamma Omega Raises $40,000 and Awards Scholarships to 22 Oakland Students for Chapter’s 40th Chapter Anniversary
“As the premiere community service organization for the city of Oakland, we strive for our volunteerism to have a lifelong impact on the quality of life for residents. Our program serves as a vehicle to unlock the potential of the Oakland Community,” said Dr. Kimberly Mayfield Lynch, XGO’s president.
The Xi Gamma Omega Chapter (XGO) of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. achieved a major milestone raising and awarding $40,000 in scholarships in honor of the chapter’s 40th anniversary.
“As the premiere community service organization for the city of Oakland, we strive for our volunteerism to have a lifelong impact on the quality of life for residents. Our program serves as a vehicle to unlock the potential of the Oakland Community,” said Dr. Kimberly Mayfield Lynch, XGO’s president.
Early in Dr. Mayfield Lynch’s tenure, she challenged members of the chapter to support fundraising efforts for these scholarships, and under her dynamic leadership the goal was achieved.
The major milestone of raising over $40K during a pandemic is historic, with special thanks to fundraising Chairs Kendra Brown and Misty Gaither for leading our fundraising and exceeding expectations. This occasion marked the very first time that XGO has raised this amount of funds during a single fundraising event, according to a media release.
To further commemorate this achievement, the XGO Scholarship Committee, co-chaired by Ora Anderson and Tonya Jones Allred, guided the committee in the selection of 22 bright and talented seniors from high schools in Oakland and other East Bay cities. XGO offered awards ranging between $1,000-$2,000 for seven named scholarships.
These awards are the outgrowth of XGO’s commitment to providing ongoing service to enhance the Oakland community. The students selected demonstrated educational excellence, scholastic aptitude and community involvement. “We congratulate these outstanding scholars and congratulations to Xi Gamma Omega,” stated scholarship committee leads Ora Anderson and Tonya Jones Allred.
The Xi Gamma Omega Chapter was chartered in May of 1982 by 28 members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority who had a deep commitment to provide service to all mankind, particularly in the Oakland community. The chapter will celebrate its 40th anniversary publicaly at the Oakland City Hall Frank Ogawa Plaza on Friday, May 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and privately virtually on May 21 at the monthly chapter meeting. For more information about XGO, visit xigammaomega.com
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025
To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025
To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.
Activism
IN MEMORIAM: William ‘Bill’ Patterson, 94
Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.
William “Bill” Patterson, 94, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025, at his home in Oakland, CA. He was born on May 19, 1931, to Marie Childress Patterson and William Benjamin Patterson in Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from Dunbar High School and traveled to Oakland, California, in 1948. William Patterson graduated from San Francisco State University, earning both graduate and undergraduate degrees. He married Euradell “Dell” Patterson in 1961. Bill lovingly took care of his wife, Dell, until she died in 2020.
Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.
He served on the boards of Oakland’s Urban Strategies Council, the Oakland Public Ethics Commission, and the Oakland Workforce Development Board.
He was a three-term president of the Oakland branch of the NAACP.
Bill was initiated in the Gamma Alpha chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
In 1997 Bill was appointed to the East Bay Utility District Board of Directors. William Patterson was the first African American Board President and served the board for 27 years.
Bill’s impact reached far beyond his various important and impactful positions.
Bill mentored politicians, athletes and young people. Among those he mentored and advised are legends Joe Morgan, Bill Russell, Frank Robinson, Curt Flood, and Lionel Wilson to name a few.
He is survived by his son, William David Patterson, and one sister, Sarah Ann Strickland, and a host of other family members and friends.
A celebration of life service will take place at Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center (Calvin Simmons Theater) on November 21, 2025, at 10 AM.
His services are being livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1250167107131991/
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Euradell and William Patterson scholarship fund TBA.
-
Activism4 weeks agoOakland Post: Week of November 12 – 18, 2025
-
Activism3 weeks agoIN MEMORIAM: William ‘Bill’ Patterson, 94
-
Activism4 weeks agoHow Charles R. Drew University Navigated More Than $20 Million in Fed Cuts – Still Prioritizing Students and Community Health
-
Bay Area4 weeks agoNo Justice in the Justice System
-
#NNPA BlackPress3 weeks agoLewis Hamilton set to start LAST in Saturday Night’s Las Vegas Grand Prix
-
#NNPA BlackPress3 weeks agoBeyoncé and Jay-Z make rare public appearance with Lewis Hamilton at Las Vegas Grand Prix
-
Activism2 weeks agoOakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025
-
#NNPA BlackPress4 weeks agoThe Perfumed Hand of Hypocrisy: Trump Hosted Former Terror Suspect While America Condemns a Muslim Mayor





