Oakland

Meet Taj Tashombe: Oakland A’s VP of External Affairs

Published

8 years ago

November 24, 2017

Taj Tashombe

The Oakland Athletics recently promoted Taj Tashombe to Vice President of External Affairs. In his new role, Tashombe oversees community engagement and outreach for the team’s new ballpark effort.

The new job places Tashombe right in the middle of the A’s new coliseum project and their hopeful plans to build on the Peralta Community College District’s land near Laney College.

Tashombe considers Oakland to be at a major tipping and wants the community to grasp the the gravity of the moment and the positive impact the new stadium will have on education, jobs, crime prevention and re-entry.

“If we miss this opportunity, I don’t know when the next ship is coming because this is the largest project on the table in Oakland,” he said. The 35,000 seat stadium is expected to have its new location established and begin building by the year 2023.

Tashombe says that change is inevitable, however he wants gentrification with equity. Primarily privately funded, Tashombe says the project will yield a $3 billion dollar economic impact on Oakland with 2,000 construction jobs. He is really excited about the creation of partnerships and the possibilities for anyone involved.

“The new stadium will be state of the art with cutting edge technology and we look forward to creating a pipeline for students to be a part of the A’s family in the form of internships while in school and viable jobs thereafter,” he said.
From an infrastructural standpoint, he says the project will create improvements on the surrounding roads, sewage system and buildings.

“The infrastructural impact and development of the loan will be of benefit with the use of Infrastructure Finance Districts which allows new revenue from the ballpark after it’s built, to be poured back into the community so that the cost to the City goes down and there are no new taxes,” he said.

A desire for Oakland residents to have the opportunity to tell their story, leave their legacy and imprint in the lens of past, present, and future is of importance to Tashombe. As Tashombe pushes the new vision for the A’s he feels that his own life story has come full circle since his return to the Bay Area in January, with his wife and 4-year old daughter.

Prior to the A’s, Tashombe worked in conjunction with the NBA on TNT, NFL Sunday Night Football, and MLB Network. He has also worked with big brands such as Toyota, Hilton Hotels and Hyundai.

The Oakland native who once worked as an Oakland A’s intern, is a graduate of HBCU, Clark Atlanta University.

“On campus, I started the Men’s Institution Program, a campaign that promoted the success and dignity of who we are as men, our character, and dreams and the way in which we conduct ourselves in a collegiate environment,” said Tashombe. “We even had Nelson Mandela’s grandson as a part of the organization.”

Tashombe took his leadership skills and gained valuable political and community engagement experience as a special assistant to Congresswoman Barbara Lee, as well as to the Director of Communications at the Port of Oakland. His love of business and entertainment moved him to Southern California for 15 years until a 15-minute meeting with the A’s president turned into a job opportunity.

“I simply reached out to the president of the A’s and asked for a 15-minute meeting – that meeting turned out to be a job offer that changed my life.”

Just as Tashombe walked through the door of opportunity he hopes to help others weigh in on the development and partake in the benefits of the new stadium.

“My dream is for this ballpark to coincide and be very meaningful to the community and I want it to be done in a responsible way,” he added.

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Activism

Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

2 days ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.

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Activism

First 5 Alameda County Distributes Over $8 Million in First Wave of Critical Relief Funds for Historically Underpaid Caregivers

“Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers are lifelines for so many children and families in Alameda County,” said Kristin Spanos, CEO, First 5 Alameda County. “Yet, they often go unrecognized and undercompensated for their labor and ability to give individualized, culturally connected care. At First 5, we support the conditions that allow families to thrive, and getting this money into the hands of these caregivers and families at a time of heightened financial stress for parents is part of that commitment.”

Published

2 days ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Costco. Courtesy image.

Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers Can Now Opt Into $4,000 Grants to Help Bolster Economic Stability and Strengthen Early Learning Experiences

By Post Staff

Today, First 5 Alameda County announced the distribution of $4,000 relief grants to more than 2,000 Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers, totaling over $8 million in the first round of funding. Over the full course of the funding initiative, First 5 Alameda County anticipates supporting over 3,000 FFN caregivers, who collectively care for an estimated 5,200 children across Alameda County. These grants are only a portion of the estimated $190 million being invested into expanding our early childcare system through direct caregiver relief to upcoming facilities, shelter, and long-term sustainability investments for providers fromMeasure C in its first year. This investment builds on the early rollout of Measure C and reflects a comprehensive, system-wide strategy to strengthen Alameda County’s early childhood ecosystem so families can rely on sustainable, accessible care,

These important caregivers provide child care in Alameda County to their relatives, friends, and neighbors. While public benefits continue to decrease for families, and inflation and the cost of living continue to rise, these grants provide direct economic support for FFN caregivers, whose wages have historically been very low or nonexistent, and very few of whom receive benefits. As families continue to face growing financial pressures, especially during the winter and holiday season, these grants will help these caregivers with living expenses such as rent, utilities, supplies, and food.

The funding for these relief grants comes from Measure C, a local voter-approved sales tax in Alameda County that invests in young children, their families, communities, providers, and caregivers. Within the first year of First 5’s 5-Year Plan for Measure C, in addition to the relief grants to informal FFN caregivers, other significant investments will benefit licensed child care providers. These investments include over $40 million in Early Care and Education (ECE) Emergency Grants, which have already flowed to nearly 800 center-based and family child care providers. As part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, preparations are also underway to distribute facilities grants early next year for child care providers who need to make urgent repairs or improvements, and to launch the Emergency Revolving Fund in Spring 2026 to support licensed child care providers in Alameda County who are at risk of closure.

The FFN Relief Grants recognize and support the essential work that an estimated 3,000 FFN caregivers provide to 5,200 children in Alameda County. There is still an opportunity to receive funds for FFN caregivers who have not yet received them.

In partnership with First 5 Alameda County, Child Care Payment Agencies play a critical role in identifying eligible caregivers and leading coordinated outreach efforts to ensure FFN caregivers are informed of and able to access these relief funds.FFN caregivers are eligible for the grant if they receive a child care payment from an Alameda County Child Care Payment Agency, 4Cs of Alameda County, BANANAS, Hively, and Davis Street, and are currently caring for a child 12 years old or younger in Alameda County. Additionally, FFN caregivers who provided care for a child 12 years or younger at any time since April 1, 2025, but are no longer doing so, are also eligible for the funds. Eligible caregivers are being contacted by their Child Care Payment Agency on a rolling basis, beginning with those who provided care between April and July 2025.

“This money is coming to me at a critical time of heightened economic strain,” said Jill Morton, a caregiver in Oakland, California. “Since I am a non-licensed childcare provider, I didn’t think I was eligible for this financial support. I was relieved that this money can help pay my rent, purchase learning materials for the children as well as enhance childcare, buy groceries and take care of grandchildren.”

Eligible FFN caregivers who provided care at any time between April 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025, who haven’t yet opted into the process, are encouraged to check their mail and email for an eligibility letter. Those who have cared for a child after this period should expect to receive communications from their child care payment agency in the coming months. FFN caregivers with questions may also contact the agency they work with to receive child care payments, or the First 5 Alameda help desk, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, at 510-227-6964. The help desk will be closed 12/25/25 – 1/1/26. Additional grant payments will be made on a rolling basis as opt-ins are received by the four child care payment agencies in Alameda County.

Beginning in the second year of Measure C implementation, FFN caregivers who care for a child from birth to age five and receive an Alameda County subsidized voucher will get an additional $500 per month. This amounts to an annual increase of about $6,000 per child receiving a subsidy. Together with more Measure C funding expected to flow back into the community as part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, investments will continue to become available in the coming year for addressing the needs of childcare providers in Alameda County.

About First 5 Alameda County

First 5 Alameda County builds the local childhood systems and supports needed to ensure our county’s youngest children are safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and life.

Our Mission

In partnership with the community, we support a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves the lives of children from birth to age five and their families.

Our Vision

Every child in Alameda County will have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential.

Learn more at www.first5alameda.org.