Black History

IN MEMORIAM: Remembering the life of Doris Turner Keys, a Civil Rights and Union Icon

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “I believe some of her endearing qualities was her unabiding love of family and friends, her big heart and generous spirit which always had her helping others, her unwavering commitment to pursuing social justice and helping working class people, and her ability to walk with kings and queens while keeping the common touch,” said Doris Turner Keys’ goddaughter, Karen Towns.

Published

8 years ago

January 1, 2019

Oakland Post

Photos Courtesy of the family of Doris Turner Keys

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Contributor
@StacyBrownMedia

Doris Turner Keys answered to many names – Doris, D, D.T., Dot, Doris Turner, Ms. Turner, Tish, Mrs. Keys, Mama Keys, Ma, Grandma, Aunt Doris (and more). But, those who knew her best remember her simply as a loving and caring individual who routinely sought to help others in need.

A noted civil rights and union leader, Keys served in many capacities that championed the causes of worker and civil rights as well as freedom, justice and equality.

Keys passed away in December. She was 88.

She was a longtime Labor and Industry Chairperson for the New Rochelle (N.Y.) Chapter of the NAACP.

At Keys’ recent celebration of life service, former Mount Vernon, N.Y., Mayor Ernest D. Davis and Local 1199 President George Grisham were among those who offered their respect.

Dr. Hazel N. Dukes, president of the NAACP New York State Conference and member of the NAACP National Board of Directors, wasn’t able to attend but had previously noted the contributions Keys made in advancing civil and social justice.

Keys’ goddaughter, Karen Towns, said she watched and learned from Keys at a young age and the matriarch had a great influence on her.

Photos Courtesy of the family of Doris Turner Keys

“Her legacy will live in the tens of thousands of people whose lives she touched. Whether [they are] those 1199 members who benefitted from the advancements of labor contracts that provided wages where they could take could take care of their families and send their kids to college; those who had better housing because of the housing plaza in east Harlem that opened during her tenure; [or] students who received college scholarships from the union which enabled many to be the first in their families to go to college,” Towns said.

She continued:

“Whether they are among those in the communities of Mt. Vernon and New Rochelle and elsewhere where through her church she cooked meals for the homeless every Saturday; as an entrepreneur she provided job opportunities and as a property owner she provided quality, affordable housing for families and commercial space for other entrepreneurs.

“And for her beloved family she has left an abundance of love along with a rich legacy of service, leadership and a constant reminder that we must always be doing something to make things better for others.”

The first-born daughter of Roy L. Turner and Luticia Stewart, Keys was born in Pensacola, Florida on June 20, 1930 at 8:00A.M. in the morning, according to her obituary.

Her early years were spent in Pensacola before moving to New York City. She was reared by her maternal grandmother, Clora Stewart, whose strict discipline and strong religious upbringing became the foundation and catalyst for her life’s mission and work.

Keys attended Booker T. Washington High School, graduating in the class of 1948, in Pensacola, Florida.

In 1956, Keys began work at Lenox Hill Hospital as a clerk in the dietary department.

In 1958, five of New York City’s largest hospitals went on strike for the first time in history with Keys active in leading a successful walkout at Lenox Hill Hospital.

The strike resulted in the beginning of organizing the poorly paid hospital workers in the city as Keys and others lobbied Gov. Nelson Rockefeller to support legislation for the hospital workers with the right to organize and bargain collectively.

She was one of four sitting at the table with Rockefeller as he signed the bill into law.

In 1960, Keys became an organizer for District 1199, which was then primarily a union of pharmacists and other drug store workers.

In 1968, after serving as an organizer, Keys became the director of 1199’s hospital division, the union’s largest division with some 40,000 members. Keys was later elected Executive Vice President of 1199.

In May of 1982, she was elected President of District 1199, winning the election by a 5-to-1 margin, becoming the largest AFL-CIO local union in the United States to be headed by a Black woman.

“Twenty-five years ago, when I came to this union, I never dreamed I would become its president,” Keys said at her swearing-in ceremony. “I also, never dreamed we would ever encounter so much division amongst us.” The election was the most hotly contested ever in District 1199.

Under Keys’ leadership, the union grew from 70,000 to over 130,00 members. As the New York union was growing, Keys was instrumental in organizing workers in New Jersey, Philadelphia, Maryland and Connecticut.

During that time, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., called upon the union for help on behalf of some hospital workers in Charleston, South Carolina, a group of 500 Black women and 3 Black men.

After King’s death, Keys went to Charleston and worked with Coretta Scott King to help establish an organization of workers.

Later, they traveled to John Hopkins University in Maryland and Boston University in Massachusetts to talk to leaders, workers and community activists in the effort to continue the struggles to organize health care workers.

District 1199 was among the first unions to speak out against the Vietnam War and Keys represented the union at a protest march.

When more than a dozen hospitals were threatening to close in New York, District 1199 joined with other unions and marched on Albany demanding that the governor call a special session of the State Legislature to restore the budget cuts in Medicaid, welfare, school lunch and other programs that was so sorely needed in the poorest communities.

The march proved successful and Keys went on to become the first woman vice president of the RWDSU/AFL-CIO.

Keys spent the final 52 years of her life living in Mount Vernon.

She was appointed by the governor to the New York State Hospital Review and Planning Council and has served as a member of the State of New York Commission of Health Education and Illness Prevention; the Mental Health Committee of the Community Council of Greater New York; the Committee for Health Care Services; and Board member of the Department for Professional Employees of the AFL-CIO.

Keys also was appointed to the New York City Human Rights Commission by three successive mayors.

“I believe some of her endearing qualities was her unabiding love of family and friends, her big heart and generous spirit which always had her helping others, her unwavering commitment to pursuing social justice and helping working class people, and her ability to walk with kings and queens while keeping the common touch,” Towns said.

“Watching Doris, I learned what it meant to be a successful leader while also being a mother, wife and all of the other roles we have.

“I remember watching her multitask on various issues happening with work while having a positive demeanor despite how difficult things were. I also recall her deep faith and belief in God which sustained her until the end,” she said.

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Black History

IN MEMORIAM: The Rev. Leon “Sonny” Clark, Longtime Orange County Pastor and Community Leader, Dies at 72

Rev. Leon William “Sonny” Clark, the longtime pastor of New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana and a prominent faith and community leader in Orange County, passed away on September 9 at the age of 72. Born in Bennettsville, South Carolina, Clark was a U.S. Navy veteran who dedicated his life to service. He served various Southern California churches before leading New Spirit Baptist Church for over 22 years, extending his work into counseling, mentoring, and civic engagement, and supporting the African American community. To learn more about his life and contributions, read more.

Published

1 day ago

September 28, 2026

Post News Group

The Rev. Leon “Sonny” Clark. File photo.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Rev. Leon William “Sonny” Clark, longtime pastor of New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana and a respected faith and community leader in Orange County, died Sept. 9. He was 72.

Born Oct. 2, 1953, in Bennettsville, South Carolina, Clark was a U.S. Navy veteran who later built a life of service centered on family, faith, ministry, and community.

Clark began his formal ministry at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Altadena in 1978. After acknowledging his call to ministry in 1980, he preached his first sermon and went on to serve churches throughout Southern California, including Second Baptist Church in Riverside, Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Rubidoux, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Pomona, and Friendship Baptist Church in Yorba Linda.

In November 2003, Clark was called to lead New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana, where he served as pastor for more than 22 years. His work extended beyond the pulpit through counseling, mentoring, civic engagement, and efforts to strengthen Orange County’s African American community.

Clark served on the Orange County Heritage Council and supported efforts to preserve and celebrate African American history and culture. He helped organize the Orange County Black History Parade and Unity Festival, served on the Interfaith Committee and the Orange County Transit Authority, and served as president of the Orange County Ministers Conference.

In 2024, the City of Santa Ana recognized Clark for his contributions to the community. He also received the Orange County Southern Baptist Association Hall of Faith Award and was previously honored as Pastor of the Year by the Orange County Heritage Council.

Clark is survived by his wife, Andrea Joyles Clark; six children, Shawn Williams, Le Ondra Clark Harvey, Kyla Coward, Joshua Clark, Marissa Clark and Ashley Clark; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings; extended family; and the New Spirit Baptist Church congregation.

A wake will be held Thursday, Oct. 1, from 4 to 8 p.m. at New Spirit Baptist Church, 701 S. Sullivan St. in Santa Ana, with a remembrance service from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, Oct. 2, at Friendship Baptist Church, 17145 Bastanchury Road in Yorba Linda. Viewing begins at noon, followed by the service at 1 p.m.

Burial will take place Monday, Oct. 5, at 10:15 a.m. at Riverside National Cemetery.

Clark often shared a guiding principle that shaped his ministry: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”

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Black History

Remembering Chauncey Bailey as Student Journalists Face Threats to Truth-Telling

Nearly two decades ago, Oakland Post reporter and editor-in-chief Chauncey Bailey was tragically murdered for investigating a crooked business. His assassination shocked the journalism world and is remembered as student journalists today face increasing threats and censorship. A former classmate of Bailey and chair of the Student Press Law Center notes a significant rise in calls from students seeking legal advice amid a hostile environment. This situation highlights the importance of protecting young journalists and their pursuit of truth. Read more to learn about Bailey’s legacy and current challenges facing student press.

Published

1 day ago

September 27, 2026

Post News Group

By Steven A. Holmes Special to The Post

It is nearly 20 years since Chauncey Bailey, a crusading journalist, was murdered

on an Oakland street corner, gunned down to prevent him from writing stories about a

crooked business.

I hope people remember Bailey, a reporter and editor-in-chief for the

Oakland Post, the city’s Black newspaper. He had already written several articles about

the problems of a business called Your Muslim Bakery and was working on another

when the bakery’s owner ordered an employee to kill Bailey.

His murder shocked the journalism world that found the idea of an American

reporter killed for doing his job unfathomable. For me, the shock and sadness were also

personal.

I knew Bailey. In the mid-1970s we were classmates in the Michelle Clark Memorial

Foundation program, the precursor to the Institute for Journalism Education Summer

Program. A program, backed by the Ford Foundation, that provided intensive training

for fledgling minority journalism students and then placed them in jobs at newspapers

and television stations.

I’m reminded of Bailey and that program when I visit the East Bay at the end of

September to discuss the future of student journalism. To me, the visit will not only

evoke memories of Bailey. It will also be an opportunity to hone strategies to protect and

support student journalists who are under attack today, maybe not in the way that took away Chauncey Bailey, but an attack, nonetheless.

Spurred by the hostility toward the free press emanating out of Washington, high

school and college journalists are facing a barrage of censorship and harassment from

school administrators and local officials.

The 24-hour hotline staffed by the Student Press Law Center (SPLC), the non-profit I chair, has seen a 35% increase in calls from student journalists seeking legal advice on censorship, libel and copyright issues during the past two years, as well as a tripling in the number of complaints of harassment, including threats of firing, of faculty advisors.

I am not suggesting today’s national climate is as dangerous as the murderous

intentions of Yusef Bey IV, the man who ordered Bailey’s assassination. But the

harassment of student journalists does kill something else. It can destroy the desire of

student journalists to continue their growth to become professional news gatherers and

producers – something the country will always need.

It is that professional maturation that I’m reminded of when I think back on Chauncey

Bailey.

Truth be told, when we were classmates back in 1974 Bailey was the class clown,

known more for his sardonic wit than his writing or reporting talent. I have vivid

memories of Bailey sitting at his desk in the back of the room regaling us with sarcastic

comments. Sure, he was funny.

And he didn’t exhibit the level of reporting skills of our other classmates such as Milton Coleman who went on to be the Deputy Managing Editor of the Washington Post or Alexis Scott who for years has run the Atlanta Daily World.

After a series of reporting jobs in Hartford, Connecticut, Detroit, Michigan, and Oakland, Bailey had risen in talent and skill to helm this very newspaper. A tip from a source led Bailey to look into the possibility that Bey was running Your Muslim Bakery into bankruptcy. Word that Bailey was working on that story filtered back to Bey who ordered the journalist killed.

On August 2, 2007, Bailey was shot three times at point-blank range as he walked to work.

So, when I think of my trip to the East Bay my thoughts go to journalism’s past

represented by Chauncey Bailey’s sacrifice and what the staff and the board of SPLC

can do to secure the current and future work of student journalists.

Steven A. Holmes is a former Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist. His novel “Black Messiahs” was published in May this year.

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Black History

In Wake of Death on Doorstep, Williams Chapel Baptist Church Calls for Better Care, Funding for Unhoused

An unhoused individual was found deceased on the steps of Williams Chapel Baptist Church in East Oakland at approximately 6:30 a.m. Monday. The church, located at 1410 10th Ave., extended condolences to the individual’s family, noting the tragedy reflects a broader crisis. Williams Chapel Baptist Church provides shelter and referral services, working with West Side Missionary Baptist Church. They call for increased funding and collaboration to expand services for unhoused individuals. Read more to learn about the church’s efforts and the call for solutions.

Published

1 day ago

September 27, 2026

Post News Group

Oakland Police and emergency vehicle arrive to Williams Chapel Monday morning. Courtesy photo.

By Special to The Post

Church extends condolences to individual’s family and loved ones

At approximately 6:30 a.m. Monday, an unhoused individual was found deceased on the steps of Williams Chapel Baptist Church, located at 1410 10th Ave. on the corner of 10th and International in East Oakland.

The individual appears to have come to the church seeking safety and may have needed medical support. We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the individual’s family and loved ones.

This tragedy reflects a broader crisis affecting unhoused individuals and families throughout the Bay Area. Too many people are living without reliable shelter or timely access to medical care, mental health support, and other essential services. Limited funding and insufficient resources continue to leave vulnerable people without the help they need.

Williams Chapel Baptist Church, a member of the Interfaith Council of Alameda County, works alongside West Side Missionary Baptist Church to provide safe-haven overnight parking, tiny-home emergency shelter, and wraparound referral services to the unhoused.

With funding, both East and West Oakland sites can increase to full capacity and extend to other congregations, creating more safe places for people living on the streets to seek shelter, support, and connection to services.

We invite government agencies, nonprofit organizations, interfaith communities, businesses, and neighbors to join us in this work. By working together with compassion and purpose, we can develop meaningful solutions and help more people experiencing homelessness receive care, stability, and dignity.