Berkeley

Assemblymembers Thurmond and Chiu Oppose Immigration Raids, Announce Services for Immigrants

Published

11 years ago

February 1, 2016

Assemblymembers Tony Thurmond (D-Richmond) and David Chiu (D-San Francisco), representing the California Latino Legislative Caucuses and the California Asian Pacific Islander (API) Legislative Caucus respectively, have joined community organizations to announce the final recipients of “One California” grants to provide nonprofit legal services to immigrants and also came together to oppose federal actions against immigrant communities.

During last year’s state budget process, the California Latino Legislative Caucus and the California API Legislative Caucus created the One California program, securing $15 million to develop a community-based model that will assist eligible immigrants in applying for citizenship or deferred action.

“In California, immigrants and their children make up over 42 percent of our population and contribute tremendously to our economy across industries and regions,” said Assemblymember Thurmond, chair of Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health and Human Services and a member of the California Latino Legislative Latino Caucus and California Legislative Black Caucus.

“When we support immigrants it translates into economic growth and inclusive communities for California. This is a down payment to a long-term investment,” he said.

“One California will help our immigrant communities navigate our broken immigration system,” said Assemblymember Chiu, policy chair of the API Legislative Caucus. “With almost 2.5 million Californians eligible for citizenship, these services from trusted community-based organizations will prove crucial in keeping California the inclusive state that we all love.”

One California relief will empower more than 44,000 lawful permanent residents to seek citizenship, buy homes, engage, and invest in their neighborhoods and communities. One California will reduce the insecurity of immigrants and boost the security and educational achievement of our state’s future workers and leaders.

“Immigrants are the fabric of this nation, especially around San Francisco Bay,” said Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Vice Chair of the API Legislative Caucus. “I come from a family of immigrants who came here to pursue the American Dream and create a better life. Every immigrant shares these same hopes and deserves the chance to make them a reality. We must help keep immigrant families whole to help them succeed and welcome them as new arrivals contributing to the greatness of our state.”

“With this funding, Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA) will be able to expand our capacity for outreach and referrals to help low-income, limited English proficient, community members access critical services so that they do not fall prey to fraudulent services and misinformation, which we see happen all too often,” said Annette Wong, Immigration Rights Program Manager for CAA.

“Support from One California is critically important because these resources will help us do more to provide assistance to immigrants who need it,” said María-Victoria Castro, Interim Executive, La Raza Centro Legal. “Ultimately, we are better able to help immigrants fully participate, and feel safe in our communities.”

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) created an application process for the One California program in 2015 and tentatively awarded $15 million for partnerships with nonprofit organizations with strong ties to immigrant communities to provide assistance in one or more of the following five service categories: (1) DACA; (2) DAPA; (3) Naturalization Application Assistance; (4) Legal Training and Technical Assistance Services; and (5) Education and Outreach Activities.

At an event on Friday, Assemblymembers Thurmond and Chiu also released a letter to the federal government signed by 44 state legislators calling for an end to immigration raids by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency against victims of violence in their home countries.

Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León and Assembly Speaker-elect Anthony Rendon joined members of the California Latino and Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucuses at a similar event in Los Angeles to highlight the grantees that will be providing services through the One California program.

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Activism

Black Repertory Group Needs Volunteers to Help Shape the Next Generation of Artists and Leaders

Legendary performers such as Whoopi Goldberg and Danny Glover worked with and were inspired by BRG’s founders. More recently, Grammy award-winning artist Kehlani attended the Black Repertory Group Summer Day Camp for several years.

Published

3 months ago

June 26, 2026

Oakland Post

Courtesy image.

By Sean Vaughn Scott, Special to The Post

For more than 60 years, the Black Repertory Group (BRG) has changed lives through the arts.

Founded in 1964 by educators and visionaries Birel L. Vaughn and Nora Vaughn, BRG has become one of America’s oldest continuously operating Black theater institutions. For generations, it has preserved culture, developed talent, and provided opportunities for young people to discover their voices and their potential.

The results speak for themselves.

Long before international recognition, Kehlani performed on the BRG stage. During a summer day camp production of “Princess and da Frog,” she portrayed Ray, the lovable firefly whose light guided others through the darkness. Her journey is proof that today’s camper may become tomorrow’s artist, entrepreneur, educator, or leader.

Located at 3201 Adeline St. in Berkeley, BRG continues that mission through its Youth Summer Day Camp of the Arts.

BRG is currently accepting applications and maintains an open enrollment program. Students may enroll throughout the summer as space permits and immediately become part of the BRG family.

We are also proud to be a multicultural opportunity program, welcoming children and families from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities. Through theater, music, dance, public speaking, visual arts, technical theater, and leadership development, students gain confidence, discipline, creativity, and lifelong skills.

As our programs grow, so does our need for volunteers.

We are seeking community members to assist with youth mentoring, registration, costumes, set construction, painting, props, ushering, photography, social media, marketing, technical theater, and fundraising activities. Whether you volunteer for a few hours or throughout the season, your support directly impacts the lives of young people.

BRG also partners with churches, civic organizations, alumni associations, fraternities, sororities, and community groups through theater party fundraisers, group sales, and buy-out performances. These partnerships have helped organizations raise funds while supporting arts and cultural programming.

The theater also serves as the home of the Berkeley NAACP Chapter, which meets every second Saturday of the month from 1 to 3 p.m.

For more than six decades, the Black Repertory Group has remained committed to one belief: every child deserves an opportunity to shine.

The next great artist may already be among us.

The next Kehlani may already be walking through our doors.

We invite you to volunteer, enroll, participate, and become part of the legacy.

For more information please go to www.blackrepertorygroup.com, call (510) 652-2120, or email info@blackrepertorygroup.com

Sean Vaughn Scott is the director of the Black Repertory Group.

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Bay Area

UC Berkeley Named Top Public University in the U.S. and No. 7 in the World by ‘U.S. News’

Berkeley has been consistently awarded the distinction of the U.S.’s top public university since the Best Global Universities list was first published in 2014. “A strong position in the Best Global Universities rankings recognizes a school’s profound commitment to world-class research and cross-border academic excellence,” said LaMont Jones, managing editor for education at U.S. News.

Published

4 months ago

June 24, 2026

Oakland Post

Photo by Keegan Houser/UC Berkeley.

The 2026 Best Global Universities rankings evaluated 2,250 research institutions from more than 100 countries

By Lila Thulin

U.S. News & World Report has ranked UC Berkeley No. 7 in its 2026 list of the best global universities, which assesses more than 2,250 research institutions worldwide.

Berkeley also claimed the honor of top public university in the U.S.

Released on Monday, the list evaluates universities from more than 100 countries on 13 metrics such as global and research reputation (as reported by academics and peers) and number of highly cited scholarly papers.

Berkeley has been consistently awarded the distinction of the U.S.’s top public university since the Best Global Universities list was first published in 2014.

“A strong position in the Best Global Universities rankings recognizes a school’s profound commitment to world-class research and cross-border academic excellence,” said LaMont Jones, managing editor for education at U.S. News.

The rankings also assess a university’s strength in various subject areas; these assessments are separate from U.S. News’ 2026 Best Graduate Programs rankings released in April.

This year, Berkeley was named in the top three nationally in seven subject areas – environment/ecology, ecology, water resources, physics, computer science, chemistry, and engineering – and in the top five for a total of 17 subjects. Subject rankings are based heavily on scholarly publications and citations as well as reputation.

In September, U.S. News also released its 2026 Best Colleges list, in which Berkeley was also named the No. 1 public institution among American universities.

That honor joins other accolades judging campus to be the best public university in the country, such as those from Forbes, The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education.

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Arts and Culture

Farwest Region Deltas Celebrate Centennial With “September Breakfast” Honoring Vivian Osborne Marsh

The region was established in 1925 under the leadership of Vivian Osborne Marsh, who became its first Regional Director. Marsh was a pioneering scholar and civic leader, earning recognition as the first Black woman to receive both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in anthropology from UC Berkeley.

Published

1 year ago

September 14, 2025

Oakland Post

Farwest Regional Director, Kimberly Usher, Mayor Barbara Lee, US Representative Lateefah Simon, and Farwest Regional Representative, Radiya Ajibade. Photo courtesy of Farwest Regional Photographer Vicki P. Love.

By Antoinette Porter

Hundreds of members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and their guests gathered at the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Union at the University of California, Berkeley, to mark the 100th anniversary of the sorority’s Farwest Region.

Marsh went on to serve as Delta Sigma Theta’s 7th National President, where she launched the sorority’s National Library Project to expand access to books in underserved Black communities in the South. During her presidency, the organization also became a prominent voice in the civil rights movement, lobbying Congress to pass anti-lynching legislation.

Bak in the Bay Area, Marsh devoted her career to advancing educational opportunities, mentoring young people, and strengthening community life. That commitment continues to shape the region, which supports initiatives in education, social justice, and economic development. Current projects include raising scholarship funds for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, voter education campaigns, and health and wellness programs.

A century after its founding, the Farwest Region of Delta Sigma Theta remains active across California and other western states, carrying forward Marsh’s vision of service and advocacy.