Community

Op-Ed: Creating Pathways of Success

Published

8 years ago

July 21, 2016

By Congresswoman Barbara Lee

Since taking the oath of office, President Obama has achieved a lot, at home and abroad.

He brought our economy back from the brink of a great depression, reduced unemployment to less than five percent and oversaw 76 consecutive months of private sector job growth.

On the global stage, he negotiated a deal that prevented Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, opened a new chapter in US-Cuba relations and strengthened our ties with African nations.

There is no question that his legacy as one of our nation’s greatest presidents is secure.

But perhaps is most lasting legacy in our community will be his work to uplift and empower young African Americans. For the first time, our nation is addressing the systemic issues that create unfair barriers for young people of color.

Critically, he established the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative and brought key players, from private industry, non-profits and public office, together to empower young men of color.

I’m so proud to have supported this groundbreaking initiative. As a mother and grandmother, this issue is particularly relevant to me.

And as a Member of Congress, I am so proud to have the first Boys & Men of Color Summit hosted in Oakland.

This summit is another important step toward expanding access to opportunity and improving the lives of our young people and our community. But it is also a call to action for us to actively participate in the preparing young men of color to succeed.

Far too often, young people of color, especially young men, are written off. Whether it’s the media or government officials, young men of color face a nearly insurmountable double standard. At the same time, communities of color suffer from a criminal lack of investment and prioritization.

From health disparities and education to higher unemployment rates and police brutality, men of color are shortchanged at every turn.

That is why the President’s leadership in creating My Brother’s Keeper is so important.

Instead of writing off these young men, this program creates access to opportunity. By setting up young men of color for success, our communities can thrive and the economy will grow.

Since its inception in 2014, nearly 50 communities in every state have accepted the My Brother’s Keeper challenge to ensure that all young people—no matter who they are, where they come from, or the circumstances into which they are born—can achieve their full potential.

This is a challenge that I and others have accepted. Will you?

Already, more than $600 million in private and philanthropic grants have been committed to ensure every child has a clear pathway of success from cradle to college to career.

While we are making process, our work is far from over.

As this summit kicks off, we must continue to work, collectively and collaboratively, to create paths of success so young people of color can realize their full potential.

Oakland Post

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Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

3 days ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

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.

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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

6 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

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City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Published

6 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.