Community

Comcast Bridges the Digital Divide at Prescott Elementary School

Published

8 years ago

September 23, 2016

Comcast gave away free computers this week to every family at Prescott Elementary School, which is located at 920 Campbell St. in West Oakland.

Before the give-a-way, Comcast’s Chief of Diversity and Senior Vice President David L. Cohen introduced the company’s Internet Essentials program, which is working to end the digital divide.

Created to help bridge the division between families who have access to today’s technology tools and those who do not, Internet Essentials provides affordable high-speed Internet service to families for less than $10 per month.

Cohen, addressing a standing room only crowd, said, “The question of the day is, why is Internet Essentials important to you? The answer is, that it’s important because a third of all Americans don’t have access to the Internet to do their homework.”

“We are opening our program to give Internet access to all people who are living in HUD housing, who have Section 8,” he said. “We have connected 4,000 in the Oakland community, and 40,000 more are eligible for the program. We’re working with non-profits to bring the internet to every household.”

Four-time world champion and six-time Olympic medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee is the national spokeswoman for Comcast’s Internet Essentials Program and has established a non-profit and similar program in her hometown of East St. Louis.

“The underserved are always overlooked, but the Internet Essentials program is bridging that gap,” she said. “If you give the world the best you have, the best will come back to you, and we’re here to enable students to look ahead and prepare rather than look back and regret.”

Superintendent Antwan Wilson said, “The cradle-to-college support we’ve instituted throughout the district is predicated on all students having access to the Internet. Our mission is to offer wrap around support for our students so that every students experiences joy in academic success as they are placed in a position to be successful.”

Darius Atkins, an 11th grader from Oakland High School says having access to the Internet gives him the ability to fulfill his dreams. “Who knows, maybe one day I’ll be Mayor of Oakland.”

Darius received a free laptop computer and one year of free Internet.

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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

1 day 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

5 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

5 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.