Community

Adamika Village’s Daryle Allums Leads “Stop Killing Our Kids Movement” in Oakland

Published

7 years ago

August 6, 2017

One of those who will step up to work on the city’s new Department for Violence Prevention is CEO of Adamika Village, Daryle Allums, who will serve on the department’s board.

“Adamika, which in Swahili means “pure love,” is dedicated to helping people located in “deep Oakland” and beyond, who are losing their kids to violence and human trafficking,” said Allums.

“We have so much work to do that we need more foot soldiers, money and resources,” he said. “Our organization has accomplished a lot but with more people and resources we can do a lot more.”

Adamika Village was instrumental in supporting the Cheraka Wright family after Ms. Wright and her 22-month- old baby, Kayorie Wright, were shot in separate incidents.

Allums advocated for the Wright children, calling for them to be placed with the grandfather who was a pastor rather than to Child Protective Services.

“The last thing we want is for our children to become a part of the system. We want families to stay together.” Allums explained.

Adamika Village held a prayer vigil at Highland Hospital for 21-year old Devonte M. Thomas, Oakland’s first homicide of 2017. Allums aided the survivors of the March 27 West Oakland Fire, providing clothing and food and set up a committee that raised $50,000.
He talks to women on the streets with a message of hope and escape, even giving them money to take back so they don’t get in trouble.

Most Adamika Village members are mothers who have lost their children to violence. Adamika hosts an annual “Kings and Queens” celebration at Word Assembly Family Church to acknowledge leaders and supporters of their movement. Gang wars, bullying, human trafficking, mental illness and the homeless crisis are constant issues Adamika addresses.

The organization partnered with Youth Uprising to aid mentally ill residents and support them through the process, and work with activist Ken Houston to aid the homeless by feeding, clothing and tapping into problems to find solutions. Allums, a former drug dealer and addict, uses his history to his advantage.

“Even though we are a 501(3) (C) organization, the only people currently funding my organization are drug dealers or former drug dealers who admire what I’m doing out here in these streets,” he said.

He frequently can be seen on the corner of 90th Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard, alone in his wheelchair, handing out flyers to police, bus drivers or passing citizens. Allums, who suffers from Lupus, decided he had a choice. He could succumb to the disease or fight for “his kids.”

“In all humility, the disease of Lupus has not defined me. Rather, I give all glory to God who has shaped me, defined me and has given me purpose to form Adamika Village.”

For more information or to contribute to Adamika Village go to their Facebook page or call (510) 529-1477. Adamika Village is located at 801 Franklin Avenue Suite 504 in Oakland.

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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

2 days ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

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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

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.