News
People’s Pitch Empowers Young Entrepreneurs
Project Beanstalk co-founders Glenn Ray Brooks and Isaiah Johnson presented their business idea to a host of panelist judges and advisers at the People’s Pitch Event at the Kapor Center for Social Justice. The duo won $2000 to start their gaming business.
The People’s Pitch event was the place to be for those wanting to meet problem solvers and innovators of the future. Sponsored by Youth Impact Hub in Oakland at the Kapor Center for Social Justice on Thursday, May 24, about 10 millennials ages 18-24 stood before an audience of mentors, educators, venture capitalists, family members and the extended social justice network to share their business plans.
Competing for $1000, the 2018 Youth Hub Fellows presented their three-minute slide shows and enthusiasm for a solution-focused business that would both make money and improve society.
“In collaboration with Youth Business USA and the City of Oakland, our mission is to prepare, launch and grow 100 or more underrepresented young entrepreneurs in Oakland each year,” said Gino Pastori-Ng, Youth Impact Hub Co-Founder.
Prior to the pitch event, fellows took part in a comprehensive year-long social entrepreneurship training and implementation program. Housed at United Roots, the program supports emerging leaders of color from low income areas to create an equitable life-affirming economy by providing socially innovative training, co-working space, and access to networks and resources.
From natural hair care products to tennis shoe cleaning to 3-D printing, the youth demonstrated their desire to make their mark on the world immediately. Participants included Sole2soul, Russell Agustin and Rodolfo James III Agustin, Black Camera Productions, Jean Black and Plan U’s Tria Villanueva. The companies respectively sought to provide athletic shoes and promote a healthy lifestyle to underserved youth, create positive images for people of color and designing a schedule that keeps students organized.
Maleik Dion created BAYAF, to uplift Bay Area artists in the media while Alberto Ibarra dreamed of training minority youth the art of 3-D printing. Dion’s sister Jada Imani, chanted “Get Free – Get Money.” “Being entreprenuer is freedom,” said Imani who co-founded Tatu Vision with Dion. “With my 3-D company, I want to teach youth how to make accessories like cell phone covers and household products so they can sell them for a profit,” said Ibarra.
Shavon Moore of Bright Future’s Music sang throughout her presentation while James Green of Fix My Kicks designed a company that will restore sneakers and prevent them from entering landfills that harm the environment.
Jasmine Curtis of AvoCurl shared how harmful chemicals are in the thousands of unregulated beauty products that Black women worldwide utilize without knowing the dangers. “I began AvoCurl because in Europe 1300 chemicals are banned in our hair care products, but in our own country only 30 are banned,” said Curtis. “I want to ensure women of color have safe products and my products are so natural that they have to be refrigerated prior to use.”
Kabreshiona Smith began her company Move with the Breeze to promote healing practices among African Americans. “In our neighborhoods we either have food deserts (no grocery stores) or low quality foods (fast foods) available,’ she said. “I want to change that by providing healthy food and holistic practices.”
After half of the competitors won $1000 each, a venture capitalist announced that he would give each of the 10 companies $1000. At that point the event turned into an all out jubilee as youth and their mentors celebrated with them. Project Beanstalk co-founders Isaiah Johnson and Glenn Ray Brooks were competition winners and were thrilled to win the additional $1000 to start their business. “African Americans in the gaming sector is a huge opportunity and we are grateful to our mentors who have helped us,” said Brooks.
Panelists that advised the entrepreneurs after their presentations included; Tope Alabi and Lili Gangas of the Kapor Center, Clayton Bryan, 500 Startups, Lisa Gelobter, tEQuitable, Nayelli Gonzalez, Creators Circle, Brandon Nicholson, The Hidden Genius Project, Ismail Maiyegun, Hingeto, Mireya Smith Mojica, Bling, Claire Shorall, Neo, Niles Lichtenstein, Enwoven and Don Loeb of Tech Stars. Sinclair Wu, Education Social Entrepreneurship & Intl. Tech Collaboration, Meghan Freebeck, Simply the Basics, Sharla Turner, Gary Reeves, Andranee Nabors along with Kate Karniouchina Dean of Lorry I. Lokey School of Business and Public Policy also participated.
“Tonight everyone is a winner,” said Co-Facilitator Destiny Iwouoma with a.b. and Jasmine Stallworth. For more information, contact Youth Hub staff and creators; Galen Silvestri, Demario Lewis, Tammy Chan, Javiera Torres and Amanda Greene at www.youthimpacthub.org
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of September 2 – 8, 2026
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of September 2 – 8, 2026
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.
#NNPA BlackPress
Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association
The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”
The post The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.” appeared first on BlackPressUSA.
Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association
The East Oakland Boxing Association (EOBA) and Youth Alive! came together on Aug. 21 to share with their community all that Black August means to them.
Held on EOBA’s patio at 816 98th Ave. in Deep East Oakland, the two organizations hosted their second annual Black August Experience, featuring a food tasting, financial literacy and mindfulness workshops, and voter registration with the League of Women Voters Oakland (LWV).
Black August is known as a time to uphold the legacy of prisoners who protested their conditions by fasting, fighting, and educating themselves on the economic and political circumstances that contributed to their incarceration.
According to its website, “EOBA is a multi-service youth and community development hub that goes far beyond the ring. While rooted in the discipline of boxing, for nearly 40 years EOBA has also integrated robust programs in workforce development, food justice, afterschool enrichment, financial literacy, mentorship, and wellness.”.
The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”
Through Coro California, another leadership organization serving young people across the state for 80 years, they gained a broader understanding of Black August.
EOBA Executive Director Dawna Williams spoke about how much she learned about Black August from the youth who created it. “I let them educate me,” she said. Instead of talking about prison reform and mass incarceration, Williams and youth interns found that Black August meant so much more. “We would have done a disservice if we had just focused on who the people were and what their situation was…We tried to take their message from back in the day and make it relevant to the young people today. What do they need to know?”
Youth interns created and placed posters around the patio to help participants understand how traditional Black foodways, civic engagement, financial literacy, and the power of education are relevant to Black resistance today.
An EOBA member described Black August with Youth ALIVE! as “a whole vibe. “This year we added the Fun Zone for the kids, because you really cannot go wrong with a Fun Zone. I also loved seeing everyone chillin’ in the outdoor lounge, catching some Vitamin D and just enjoying a Friday evening together.”
The food tasting, a popular event from last year, featured traditional Black foods such as black-eyed peas, johnny cakes, and fried chicken. Led by Williams, the tasting included a talk about how these traditional foods were made and why they are forms of Black resilience.
The “‘Plate of History’ was a favorite of the online writers. “Fun, educational, and did I mention delicious? Our Taste of History cook, Angela Southall, served up some good eats while connecting food to history and culture.”
The writer also commended the “League of Women Voters Oakland for their civic leadership and for getting our young people informed, ready, and registered to vote.”
Overall, it was a “good Friday event in East Oakland,” the writer said.
Upcoming Black August events: Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), will host “Black August: The Arc of Liberation” at Oakland City Hall on Sat. Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The websites for East Oakland Boxing Association, Youth Alive! and CORO are sources for this report.
Jana Lang is an Oakland resident, teacher, gardener and poet participating in the Propel News Initiative.
The post The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.” appeared first on BlackPressUSA.
Activism
Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association
The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”
Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association
The East Oakland Boxing Association (EOBA) and Youth Alive! came together on Aug. 21 to share with their community all that Black August means to them.
Held on EOBA’s patio at 816 98th Ave. in Deep East Oakland, the two organizations hosted their second annual Black August Experience, featuring a food tasting, financial literacy and mindfulness workshops, and voter registration with the League of Women Voters Oakland (LWV).
Black August is known as a time to uphold the legacy of prisoners who protested their conditions by fasting, fighting, and educating themselves on the economic and political circumstances that contributed to their incarceration.
According to its website, “EOBA is a multi-service youth and community development hub that goes far beyond the ring. While rooted in the discipline of boxing, for nearly 40 years EOBA has also integrated robust programs in workforce development, food justice, afterschool enrichment, financial literacy, mentorship, and wellness.”.
The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”
Through Coro California, another leadership organization serving young people across the state for 80 years, they gained a broader understanding of Black August.
EOBA Executive Director Dawna Williams spoke about how much she learned about Black August from the youth who created it. “I let them educate me,” she said. Instead of talking about prison reform and mass incarceration, Williams and youth interns found that Black August meant so much more. “We would have done a disservice if we had just focused on who the people were and what their situation was…We tried to take their message from back in the day and make it relevant to the young people today. What do they need to know?”
Youth interns created and placed posters around the patio to help participants understand how traditional Black foodways, civic engagement, financial literacy, and the power of education are relevant to Black resistance today.
An EOBA member described Black August with Youth ALIVE! as “a whole vibe. “This year we added the Fun Zone for the kids, because you really cannot go wrong with a Fun Zone. I also loved seeing everyone chillin’ in the outdoor lounge, catching some Vitamin D and just enjoying a Friday evening together.”
The food tasting, a popular event from last year, featured traditional Black foods such as black-eyed peas, johnny cakes, and fried chicken. Led by Williams, the tasting included a talk about how these traditional foods were made and why they are forms of Black resilience.
The “‘Plate of History’ was a favorite of the online writers. “Fun, educational, and did I mention delicious? Our Taste of History cook, Angela Southall, served up some good eats while connecting food to history and culture.”
The writer also commended the “League of Women Voters Oakland for their civic leadership and for getting our young people informed, ready, and registered to vote.”
Overall, it was a “good Friday event in East Oakland,” the writer said.
Upcoming Black August events: Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), will host “Black August: The Arc of Liberation” at Oakland City Hall on Sat. Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The websites for East Oakland Boxing Association, Youth Alive! and CORO are sources for this report.
Jana Lang is an Oakland resident, teacher, gardener and poet participating in the Propel News Initiative.
Prostate Cancer is Twice as Likely to Kill Black Men. Talking to Your Doctor Could Help Save Your Life
Oakland Post: Week of September 2 – 8, 2026
Longtime BWOPA Member Brendalyn Goodall Appointed to California Workforce Development Board
Jackie Wright Champions Bay Area Stories, Filmmakers and Cultural Institutions
Chef Sharon Lee Blends Culinary Excellence, Education and Empowerment
‘Passing a Law Isn’t The Finish Line’: California Assembly Evaluates Implementation, Results
OPINION: Angie Nixon Will Turn You Into a Democratic Socialist If Donald Trump Hasn’t Already
Gov. Newsom Signs Law Shielding Immigration Aid Workers From Doxing Threats
BOOK REVIEW: Every Inch of a Lady
Big City Mayors Ask for “Yes” Vote on Housing Bond Measure; Conservatives Say “No”
Madeline M. Turner: The Inventor Who Made Juicing Easier
Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Blasts California New Tire Rules; Newsom Hits Back
Frontier Airlines’ Return to Oakland Airport Brings Flights, Jobs and Opportunity
Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber Urges Californians to Vote Early as Voter ID Battle Intensifies
Gov. Newsom’s Latest Appointees Include Sacramento Advocate for Formerly Incarcerated Students; State’s New Tech Chief
Department of Homeland Security Demands California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber Scrub Voter Rolls
New Judge Could Decide if Karmelo Anthony Gets a New Trial
“The Power to See Threats Sooner”: Gov. Newsom, Safety Officials Showcase California’s Investments in Hi-Tech Wildfire Prevention
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Celebrates New North Atlantic Regional Director
California Sen. Padilla Joins Colleagues to Introduce Bill Imposing Term Limits on Supreme Court Justices
Less Affluent School Districts, Including Sacramento City, Face Threat of State Takeover
Car Wash Workers Cope with Lingering Impacts of ICE Raids
COMMENTARY: You Are Already Paying for the AI Boom
California Bill Would Let Abuse Victims Use Trauma as Legal Defense for Violent Crime
Oakland Post: Week of July 29 – August 4, 2026
How Oakland’s Courtsmith is Scaling its Business and Local Impact
ESSAY: California Can Close Its Colorectal Cancer Gap
As Part of Your Back-to- School Checklist, Vaccinate
Oakland Post: Week of August 5 – 11, 2026
Oakland ‘Port Serves as a Powerful Engine for Good Jobs and Economic Development
The Conversation With Al McFarlane 6/23/26
Media Monday 6/22/26
LIVE! ASK ALMA! — TUES. 6.23.26 7PM EST
Car Buying Secrets: 4 Hidden Checks Before You Sign!
Is This 550 HP Charger Worth YOUR Money? AutoNetwork Review
Celebrating Juneteenth – Frederick Douglass on education and resistance
LIVE! — ASK ALMA! — TUES. 6.19.26 7PM EST
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Parking, Safety, and 360 View #shorts
2025 Ioniq 5 New Wiper & Powerful Performance! #shorts
Electric SUV Range: Is 259 Miles Enough? #shorts
EV Charging: How Fast Can You Charge an Electric Vehicle? #shorts
Biometric Cooling… Messaging Seats…Come on! 2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph 4WD
Charged Up: Witness the Magic of a Fully Electric Car! #shorts
Range Rover Sport PHEV Included…: See What’s Inside This Luxury SUV! #shorts
Invisible Hood View: Perfect Parking with X-Ray Vision! #shorts
-
Community4 weeks agoLess Affluent School Districts, Including Sacramento City, Face Threat of State Takeover
-
Commentary4 weeks agoESSAY: California Can Close Its Colorectal Cancer Gap
-
Business4 weeks agoCalifornia Hispanic Chambers of Commerce Unveils: ‘Powering the Future’ Theme for 47th Annual Statewide Convention
-
Community4 weeks agoFour Candidates, Including Incumbent Barbara Lee, Qualify for Oakland Mayor’s Race
-
Activism4 weeks agoOakland Post: Week of August 12 – 18, 2026
-
Business4 weeks agoFrom Blueprint to Breakthrough: Tackling Affordable Housing in Oakland
-
Black History4 weeks agoOakland Observes Black August with Block Parties, Film Showings, Workshops
-
Commentary4 weeks agoCOMMENTARY: Why Local School Tax Measure G1 Will Not Be on the November Ballot
