Community
OUSD Celebrates Gender Diversity
Students from across Oakland came together recently for an event that celebrates the city’s well-known diversity.
It was OUSD’s Fifth Annual Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Day when all young people were welcomed into a safe space where they could express who they are. “This event means a lot to our students because it allows them to be themselves and be free and be in a very supportive space with a bunch of allies,” said Relonda McGhee, who advises the GSA club at McClymonds High School.
Designed to increase community building and decrease social isolation by meeting other LGBTQ students and their allies within the district, the community celebration featured activities and workshops that aim to increase the health and wellness of all participants.
“I think a lot of people are afraid that because of the environment that our president creates, and just the things that are now OK and acceptable to do and say, as he is our president, makes the country feel unsafe and makes a lot of people feel unsafe and feel that they will be rejected or beaten or things like that, physically attacked,” said Molly Lee, a junior at Oakland Technical High School. “So, it’s especially important that we have these very safe environments where you know people are going to accept you and going to respect you.”
At GSA Day, adults and students lead workshops on topics such as: being LGBTQ and of Color, being LGBTQ and a person of faith, coming out to friends and family, gender/non-binary student support, and how to be an amazing ally. “I think that for different people, there are certain circumstances where they don’t feel safe, as in any public area. Because not everybody will share the same ideals, or be as open to who you are as a being,” said Toni Bazalaki, a senior at Street Academy. “And here, we’re built around making connections with people and communicating on a deeper level.”
The Gender & Sexuality Alliance clubs exist at almost every middle and high school in OUSD to bring students closer together.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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