News

Harry Lee Overstreet Renowned Berkeley Architect, 84

Published

4 years ago

December 12, 2019

The owner of Gerson/Overstreet Architects, Mr. Harry Overstreet, has died at the age of 81.

The Conehatta, Miss., native had been integrally involved with the field of architecture for more than 40 years and had experience in all aspects of architectural services, including urban design, and the master planning for highly complex projects.

His firm was known for architectural design, architectural drawings, bathroom design, floor plans, landscape plans, living room design, space planning and sustainable design in Oakland and surrounding areas

Overstreet’s legacy lives on in the San Francisco Bay Area. He and long-time business partners Hans and Tim Gerson developed Gerson-Overstreet Architects in 1968, where he was the managing minority partner. Harry, Hans and Tim designed the renovations and retrofitted prominent public institutions including schools, housing complexes and cultural centers across northern and southern California.

The legacy of Gerson-Overstreet dates back to the design of the reconstruction of the Palace of Fine Arts. Gerson-Overstreet’s most notable projects include Boarding Area A at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), the Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland, the Mechanics Institute Library, the Martin Luther King Jr. Swimming Pool in the Bayview District, the Bayview Opera House, and two underground tunnels connecting the SFO parking garage to the South Terminal that are decorated with steel panel artwork designed by artist Joe Overstreet.

Harry was a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and served as the 13th president of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). He is credited for the initial emphasis placed on students during his term.

Overstreet was an active community member in Berkeley. He served on the Planning Commission for the City of Berkeley, NAACP, and was an advocate for the desegregation of the Berkeley Unified School District.

Overstreet was a loving father of four and grandfather of three. He resided in Berkeley with his sister LaVerda O. Allen and son Anthony (Tony) Overstreet. His most memorable moments included spending time with his extended family. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, honest opinion, intelligence creativity, and loving personality.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Cleo Overstreet, and brother Joe Overstreet.

Overstreet is survived by his four children: Tony Overstreet, Harry Overstreet II, Nile Overstreet and Niah Overstreet; grandchildren Naomi Overstreet, Myah Overstreet and Harry Overstreet III; the mothers of his children Maxine Overstreet and Yolanda Davis-Overstreet; his long-time companion Joyce Gordon; his sister LaVerda Allen; and nieces and nephews.

The memorial service was held on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, at McGee Avenue Baptist Church, 1640 Stuart St.

The family has requested that Harry Overstreet, SFNOMA, be honored by sending a donation to the San Francisco Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects.

Saskia Hatvany

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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

6 days ago

April 26, 2024

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Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

Published

2 weeks ago

April 19, 2024

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California Black Media

Yahushua’s Law: Senate Advances Bill to Protect Students from Extreme Weather

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3. The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Yahushua Nyerere Robinson (Courtesy Photo)

By California Black Media

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3.

The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Authored by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) and co-authored by Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. (D-La Mesa), SB 1248 directs the California Department of Education to develop comprehensive guidelines for schools regarding student activity during all extreme weather conditions.

“No student should ever lose their life on campus to extreme weather when we can take steps to protect them by preparing statewide plans to minimize exposure to the most harmful elements of exposure,” Hurtado said after introducing SB 1248.

The bill stipulates that schools must implement safety measures which include monitoring weather forecasts, postponing or relocating outdoor activities during hazardous conditions, and ensuring students have proper hydration and access to shade. It also requires schools to establish clear communication plans to keep parents, teachers, and students informed about potential weather hazards.

Supporters of the bill include the Robinson family, advocate Christina Laster, Bold Enterprises LLC, California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute, Familias Empoderadas del Valle Central National Action Network, The Black Student Advocate, and the Ventura County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Thanking Hurtado for introducing this crucial legislation, Weber said, “The story of Yahushua Robinson last year was heartbreaking. We have protections for farm workers and other industries in the case of extreme weather, now climate change is forcing us to also extend similar protections to students at school.”