Activism

College Student Advises Local High Schoolers on How to Survive Pandemic

Published

3 years ago

December 11, 2020

Kiki

Akil Riley

Teenagers are facing a particular set of serious issues in the midst of the pandemic, and many may not know where to find a helpful advisor as they wrestle with family illnesses, inability to find jobs in the midst of the shutdown, difficulties in applying for college or uncertainty on how to continue a university education that has been interrupted.

“We recognize that a lot of young people, especially seniors in high school, are discouraged and frustrated. With all the disruptions, some students are having trouble passing advanced classes, schools are not holding regular graduations, and colleges are not open for visits, ” said Kitty Kelly Epstein, interim chair of the board of the Oakland Private Industry Council.

That’s why PIC applied for and received a federal stimulus CARES Act grant through the City of Oakland to temporarily hire a young leader who can reach out to high school students in their virtual classes to answer questions, provide resources and encouragement at this difficult time.

“We thought it would be useful have someone closer to their age and facing similar obstacles talking about the things they actually can do right now,” said Epstein.

PIC hired Akil Riley to do the outreach. He will be meeting with students online until December 18 when school ends for the holidays. Under the law, the funding is short term. The stimulus money must be spent by December 30.

Riley, 19, is a graduate of Oakland Technical High School and a sophomore at the Historically Black College, Howard University. He is continuing his college classes from home. Music is his passion, and he talks a lot about how important it is to go to college, because you can find your true passion there.

In June, Riley and a co-organizer led a march of 15,000 students in Oakland protesting the police killing of George Floyd.

In an interview with the Oakland Post, Riley said he has already met with an Oakland Street Academy class and is set to have meetings with students at other schools.

“I give them resources: about jobs, about applying for college and how to access the food bank. I try to relate to the coronavirus; how hard it can be to keep going at this time. Not many people have tried to talk to them.”

A lot of the information that students pick up casually while being in a physical school environment is less likely to get communicated when they are at a distance from their peers and adults.

One of the biggest stresses students face is loss of their social network, said Riley, “It’s been nine months of not being able to see other. It’s important to keep going to look for a job and to talk to your friends and to find safe ways to stay in contact with them,” he said.

Kiki

Posts by Kiki | Website

Up Next

Reflections on 12 years of Service on the OUSD school board

Don't Miss

U.S. Congressman Jim Clyburn Says Gov. Newsom Must Appoint Black Woman to U.S. Senate

Kiki

Click to comment

Activism

Calif. Anti-Sex Trafficking Advocates Discuss Competing Bills, Strategies

Advocates from across California are challenging state officials and community leaders to support legislation that provides resources and services for survivors and victims of human trafficking, as well as assistance as they transition back into civil society.  Some of those advocates are also calling for more effective state policy to curtail trafficking, a crime that has an outsized impact on Black children, particularly girls.

Published

6 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Oakland Post

Shutterstock

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Some of those advocates are also calling for more effective state policy to curtail trafficking, a crime that has an outsized impact on Black children, particularly girls.

According to the FBI, a report covering a two-year period found Black children accounted for 57% of all juvenile arrests for prostitution. In addition, 40% of sex trafficking victims were Black and 60% of those victims had been enrolled in the foster care system.

“It is time to hold the perpetrators who take advantage of our children accountable,” said the Rev. Shane Harris, a San Diego-based activist, former foster youth and founder of the Peoples Association of Justice Advocates, (PAJA), a national civil rights organization and policy think tank.

“It is time to send a thorough message that if you seek to buy a child for sex, you will pay the highest criminal penalties in this state,” added Harris who was speaking at a rally at the State Capitol earlier this month. Harris was speaking in support of Senate Bill 1414, authored by Sen. Shannon Grove (D-Bakersfield), which calls for people who buy sex from minors to be punished with a felony. The punishment includes a two-year prison sentence and a $25,000 fine.

Harris said the PAJA is the only civil rights organization in the state that supports SB 1414.

Harris urged other Black-led groups who favor anti-trafficking legislation more focused on criminal justice reforms (as opposed to stiffer penalties), to “join the movement.”

Many of those civil rights groups fear that SB 1414 could lead to the incarceration of more Black youth.

Those sentiments were echoed in a panel discussion organized by Black women advocates on April 26 to examine the cause and effects of human trafficking in California’s Black communities. The virtual event was hosted by the Forgotten Children, Inc, a faith-based nonprofit that advocates for survivors and victims of human trafficking through anti-trafficking campaigns and initiatives.

Panelists shared the psychological impact of sexual exploitation on youth and children in the long term.

Author and educator Dr. Stephany Powell shared statistics and information revealing that African American women and girls are the most trafficked nationwide.

Powell, who serves as the senior advisor on law enforcement and policy at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation said that national data indicates that sex trade survivors are disproportionately women of color. She stated that male survivors often go unnoticed because boys rarely report trafficked crimes.

Powell said that decriminalizing prostitution in California could increase human trafficking. She argued that Senate Bill 357, authored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), which was signed into law in 2022 and legalized loitering for prostitution, caused a surge in street-level prostitution.

Panelist and psychologist Dr. Gloria Morrow shared opposing views on decriminalizing prostitution. She said that decriminalizing prostitution could help survivors gain access to state resources and support.

Despite opposing views, Powell and Morrow agree that the Black community needs resources and educational programs to address human trafficking.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

Obituary: Social Justice Leader, the Rev. Cecil Williams, Passes at 94

On April 22, community leader and social justice advocate Reverend Cecil Williams died at his home in San Francisco surrounded by his loved ones, according to his family. He was 94 years old.

Published

7 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Oakland Post

The Rev. Cecil Williams, civil rights activist and social justice leader was the head pastor of San Francisco’s non-denominational GLIDE Memorial United Methodist Church.

By California Black Media

On April 22, community leader and social justice advocate Reverend Cecil Williams died at his home in San Francisco surrounded by his loved ones, according to his family.

He was 94 years old.

The reverend was a civil rights leader who advocated for the equal rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in the Bay Area.

Williams was the head pastor of the non-denominational GLIDE Memorial United Methodist Church. The church welcomed individuals from the queer community and people struggling with homelessness, housing instability and substance use disorder (SUD).

Through his work, Rev. Williams attracted national attention. Prominent political and cultural leaders such as Maya Angelou, Bono, Oprah Winfrey, and Bill Clinton all attended church services at Glide.

Congressmember Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) said she is deeply saddened about the passing of her dear friend.

“The Reverend changed the lives of millions through radical love, support, inclusivity, and a commitment to service to the most marginalized,” Lee said.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said that the reverend inspired people across California to embody the values of generosity and acceptance.

Rev. Williams was, “a visionary leader whose legendary compassion and love for his community transformed the lives of people from all walks of life,” Newsom said.

Rev. Williams served as the chief executive officer of the Glide Foundation until his retirement in 2023.