Black History

Shalonda Young Joins Joe Biden’s Cabinet as Director of the Budget Office

In a bi-partisan vote of 61-36, Shalanda Young becomes the first Black woman to head the department that oversees the government’s budget. Before her appointment Young served almost a year as acting director of OMB during a time when, according to the White House, the government spent over $1.3 trillion in appropriations for disaster aid and COVID-19 response aid.

Published

4 years ago

March 21, 2022

Oakland Post

Shalanda Young. ABHmuseum.org photo.

By Post Staff

Confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday to become director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, Shalanda Young becomes the fifth Black woman appointed to President Joe Biden’s Cabinet thereby continuing to fulfill his campaign promise to diversify the leadership in his administration.

In a bi-partisan vote of 61-36, Young becomes the first Black woman to head the department that oversees the government’s budget. Before her appointment Young served almost a year as acting director of OMB during a time when, according to the White House, the government spent over $1.3 trillion in appropriations for disaster aid and COVID-19 response aid.

Before her nomination went to the Senate, Young had the backing of key Democrats and Republicans alike including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Congressional Black Caucus.

Upon hearing of her confirmation, Rep. Barbara Lee, senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, released a statement congratulating Young.

Lee worked closely with Young during her time as Staff Director for the House Appropriations Committee.

“In my time working with Shalanda Young on the Appropriations committee, she was one of the most talented, strategic, and well-respected staff members on Capitol Hill.

“I have no doubt that she will continue her legislative mastery as the first Black woman director of OMB. It makes me very proud that she’s finally cleared this nomination process, and I can’t wait to continue working with her in her new role.”

The Louisiana native who attended Tulane University and Loyola University New Orleans also drew high praise from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday ahead of the vote.

“It shouldn’t have taken this long to confirm someone as obviously qualified as Shalanda Young,” Schumer said from the Senate floor. “She’s been leading the OMB for nearly a year. She knows the budget and appropriations processes like the back of her hand. She’s proven capable of working with Republicans and Democrats alike. And it was through her guidance the administration notched some of its biggest victories including the passage of the bipartisan infrastructure law.”

The Hill, CNNnews and the press office of Rep. Barbara Lee were the sources for this report.

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Activism

Mayor Barbara Lee Proclaims April 9 as ‘100 Black Men of the Bay Area Day’

“Today, the 100th day of the year, I proclaim 100 Black Men Day,” said Mayor Barbara Lee standing with newly appointed Oakland Port Commissioner Derek Mohammad, a 100 Black Men member. “Whereas the 100 Black Men of the Bay Area has demonstrated decades of unwavering commitment to uplifting youth and strengthening families and advancing opportunity and access in Oakland and the greater Bay Area with their signature programs…the chapter has impacted thousands of young people and contributed thousands of hours of community service…”

Published

2 days ago

April 19, 2026

Oakland Post

At D. Monaghan’s on the Hill, a resolution declaring April 9 ‘100 Black Men of the Bay Area Day’ was witnessed by (l.-r.) 100 Black Men leaders Maurice Harold, Marco T. Lindsey, Danny Lee Williams, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, Oakland City Council President Kevin Jenkins, Port of Oakland Commissioner Derek Mohammad, and Oakland Councilmember Janani Ramachandran. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

When Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee announced that she would proclaim Thursday, April 9, as “100 Black Men of the Bay Area Day,” the organization’s board chairman and owner of D. Monaghan’s on the Hill, Danny Lee Williams knew he wanted to mark the historic moment with fanfare his community could share.

Standing at the podium on the patio of his restaurant in the Oakland Hills, he welcomed about 150 members of the organization and the broader community who gathered to celebrate.

“This is a special day, and we are in the midst of our Economic Empowerment week,” he said. Williams also welcomed four vendors to sell their gifts and accessories during the event free of charge.

Lee shared how as a single parent of two boys, she was grateful to have the organization’s support in mentoring her sons.

“Today, my adult son is a member in Illinois, and I thank the organization for supporting so many Black boys.”

The idea for the proclamation originated with Oakland City Councilmember Kevin Jenkins, who praised the organization for its leadership and contributions to Oakland and the greater Bay Area.

“This work that we do would not be possible without partnerships with organizations like the 100 Black Men,” said Jenkins. “We’re saving lives, restoring communities, and giving people hope and opportunities.”

“This is Oakland,” said Mayor Lee. “This is what we’re about. It’s about new ideas, thinking outside the box and being who we are. It’s about bringing joy. This is our holiday.”

The mayor also thanked the organization for volunteering during Oakland Cleanup days.

Councilmember Janani Ramachandran added that while many complain about problems in the city, “the 100” put in the work.

“It’s hard to be in the community and do the work, but that is exactly what the 100 Black Men does,” she said.

The organization’s economic chair and associate director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion at the University of California Berkeley’s Business School, Marco T. Lindsey, shared his enthusiasm for change.

“Today is the culmination of our work and something special is happening in our organization and our city,” he said. “We have a special opportunity to show up for our community now in ways that we haven’t had in the past. We have a mayor that supports us and it’s important that each and every one of us do our part. We all need our fingerprints on whatever we want to see in our city.”

Lindsey also expressed that if underserved youth and their parents had access to the resources needed for success, “Our youth wouldn’t be breaking windows and joining gangs if they had a pathway to earn $75k to $100k a year.”

The 100 Black Men were hosts of an Economic Empowerment Forum at McClymonds High School on April 11 educating students on entrepreneurship and financial literacy. On Sat., April 18, they will hold their fifth annual Career Expo at Contra Costa College 2600 Mission Bell Drive (G225) in San Pablo from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 100 Black Men chapter of the Bay Area was established in 1988, one of the earliest in the nation.

For more information visit 100blackmenba.org