Activism
First Time Homebuyer Education Workshop
ECHO Housing will conduct an online Homebuyer Education Workshop that will help you determine if you are ready for homeownership, how to select a lender and shop for a home, all about closing costs, and how to be a successful homeowner.
Alameda County Briefs
By Melissa Male
ECHO Housing will conduct a Homebuyer Education Workshop for tenants living in Alameda, Contra Costa, or Monterey Counties, or working in Pleasanton or San Leandro.
This online workshop will help you determine if you are ready for homeownership, how to select a lender and shop for a home, all about closing costs, and how to be a successful homeowner. You must attend this workshop and a counseling session to be eligible to receive a HUD certificate. One-to-one counseling is available for workshop attendees.
It will be held online on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The deadline to submit the registration form is 5:00 p.m. on Nov. 17, 2022. REGISTER HERE
Demystifying the Dept. of Justice
The Office of Community Awareness, Response, and Engagement (CARE) at the California Department of Justice invites you to join its next Demystifying the DOJ quarterly series.
Experts from the CA Department of Justice (DOJ) will share insight on the DOJ’s role in consumer protections. In light of the holiday season, this presentation will share tips on how consumers can protect themselves from scams, fraud, and other consumer-related issues.
Additionally, there will be a presentation by the DOJ’s Registry of Charitable Trusts about their role in protecting and advising donors and charities year-round. It will be held online on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. REGISTER HERE
Earthquake Brace and Bolt Workshop in Berkeley
At this Berkeley Ready workshop, you’ll get information about the Earthquake Brace & Bolt rebates, earthquake risk, and permitting seismic retrofits, with plenty of time to answer your questions.
Homeowners who live in select ZIP Codes (including Berkeley zip codes), with homes that have certain characteristics, may be eligible for a grant of up to $3,000 to help pay for a seismic retrofit of their house.
Low-income homeowners, as funding permits, may qualify for a supplemental grant, which is additional funding over and above the Earthquake Brace & Bolt $3,000 grant. The workshop speakers include:
- Mark Grissom, California Earthquake Authority, will speak about the Earthquake Brace + Bolt Program’s rebates of up to $3,000 and earthquake risk as well as myths and tips about earthquake insurance.
- David Lopez, Assistant Building Official for the City of Berkeley, will answer questions about permitting seismic retrofits.
The online event will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Property owners must register online or by calling (877) 232-4300 between Oct. 18 and Nov. 29, 2022. Please direct any questions to the Office of Emergency Services at (510) 981-5506.
United Against Hate Week Film Screening
Attend a documentary film on Pittsburgh’s powerful community response to hate in the aftermath of the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. Through the voices of survivors, family members, diverse Pittsburgh residents and leaders, “Repairing the World: Stories from the Tree of Life” shows unity in a moment of crisis, the resilience of a vibrant city, and a community working together to understand what it means to be “stronger than hate.” The screening will be followed by a panel discussion. “Repairing the World: Stories from the Tree of Life” will be shown on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. at UC Theatre, 2036 University Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704.
Melissa Male is a staff member at the Office of Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson.
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.
By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
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.
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.
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.
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.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of May 1 – 7, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May 1 – 7, 2024
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Community2 weeks ago
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