Bay Area

The 100 Black Men 35th Annual Scholarship Benefit and Awards Gala

The 100 Black Men of the Bay Area hosted their 35th Annual Scholarship Benefit and Awards Gala at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis on Saturday, Dec. 9. Themed “Making a Change 100 at a Time,” the event was headlined by singer Chanté Moore with performances by 16-year-old saxophone jazz musician Ayo Brame.

Published

5 months ago

December 26, 2023

Oakland Post

100 Black Men of the Bay Area Gala Chair/Vice Chair Danny L. Williams with singer Chanté Moore and 100 Black Men of the Bay Area president, Chuck Baker at the 100 Black Men Scholarship Benefit and Awards Gala at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis. Photos By Auintard

By Carla Thomas

Community service award recipients included Alton Management Corporation, Roots Health Center and Bay Area broadcaster Dave Clark.

Maxine Reynolds, the widow of Alton Management Corportion’s late principal Al Reynolds, who passed away in April, graciously accepted the award. Over 31 years ago her husband and his business partner, Billy Hutton joined forces to form Alton Management Corporation with the intent on training and hiring young brothers and sisters in the housing industry. The property management firm worked with housing cooperatives and other organizations specializing in affordable housing throughout the Bay Area, Los Angeles and Atlanta recovering financially troubled properties.

“Many families have access to safe and affordable housing because my husband and the company are committed to serving clients in a dignified manner,” said Reynolds. “Billy Hutton carries on the company’s legacy.”

Kevin Mitchell, Director of Resource Development for the Roots Community Health Center in Oakland accepted the organization’s award. “There is a life expectancy difference of 15 years for individuals living in the hills as opposed to the inner-city flatlands,” he said. “We are changing the narrative because we are not fighters, we are healers.” Roots, through its medical and behavioral health care, health navigation, workforce enterprises, housing outreach and advocacy supports of those impacted by systemic inequities and poverty.

Beloved KTVU Channel 2 broadcaster Dave Clark was also honored for his community coverage. Clark spoke from the heart about his pursuit of reporting the good news in the Black community in the midst of the often negative news of the world. Originally from Philadelphia, Clark said he was determined to be a broadcaster and his parents supported his dream of trailblazing. Clark went on to win awards for reporting on the landmark O.J. Simpson trial and the Northridge Earthquake. “I’m able to stand before you today because of the support from my amazing wife Lucretia,” said Clark. Lucretia was Clark’s classmate in the 3rd grade.

Alameda County Supervisor (D-1) Keith Carson was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Carson, though not in attendance, was recognized for his ability to bridge the gap between resources and disparities in the community representing District 1 and roles chairing the East Bay Economic Development Alliance, the Alameda County Budget Work Group Committee, the Alameda County Personnel, Administration and Legislation Committee, and the Alameda County Health Committee.

“Our mission is to improve the quality of life within the Bay Area and beyond by advancing the social, economic, health and educational progress of African Americans,” said 100 Black Men president Chuck Baker. “We focus on the low to moderate income community, and offer programming and resources to support wise financial, health and lifestyle choices that can lead to family-sustaining wages and long-term career and life success.”

“Our motto, ‘What They See Is What They’ll Be’ refers to a ‘lead by example’ approach that resonates with our youth who often lack the exposure or positive behavior modeling from caring and successful African American men,” said 100 Black Men board member, Dr. Lawrence VanHook, pastor of The Community Church.

Gala Chairman Danny L. Williams, was excited to celebrate the occasion with singer Chanté Moore performing. “Moore is a class act,” he said. “She performed for our 25th gala and we are proud to have her 10 years later at our 35th year gala.”

Young adult speaker, Ricky Jackson said because of the mentoring of the organization he went from a troubled teen to a dual degreed student in his twenties.

Joseph Simmons, Pastor of Greater St. Paul in Oakland was awarded as 100 Black Man of the Year. “He embodies our brotherhood creed and is all about the work to be done,” said President Chuck Baker.

For more information visit: www.100blackmenba.org

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Oakland Post: Week of May 8 – 14, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May May 8 – 14, 2024

Published

2 days ago

May 10, 2024

Oakland Post

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S.F. Black Leaders Rally to Protest, Discuss ‘Epidemic’ of Racial Slurs Against Black Students in SF Public School System

Parents at the meeting spoke of their children as no longer feeling safe in school because of bullying and discrimination. Parents also said that reported incidents such as racial slurs and intimidation are not dealt with to their satisfaction and feel ignored.

Published

1 week ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church. Photo courtesy Third Baptist Church.

By Carla Thomas

San Francisco’s Third Baptist Church hosted a rally and meeting Sunday to discuss hatred toward African American students of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church, along with leadership from local civil rights groups, the city’s faith-based community and Black community leadership convened at the church.

“There has been an epidemic of racial slurs and mistreatment of Black children in our public schools in the city,” said Brown. “This will not be tolerated.”

According to civil rights advocate Mattie Scott, students from elementary to high school have reported an extraordinary amount of racial slurs directed at them.

“There is a surge of overt racism in the schools, and our children should not be subjected to this,” said Scott. “Students are in school to learn, develop, and grow, not be hated on,” said Scott. “The parents of the children feel they have not received the support necessary to protect their children.”

Attendees were briefed last Friday in a meeting with SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne.

SFUSD states that their policies protect children and they are not at liberty to publicly discuss the issues to protect the children’s privacy.

Some parents said they have removed their students from school while other parents and community leaders called on the removal of the SFUSD superintendent, the firing of certain school principals and the need for more supportive school board members.

Community advocates discussed boycotting the schools and creating Freedom Schools led by Black leaders and educators, reassuring parents that their child’s wellbeing and education are the highest priority and youth are not to be disrupted by racism or policies that don’t support them.

Virginia Marshall, chair of the San Francisco NAACP’s education committee, offered encouragement to the parents and students in attendance while also announcing an upcoming May 14 school board meeting to demand accountability over their mistreatment.

“I’m urging anyone that cares about our students to pack the May 14 school board meeting,” said Marshall.

This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.

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Bay Area

Mayor London Breed: State Awards San Francisco Over $37M for Affordable Housing

On April 30, Mayor London N. Breed announced San Francisco has been awarded more than $37.9 million in funding from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) as part of the State’s Multifamily Housing Program (MHP). The HCD loan will provide the final funding necessary for development of Casa Adelante – 1515 South Van Ness, a 168-unit affordable housing project located in San Francisco’s Mission District.

Published

1 week ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed (File Photo)

By Oakland Post Staff

The HCD loan will provide the final funding necessary for development of Casa Adelante – 1515 South Van Ness, a 168-unit affordable housing project located in San Francisco’s Mission District.

The new development at 1515 South Van Ness Ave. will provide 168 affordable homes to low-income families, formerly homeless families, and persons living with HIV earning between 25-80% of the San Francisco Area Median Income (AMI).

In addition, the project is anticipated to provide family-friendly amenities and ground floor community-serving commercial spaces that preserve the prevailing neighborhood character of the Calle 24 Latino Cultural District.

“This funding unlocks our ability to move on building affordable housing units for families in San Francisco at a crucial time. We understand the level of need for more housing that is accessible, and like the state, the city continues to face a challenging budget cycle,” said Breed. “1515 South Van Ness is a good example of what can be achieved in San Francisco when you have strong community partnerships and an unwavering commitment to deliver on critical needs for our residents.”

“From the beginning of my term as Supervisor, I have fought to bring affordable housing to 1515 South Van Ness” said Supervisor Hillary Ronen. “In the interim, the site has been utilized for homeless services and shelter, and I am thrilled that HCD has recognized the value of this development, and we are finally ready to break ground and bring 168 affordable homes to low income and formerly homeless families in the Mission.”

Owned and occupied by McMillan Electric Company until 2015, the City and County of San Francisco purchased 1515 South Van Ness Avenue in June 2019 with the intent of developing new affordable housing.

In November 2020, the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) released a Multi-site Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking qualified developers to build affordable housing on the site, and subsequently selected Chinatown Community Development Corporation (CCDC) and Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) in May 2021 to develop the site.

The project is expected to begin construction in winter 2025.

“A strong, long-term push by Mission advocates to make this site 100% affordable is now paying off, with 168 family units that include services and childcare. People of color communities know what they need, and we are excited to be in partnership with a team, consisting of MEDA, CCDC, and MOHCD, that listens,” said Malcolm Yeung, Executive Director at CCDC.

“We are excited to be in partnership with CCDC, yet again, and for the opportunity to develop intergenerational affordable housing in the City’s Mission District,” said Luis Granados, executive director at MEDA.

Increasing housing affordable to lower-income and vulnerable residents is a key priority in the City’s Housing Element which calls for additional funding for affordable housing production and preservation, as well as Mayor Breed’s Housing for All Executive Directive that sets out the steps the City will take to meet the bold goal of allowing for 82,000 new homes to be built over the next eight years.

Tuesday’s funding announcement emphasizes the importance of regional and state collaboration in order to reach our housing and climate goals.

“We are thrilled—not just to bring a project of this size to a community with great need — but to do so with community-based developers and their partners who understand the neighborhood and sensitivities around cultural preservation,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez.