Activism

Opinion: A Time for Unity, Not Blame

What happened to the days when Americans would band together — Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike — to rebuild in the aftermath of disaster? What happened to the America that offered its hand to help a neighbor, not condemn them? We are all part of the same community, bound by a common purpose: to support one another when the worst happens.

Published

1 year ago

January 28, 2025

Oakland Post

Jay King, president and CEO of the California Black Chamber of Commerce.

Jay King, Special to California Black Media Partners

In the wake of the unprecedented fires that have ravaged Southern California — devastating cities like Pasadena, Altadena, Pacific Palisades, and Malibu — there has been an alarming rise in the blame being placed on Mayor Karen Bass.

This is not only unfair. It reflects a troubling shift in our national psyche. The reality is that no one, not even the most seasoned leader, could have prevented this once-in-a-lifetime catastrophe. Fires of this scale are the result of a perfect storm of conditions — extreme weather, dry landscapes, and unpredictable winds — that even the best-equipped fire departments can only do so much to contain.

Yet, rather than supporting our leaders and rallying around our communities, some have chosen to point fingers. Why? Because, sadly, it’s easier to assign blame than to step up and make a difference. Our collective instinct should not be to demand the head of our mayor, but to come together and ask the question: How can we help?

This firestorm has left countless families devastated, but it also offers a chance to test the strength of our character. In the face of destruction, we have a choice. We can choose to embrace the America that once prided itself on unity, on coming together in times of crisis to lift each other up, regardless of political affiliation. Or we can allow partisanship and political divides to further erode the fabric of our society.

It is easy to be critical when we are sitting in the comfort of our homes, far from the horrific flames and fires. But for those on the ground — the firefighters, the first responders, the families who have lost everything — the real question is not who is to blame but how we can rebuild, will we be able to hold on to our property or will we get mortgage and property tax relief, there are so many unanswered and overwhelming questions to answer. The recovery will take time, and it will take a collective effort from all of us: residents, leaders, banks, government, homebuilders, labor leaders and volunteers too.

Mayor Bass was elected to lead, but leadership in times of crisis isn’t about finding a magic solution. It’s about coordination, resilience, and community.

So, let’s stop the finger-pointing. Let’s stop the partisan bickering that has no place in the midst of a tragedy. Instead, let’s unite in the true spirit of community. Reach out to the mayor, reach out to your neighbors, and ask what you can do. Whether it’s offering resources, volunteering, or donating, now is the time to act—not with anger, but with compassion.

This is how we rise from disaster, not by tearing each other down, but by lifting each other up.

Let’s be the America we all want to see.

About the Author

Jay King is the President and CEO of the California Black Chamber of Commerce.

Oakland Post

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Activism

Chase Oakland Community Center Hosts Alley-Oop Accelerator Building Community and Opportunity for Bay Area Entrepreneurs

Over the past three years, the Alley-Oop Accelerator has helped more than 20 Bay Area businesses grow, connect, and gain meaningful exposure. The program combines hands-on training, mentorship, and community-building to help participants navigate the legal, financial, and marketing challenges of small business ownership.

Published

1 week ago

February 21, 2026

Oakland Post

Bay Area entrepreneurs attend the Alley-Oop Accelerator, a small business incubation program at Chase Oakland Community Center. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Golden State Warriors and Chase bank hosted the third annual Alley-Oop Accelerator this month, an empowering eight-week program designed to help Bay Area entrepreneurs bring their visions for business to life.

The initiative kicked off on Feb. 12 at Chase’s Oakland Community Center on Broadway Street, welcoming 15 small business owners who joined a growing network of local innovators working to strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

At its core, the accelerator is designed to create an ecosystem of collaboration, where local entrepreneurs can learn from one another while accessing the resources of a global financial institution.

“This is our third year in a row working with the Golden State Warriors on the Alley-Oop Accelerator,” said Jaime Garcia, executive director of Chase’s Coaching for Impact team for the West Division. “We’ve already had 20-plus businesses graduate from the program, and we have 15 enrolled this year. The biggest thing about the program is really the community that’s built amongst the business owners — plus the exposure they’re able to get through Chase and the Golden State Warriors.”

According to Garcia, several graduates have gone on to receive vendor contracts with the Warriors and have gained broader recognition through collaborations with JPMorgan Chase.

“A lot of what Chase is trying to do,” Garcia added, “is bring businesses together because what they’ve asked for is an ecosystem, a network where they can connect, grow, and thrive organically.”

This year’s Alley-Oop Accelerator reflects that vision through its comprehensive curriculum and emphasis on practical learning. Participants explore the full spectrum of business essentials including financial management, marketing strategy, and legal compliance, while also preparing for real-world experiences such as pop-up market events.

Each entrepreneur benefits from one-on-one mentoring sessions through Chase’s Coaching for Impact program, which provides complimentary, personalized business consulting.

Garcia described the impact this hands-on approach has had on local small business owners. He recalled one candlemaker, who, after participating in the program, was invited to provide candles as gifts at Chase events.

“We were able to help give that business exposure,” he explained. “But then our team also worked with them on how to access capital to buy inventory and manage operations once those orders started coming in. It’s about preparation. When a hiccup happens, are you ready to handle it?”

The Coaching for Impact initiative, which launched in 2020 in just four cities, has since expanded to 46 nationwide.

“Every business is different,” Garcia said. “That’s why personal coaching matters so much. It’s life-changing.”

Participants in the 2026 program will each receive a $2,500 stipend, funding that Garcia said can make an outsized difference. “It’s amazing what some people can do with just $2,500,” he noted. “It sounds small, but it goes a long way when you have a plan for how to use it.”

For Chase and the Warriors, the Alley-Oop Accelerator represents more than an educational initiative, it’s a pathway to empowerment and economic inclusion. The program continues to foster lasting relationships among the entrepreneurs who, as Garcia put it, “build each other up” through shared growth and opportunity.

“Starting a business is never easy, but with the right support, it becomes possible, and even exhilarating,” said Oscar Lopez, the senior business consultant for Chase in Oakland.