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IN MEMORIAM: Remembering Dr. James Sweeney III — A Life Dedicated to Service

“He was devoted to his patients and enjoyed chatting with them during their appointments,” said his wife of 46 years, Pamela Sweeney. Sweeney said the doctor took meticulous notes on the lives of his patients, charting vacations and graduations. “He really enjoyed what he did and cared so much about his patients.”

Published

7 months ago

August 24, 2025

Oakland Post

Dr. James Sweeney III. File photo.

By Carla Thomas

Community leader and dental practitioner, Dr. James Sweeney III passed away on Aug. 10.

A Nashville native, Sweeney earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Fisk University in his hometown in 1967. He then attended Meharry Medical College, also in Nashville, where he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1971. From 1971 to 1973, Dr. Sweeney served in the United States Air Force at David Grant Hospital, Travis AFB, CA. At the completion of his service, Dr. Sweeney began his private practice as an associate dentist with Dr. Henry Lucas in San Francisco, CA.

In 1975, he joined what is now known as Oasis Dental and practiced there throughout his career.

Sweeney’s career stands as a testament to his dedication to excellence in dentistry, mentorship, and community service. His decades-long commitment to both his patients and the neighborhood he serves has left a lasting legacy of compassion, leadership, and impact.

Yet, Sweeney’s legacy extends far beyond the walls of his practice. His career has been a tapestry woven with threads of outreach, leadership, and mentorship. From co-directing dental services at Our Lady of Guadalupe Health Center in Daly City to guiding the next generation of dentists as a volunteer clinical professor at the University of California and the University of the Pacific. His dedication to neighborhood well-being led to the founding of the MacArthur Blvd. Merchants’ Association, fostering collaboration and economic vitality for Oakland’s diverse communities. Sweeney’s leadership was felt in countless roles: Board Member and Fundraising Chair for the Oakland Neighborhood Housing Service, and a driving force behind local initiatives like the Oakland Sharing the Vision Task Force.

As a member of the Greater Bay Area Dental Society, he helped shape the standards and practices of his profession. Sweeney was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and a pillar in professional societies mentoring the next generation of professionals.

He enjoyed reading, playing golf, trips to Mexico, and retelling his favorite stories. Sweeney courageously fought cancer three times in his life, losing the last battle earlier this month.

Sweeney’s surviving family members include his daughter, Kelly Woolfolk, Esq.; his son, James Sweeney, IV; and his grandson, Andrew Woolfolk. He is also survived by a wide circle of friends and cherished community members in Oakland and beyond.

“As per his wishes, no memorial services will be held,” said his wife.”

“In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in his memory to Fisk University or Meharry Medical College in Nashville – continuing his legacy of support for his beloved institutions,” she said.

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Oakland Post: Week of March 4 – 10, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 4 – 10, 2026

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March 7, 2026

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Oakland Post: Week of February 25 – March 3, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – February 25 – March 3, 2026

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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

3 weeks 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.