Black History

Michael Shiner: The Enslaved Man Who Wrote His Way into American History

Born into slavery in 1805, Michael G. Shiner became an essential eyewitness to 19th-century America by documenting over five decades of history in a private journal. Working at the Washington Navy Yard, Shiner recorded monumental events ranging from the British invasion during the War of 1812 to the complexities of labor and racial discrimination. His writings offer a rare, first-person perspective on the nation’s transformation from the eyes of a man who navigated both bondage and liberty. Read more to learn how Shiner secured his legacy.

Published

2 hours ago

November 3, 2026

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By Tamara Shiloh

Long before African Americans could freely tell their stories, Michael G. Shiner was quietly documenting history.

Born into slavery in 1805 in Piscataway, Maryland, Shiner became one of the most remarkable eyewitness chroniclers of nineteenth-century America. His writings preserved more than five decades of Washington, D.C., history, providing an extraordinary perspective on slavery, freedom, labor, and the nation’s transformation.

He was born to William Pumphrey Jr., whose family owned property in Maryland and Washington, D.C. Around 1812, Shiner was brought to the nation’s capital, where he eventually worked at the Washington Navy Yard. Although denied the educational opportunities available to White Americans, he learned to read and write, likely through religious instruction at Washington’s First Presbyterian Church.

His literacy became a powerful instrument of historical preservation. Beginning with recollections of events in 1813, Shiner recorded significant happenings in a handwritten journal he called his “book.” His observations included the British invasion of Washington during the War of 1812, particularly the burning of the Capitol and other government buildings in August 1814. His descriptions captured the fear, destruction, and confusion surrounding one of America’s most devastating wartime attacks.

However, his writings extended far beyond military events.

In 1828, Thomas Howard, chief clerk of the Washington Navy Yard, acquired Shiner and hired out his labor. He worked in the Navy Yard’s paint shop, observing the everyday experiences of enslaved and free workers. His diary documented ship launches, workplace accidents, labor disputes, racial discrimination, and political developments.

One of his most heartbreaking experiences occurred in 1833 when slave traders threatened to separate his family. His wife, Phillis, and their children faced the possibility of being sold away. Through determined intervention and assistance from influential individuals, Shiner obtained their release from enslavement.

He petitioned for his own freedom in 1836 and subsequently lived as a free man. By 1850, census records identified him as free, living with his second wife, Jane, and their children.

His writings continued through the Civil War, documenting the changing political landscape and the struggle for African American freedom. His manuscript also revered the Emancipation Proclamation, demonstrating the importance of this historic declaration to someone who had personally experienced enslavement.

Following the Civil War, he became active in Republican politics and advocated for African American rights. His remarkable memory and detailed observations made him a respected figure throughout Washington.

Shiner died of smallpox on January 16, 1880, at approximately seventy-five years old.

Today, his 186-page manuscript, The Diary of Michael Shiner Relating to the History of the Washington Navy Yard, 1813–1869, is preserved at the Library of Congress.

What makes his achievement extraordinary is that an African American laborer, once considered property under American law, became an invaluable recorder of the nation’s history.

Shiner never achieved fame during his lifetime as a writer. Yet his determination to document the world around him ensured that future generations could understand American history through the eyes of someone who experienced both slavery and freedom.

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Black History

From Backyard Grilling to Jack London Square: Jamale Carlyle’s Chicken Wing Success Story

Jamale Carlyle turned a backyard hobby into a flourishing business after using grilling to cope with the loss of his mother and sister. The former corporate executive and CPA transitioned from a twenty-year career in the power industry to selling chicken wings at farmers’ markets in Tracy and Oakland. Following immediate success and viral social media attention, Carlyle opened two permanent storefronts and established a charitable partnership to support local youth. His journey highlights a unique path from internal auditing to community entrepreneurship. Read more.

Published

38 minutes ago

November 3, 2026

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Jamale Carlyle had a long career working for power companies before embarking making his grilling hobby into a business. Courtesy photo.

By Tanya Dennis

For Jamale Carlyle, what began as a way to cope with personal loss has grown into a thriving chicken wing business with locations in Tracy and Oakland’s Jack London Square.

Raised in Los Angeles, Carlyle remains a southern kid at heart, guided by the values and principles instilled in him growing up. In 2020, he lost his sister, and two months later, his mother passed away. The losses left him grieving half of his immediate family and searching for a way forward.

He turned to God, and to two favorite pastimes: grilling chicken wings and deep sea fishing. Friends who gathered in his backyard encouraged him to turn his chicken wings into a business.

Carlyle had built a successful corporate career before becoming an entrepreneur. An economics graduate of the University of California, Irvine, he earned a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Southern California and became a certified public accountant (CPA).

He spent more than 20 years in the power industry, including working for Edison International in Los Angeles and Boston. He later joined JP Energy Partners in Dallas, helping its team take the company public.

After moving to San Francisco in 2016, Carlyle spent 10 years with Pattern Energy, a wind energy company, where he served as vice president of Internal Audit and took on numerous corporate responsibilities.

But in 2025, grilling became more than a hobby. Carlyle began selling his wings at farmers’ markets, initially dedicating four hours every Saturday. Nervous about his first outing in Tracy, he wondered whether his friends had simply been encouraging. Instead, he sold out on opening day.

He later brought his business to Jack London Square’s Farmers Market, where he again sold out on his first day. As demand grew, he expanded into catering before opening his Tracy storefront in May 2026 and his Jack London Square location in July.

Social media helped fuel the momentum. In Tracy, enthusiastic reviews on the community’s Rants and Raves Facebook page brought customers through the door. His Jack London Square debut also gained traction online, generating approximately 100,000 views on social media on his on opening day.

Still processing the rapid growth, Carlyle describes the business as something that began in his backyard as a stress reliever and became an unexpected calling, and a way of giving back.

“Giving back” has led to a partnership with Mike Jenkins, owner of Oakland Strong, a nonprofit gym known for Olympic style weight lifting and developing national and international champions. After Jenkins visited Carlyle’s store with members of his team, Carlyle returned the visit, and the two began discussing ways to partner to support the community.

“I’m really big on charity. I believe in giving back to the community,” Carlyle said. “I knew before I opened my store, I’d be doing something like this, this is what God wants me to do.”

Their collaboration will introduce the “Oakland Strong Bowl,” featuring 10 dry-rub Cajun wings and a vegetable-rice bowl for $17.99, with $2 from each purchase donated to the Oakland Strong Foundation. The initiative is expected to launch in early November.

“This builds community in Oakland and Jack London Square,” Carlyle said.

Looking ahead, Carlyle plans to expand the menu with chicken thighs, chicken tacos and additional sides. He is also pursuing a liquor license to create a destination where customers can enjoy wings while watching sports.

For now, he is focused on growing his two locations. But with customers embracing his food and his commitment to giving back, Carlyle sees the possibility of bringing his chicken wings to more communities throughout the Bay Area.

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Black History

Loop Capital’s James Reynolds Keynotes the OAACC 23rd Annual Business Awards Luncheon

The Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce recently hosted its 23rd Annual Business Awards Luncheon, featuring James Reynolds Jr., founder and CEO of Loop Capital, as the keynote speaker. Addressing business and civic leaders, Reynolds discussed his firm’s partnership to redevelop the Oakland Coliseum site, a massive project expected to generate thousands of local jobs. The event also recognized four distinguished community leaders for their achievements in business, marketing, technology, and education. Discover the specific honors presented and the timeline for the upcoming Coliseum transformation by reading more.

Published

3 hours ago

November 3, 2026

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Loop Capital founder James Reynolds delivered the keynote address at the OAACC 23rd Annual Business Awards Luncheon at Scott's Seafood Restaurant in Oakland's Jack London Square. Courtesy photo.

By Carla Thomas

The Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce (OAACC) celebrated community and business leaders at the 23rd Annual Business Awards Luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 22 at Scott’s Seafood Restaurant in Jack London Square. Held under the theme “Building a Stronger Oakland Through Innovation, Technology, and AI,” the event brought together business owners, elected officials, and civic leaders.

Oakland Mayor Barbara lee and U.S. Rep. Lateefah Simon were also present.

Keynote speaker James “Jim” Reynolds, Jr., founder, chairman, and CEO of Loop Capital, enthusiastically addressed the audience. Reynolds’ firm is backing the AASEG (African American Sports and Entertainment Group) and partners with funding to redevelop the Oakland Coliseum site in East Oakland.

Reynolds spoke of plans to provide thousands of employment and contracting opportunities to Oakland’s resilient residents.

“We expect to completely close the deal by Dec. 31 and in January we will begin digging,” he said of the six-year acquisition process.

“I want all small businesses, entrepreneurs, and contractors to prepare themselves for these opportunities,” Reynolds explained in the green room.

Reynolds has successfully completed multiple billion-dollar developments and projects including Los Angeles International Airport, LaGuardia International Airport, John F. Kennedy Airport, and now Queens, New York.

AASEG President Ray Bobbitt said the Coliseum Project will be the largest development in the country. Bobbitt stressed that Reynolds and his team took a chance on Oakland at a time when companies were abandoning the city.

“Mr. Reynolds is committed to the project and transforming the area,” said Bobbitt. “Mr. Reynolds sees Oakland as a great city with untapped potential. We are very grateful he believes in us.”

In 1997, Reynolds founded the Chicago-based municipal bond firm, growing it into one of the nation’s leading minority-owned financial services companies and among the largest privately held investment banks in the country.

Reynolds said he was very impressed with Oakland’s business community. “This community is really ready for something new and we plan to deliver.”

During the luncheon, OAACC presented awards to four honorees.

Derreck Johnson received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Johnson founded Home of Chicken and Waffles in Jack London Square in 2003, creating jobs for the formerly incarcerated and young people from Oakland’s inner-city communities.

Celessa Baker, vice president of Marketing Partnerships at Sephora, received the Visionary Leadership Award. A marketing executive with more than 20 years of experience, Baker served as retail marketing lead for the global launch of Fenty Beauty by Rihanna.

Angela Johnson, director and head of Global Delivery Partnerships at Uber Technologies, received the Business Excellence Award. She previously served as Uber’s chief of staff and founded the Coalition of Black Excellence.

Dr. Denise Saddler, superintendent of the Oakland Unified School District, received the Educational Recognition Award. Saddler has spent more than 40 years in the city’s education system, working as a teacher, principal, and district leader before becoming superintendent in 2025.

Lee announced that Oakland is listed in the Top 10 as best destinations. “Oakland is on the move,” said Lee. In agreement with Lee, Simon vowed to continue fighting for the resources needed to keep Oakland moving forward.

“The chamber is committed to strengthening Oakland’s economy and uplifting its Black business community,” said Cathy Adams, president and CEO of OAACC.

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Black History

Oakland Strong: Building Champions and Healthier Generations

Entrepreneur Mike Jenkins is revitalizing youth wellness in Oakland through Oakland Strong, a world-class strength-training facility in Jack London Square. After providing a decade of free training in Fruitvale, the program moved and rebranded while continuing to produce national and international weightlifting champions. Jenkins aims to counter community health challenges by teaching Olympic-style lifting and nutrition to children ages 8 to 18. As the program seeks new ways to sustain its free services, local partnerships are forming to support these elite young athletes. Read more.

Published

6 hours ago

November 3, 2026

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By Tanya Dennis

Mike Jenkins is a serial entrepreneur with a vision to make a lasting impact in Oakland.

Raised in a military family in the Pinole area, Jenkins played basketball at Merritt College before continuing his athletic career at Sacramento State.

His lifelong interest in health and wellness led him to consider a troubling reality: as members of the Black community age, health challenges often increase. Jenkins believes investing in health is an investment in wealth, and he has made it his mission to give Oakland’s youth a stronger foundation for life.

Years ago, Jenkins invested in young people by building Speed Power Strength, a world-class strength-training facility in the Fruitvale neighborhood. For 10 years, the facility served hundreds of children, providing training entirely free of charge. Displaced by gentrification, the program eventually found a new home in Jack London Square.

That move inspired a new name: Oakland Strong, reflecting both the program’s mission and its pride in the city it represents.

“When we found the new home, I needed to put a spotlight on what we were doing– producing the strongest kids in Oakland – so I named our new location Oakland Strong,” Jenkins explained. “We are known nationally and internationally, so when we compete, our city’s name is on our chest.”

Through Olympic weightlifting, governed nationally by USA Weightlifting, the program has developed an extraordinary record. Its athletes have earned 10 national championships, a team national championship, and international titles. Today, two Oakland Strong athletes are Olympic hopefuls.

This past summer, Oakland had three athletes at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs at the same time. One was Olympic figure skating champion Alysa Liu. The other two were Oakland Strong’s Robert Whitlock and Rucker Johnson, there for a weightlifting camp for Olympic hopefuls.

Whitlock, an Oakland Technical High School student, began training at age 10. Now a three-time consecutive national champion, two-time Pan American champion, and Team USA representative, Whitlock also holds an American record while maintaining straight A’s in school.

“If Oakland can’t support these kinds of kids, then what are we doing?” Jenkins asks.

Oakland Strong continues offering free training in Jack London Square to young people ages 8-18. The program welcomes girls as well as boys, with approximately 12 kids currently participating with room for 20.

With limited city support for free youth programs, Jenkins must find other ways to sustain the work.

When Carlyle Chicken Wings opened nearby, he approached the owner with an idea connecting nutrition and community investment. Because Oakland Strong teaches healthy eating alongside athletic training, they developed the Oakland Strong Bowl, a protein-focused meal. Carlyle will contribute $2 from each bowl sold to support the program.

For Jenkins, the mission extends far beyond medals and records. He wants to create generational health by teaching young people habits they can carry into adulthood and share with their families.

The strongest legacy, he believes, is not simply producing champions, but building healthier generations who understand their worth, their potential, and the importance of investing in themselves.