Bay Area

A Back-to-School Tradition Continues for Nystrom Elementary Students

Longtime community advocates Antwon Cloird and Rev. Andre Shumake, Sr. teamed up to distribute 75 backpacks to students at Nystrom Elementary School in Richmond on Saturday. The pair parked Cloird’s car at the back gate of the school at S. 12th Street and Maine Avenue, opened the trunk and back seat and then distributed backpacks.

Published

2 years ago

August 17, 2024

Oakland Post

Rev. Andre Shumake, far right, and Antwon Cloird, far left, pose with recipients of the back-to-school supplies. Photo by Mike Kinney.

By Mike Kinney

Longtime community advocates Antwon Cloird and Rev. Andre Shumake, Sr. teamed up to distribute 75 backpacks to students at Nystrom Elementary School in Richmond on Saturday.

The pair parked Cloird’s car at the back gate of the school at S. 12th Street and Maine Avenue, opened the trunk and back seat and then distributed backpacks.

Recipients of the backpacks attend Nystrom’s Mafanikio Academic Coaching Program, an after-school program that seeks to close to achievement gap for African American students. The program is operated by Rev. Shumake, who was awarded the prestigious Jefferson Award for Public Service for his leadership of it.

All the backpacks handed out Saturday were filled with school supplies that had been donated by the Bay Area Rescue Mission, 100 Years Enterprise, Independent Community Church, Holistic Healing and Albertson’s/Safeway, according to Cloird.

Nystrom parents drove up in their vehicles with their children to receive the backpacks. Children would select the color backpack they wanted for the school year.

“When Jerrold Hatchett was with Sims Metals, he adopted Nystrom and did incredible community service for the students and teachers at Nystrom,” said Cloird. “I decided to continue his legacy of serving underprivileged kids and families in need of support. So, [partnering] with local businesses here in Richmond that gives back to the community is my greatest joy.”

Rev. Shumake expressed gratitude to Cloird for adopting the Mafanikio program over the last few years.

“He has blessed our families who have dealt with food insecurities and transportation issues, as well as provided mental health support referrals,” the reverend said.

Sylvia Cummings, whose children attend the Mafanikio program, said the backpacks with school supplies make sure her kids are organized for school.

“It is important to have these things so they will be functional and prepared for the school year,” she said.

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IN MEMORIAM: Longtime OUSD Employee Debra King-Cooper, 73

Longtime OUSD Employee Debra King-Cooper, 73 Caption: Debra King-Cooper. Courtesy photo. Special to The Post Debra King-Cooper, a beloved mother, grandmother, queen, sister, church member, caregiver, and matriarch, transitioned peacefully on May 20 surrounded by family and love i

Published

2 days ago

June 17, 2026

bpusa-syndication

Debra King-Cooper. Courtesy photo.

Special to The Post

Debra King-Cooper, a beloved mother, grandmother, queen, sister, church member, caregiver, and matriarch, transitioned peacefully on May 20 surrounded by family and love in the comfort of her home. To her children, she was royalty, grace, strength, and unconditional love embodied.

Debra Diane Edgar was born on May 28, 1952, in San Francisco, California, to Charles Edgar Sr. and Mamie Arthur Edgar. She was raised alongside her younger brother, Charles Edgar Jr., affectionately known as “Little Brother” or “Lil Bruh.” She also shared close bonds with her older siblings Carol Edgar-Lang, Maryann Edgar Calloway, and Lonnie Lewis Sr.

A proud product of San Francisco’s historic Fillmore District, Debra attended Andrew Jackson Elementary School, where she met her lifelong best friend and adopted sister, Lynn Green, in the fifth grade. She later attended Robert Louis Stevenson Elementary School, Roosevelt Junior High School and Thomas Jefferson High School.

Debra’s mother transitioned when she was only 17 years old, and her father transitioned when she was 23. Despite these profound losses, Debra remained grounded through the love and support of extended family and lifelong family friends,

In 1971, she married Harold King. On Sept. 24, 1972, they welcomed their first son, Dajuan Artese King, affectionately called “Pop” or “Poppa.” On Aug. 5, 1976, they welcomed their second son, Dante Dupree King, affectionately called “Tay” or “Taboocoo the Baby.”

After her divorce in 1982, Debra assumed full responsibility for raising her sons.

She supported Dajuan’s passion for football by purchasing sports equipment and attending games faithfully. She supported Dante’s love of music by enrolling him in the San Francisco Boys Choir, Oakland Boys Choir, and the Castlemont Castleers.

Professionally, Debra built an exceptional career. She worked at Blue Shield of California from 1973 until 1994, earning multiple promotions.

She later joined the Oakland Unified School District, initially in a temporary role before being promoted into management within the Labor Relations Department. She retired from OUSD in 2015 after years of distinguished service. During her years at OUSD, she built meaningful friendships with her colleagues.

Faith was central to Debra’s life. During the 1980s, following personal hardship, she joined Love Center Church under the leadership of Bishop Walter Hawkins, where she brought her children regularly. She later became a member of Triumphant: A Church Without Walls Ministries under Pastor Dr. Larry Short, who became a beloved spiritual mentor.

After Triumphant closed in 1992, Debra joined Cosmopolitan Baptist Church in Oakland under the leadership of Pastor Larry Ashley, where she remained for the rest of her life.

At Cosmopolitan, she worked in numerous ministries. She served on the usher board, sang in the choir, participated in the AIDS ministry during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, helped feed and support unhoused community members, and mentored and supported a group of young girls.

After retirement, she cared for older adults in her church community, driving them to appointments, cleaning their homes, managing finances, preparing meals, and helping families navigate funeral arrangements after loved ones transitioned.

Even while battling Stage 4 cancer herself, she continued caring for others.

Debra was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Edgar Sr. and Mamie Arthur Edgar; her brothers, Lonnie Lewis Sr. and Charles Edgar Jr.; her sisters, Maryann Edgar Calloway and Victoria Stephenson Knight; and her adopted mother, Clara Oliver.

She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved sons, Dajuan King and Dante King; grandson, Tiyler Dajuan Artese King; sister, Carol Edgar-Lang; goddaughters Monique Belle and Ricketa Matthews Jones (Leonard); daughter-in-love Quiona Sullivan; son-in-love Marcel Walker; sister-in-law Delores Lewis; adopted sisters and lifelong friends Lynn Green, Barbara Stephenson Hill, and Sarah Fine; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family members, her church family and dear friends.