Oakland

Adonal Foyle Inspires Youth at San Leandro’s Garfield Elementary School

Published

8 years ago

April 15, 2018

Former Warrior’s center and Community Ambassador Adonal Foyle spent the morning sharing the benefits of exercise and healthy eating at Garfield Elementary School in San Leandro on Wednesday, April 11. The Warriors, in partnership with Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theatre hosted a Get Fit Time-Out: Playoff Edition and Warriors Basketball Camp staff led a basketball clinic for 50 students.

“Embrace your differences, be patient with yourself and be proud of who you are – then your challenges can become manageable,” said Foyle to a student.

For Foyle, overcoming obstacles came early in life and education proved to be the “golden” to his future. Living with his grandmother on a Caribbean Island of less than a thousand people with sporadic electricity, Foyle used to study via a kerosene lamp. “It’s important for students to understand not to take education for granted and that you can be a great athlete and a great student as well.”

Foyle, an author and lead of his own organization, Kerosene Lamp Foundation, says he is now proud to be an inspiration to the next generation.

“I want kids to know that effort and education is the barrier that breaks down all barriers for everybody and it allows you to soar beyond limits.”

On the playground, children were asked to spread into three groups with 4 Warriors camp basketball coaches; Aalim Moore, Jose Rivera, Chantel Antonio and Nicole Hupke. All of the children swarmed a smiling Adonal Foyle until they were shepherded to the other coaches. Students were then drilled on running, pivoting and dribbling.

One little boy hurt himself and began to cry. A towering Foyle consoled him, gave him water and explained that he too has been hurt before, but after feeling better, “you get back up and perform.” Within minutes the young boy was back at it.

“For our staff, basketball made such a huge impact as kids, so for us now to have the opportunity to give that to the next generation, that’s really what drives us,” said Warriors Basketball Camp Coach, Ben Clarfield.

Through basketball camps, day events and drills, Clarfield says the students learn the fundamentals and the proper way to play basketball. “Because of the Golden State Warriors we see a lot more youth shooting further out for the 3-pointers. Our job is to teach them the proper skills that they can take home and practice to improve their game and become a better player.

According to the Clarfield, the year round camp is designed to utilize anytime the kids are out of school and will offer two overnight sessions in 2018.

“We like to keep kids busy, away from video games, active and keeping their minds fresh.”

Prior to the outdoor drills, Dr. Kapil Dhingra, Physician-in-Chief of Kaiser’s San Leandro Medical Center gave the kids a pep talk on the benefits of healthy living. Kaiser’s Education Theater performed “The Best Me” encouraging children to eat their vegetables, not watch too much TV and engage in physical activity.

“We are so excited today, this event sends a great message to our kids to stay active and make good choices,” said Garfield Elementary School Principal, Lynda Hornada. “We feel fortunate to have the support of both Kaiser and the Warriors.”

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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.