Community

Allen Temple Baptist Church – The History of East Oakland Affordable Housing

Published

10 years ago

January 13, 2017

The Reverend Drs. J. Alfred Smith, Sr., Senior Pastor Emeritus and J. Alfred Smith, Jr., current Senior Pastor of Allen Temple Baptist Church, have a combined fifty-plus years of service as visionaries in the development of East Oakland for African-Americans.

Housing has been one of the key efforts on their social justice agenda.

The road to making their church vision a reality has not been smooth, but coordinated efforts with the government of all levels have made housing a reality.

The church’s affordable housing efforts began in the late 1970s, with the first complex open in 1988. The last complex opened in 2002, but community efforts continue.

“Ownership is key,” says Allen Temple Deacon Reginal Lyles, who has been an important member of the team working on affordable housing.

“The mortgage is paid off for Allen Temple Arms I and II, and we are on schedule for Allen Temple Gardens and Allen Temple Manor.”

Allen Temple housing is located on International Boulevard from 76th Avenue to 101st.

Allen Temple Housing & Economic Development Corporation (ATHEDCO), still focuses on improving the housing stock for low- and very low-income residents, increasing economic opportunities in the community, and educational and economic opportunities for youth.

American Baptist Homes of the West (ABHOW) remains an Allen Temple partner in the Arms IV, Allen Temple Manor project.

Today, there are a total of 228 units of affordable senior housing in the Allen Temple Arms I, II, III, and IV facilities.

Arms III, known as Allen Temple Gardens, and Arms IV, known as Allen Temple Manor, were so named as a HUD requirement that no longer exists.

In the late 1970s, when HUD told the church that East Oakland was not worthy of development, Pastor Smith, Sr. and church members worked with Clorox to build the East Oakland Youth Development Center (EOYDC), to prove that development was taking place.

Opened in 1978, the EOYDC is across the street from Allen Temple Arms I and II.

In 1988, the first of the three-phase senior affordable housing developments, Allen Temple Arms I and II opened. Allen Temple Arms III opened in 2002.

Allen Temple Manor (Arms IV), the third phase of housing development, required Pastor Smith, Sr., to convince ABHOW that HIV-positive individuals deserved safe and affordable housing.

Discrimination against AIDS was strong, but Allen Temple Manor became one of the first in the country to house AIDS patients.

Catholic nuns helped train Allen Temple members in the details of care for HIV-positive residents that would live in Allen Temple Manor. Subsequently, Allen Temple leaders taught the leaders of ABHOW that all are worthy to live safely and securely.

Pastoral leadership, along with congregant active participation – from managers, realtors, attorneys, and politicians – and partnerships in the community made a “village” effort in the successes of affordable housing in East Oakland.

Church members, businesses and elected representatives lobbied Presidents Reagan, Bush, Sr., Clinton, and Bush, Jr., resulting in federal funding. Congressman Ron Dellums and current

Congresswoman Barbara Lee were instrumental in securing HUD funding for the Allen Temple housing development.

California governors have been lobbied into partnerships.

Gov. Jerry Brown just announced “no funding for affordable housing” in his current budget proposal, so Oakland will have to lobby again.

Mayors of Oakland have been strong partners.

Mayor Lionel Wilson and Elihu Harris supported Allen Temple’s efforts. The faith-based and nonprofit communities are working with current Mayor Libby Schaaf on solutions to the crisis of both homelessness and housing shortages.

Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan is working with community groups to facilitate solutions. Using city-owned property is one of those solutions and in fact, Allen Temple Arms I and II are built on property sold to the church by the city.

Since 1978, Allen Temple Baptist Church has been committed to finding solutions. A commitment to affordable housing, an “it takes a village” posture, and hard work created success in East Oakland, and will again.

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Prostate Cancer is Twice as Likely to Kill Black Men. Talking to Your Doctor Could Help Save Your Life

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The American Cancer Society recommends that African American men speak with their doctor at age 45 about whether prostate cancer screening is right for them. Men at even higher risk should have that discussion at age 40, especially those with one or more close relatives who were diagnosed at an early age.

Published

1 day ago

September 10, 2026

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Prostate Cancer is Twice as Likely to Kill Black Men. Talking to Your Doctor Could Help Save Your Life

American Cancer Society board member Dr. Robert Winn discusses risk factors for the disease and why too many Black men still aren’t getting screened

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and as both a Black man and a cancer center director, I know many men in our community think it’s bad luck to talk about cancer. But I’m here to tell you it’s bad luck not to talk about it.

We, Black men in the U.S., are nearly 70% more likely than White men to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. We’re also twice as likely to die from the disease.

But I’m telling you, if you’re diagnosed early, you can still enjoy a long, happy life doing the things you love, whether that’s playing with grandkids or staying active in your community. That’s because although it can become a serious illness, most men diagnosed with prostate cancer won’t die from it.

In fact, more than 3.5 million U.S. men who’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer are still alive today. And when it’s diagnosed early, you boost your odds of survival. It’s that simple.

Generally, prostate cancer is most likely to develop after age 50, but when it develops in Black men, they tend to be younger. That means we need to be on the ball about understanding our personal risk. The risk factors include a family history of prostate cancer and certain genetic health risks that come from a parent.

When it comes to family medical history, we need to get a lot better at talking. For me, it turned out I had uncles who’d died from prostate and other cancers, but I didn’t always know that, so I couldn’t use that information to help me make smarter screening choices.

The American Cancer Society recommends that African American men speak with their doctor at age 45 about whether prostate cancer screening is right for them. Men at even higher risk should have that discussion at age 40, especially those with one or more close relatives who were diagnosed at an early age.

Look, I get that no one looks forward to a screening, but it typically starts with just a simple blood test, called a prostate-specific antigen, or PSA.

Even if you end up needing a digital rectal exam, it takes less than a minute and could save your life. So, what I say to people is, what’s the price of your life? Isn’t it worth a minute of being uncomfortable?

Brothers, this is essential for you to know: just because you’re feeling good doesn’t mean you don’t have early-stage prostate cancer. By the time you start to actually experience symptoms, the disease could be at an advanced stage and might be harder to treat.”

Prostate cancer is significantly impacting our fathers, our brothers, and our sons. That’s why the American Cancer Society is working with health systems and professionals in your community to help remove barriers in the fight against the disease.

We can help you find low-cost or free screening locations. And for men who need cancer treatment, the American Cancer Society can reduce the financial burden of traveling to medical appointments by providing free rides and, if you live far away from where you receive treatment, a free place to stay.

When it comes to prostate cancer screening, one size doesn’t fit all. So, it’s important for all men – and especially Black men – to talk to their doctor about what’s best for them based on their age, risk, and health history. Please make that appointment, because we don’t want you to risk missing out on the best years of your life.

For more information, call the American Cancer Society’s 24/7 helpline at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

Dr. Robert Winn is a nationally recognized physician-scientist and researcher. He currently serves as cancer center director at Temple Health’s Fox Chase Cancer Center. Since 2021, he has served on the board of directors for the American Cancer Society, a leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.

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Oakland Post: Week of September 2 – 8, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of September 2 – 8, 2026

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4 days ago

September 7, 2026

Oakland Post

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Longtime BWOPA Member Brendalyn Goodall Appointed to California Workforce Development Board

Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed longtime Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) member Brendalynn Goodall to the California Workforce Development Board. Goodall, an Oakland resident with decades of experience in public service, has held leadership positions focused on

Published

2 weeks ago

August 30, 2026

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Post Co-Publisher Gay Plair Cobb with Brendalynn Goodall. Courtesy photo.

By California Black Media

Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed longtime Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) member Brendalynn Goodall to the California Workforce Development Board.

Goodall, an Oakland resident with decades of experience in public service, has held leadership positions focused on employment, aging services and assistance for underserved communities.

“Brendalynn will be a great addition to this Board,” said Gay Plair Cobb, who served as former state Assemblyman Sandre Swanson’s alternate to the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB).

“She understands that California’s non-profit organizations serve persons who have the most significant barriers to their labor market success and that the Board should help these groups navigate the complicated requirements of state funding.

“In other words, she will be a strong advocate for our most marginalized populations. Her voice is needed now, more than ever.”

CWDB works with the governor to shape workforce policies, programs and investments designed to strengthen the state’s economy. It collaborates with employers, workers, labor organizations, educational institutions, community groups and California’s 45 local workforce development boards to expand access to quality jobs and respond to regional employment needs.

According to the board, its work includes coordinating state programs and guiding investments in workforce training and development.

BWOPA California celebrated the appointment, describing Goodall as a dedicated advocate for workers, families and older adults.

“Her appointment reflects a lifetime of leadership, service, and unwavering commitment to strengthening California’s workforce and expanding opportunity for all,” the organization stated in a press release.

Goodall served as summer jobs program coordinator in the Oakland Mayor’s Office from 2012 to 2014. In that position, she helped connect young people with employment opportunities and job experience.

Before joining the Mayor’s Office, Goodall was division manager for Aging and Adult Services in the City of Oakland Human Services Department from 2002 to 2011. She previously served as senior services supervisor and program director for the city’s Department of Aging, Health and Human Services from 1990 to 2002.

Goodall is also a member of the California Commission on Aging, which advises the governor and state officials on policies and programs affecting older Californians.