Activism
Black Men Awarded for Their Inspiration to Youth
Felecia Gaston and the Phoenix Project held the Black Men Working Award Ceremony to honor men in Marin City who have inspired young Black men to pursue greatness. The event was held at the 200 lot in Marin City on Tuesday, Dec. 12. Along with the free haircuts, a BBQ dinner was given to the several hundred people who gathered to enjoy and celebrate the award ceremony.
By Godfrey Lee
Felecia Gaston and the Phoenix Project held the Black Men Working Award Ceremony to honor men in Marin City who have inspired young Black men to pursue greatness.
The event was held at the 200 lot in Marin City on Tuesday, Dec. 12. Along with the free haircuts, a BBQ dinner was given to the several hundred people who gathered to enjoy and celebrate the award ceremony.
Marion Washington, chief of the Marin County Probation Department, was Master of Ceremonies. Rev. Marcus Small of Peoples Inter-Cities Fellowship opened the ceremony with prayer. Bishop Johnathan Logan Sr., Cornerstone COGIC, welcomed everyone to the event.
Stephanie Moulton Peters, Marin County Board of Supervisors, gave a brief history of the Phoenix Project. Harold Wallace, MCHWC, also spoke briefly on Black Men and Health.
Also recognized were Larry Adams, Darnell Roary, Homer Hall, Cheryl Fisher, and Jose Varela as co-founders of the Phoenix Project 2009. In addition, David Sutton, chief of the Marin County Public Defender’s Office and Phoenix Case Managers, Wayne Price, Kevin Smith, and Homer Hall were recognized.
The retirees, and the years they served, are: Donnie Roary (30 yrs.), Carl Dedrick (31 yrs.), Lawrence Dora (10 yrs.), Michael Page (22 yrs.), Ralph Wilson Sr. (35 yrs.), Honor Jackson (35 yrs.), Jesse Washington (27 yrs.), Paul Austin Sr. (28 yrs.), Warren Alexander (28 yrs.), David Johnson (39 yrs.), Tim Grayson (25+ yrs.), Mark Paige (16+ yrs.), Harvey Red Tucker (30 yrs.), Bernard Hastings (15 yrs.), Ray Foster (27 yrs.), Ralph Wilson (30+ yrs.), Mark Lewis (25 yrs.), Angeille Johnson (20 yrs.), Nathaniel Coleman Jr. (10 yrs.), Edward Marcus (40+ yrs.), and Phillip Scott (35 yrs.).
The “Marin City Legends” and the years they served: are Jesse Polk (30+ yrs.), Ramon Polk (30+ yrs.), Larry Striplin (45 yrs.), Robert Hill (12 yrs.), Donald Morgan (29 yrs.), Clarence Striplin (35 yrs.), and Donald Miggins (37 yrs.).
The “Clean and Sober” Awards went to Owen Snell (32 yrs.), Jessie Broomfield (16 yrs.), Julian Maunder (2 yrs.), James Tyrone Roary (10 yrs.), Michael Harris, Jr. (3 yrs.), Shannon Bynum Sr. (23 yrs.), Markelle Taylor (22 yrs.), Orlando Wiggins (15 yrs.), and Ramon Polk (15 years).
Emmanuel McLemore was awarded the Fresh Start/Expungement award.
The “Successfully Completed Parole” Award went to Shamron Mitchell, Levester Williams, Jr., Tiare Berkeley, Emmanuel McLemore, Kenny Carter, Chas Langley, and Ricky Hill.
The “Golden Gate Village – Groundsman Not Wasting Time and Hard Work” Award went to Emmanuel McLemore, Kenny Carter, Claude Burton Jr., and Stevie Dean Jr.
Donnie Roary was recognized and awarded again for serving as the Community Chef for Marin City.
Those who went Above and Beyond in their service are Jesse Polk for more than 50 years of community service, Clarence Page for steadily working for over 65 years, and Charles Earl Dent for serving the community for over 30 years.
The “Above and Beyond Academic Excellence” award went to Professor Walter Turner.
Allen Talley, the first and only Black man to win the Marin Master Bowling Tournament in 2004, was recognized.
Editor’s Note: If I have missed any men who were awarded, or who has inspired a young man or woman to pursue greatness, and may like to share their story in the paper, please contact Godfrey Lee at godfreylee2@yahoo.com , and I will be happy to write your story for the paper.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025
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Activism
Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025
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Activism
IN MEMORIAM: William ‘Bill’ Patterson, 94
Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.
William “Bill” Patterson, 94, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025, at his home in Oakland, CA. He was born on May 19, 1931, to Marie Childress Patterson and William Benjamin Patterson in Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from Dunbar High School and traveled to Oakland, California, in 1948. William Patterson graduated from San Francisco State University, earning both graduate and undergraduate degrees. He married Euradell “Dell” Patterson in 1961. Bill lovingly took care of his wife, Dell, until she died in 2020.
Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.
He served on the boards of Oakland’s Urban Strategies Council, the Oakland Public Ethics Commission, and the Oakland Workforce Development Board.
He was a three-term president of the Oakland branch of the NAACP.
Bill was initiated in the Gamma Alpha chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
In 1997 Bill was appointed to the East Bay Utility District Board of Directors. William Patterson was the first African American Board President and served the board for 27 years.
Bill’s impact reached far beyond his various important and impactful positions.
Bill mentored politicians, athletes and young people. Among those he mentored and advised are legends Joe Morgan, Bill Russell, Frank Robinson, Curt Flood, and Lionel Wilson to name a few.
He is survived by his son, William David Patterson, and one sister, Sarah Ann Strickland, and a host of other family members and friends.
A celebration of life service will take place at Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center (Calvin Simmons Theater) on November 21, 2025, at 10 AM.
His services are being livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1250167107131991/
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Euradell and William Patterson scholarship fund TBA.
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