Activism

Community Celebrates Lifetime Achievements of Ex-Berkeley Mayor Gus Newport

Newport, who is now in his mid-80s, was born in Rochester, New York. While living there, he was leader of the Monroe County Nonpartisan Political League, where he worked with Malcolm X to defend nine Black Muslims who were attacked and arrested during a worship service.

Published

3 years ago

April 21, 2022

Ken Epstein

Gus Newport meets friends and well-wishers at a celebration of his lifetime of commitment to social justice, organized by the Middle East Children's Alliance, Monday night at the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley. Photo by Ken Epstein.

By Ken Epstein

A large crowd turned out Monday evening, March 28, to pay tribute to Eugene “Gus” Newport, former Berkeley mayor and a grassroots leader with a long history of activism in the Civil Rights Movement and the struggle for human rights in the U.S. and globally that has continued up to the present.

Newport’s friend and fellow activist, actor Danny Glover, hosted the event.

Some of the speakers were in-person while others appeared live on a large monitor behind the stage at the Freight and Salvage. Among those who honored Newport were Angela Davis, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and singer Holly Near. Newport’s son, who was present, and his daughter who livestreamed from Atlanta, spoke lovingly of their father. His wife, Katherine Kasch, was also there. The event was a fundraiser for the Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA).

Newport was a founding member of the alliance and served for years as chair of MECA’s board. MECA founder Barbara Lubin also spoke at the celebration.

Moving to New York, he was mentored by Harlem Congressman Adam Clayton Powell and Malcolm X, helping him found the Organization of African American Unity.

Newport served as mayor of Berkeley from 1979 to 1986. He was one of the first U.S. mayors to ride in a Gay Freedom Day Parade in 1979. Under his leadership, Berkeley became the first city to divest from companies that supported apartheid in South Africa.

More recently, he traveled around the country to support Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign.

Newport has supported human rights around the world and within the U.S. He:

Traveled to war zones in solidarity with the people of El Salvador;
Worked for Palestinian liberation;
Headed the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative in Boston, creating a national model for a neighborhood run “by and for the people;”
Helped oversee the rebuilding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina;
Mentored young activists;
Served on the faculty of UC Berkeley, MIT and Yale;
Serves on the National Council of Elders, an organization of key social justice activists over 65;
Received the 2019 Khalil Gibran Spirit of Humanity Award from the Arab American Institute Foundation.

Ken Epstein

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Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024, 2024

Published

6 days ago

November 30, 2024

Oakland Post

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Activism

OCCUR Hosts “Faith Forward” Conference in Oakland

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.
Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

President and CEO of OCCUR addresses the audience at OCCUR Faith Forward 2024 Conference at Resurrection Church. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Oakland Citizens Committee for Urban Renewal (OCCUR) hosted its Faith Forward 2024 Conference on Nov. 8 at Resurrection Church in Oakland.

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12^th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.

Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership. During her remarks, She commended nonprofits making a difference, and shared how she looked forward to representing Oakland and surrounding areas.

Simon also encouraged attendees to continue fighting despite their concerns about the presidential election results. She also cautioned that there may be resources that are discontinued as a result.

“We know the assignment. We have many of the resources right within our own community, and we will be ok,” Simon assured the audience.

The conference led by OCCUR president, Dr. David B. Franklin, also featured panels on funding opportunities, case studies, economic development, sustainable housing solutions, and organizing for action.

“In order for organizations serving the community to thrive, everyone must collaborate, share resources, and not operate in silos,” said Franklin.

Speakers included San Francisco Foundation CEO, Fred Blackwell, San Francisco Foundation FAITHS Program Director Dr. Michelle Chambers, and Kingmakers of Oakland Founder, Chris Chatmon. Guests were briefed on how Kingmakers of Oakland has gone from a budget of zero to several million and is set to acquire 200 acres of property to expand their programs serving young boys. The leadership at the San Francisco Foundation encouraged nonprofits, churches, and community leaders to work together, especially when donations and funding numbers are lower.

Ben Bartlett of Berkeley City Council; Trevor Parham, CEO of Oakstop; and CEO of the Lao Family Community Development, Inc., Kathy Chao Rothberg, inspired attendees with stories about their journeys in the nonprofit sector.

Additional speakers included Deka Dike, CEO of Omatachi; Landis Green, CEO of DGS Strategies; Sasha Werblin, Director of Economic Development, LISC Bay Area; Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid; Faith and Justice Organizer of East Bay Housing Organizations, Ronnie Boyd; and Todd Bendon, Executive Director of Faith in Action East Bay; among others.

The event allowed community leaders, faith-based leaders, and nonprofits to gain Insight on how to strengthen their profits financially, and communally.

OCCUR has served the community for over 70 years supporting the wellbeing of historically marginalized communities with collaborative strategies. For more information visit occurnow.org

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Activism

Richmond Seniors Still Having a Ball After 25 Years

The Senior Winter Ball is a symbol of the Commission on Aging’s broader mission of providing enriching life experiences to the local senior community, particularly those in need of them. “Besides the social activities, we focus on issues such as housing, transportation and health,” said Michelle Hayes, the commission’s chairperson. “We get things done for our senior population.”

Published

2 weeks ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Myrtle Braxton (l-r), Byran H. Harris, and Michelle Hayes. Photo by Mike Kinney.

By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard

For a quarter century, seniors in the local community have had a prime location in the heart of the city to gather and celebrate the holidays.

That is courtesy of the annual Senior Winter Ball, which will mark a milestone this year when it takes place for the 25^th time. The gala will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Richmond Memorial Auditorium.

The holiday tradition was started by the City of Richmond’s Commission on Aging in 1999 to entertain and celebrate seniors. The event also raises funds for local senior causes. Attendees wear their finest attire and enjoy dinner and dancing.

“It’s so exciting to see all of the gala attendees all dressed up and seeing their lifetime friends and making new friends as well,” said Bryan M. Harris, secretary for the Commission on Aging. “They will reminisce about old Winter Ball memories and at the same time create new ones.”

Richmond’s very own Chef Josephine Orozco of El Sol Catering will serve at this year’s anniversary dinner. The gala will also feature the band Top Shelf Classics, which plays hits from the 50s through the 80s and has been the gala’s annual performer for the last decade.

The Senior Winter Ball symbolizes the Commission on Aging’s broader mission of providing enriching life experiences to the local senior community, particularly those in need of them.

“Besides the social activities, we focus on issues such as housing, transportation and health,” said Michelle Hayes, the commission’s chairperson. “We get things done for our senior population.”

Myrtle Braxton, 97, has served on the commission for 17 years and is its current vice president. She says her goal is to increase the quality of life for seniors through safe social events.

“So many seniors are isolated and are sometimes forgotten by society,” Braxton said. “So, our commission is their advocate and makes sure they are not left behind.”

Tickets to the 25th Silver Anniversary Annual Senior Winter Ball are $45 per person or $360 for a table of eight. They are available in person via the Main Recreation office at 3230 Macdonald Ave., via email at csdregistration@ci.richmond.ca.us or by phone at 510-620-6793.