Events

Congresswoman Lee Commemorates MLK’s Legacy

Published

10 years ago

April 10, 2014

Congresswoman Barbara Lee joined hundreds of celebrants to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination and mark the reopening of the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tenn. Below are her remarks from the occasion:

First, thank you for inviting me to be with you at this hallowed ground where years ago, our drum mayor for justice was so tragically taken from us.

“We gather to celebrate and commemorate the man and the movement that changed the soul of America, shattered legal segregation and provided opportunities for many. If not for the movement, I would not be here as the 99th African American member of Congress working side by side with giants such as Congressman John Lewis.

“I’d also like to recognize my great colleague Steve Cohen, your incredible representative from Memphis, my friend since the early 70’s., Dr. Amy Bailey, a great preacher, my friend, Bishop Brown, and to all of you, my brothers and sisters.

“To stand here today fills with me with tremendous pride and humility.”

April 4, 1968 changed my life forever. Like everyone I was shocked, saddened, and angry. Dr. King’s tragic death brought vivid memories of my childhood in segregated El, Paso Texas.

“And also reminded me that I must do more to fight the triple evils of poverty, racism, and militarism of which Dr. King so boldly spoke exactly one year before his assassination-April 4, 1967 in his speech Beyond Vietnam at Riverside Church in New York.

“I remembered my dad, a military officer, who served in World War II and the Korean War, being turned away at restaurants, in his uniform and with his family because we were black.

“And I remembered the segregated public schools when I was a child, the “colored only” water fountains and my mother and father-again in his uniform-being told they could not buy a house where they wanted to live because of the color of their skin.

A group of Kids prepare to march along side Congresswoman Lee’s car for the MLK parade.

“As a proud community worker with the Black Panther Party, I helped challenge the oppression of the poor and people of color and had the privilege to work for Bobby Seal, who is here today, as a fundraiser when he ran for mayor of Oakland.

“That paved the way for Oakland’s first Black Mayor, our beloved the late Lionel Wilson. The Black Panther Party challenged the status quo and was the first to establish a free breakfast program for children which was the precursor for the federal government’s breakfast program. Bobby, I salute your bold leadership.

“While serving as the President of the Black Student Union at Mills College, I met my mentor, the first African American woman elected to Congress, our champion Shirley Chisholm. She was the first woman and first African American to run a serious campaign for President.

“She inspired me to register to vote, help lead the Northern California President Campaign with the Black Panther Party and go to the Democratic Party convention as a Shirley Chisholm delegate.

“Without Shirley Chisholm and many courageous civil and human rights leaders, including Rev. Jesse Jackson, President Barack Obama would not be our commander in chief today.

“In 1967, Dr. MLK said:

“The bombs in Vietnam explode at home. They destroy the hopes and possibilities for a decent America.”

“His words rang clear when after the horrific attacks of 9-11, Congress was asked to give President Bush and any President a blank check to wage war. Although very difficult, I ended up as the only vote against this open-ended war resolution.

“Later on, I saw our beloved Coretta Scott King, who graciously hugged me and said, “I’m certain Martin would be proud. That was the right vote.” I am still humbled by those words.

“And so today, I am also joined by my remarkable grandsons, Joshua and Jonah Lee and several brilliant young people from Oakland’s Martin Luther King Freedom Center and Dr. Norma Ambriz-Galavez from our designated predominately black institution, Merritt College in Oakland, to thank the foot soldiers and heroes and she-roes of the movement, commemorate the 50th Anniversary of so many milestones in our march toward freedom.

“We come today to recommit ourselves to the struggle for a more perfect union. Yes, for freedom, forward, and to once and for all, rid our country and the world of poverty, racism, and militarism.

“In the words of my favorite gospel, “I ain’t no way tired. We’ve come too far from where we started from. Nobody told me the road would be easy-I can’t believe he brought me this far to leave me.”

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Mind, Body, and Spiritual Well-Being for Women Addressed in NAACP Forum in Oakland

The Women In The NAACP Oakland Branch is proud to announce the upcoming “Total You – Mind, Body, and Spirit Women’s Health Forum” scheduled for April 27 at Acts Full Gospel Church. Running from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 1034 66th Ave., this forum aims to provide an empowering platform for women to engage in discussions, gain knowledge, and access resources pertaining to their health and well-being.

Published

4 days ago

April 20, 2024

Oakland Post

The panel will address various aspects of women’s health, including physical, mental and emotional well-being and relationships. iStock photo by Jorge Elizaquibel.

Special to The Post

The Women In The NAACP Oakland Branch is proud to announce the upcoming “Total You – Mind, Body, and Spirit Women’s Health Forum” scheduled for April 27 at Acts Full Gospel Church.

Running from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 1034 66^th Ave., this forum aims to provide an empowering platform for women to engage in discussions, gain knowledge, and access resources pertaining to their health and well-being.

The forum will feature renowned experts, healthcare professionals, and advocates from Genentech, John Muir Health, Sutter Health of The East Bay, Kaiser Permanente, and the Alameda County Public Health Department.

Our expert panel will address various aspects of women’s health, including physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and healthy relationships. The forum will encompass a wide range of topics such as breast cancer, menopause, reproductive health, nutrition, mental health awareness, preventive care, and much more.

Participants will have the opportunity to attend informative sessions, interactive workshops, and panel discussions led by experts in their respective fields. Additionally, there will be wellness activities, screenings, and informational booths offering valuable resources and support.

This forum is open to women of all ages and backgrounds, encouraging inclusivity and diversity in the conversation surrounding women’s health. Whether you’re seeking information for yourself, a loved one, or simply looking to connect with other women, this event promises to be enlightening and empowering.

For more information and to register for the Total You Women’s Health Forum, please visit https://www.naacpoakland.org/ or contact Dr. Delores Thompson. WIN chairwoman at (510) 328-3638.

The Women In The NAACP Oakland Branch is dedicated to empowering women, and young teen girls. We look forward to your participation in this important event.

To register, go to https://www.naacpoakland.org/events/the-total-you-womens-health-forum

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Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

Published

6 days ago

April 19, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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Oakland’s ‘Green the Church,’ Others, Host a Climate Revival

On April 20, Oakland’s Green The Church California (GTC) and the Center For Food, Faith and Justice will celebrate Earth Day and present a Climate Revival event titled “Growing Healthy Communities From Soil To The Soul” at McGee Avenue Baptist Church at 1640 Stuart St, Berkeley, CA. The day will include inspiring talks, interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and a special panel on Food Sovereignty and Global Food Resilience.

Published

1 week ago

April 17, 2024

Oakland Post

The revival will take place at McGee Avenue Baptist Church in Berkeley on April 20. Courtesy image.

Growing Healthy Communities from Soil to the Soul in Berkeley

By Y’Anad Burrell

The day will include inspiring talks, interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and a special panel on Food Sovereignty and Global Food Resilience.

The keynote speaker is Rev. Danté R. Quick, PhD, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, N.J. Quick is well known in the Bay Area, having served for more than 10 years as pastor of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Vallejo, CA.

Green The Church, founded in 2010 by Rev. Dr. Ambrose Carroll, Sr., and headquartered in Oakland, helps galvanize Black churches and their local communities and leaders to address issues critical to populations historically disengaged from conversations around pollution and health, climate change, and sustainability and energy efficiency.

The organization collaborates with major environmental, sustainability, food security, faith, and community-based non-profit organizations, and is committed to “creation justice”—care and justice for God’s people and the planet—and building the Beloved Community.

Environmental justice has long been a pressing concern for communities of color who bear the brunt of pollution and ecological degradation. Climate change exacerbates these issues, disproportionately impacting vulnerable communities. Recognizing this urgency, Black churches across the country are taking action.

With deep roots in the African American community and its commitment to social justice, the Black Church has become an essential advocate for sustainable practices and policies.

Over the past 14 years, in a powerful collaboration with significant environmental, sustainability, food security, faith, and community-based non-profit organizations, GTC has created a cadre of Black churches engaging in the environmental justice, climate, and sustainability movement.

GTC presently works with more than 1,000 pastors and congregations across the U.S., and groups in the Bahamas, Ghana, Nigeria, and the UK, showing that we can make a difference together.

The partnership between environmental justice advocates and the Black Church extends beyond individual congregations. Green The Church provides resources and support for faith communities seeking to address climate change and promote environmental justice.

Through collaboration, initiatives such as energy efficiency programs, solar installations, and environmental education have been implemented in Black churches nationwide. These efforts reduce the carbon footprint and save money on energy bills, benefiting the congregations and their communities.

The involvement of the Black Church in the fight against climate change is not just a participation, it’s a powerful message that galvanizes action across communities.

By integrating environmental justice into their ministry, Black churches are demonstrating that addressing climate change is not only a matter of science but also of social and moral responsibility, inspiring change at a grassroots level.

For more information, go to: www.greenthechurch.org.