Activism

Despite Scary Diagnosis, Never Give Cancer the Power

Published

3 years ago

August 6, 2020

Having “conquered” cancer twice rather than being a survivor of cancer speaks to the power of Annetta Grady’s battle with breast cancer, twice.

“I used to hate the color pink, now I host ‘Pink Parties’ and raise money for the Faith Fancher Foundation at Kaiser, Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center at Summit and the Woman’s Resource Breast Cancer Center,” said Grady, who was raised in Berkeley and is now a resident of Richmond.

Faith Fancher (1950-2003) was a television journalist in the San Francisco Bay Area who shared her breast cancer journey with her viewers as a way to teach others the benefit of early detection.

Before she died, she established the Faith Fancher Breast Cancer Emergency Fund at the Women’s Cancer Resource Center. This fund provides direct, emergency financial assistance for low-income men and women in treatment for breast cancer in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties in California.

The Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center in Oakland is a place to find a supportive, positive environment totally dedicated to comprehensive breast health and treatment of breast disease.

The Women’s Cancer Resource Center in Berkeley creates opportunities for women with cancer to improve their quality of life through education, supportive services, and practical assistance.

A 65-year-old food-service worker, Grady was first diagnosed at the age of 55 and had her right breast removed. About a decade later, cancer was discovered in the milk ducts of her left breast, so, pro-actively she had her left breast removed.

When asked by the Post to submit a picture, she asked if the Post wanted a picture of her chest, explaining, “My scars are my badge of courage.”

Grady witnessed her mom’s journey with cancer, also a survivor at age 85. “I saw her painful path and didn’t want to go the route of chemotherapy. Because of early detection, Grady instead took Tamoxifen, an extremely effective drug against cancer.

“After mom’s diagnosis, I took the test. When I was first diagnosed I wasn’t afraid, I was mad, not because of the diagnosis, but because I had to cancel my trip to Spain and Morocco for a Smooth Jazz Cruise,” Grady said.

Her love of jazz began with the Grassroots Jazz Band, where her father played the piano, saxophone and flute. Grady describes herself as a creative person who makes cards, creative art, and excels in the culinary arts.

Grady’s aunt, also diagnosed with cancer, died two years after Grady’s diagnosis.

“I never gave cancer the power. I come from a stock of strong women, and I had a strong support system from my church and my co-workers. I also know my favor with God played an essential part in my recovery.

“I didn’t just survive, I thrived! I told cancer, ‘You have to go’ and it did,” Grady said.

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of November 22 – 28, 2023

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 22 – 28, 2023

Published

6 days ago

November 24, 2023

Oakland Post

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 22 - 28, 2023

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.

Activism

Open Letter to Tidewater Capital Developers: What’s Your Plan to Prevent More Harm to Black-Owned Business and Cultural Artists?

Oakland has produced more African American sports greats than any other city in America. Oakland is home to the most militant and effective social justice organizations, (the ILWU is one example), and the very first Black trade union, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. None of these have the sort of very visible recognition that are warranted.

Published

1 week ago

November 20, 2023

Oakland Post

1431 Franklin Street Office Option (left) and Residential Option (right), rendering by Large Architecture

By Kitty Kelly Epstein, PhD
Special to The Post

Many people, including me, have long been concerned with Oakland’s lack of public recognition for the accomplishments of the Black community and lack of concern for its current condition.

Oakland has produced more African American sports greats than any other city in America. Oakland is home to the most militant and effective social justice organizations (the ILWU is one example) and the very first Black trade union, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. None of these have the sort of very visible recognition that is warranted.

And at the same time, half of the Black community has been forced to leave the city, and of those who remain, many are Black men who are forced to live on the street.

One bright spot has been the promise of a Black Arts Movement and Business District (BAMBD) in downtown Oakland, which promised to prioritize development to benefit the Black community and was passed by the City Council in 2016.

And now we find it is not new Black-owned businesses but yet another non-Black developer proposing to build a huge non-Black development. So, to the developers at Tidewater Capital, I ask: what exactly are you planning to do with the property you own at 1431 Franklin that will not further damage the community?

You have submitted two proposals to the Oakland Planning Commission: one for an office building, ridiculously unnecessary given the current number of office vacancies, and the other for a high-end residential building that would certainly house mostly affluent white folks and hire out-of-town labor for its construction.

And in the process, I would argue that your proposal would damage one of the most treasured, long-standing Black-owned, and historically recognized businesses in the city — Geoffrey’s Inner Circle at 410 14^th St.

In some ways, the situation is similar to the forced closure of Black-owned Uncle Willie’s Barbecue at 614 14^th St. by the actions of another huge developer, in that case, a hotel.

It may come as a surprise to you, but many of us do not believe that someone should get to build whatever they want just because they are rich enough to buy a piece of property.

Black-owned businesses and galleries, parking, and cultural spaces would all be of benefit to this district. More unaffordable housing will not. Furthermore, you own another property nearby which you could develop without so much damage to the community.

So – what exactly are you planning?

Kitty Kelly Epstein is a professor of Urban Studies and Education, Oakland resident, host on KPFA Radio, an author of two books about Oakland.