Bay Area

Eddie R. Dillard, 76

On Dec. 21, 2023, angels peacefully carried Eddie Rudolph Dillard away as he was awakened to eternal life from his home in Sacramento, California, after a fearless battle against complications of several medical issues. Eddie was 76 years old.

Published

4 months ago

January 8, 2024

Oakland Post

Born Sept. 27, 1947, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Ben Smith and Annie Lee Holmes-Dillard, Eddie’s journey was one of courage, determination, and unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion.

After honorably serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, he channeled his leadership into academics, earning an A.A. from Oakland’s Merritt College before becoming one of only four Black students to graduate from the University of California, at Berkeley, in 1977 with a B.A. in Economics.

Eddie’s passion for giving small, minority-owned businesses an opportunity to do it big was kindled in 1980 as the Northern California delegate for the first ever White House Conference on Small Business Development under then President Jimmy Carter in Wash., D.C.

His pivotal role in the City of Oakland’s Office of Economic Development laid the groundwork for minority businesses to flourish. As the meticulous steward of the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development’s $25 million loan program for 15 years, he helped shape Oakland’s economic landscape into one of opportunity and growth.

Eddie cemented his legacy and love for all things Oakland in 1997 when he established the Oakland Black Board of Trade and Commerce, where, as president and CEO, he transformed the prospects of local Black contractors, aiding them in securing over $100 million in contracts.

His efforts however were not confined to the boardroom; Eddie’s voice resonated in the corridors of power, influencing policy and local elections to reflect the needs and aspirations of the communities he championed.

Eddie wrote over 100 articles on politics, small business development, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In 2020, he moved to Sacramento and gave his grandchildren everything he had. His love for his family was boundless and there is no doubt he will continue to watch over them as the years pass.

Eddie’s passing calls for not just local or state recognition, but a national acknowledgment of his contributions. It is fitting for proclamations and commendations to honor a life so well-lived, one that has laid the foundation for future generations to continue the fight for economic equity and representation in the construction industry.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters and brothers; Bertha, Ada, Floyd, Elijah “Slim,” William “Chi,” Doug, Roger, and Nathaniel.

He is survived by his sister Lillie Yancey; daughter Frances Bost in Germany; sons Kevien, Jason (Damia), and Jesse (Stephanie) Dillard; eight grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Please join us on Jan. 18 at 11:00 a.m. at Oakstop Event Hall, 2323 Broadway in Oakland, to celebrate this beautiful life. Please come and share your stories of this incredible father, brother, business consultant and friend.

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Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

15 hours ago

April 26, 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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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

4 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

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Bay Area

State Controller Malia Cohen Keynote Speaker at S.F. Wealth Conference

California State Controller Malia Cohen delivered the keynote speech to over 50 business women at the Black Wealth Brunch held on March 28 at the War Memorial and Performing Arts Center at 301 Van Ness Ave. in San Francisco. The Enterprising Women Networking SF Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) hosted the Green Room event to launch its platform designed to close the racial wealth gap in Black and Brown communities.

Published

6 days ago

April 20, 2024

Oakland Post

American Business Women’s Association Vice President Velma Landers, left, with California State Controller Malia Cohen (center), and ABWA President LaRonda Smith at the Enterprising Women Networking SF Chapter of the ABWA at the Black Wealth Brunch.

By Carla Thomas

The Enterprising Women Networking SF Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) hosted the Green Room event to launch its platform designed to close the racial wealth gap in Black and Brown communities.

“Our goal is to educate Black and Brown families in the masses about financial wellness, wealth building, and how to protect and preserve wealth,” said ABWA San Francisco Chapter President LaRonda Smith.

ABWA’s mission is to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support, and national recognition.

“This day is about recognizing influential women, hearing from an accomplished woman as our keynote speaker and allowing women to come together as powerful people,” said ABWA SF Chapter Vice President Velma Landers.

More than 60 attendees dined on the culinary delights of Chef Sharon Lee of The Spot catering, which included a full soul food brunch of skewered shrimp, chicken, blackened salmon, and mac and cheese.

Cohen discussed the many economic disparities women and people of color face. From pay equity to financial literacy, Cohen shared not only statistics, but was excited about a new solution in motion which entailed partnering with Californians for Financial Education.

“I want everyone to reach their full potential,” she said. “Just a few weeks ago in Sacramento, I partnered with an organization, Californians for Financial Education.

“We gathered 990 signatures and submitted it to the [California] Secretary of State to get an initiative on the ballot that guarantees personal finance courses for every public school kid in the state of California.

“Every California student deserves an equal opportunity to learn about filing taxes, interest rates, budgets, and understanding the impact of credit scores. The way we begin to do that is to teach it,” Cohen said.

By equipping students with information, Cohen hopes to close the financial wealth gap, and give everyone an opportunity to reach their full financial potential. “They have to first be equipped with the information and education is the key. Then all we need are opportunities to step into spaces and places of power.”

Cohen went on to share that in her own upbringing, she was not guided on financial principles that could jump start her finances. “Communities of color don’t have the same information and I don’t know about you, but I did not grow up listening to my parents discussing their assets, their investments, and diversifying their portfolio. This is the kind of nomenclature and language we are trying to introduce to our future generations so we can pivot from a life of poverty so we can pivot away and never return to poverty.”

Cohen urged audience members to pass the initiative on the November 2024 ballot.

“When we come together as women, uplift women, and support women, we all win. By networking and learning together, we can continue to build generational wealth,” said Landers. “Passing a powerful initiative will ensure the next generation of California students will be empowered to make more informed financial decisions, decisions that will last them a lifetime.”