Community

Ernest Clark: A Lifetime of Giving

Published

7 years ago

February 17, 2018

Oakland Post

Ernest Clark, Jr. Photo by Anintard Henderson, Photographers@large.

By Randie Ellington

If you have ever met Mr. Ernest Clark, Jr., you would remember him for many things. In particular, you will remember his constant, sincere smile and his dedication to help others be successful. Despite his untimely passing in 2017, there is so much more to know about the well known and respected Oakland real estate and non-profit community leader.

Clark was born in Fresno and raised in Long Beach andgraduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School. He served in the Air Force, where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. In 1969, he began his professional career as a grade school teacher while he earned his Master’s Degree. In 1972, he moved his family to Castro Valley and accepted employment with the U.S. Department of Education, where he worked to open education centers in developing countries throughout the world.

The family soon moved to Oakland in 1978 and Clark decided to change careers. He started selling real estate first from his home, and then for Red Carpet. Eventually, Mr. Clark obtained a broker’s license and opened Seville Real Estate, in 1986.

As a local real estate professional, Clark was involved in countless organizations and causes. He served as the president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NARAB) and the Associated Real Property Brokers (ARPB). He also served on the Advisory Board of the Federal Home Mortgage Association.

Clark’s community work included executive director of the Long Beach Community Improvement League, board chair of the East Bay Volunteers of America, And most recently he was a board member and vice president of the Oakland Citizens Community for Urban Renewal (OCCUR). He was one of the first independent entrepreneurs in the East Bay to provide small affordable working spaces and a law library for attorneys and real estate agents just starting out in their careers. In every role, Mr. Clark demonstrated his belief in helping others.

Toastmasters International recognized Clark as a respected “Servant Leader” and he remained an active member for 25 years. He attended weekly meetings and unselfishly offered his insight and experience. He mentored the newer members and club leaders. He would often invite and sponsor new members who were seeking to improve their communication and leadership skills.

Shortly before his passing, ARPB Toastmasters club hosted an open house to celebrate the club’s 25th anniversary and show appreciation to Clark. He was presented with a district-wide appreciation award for his years of support and leadership within Toastmasters and the community.

Clark’s daughters also gave him a surprise 80th birthday party at his home just two weeks prior to his death. Countless close friends, community leaders, industry professionals and family members came to share how Mr. Clark had affected their lives.

Mr. Clark passed on September 30, 2017. Former wives Betty Rhone and Harriet Wedgeworth preceded him in death. Still carrying his memory are his children: Patrice Clark, Keith Clark, Melanie Sowell and Maya Clark, and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Through it all, his ever-present, and sincere smile shines as bright as ever in the memory of those who knew him.

As he lived, he unselfishly helped others become successful and he will not be soon forgotten for making a difference in the lives of others.

And in the words of Booker T. Washington, “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.”

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Oakland Post: Week of July 2- 8, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 2 – 8, 2025

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2 days ago

July 7, 2025

Oakland Post

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Trump Set to Sign Largest Cut to Medicaid After a Marathon Protest Speech by Leader Jeffries

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The bill also represents the biggest cut in Medicare in history and is a threat to the health care coverage of over 15 million people. The spending in Trump’s signature legislation also opens the door to a second era of over-incarceration in the U.S.

Published

5 days ago

July 3, 2025

Oakland Post

By Lauren Burke

By a vote of 218 to 214, the GOP-controlled U.S. House passed President Trump’s massive budget and spending bill that will add $3.5 trillion to the national debt, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The bill also represents the biggest cut in Medicare in history and is a threat to the health care coverage of over 15 million people. The spending in Trump’s signature legislation also opens the door to a second era of over-incarceration in the U.S. With $175 billion allocated in spending for immigration enforcement, the money for more police officers eclipsed the 2026 budget for the U.S. Marines, which is $57 billion. Almost all of the policy focus from the Trump Administration has focused on deporting immigrants of color from Mexico and Haiti.

The vote occurred as members were pressed to complete their work before the arbitrary deadline of the July 4 holiday set by President Trump. It also occurred after Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries took the House floor for over 8 hours in protest. Leader Jeffries broke the record in the U.S. House for the longest floor speech in history on the House floor. The Senate passed the bill days before and was tied at 50-50, with Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski saying that, “my hope is that the House is gonna look at this and recognize that we’re not there yet.” There were no changes made to the Senate bill by the House. A series of overnight phone calls to Republicans voting against, not changes, was what won over enough Republicans to pass the legislation, even though it adds trillions to the debt. The Trump spending bill also cuts money to Pell grants.

“The Big Ugly Bill steals food out of the hands of starving children, steals medicine from the cabinets of cancer patients, and equips ICE with more funding and more weapons of war than the United States Marine Corps. Is there any question of who those agents will be going to war for, or who they will be going to war against? Beyond these sadistic provisions, Republicans just voted nearly unanimously to close urban and rural hospitals, cripple the child tax credit, and to top it all off, add $3.3 trillion to the ticking time bomb that is the federal deficit – all from a party that embarrassingly pretends to stand for fiscal responsibility and lowering costs,” wrote Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Yvette Clarke (D-NY) in a statement on July 3.

“The Congressional Budget Office predicts that 17 million people will lose their health insurance, including over 322,000 Virginians. It will make college less affordable. Three million people will lose access to food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). And up to 16 million students could lose access to free school meals. The Republican bill does all of this to fund tax breaks for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations,” wrote Education and Workforce Committee ranking member Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) in a statement. The bill’s passage has prompted Democrats to start thinking about 2026 and the next election cycle. With the margins of victory in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate being so narrow, many are convinced that the balance of power and the question of millions being able to enjoy health care come down to only several thousand votes in congressional elections. But currently, Republicans controlled by the MAGA movement control all three branches of government. That reality was never made more stark and more clear than the last seven days of activity in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate.