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KINGSTON’S 11 SERVING UP FINE JAMAICAN AND CALIFORNIA CUISINE

Kingston 11 has become both an electric and eclectic venue, using local and organic ingredients in its environmentally-friendly, and community-oriented restaurant. Its delicacies, as well as other dishes Nigel call ‘street foods,’ come from different cultures.

Published

5 years ago

July 2, 2021

Christy Price

Jerk Chicken/Bethanie Hines

Taste Jamaica! That’s the theme chef and owner Nigel Jones, who along with business partner Adrian Henderson, used when they opened their Kingston 11 Jamaican restaurant on 2270 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, in 2013 after working as a pop-up diner spot at other cafes and community-kitchens throughout the East Bay.

A native of Jamaica, Nigel was born in Kingston 11, next to Bob Marley’s neighboring district of Kingston 12. His mother gave birth to him at age 15; although he was raised by his grandparents after his mother moved to the U.S., and his father went to England where many Jamaicans migrated at the time.

“I migrated to the U.S. in 1973 to be with my mother for the first time,” said Nigel. “When I came to California in 1989, I worked for Levi Strauss in San Francisco where I was Director of Operations for the Docker’s brand. I came to realize that San Francisco was labeled as one of the highest-rated cities per capita for restaurants in the U.S. However there were very few Jamaican restaurants in the City.”

“Although I was making good money at Strauss, I yearned to do something that would reflect my own community back to me. That’s when I decided to open a Jamaican restaurant.”

“With my Jamaican background, as it relates to food, and from what I learned from my grandmother who was a strong influence on me, it was time to gather my recipes, marry them together with French-cooking technical skills. That was the basic foundation of me becoming a self-taught chef. So I went to cooking camps to get some technical background in terms of culinary arts,” added Nigel.

“During my tenure at Strauss, it was fruitful and lucrative, but it really wasn’t my passion, and because of that, I needed to do something different. When you have passion, you have an opportunity to succeed no matter what you do in life. It’s hard to succeed if you don’t have passion which will help you to get through tough times and bumps in the road.”

The restaurant’s signature dishes include its infamous jerk chicken and oxtails. The oxtails are served with Jasmine brown rice, coconut milk and red beans, resulting in a very healthy dish. Nigel takes a healthy approach in preparing meals, while taking into consideration the health issues of people of color who have compromised health conditions.

Throughout the pandemic, Kingston continued to operate, along with other food establishments to help feed people of color in the community. When schools closed down, Kingston teamed up with other restaurants to feed those kids who normally relied on school lunch programs.

“We have partnered with Ayesha and Steph Curry with their Eat, Learn and Play Foundation,” said Nigel. “Their foundation helps to ensure that kids and families are provided balance nutritional foods, as well as a good learning and playful environment.”

“Our association with the foundation has resulted in us providing meals every week to low-income families, and here it is a year later, and we are still providing meals for them. Instead of focusing on ourselves to survive the pandemic, we’ve focused on our community to help it survive.”

The Eat, Learn and Play Foundation produce 3,000 meals per week for children and low-income families. Kingston, along with other local restaurants, provides at least 1,000 of those meals.

“As we transition further in our reopening, we will continue to provide takeout service as well as dine-in,” said Nigel. “We have tables outside in front of the restaurant and a rear patio for dining as well. The middle section of the restaurant will remain closed until we are able to maintain control of the flow of people, while also keeping them safe.”

Kingston will continue to follow health and CDC guidelines as it begins to receive customers for indoor dining again. Staff is required to wear masks but patrons have the option to wear a mask or not based on their comfort level.

“Kingston offers opportunities for people of color, as well as white folks, to use our facilities for gathering such as graduations, private parties and special events so they can have access to Uptown Oakland, which sometimes can be very expensive.”

“Kingston reverberates with gaiety and laughter,” said Nigel. “It’s a major contribution to Oakland’s huge entertainment community and for us. We have space available for the artist community to share their arts and creativity.”

“On Thursday nights, we pay local bands come in and perform, but we don’t charge our customers to enjoy the music. We are creating a network for local artists to be in front of the community so they can showcase their talents and afford them the opportunity to help get bookings at other locations.”

Kingston II is “One Love,” as noted on its south interior wall. It’s a prominent community-oriented restaurant that serves people of all nationalities and cultures. For more information on Kingston 11, visit www.kingston11eats.com and Taste Jamaica!

Christy Price

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Activism

Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

1 day ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.

Oakland Post

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First 5 Alameda County Distributes Over $8 Million in First Wave of Critical Relief Funds for Historically Underpaid Caregivers

“Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers are lifelines for so many children and families in Alameda County,” said Kristin Spanos, CEO, First 5 Alameda County. “Yet, they often go unrecognized and undercompensated for their labor and ability to give individualized, culturally connected care. At First 5, we support the conditions that allow families to thrive, and getting this money into the hands of these caregivers and families at a time of heightened financial stress for parents is part of that commitment.”

Published

1 day ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Costco. Courtesy image.

Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers Can Now Opt Into $4,000 Grants to Help Bolster Economic Stability and Strengthen Early Learning Experiences

By Post Staff

Today, First 5 Alameda County announced the distribution of $4,000 relief grants to more than 2,000 Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers, totaling over $8 million in the first round of funding. Over the full course of the funding initiative, First 5 Alameda County anticipates supporting over 3,000 FFN caregivers, who collectively care for an estimated 5,200 children across Alameda County. These grants are only a portion of the estimated $190 million being invested into expanding our early childcare system through direct caregiver relief to upcoming facilities, shelter, and long-term sustainability investments for providers fromMeasure C in its first year. This investment builds on the early rollout of Measure C and reflects a comprehensive, system-wide strategy to strengthen Alameda County’s early childhood ecosystem so families can rely on sustainable, accessible care,

These important caregivers provide child care in Alameda County to their relatives, friends, and neighbors. While public benefits continue to decrease for families, and inflation and the cost of living continue to rise, these grants provide direct economic support for FFN caregivers, whose wages have historically been very low or nonexistent, and very few of whom receive benefits. As families continue to face growing financial pressures, especially during the winter and holiday season, these grants will help these caregivers with living expenses such as rent, utilities, supplies, and food.

The funding for these relief grants comes from Measure C, a local voter-approved sales tax in Alameda County that invests in young children, their families, communities, providers, and caregivers. Within the first year of First 5’s 5-Year Plan for Measure C, in addition to the relief grants to informal FFN caregivers, other significant investments will benefit licensed child care providers. These investments include over $40 million in Early Care and Education (ECE) Emergency Grants, which have already flowed to nearly 800 center-based and family child care providers. As part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, preparations are also underway to distribute facilities grants early next year for child care providers who need to make urgent repairs or improvements, and to launch the Emergency Revolving Fund in Spring 2026 to support licensed child care providers in Alameda County who are at risk of closure.

The FFN Relief Grants recognize and support the essential work that an estimated 3,000 FFN caregivers provide to 5,200 children in Alameda County. There is still an opportunity to receive funds for FFN caregivers who have not yet received them.

In partnership with First 5 Alameda County, Child Care Payment Agencies play a critical role in identifying eligible caregivers and leading coordinated outreach efforts to ensure FFN caregivers are informed of and able to access these relief funds.FFN caregivers are eligible for the grant if they receive a child care payment from an Alameda County Child Care Payment Agency, 4Cs of Alameda County, BANANAS, Hively, and Davis Street, and are currently caring for a child 12 years old or younger in Alameda County. Additionally, FFN caregivers who provided care for a child 12 years or younger at any time since April 1, 2025, but are no longer doing so, are also eligible for the funds. Eligible caregivers are being contacted by their Child Care Payment Agency on a rolling basis, beginning with those who provided care between April and July 2025.

“This money is coming to me at a critical time of heightened economic strain,” said Jill Morton, a caregiver in Oakland, California. “Since I am a non-licensed childcare provider, I didn’t think I was eligible for this financial support. I was relieved that this money can help pay my rent, purchase learning materials for the children as well as enhance childcare, buy groceries and take care of grandchildren.”

Eligible FFN caregivers who provided care at any time between April 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025, who haven’t yet opted into the process, are encouraged to check their mail and email for an eligibility letter. Those who have cared for a child after this period should expect to receive communications from their child care payment agency in the coming months. FFN caregivers with questions may also contact the agency they work with to receive child care payments, or the First 5 Alameda help desk, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, at 510-227-6964. The help desk will be closed 12/25/25 – 1/1/26. Additional grant payments will be made on a rolling basis as opt-ins are received by the four child care payment agencies in Alameda County.

Beginning in the second year of Measure C implementation, FFN caregivers who care for a child from birth to age five and receive an Alameda County subsidized voucher will get an additional $500 per month. This amounts to an annual increase of about $6,000 per child receiving a subsidy. Together with more Measure C funding expected to flow back into the community as part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, investments will continue to become available in the coming year for addressing the needs of childcare providers in Alameda County.

About First 5 Alameda County

First 5 Alameda County builds the local childhood systems and supports needed to ensure our county’s youngest children are safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and life.

Our Mission

In partnership with the community, we support a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves the lives of children from birth to age five and their families.

Our Vision

Every child in Alameda County will have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential.

Learn more at www.first5alameda.org.

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Activism

2025 in Review: Seven Questions for Assemblymember Lori Wilson — Advocate for Equity, the Environment, and More

Her rise has also included several historic firsts: she is the only Black woman ever appointed to lead the influential Assembly Transportation Committee, and the first freshman legislator elected Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. She has also been a vocal advocate for vulnerable communities, becoming the first California legislator to publicly discuss being the parent of a transgender child — an act of visibility that has helped advanced representation at a time when political tensions related to social issues and culture have intensified.

Published

1 day ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City). File photo.

By Edward Henderson, California Black Media

Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City) joined the California Legislature in 2022 after making history as Solano County’s first Black female mayor, bringing with her a track record of fiscal discipline, community investment, and inclusive leadership.

She represents the state’s 11th Assembly District, which spans Solano County and portions of Contra Costa and Sacramento Counties.

California Black Media spoke with Wilson about her successes and disappointments this year and her outlook for 2026.

What stands out as your most important achievement this year?

Getting SB 237 passed in the Assembly. I had the opportunity to co-lead a diverse workgroup of colleagues, spanning a wide range of ideological perspectives on environmental issues.

How did your leadership contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians this year?

The Black Caucus concentrated on the Road to Repair package and prioritized passing a crucial bill that remained incomplete during my time as chair, which establishes a process for identifying descendants of enslaved people for benefit eligibility.

What frustrated you the most this year?

The lack of progress made on getting Prop 4 funds allocated to socially disadvantaged farmers. This delay has real consequences. These farmers have been waiting for essential support that was promised. Watching the process stall, despite the clear need and clear intent of the voters, has been deeply frustrating and reinforces how much work remains to make our systems more responsive and equitable.

What inspired you the most this year?

The resilience of Californians persists despite the unprecedented attacks from the federal government. Watching people stay engaged, hopeful, and determined reminded me why this work matters and why we must continue to protect the rights of every community in our state.

What is one lesson you learned this year that will inform your decision-making next year?

As a legislator, I have the authority to demand answers to my questions — and accept nothing less. That clarity has strengthened my approach to oversight and accountability.

In one word, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians are facing currently?

Affordability and access to quality educational opportunities.

What is the goal you want to achieve most in 2026?

Advance my legislative agenda despite a complex budget environment. The needs across our communities are real, and even in a tight fiscal year, I’m committed to moving forward policies that strengthen safety, expand opportunity, and improve quality of life for the people I represent.