#NNPA BlackPress

Michael Tubbs and the Vision to Lead a New Generation

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE – Raised by a single mother who taught him that art could be armor, Michael J. Payton has built a career around stories that challenge power and celebrate possibility. In his new series Vision for a Change, he partners with the Black Press to spotlight voices redefining leadership. His first conversation—with former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs—explores courage, community, and the kind of America worth fighting fo

Published

1 year ago

October 21, 2025

Oakland Post

By Michael J. Payton

I’ve spent my life and career telling stories that challenge power and celebrate possibility.

I was raised by a single mother in the East Bay Area who worked as a cook and wrote poetry at night. She homeschooled me and taught me that art could be armor—that creativity could crack open the world when doors refused to.

Those experiences shaped a conviction that runs deeper than entertainment: storytelling is political. It determines who gets seen, who gets silenced, and what futures feel possible.

That conviction is what inspired me to launch Vision for a Change—a bold, unfiltered conversation about leadership, values, and what the vision for America’s future truly looks like for our generation.

This journey starts at home—with our communities. Before we can fix the nation, we have to listen to the people living it every day: the barbershops, the churches, the classrooms, the living rooms—the places where truth still breathes and vision is still born.

That’s why I am collaborating with Black Press USA, the longest-running and largest network of Black-owned newspapers in the country. For nearly two centuries, the Black Press has been the heartbeat of our stories—documenting our pain, our progress, and our power when no one else would.

Together, we’re reclaiming the mic and amplifying the voices shaping America’s next chapter.

And there’s no better voice to help open this dialogue than Michael Tubbs.

Leadership with Purpose, Not Position

Tubbs made history at 26 as the youngest mayor of a major US city—Stockton, California—and now he’s running for lieutenant governor. His record is a blueprint for purpose-driven leadership: launching the nation’s first mayor-led guaranteed-income pilot, raising millions for college scholarships, and helping cut homicides nearly in half.

When I asked what drives him, he said, “If the status quo isn’t working, we have to do something to make it better.”

That’s the essence of Vision for a Change: leadership measured not by titles but by courage—the courage to imagine something better and build it, even when it’s unpopular.

The Courage to Be Uncomfortable

Tubbs believes fear can be fuel. “Be so afraid of nothing changing that you act,” he told me. “Be so afraid of things getting worse that you vote and get involved.”

That’s not rhetoric—that’s resolve. In an age of outrage and apathy, Tubbs reminds us that real change is uncomfortable. Progress requires confrontation, not caution.

Faith, Family, and Grounded Values

Tubbs talks about faith and family the way some talk about policy. “The government’s highest function,” he said, “is to allow families to be families and parents to parent.”

As someone who also came from humble beginnings and built a career around purpose, I connected deeply with that. Both of us were shaped by mothers who taught us resilience, responsibility, and faith—the kind that insists hope is a strategy, not a slogan.

Reclaiming the Democratic Imagination

Tubbs is a proud Democrat, but an honest one. “My faith, my family, and my experiences shaped my politics—not the other way around,” he said.

He challenges the party to get out of boardrooms and back into communities—to speak plainly about jobs, home ownership, and opportunity. “You can’t have college-seminar conversations when folks are hungry,” he told me. “People want to know if you see them.”

That’s not just messaging advice—it’s moral advice. Empathy is strategy.

Fighting Misinformation with Truth and Presence

As mayor, Tubbs endured a coordinated misinformation campaign. Instead of retreating, he doubled down on visibility. “At some point, everybody’s got to be a pig,” he joked. “You have to be willing to fight for the truth.”

In a digital age built on distortion, that’s real courage—the willingness to get in the mud without losing your soul.

A Vision for the Future

When I asked Tubbs what kind of California he wants to build, his answer felt like a manifesto for a generation:

“A California where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Where housing is affordable.
Where one job is enough.
A place where compassion and common sense actually work.”

That’s the America I want to help shape through Vision for a Change—an America led by people who don’t mistake privilege for purpose, who understand that leadership begins in service, and who still believe this country’s best days are ahead.

Michael Tubbs embodies that belief.

He’s not waiting for permission to lead—he’s leading because the moment demands it.

And if we can summon that same courage—in our cities, our classrooms, and yes, even in our politics—then maybe, just maybe, we’ll find our own vision for a change.

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Smooth suspension meets surprisingly spacious legroom. Experience true comfort on any road!

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61 years since Selma, Houston leaders say the bridge remains to be crossed

61 years after Selma, Houston leaders say the fight for equality continues. The issues that sparked the marches still impact Black Americans today.

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Here is what you need to know about finding unique white elephant gift ideas that everyone wants to steal

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition. The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half […]

Published

2 weeks ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition.

The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half a second, and suddenly everyone wants the same gift. That is the sweet spot. A great white elephant pick should make people laugh, lean in, and start plotting their next steal before the turn is even over.

Should a White Elephant Gift Be Funny or Useful?

A white elephant gift can be funny or useful, but the strongest choices usually give people a reason to laugh and a reason to keep the item. A practical gift with an odd design, unexpected feature, or playful theme can get a reaction without becoming something the recipient immediately wants to give away.

The right balance depends on the group. Close friends and family members may enjoy a ridiculous gag gift because they already understand one another’s sense of humor.

A workplace exchange, neighborhood party, or mixed-age gathering usually calls for something with broader appeal. In those settings, humor works better when it is built into an item people could still use afterward.

It also helps to think about how quickly the gift will make sense once it is opened. A strangely shaped kitchen tool, oversized mug, quirky desk accessory, or unexpectedly fancy everyday item can create an immediate reaction. Guests understand the joke right away, while the item still has enough practical value to attract a steal.

Pure gag gifts can be harder to pull off. Something that exists only for the punchline may get a big laugh during the reveal and then sit untouched for the rest of the game. If the goal is to bring one of the gifts everyone keeps fighting over, usefulness gives the joke staying power.

Memorable Present Ideas: Creating Inside Joke Gifts

Inside joke gifts can make a white elephant exchange feel much more personal, especially when most of the group shares the same stories. The trick is choosing a reference that people will recognize quickly instead of building the entire joke around something only two guests understand.

You can turn a memorable vacation mishap, office catchphrase, family story, or long-running group joke into the theme of the gift. A personalized comic book can work especially well when it turns familiar people or a ridiculous shared moment into part of the story.

Think carefully about who the joke involves before ordering anything permanent. The gift should make the person feel included in the fun, not singled out for the wrong reason.

Can You Bring Something You Already Own?

Holiday gift exchanges can be a good place to re-gift something you never used, especially if it is unopened and clean.

The following can all work if they still look presentable:

A duplicate kitchen gadget
An untouched game
A decorative item
A sealed gift set
An unopened candle
A new travel accessory

The goal is to give the item a second chance, not use the exchange as an excuse to clear out damaged or unwanted clutter.

Take a close look at the packaging before wrapping it. Faded boxes, missing pieces, visible wear, or anything that looks obviously used can make the gift feel careless.

Wrapping Budget-Friendly Gifts

Wrapping can make gifts more entertaining before anyone even knows what’s inside.

Misdirection works especially well for fun party games. Put a small gift inside a much larger box. Use packaging from an unrelated household item.

Add harmless weight so guests cannot guess what they are holding. The reveal becomes part of the joke without changing the gift itself.

You can also lean into the theme of the exchange. Bright paper, oversized bows, reusable bags, or deliberately over-the-top wrapping can make an ordinary item feel more memorable. If the gift itself is already funny, simple wrapping may work better so the surprise stays hidden until the last second.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Picking Last an Advantage in White Elephant?

Picking last can be an advantage because you get to see almost every gift before making your move. Instead of choosing blindly from the remaining wrapped presents, you can steal something that has already caught your attention if the rules still allow it.

That advantage depends on the house rules. Some games limit how many times a gift can be stolen.

Others lock an item once it reaches a certain number of steals. If the most popular gifts are already unavailable, the final player may have fewer strong options than expected.

The first player can also get another turn at the end in some versions of the game. That rule can balance things out, since the person who started with the least information may get one final chance to steal.

How Do You Plan White Elephant for a Large Group?

For a large white elephant exchange, set a firm spending limit and establish the stealing rules in advance.

Create a clear turn order before the game begins. Drawing numbers as guests arrive can save time once everyone is ready to start.

Keep the number of steals per gift limited so the game does not drag on. It also helps to have one person track which creative holiday presents have been stolen and when they are locked, especially if dozens of people are participating.

Can You Play White Elephant Virtually?

A virtual white elephant exchange can work over a video call, with one person keeping track of the turn order and each steal. Guests can either mail physical gifts ahead of time or use digital gifts that can be delivered once the game ends.

Set the spending limit and stealing rules before everyone joins. It also helps to decide how gifts will be revealed and who is responsible for sending each one afterward so the exchange does not become confusing.