Community

Millennial Oakland Pastor Builds Housing

Published

7 years ago

January 20, 2017

Rev. Dr. Kenneth Anderson, senior pastor of Williams Chapel Baptist Church, concerned about Oakland’s declining African American population and consequently the corresponding decline in church attendance, has spearheaded an effort to build housing.

Although Rev. Anderson is a millennial minister who is still in his mid-thirties, he has a special mission to provide some “truly affordable housing for low-income seniors.”

He says his congregation supports his plan to build 88 apartments of affordable housing for low-income seniors in the first phase of a development at the corner of 10th Avenue and International Boulevard.

The church owns the land and has approved the construction of a ground level, 10,000-square-foot community center.

Rev. Anderson says his boldness comes from sitting at the feet of those who have accomplished “great things for their congregations like my uncle the late Rev. Carl Anderson, who moved and rebuilt the great cathedral structure of the St. John Baptist Church in Oakland.”

He also says he carefully studied how the late J.L Richard built housing for his congregation and how Rev. Frank Pinkard “has adroitly kept Evergreen housing and community programs active.”

Anderson says he is standing on the shoulders of Allen Temple Baptist’s Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith Sr. and Rev. Cecil Williams, whose Glide Memorial complex serves thousands.

During last year’s political campaign for Alameda County’s measure A1 affordable housing bond, Anderson hosted a rally to educate his congregants and the surrounding community by inviting political leaders that included Nancy Skinner, Wilma Chan and Abel Guillen.

After the $580 million bond measure passed, Anderson contacted Beacon Communities to help secure financing to go with his plan to add low-income housing tax credits to his funding package of $52 million.

He is looking to access the city’s Measure KK funds under the category of faith-based institutions.

Even though he has been the pastor for just six years, he says he must answer the call “of the housing, employment and survival needs of the common man.”

“If my uncle were alive today I would testify to him that I wanted to build affordable housing at a discounted rate. If you can afford $800 to $900 month in rent, we can help you. That is our goal.”

“For my millennial generation – known as generation ‘Y’ – we know that the seniors have been hospitable and caring to us. And since African Americans are now being pushed out of the city against their wishes, we must show that we care by providing them with a safe place and a way to stay here.”

“I am guided by the teachings of Jesus, who asked where we were when those were hungry and in need.”

Next week part 4: “How to Develop Financing.”

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Related Topics:Affordable housing displacement gentrification housing Kenneth Anderson Oakland Williams Chapel Baptist Church

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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

9 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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City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Published

4 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.