Activism
Oakland Tennis Council Seeks to House Homeless and Mentor Youth
President of the Oakland Tennis Council Larry Atkins is advocating for the homeless who have been living at Athol Plaza Park on 2nd Ave across from Lake Merritt to have housing. Oakland Tennis Council currently has 15 members and is organizing with Sambafunk, We Lead Ours (WELO), Youth Tennis Advantage, Mills College Youth Tennis program, Rally 4 Reading Youth Tennis, United States Tennis Association (USTA) and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.
A life long resident of Oakland with a past in playing pro-tennis. Atkins realized his path to becoming a successful accountant started at the tennis courts in Athol. He now wants that opportunity for young Oaklanders today.
He started playing at Athol tennis courts when he was 12-years-old. He was inspired by pro-tennis player Arthur Ashe. Ashe was the first Black man to win the singles title at the US Open, Wimbledon, and the Australian Open.
Playing tennis is what lead Atkins to become a liaison for a project he hopes will become successful enough to become a model across the country. The focus at Athol is unique in that the tennis courts have long needed repairs and maintenance, yet Atkins has the additional challenge of pushing the city of Oakland to find homes for each individual who currently resides there. He does not want them removed without proper housing. Atkins has spoken to the residents there saying, “I know them face-by-face.” He has heard their concerns about being leaving the park out of fear of not obtaining alternative locations or permanent housing.
Atkins has worked with city councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas on a solution but the city has been at a standstill on the response for working on a plan with dedicated relocation for the homeless at Athol.
In a statement sent to KTVU in July 2020 regarding Athol Plaza, Bas said: “Our office is dedicated to identifying and moving unsheltered residents into permanent housing or shelter options and working with encampment residents.”
Once the homeless have been housed his council can move to repair the tennis courts and bring youth to the park so they can learn how to play.
With the National Parks Coalition, Atkins is trying to raise 10K signatures by Dec 31. to support the pilot program. To support the campaign virtually, email Atkins at tolarryatkins82@yahoo.comstating your full name, and city. An address is not required.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025
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Activism
Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025
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Activism
IN MEMORIAM: William ‘Bill’ Patterson, 94
Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.
William “Bill” Patterson, 94, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025, at his home in Oakland, CA. He was born on May 19, 1931, to Marie Childress Patterson and William Benjamin Patterson in Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from Dunbar High School and traveled to Oakland, California, in 1948. William Patterson graduated from San Francisco State University, earning both graduate and undergraduate degrees. He married Euradell “Dell” Patterson in 1961. Bill lovingly took care of his wife, Dell, until she died in 2020.
Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.
He served on the boards of Oakland’s Urban Strategies Council, the Oakland Public Ethics Commission, and the Oakland Workforce Development Board.
He was a three-term president of the Oakland branch of the NAACP.
Bill was initiated in the Gamma Alpha chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
In 1997 Bill was appointed to the East Bay Utility District Board of Directors. William Patterson was the first African American Board President and served the board for 27 years.
Bill’s impact reached far beyond his various important and impactful positions.
Bill mentored politicians, athletes and young people. Among those he mentored and advised are legends Joe Morgan, Bill Russell, Frank Robinson, Curt Flood, and Lionel Wilson to name a few.
He is survived by his son, William David Patterson, and one sister, Sarah Ann Strickland, and a host of other family members and friends.
A celebration of life service will take place at Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center (Calvin Simmons Theater) on November 21, 2025, at 10 AM.
His services are being livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1250167107131991/
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Euradell and William Patterson scholarship fund TBA.
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