Oakland

Oakland’s ‘City College:’ Laney’s future in an ever-changing city, nation

Published

7 years ago

August 24, 2017

Laney College student with Tower Administration Building in the background. Laney serves an estimated 11,000 students annually. Photo courtesy of Laney College

By Laney College President Tammeil Y. Gilkerson

Laney College has long prided itself on being Oakland’s City College, right in the heart of downtown, serving as a gateway to a college education for many in our community. One of 114 community colleges in California, Laney serves over 11 thousand students per year – students that represent the rich diversity that reflects the greater Bay Area.

More significantly, for decades Laney has been disrupting the negative narrative about the City and the community we serve by celebrating the rich cultural backgrounds, resiliency and intelligence that our students embody. Our students are warriors who despite centuries of racial, social and economic oppression, continue to rise and seek out opportunities to better their lives and their communities.

Our alumni represent elected officials, community and business leaders; individuals who are actively contributing to making our communities and nation stronger.

In the last week, there has been renewed attention on affirmative action policies and the Justice Department’s investigation of possible discrimination against Asian-Americans. While focus is on entrance to Ivy League schools, community colleges like Laney have historically served as an open door providing the ladder of opportunity for all students, including first-generation, immigrants, and those seeking retraining.

What gets left out of the message constantly, however, is that we are the best step into traditionally competitive four-year college and universities, providing a high quality, affordable option for everyone.

Here in the state, approximately one out of three University of California students transferred from a community college, according to the UC System. Take for example, Aaron James Price one of our Laney students, whose essay, “From Homeless Veteran to UC Berkeley,” was published in the Oakland Post just a couple of weeks ago. His story is not unique to the Peralta Colleges.

It’s time to change the narrative in our community. We are not the “junior college” second option for students. We are the first and best choice and the economic engine that drives innovation and change in this community. Moreover, Laney, in particular, is at the forefront of training multi-ethnic leaders who can meet the demands of working effectively in the diverse society we live in.

Today, people of color make up the majority of California’s population and are expected to represent the majority of Americans in just a couple of decades. I believe the debate around affirmative action is critically important and that we cannot be in denial about the future of our nation and the need to produce the next generation of leaders who have been exposed to a diversity of ideas, perspectives, and people that make-up today’s global community.

At Laney, we’re ahead of the game. Our students are living and learning in spaces that are preparing them for the global society we live in. Now more than ever, the state, business and educational community must reframe their previous ideas about community colleges. It’s time to invest heavily and join Laney College in continuing to disrupt the narrative about our students and our community.

When our students rise, our communities rise.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

Older Adults of Downs United Methodist Tour DeYoung African American Art Exhibit

Don't Miss

Your Pathway to High-wage Careers Begins at College of Alameda

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

3 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.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Bay Area

BART to Retire Legacy Trains in Public Ceremony April 20

Published

6 days ago

April 20, 2024

Oakland Post

The Richmond Standard

Bay Area Rapid Transit’s final dispatch of legacy trains will take place on Saturday, April 20, and will be accompanied by a retirement ceremony and a final legacy ride.

At 1 p.m., the public is invited to celebrate the last run of BART’s legacy trains during a ceremony that will take place in the free area of the plaza at MacArthur Station in Oakland.

Following the ceremony, the public is invited to board a legacy train and ride from MacArthur to Fremont Station, mirroring the initial service BART provided when it opened Sept. 11, 1972.

“It’s a 45-minute trip that travels along approximately 24 miles of the original section of tracks,” BART officials said.

Multiple legacy trains will run for the event, and all will make station stops and may turn around at Bay Fair depending on the number of attendees waiting to ride. Regular fares will apply.

“These train cars are part of the history of the Bay Area,” said Bob Powers, BART general manager. “While we are excited to modernize the system, we recognize the profound cultural importance of these cars, and we want to celebrate their rich history and give them a proper send off.”

BART is now running train cars from its Fleet of the Future project.

Those nostalgic for the older trains will be able to view three of them soon at Western Railway Museum in Suisun City.

A handful of other legacy cars will be transferred to be repurposed for short-term rentals, entertainment venues, and training facilities, according to BART. Most of the legacy cars have been recycled.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Bay Area

Mind, Body, and Spiritual Well-Being for Women Addressed in NAACP Forum in Oakland

The Women In The NAACP Oakland Branch is proud to announce the upcoming “Total You – Mind, Body, and Spirit Women’s Health Forum” scheduled for April 27 at Acts Full Gospel Church. Running from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 1034 66th Ave., this forum aims to provide an empowering platform for women to engage in discussions, gain knowledge, and access resources pertaining to their health and well-being.

Published

6 days ago

April 20, 2024

Oakland Post

The panel will address various aspects of women’s health, including physical, mental and emotional well-being and relationships. iStock photo by Jorge Elizaquibel.

Special to The Post

The Women In The NAACP Oakland Branch is proud to announce the upcoming “Total You – Mind, Body, and Spirit Women’s Health Forum” scheduled for April 27 at Acts Full Gospel Church.

Running from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 1034 66^th Ave., this forum aims to provide an empowering platform for women to engage in discussions, gain knowledge, and access resources pertaining to their health and well-being.

The forum will feature renowned experts, healthcare professionals, and advocates from Genentech, John Muir Health, Sutter Health of The East Bay, Kaiser Permanente, and the Alameda County Public Health Department.

Our expert panel will address various aspects of women’s health, including physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and healthy relationships. The forum will encompass a wide range of topics such as breast cancer, menopause, reproductive health, nutrition, mental health awareness, preventive care, and much more.

Participants will have the opportunity to attend informative sessions, interactive workshops, and panel discussions led by experts in their respective fields. Additionally, there will be wellness activities, screenings, and informational booths offering valuable resources and support.

This forum is open to women of all ages and backgrounds, encouraging inclusivity and diversity in the conversation surrounding women’s health. Whether you’re seeking information for yourself, a loved one, or simply looking to connect with other women, this event promises to be enlightening and empowering.

For more information and to register for the Total You Women’s Health Forum, please visit https://www.naacpoakland.org/ or contact Dr. Delores Thompson. WIN chairwoman at (510) 328-3638.

The Women In The NAACP Oakland Branch is dedicated to empowering women, and young teen girls. We look forward to your participation in this important event.

To register, go to https://www.naacpoakland.org/events/the-total-you-womens-health-forum