Business

Oakland’s New ‘Roasted And Raw’ Restaurant Offers Delectable Healthy Delights

Those with salivating vegan appetites can email R&R@roastedraw2021@gmail.com or call ahead with orders to 415-658-5609. Roasted and Raw is open Thursday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for take-out orders and curbside pick-up only, due to current safety and health conditions.

Published

4 years ago

September 24, 2021

Isabelle Price

Chef Imani Greer at his restaurant near Jack London Square. Photo Credit: Imani Greer

Chef Imani Greer, a culinary entrepreneur, has created quite a stir — and menu — for the Bay Area’s vegan-loving community with the opening of his new Roasted and Raw (R&R) restaurant near Oakland’s Jack London Square.

Neighboring Bed, Bath & Beyond and across from Cost-Plus World Market at 550 2nd St., R&R offers clean, rustic and robust flavors in its vegan cuisine, and is already giving notable competition to some of Oakland’s best vegan-based restaurants.

Greer pondered on how he could make good, healthy food for customers without them focusing on the fact that it’s vegan, and he encourages people to make healthy choices including adding much more plant-based ingredients in foods on a daily basis.

“We sometimes get caught up in titles, positions, and using buzz words rather than actually focusing on being healthy,” said Greer. “If calling yourself vegan to hold you accountable to be healthy, then by all means, go vegan. For me, it’s not so much of a philosophy but a lifestyle change, that’s important.”

R&R’s most popular dish is its chiro empanadas by far, according to Greer, and black bean burgers come in as a close second, as well as the chipotle peppers and spices. “Thirty to 40% of our business is foods that are Latino-inspired which makes our Taco Tuesdays a popular event,” noted Greer.

“All of our dishes and bowls are healthy and flavorful whether they are plant-based or not. It is our goal to provide perfect food and perfect service.”

Eating processed foods, fried foods and heavy meats on a daily, meal-to-meal basis is a choice that can impact your health. “I encourage people to look for foods that will help improve your body and lifestyle, and to incorporate it pretty aggressively.”

Greer also pointed out how eating and dietary habits handed down by elders can be re-examined in light of nutrition and modern medicine. “We, as a people, need to look back at our culture in terms of what is good and not good for us. We are prone to high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity, and in the past, we haven’t always had the opportunity to concentrate on eating healthy. In the beginning, our ancestors did because they farmed their own food and it was always fresh, from sweet potatoes, black-eyed peas, greens, cabbage, and other foods from the earth.”

“We have to look at the way we process food today, and look at where it comes from, and how it’s made, and the amount we eat,” said Greer. “Meat, for instance, wasn’t meant to be served in 12 or 24 ounces, and your stomach can only process four ounces or less of protein during a daily meal. And when you go to other countries and cultures, it’s like; you don’t sit down and have a T-bone steak added to the other things on your plate. You can only do that in America.”

Greer already has plans for future expansion. “On average, it takes about three to five years to expand from a pop-up concept to brick-and-mortar,” said Greer. “My No. 1 goal is to expand this business. We are fast-fracking and look to grow our restaurant within a year from now. By 2022, we hope to open up in the Uptown area. Our goal is to stay in Oakland, offering Oakland healthy plant-based bowls, along with burgers, empanadas, pastas made from scratch that we can be proud of.”

Isabelle Price

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Black History

Henry Blair, the Second African American to Obtain a Patent

Being a successful farmer required consistent production. Blair figured out a way to increase his harvest. He did this with two inventions. His first invention was a corn planter. The planter had the same structure as a wheelbarrow, with a box to hold the seed and rakes dragging behind to cover them. This machine allowed farmers to plant their crops more economically.

Published

13 minutes ago

May 19, 2025

Oakland Post

A sketch of one of Henry Blair’s inventions, the seed planter. Image courtesy United States Patent and Trademark Office.

By Tamara Shiloh

The debate over whether enslaved African Americans could receive U.S. Government-issued patents was still unfolding when the second African American to hold a patent, Henry Blair, received his first patent in 1834.

The first African American to receive a patent was Thomas Jennings in 1821 for his discovery of a process called dry scouring, also known as dry cleaning.

Blair was born in Glen Ross, Maryland, in 1807. He was an African American farmer who received two patents. Each patent was designed to help increase agricultural productivity.

There is very little information about his life prior to the inventions. It is known that he was a farmer who invented machines to help with planting and harvesting crops. There is no written evidence that he was a slave.

However, it is apparent that he was a businessman.

Blair could not write. As a result of his illiteracy, he signed the patent with an “X”. He received his first patent for the corn planter on Oct. 14, 1834.

Two years later, taking advantage of the boost in the cotton industry, he received his second patent. This time for a cotton planter. This machine worked by splitting the ground with two shovel-like blades that were pulled along by a horse. A wheel-driven cylinder behind the blades placed seeds into the freshly plowed ground. Not only was this another economical and efficient machine. It also helped with controlling weeds and put the seeds in the ground quickly Henry Blair received his second patent on Aug. 31, 1836

During this time, the United States government passed a law that allowed patents to be granted to both free and enslaved men. However, in 1857, this law was contested by a slaveowner. He argued that slaveowners had a right to claim credit for a slave’s inventions. His argument was that since an owner’s slaves were his property, anything that a slave owned was the property of the owner also.

In 1858 the law changed, and patents were no longer given to slaves. However, the law changed again in 1871 after the Civil War. The patent law was revised to permit all American men, regardless of race, the right to patent their inventions.

Blair died in 1860.

Oakland Post

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Bo Tefu

Gov. Newsom Highlights Record-Breaking Tourism Revenue, Warns of Economic Threats from Federal Policies

“California dominates as a premier destination for travelers throughout the nation and around the globe,” said Newsom. “With diverse landscapes, top-rate attractions, and welcoming communities, California welcomes millions of visitors every year. We also recognize that our state’s progress is threatened by the economic impacts of this federal administration, and are committed to working to protect jobs and ensure all Californians benefit from a thriving tourism industry.”

Published

23 minutes ago

May 19, 2025

Oakland Post

iStock.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom, along with the nonprofit organization Visit California, announced that tourism spending in California reached a record $157.3 billion in 2024, reinforcing the state’s status as the top travel destination in the United States.

The Governor made the announcement May 5, referencing Visit California’s 2024 Economic Impact Report, which highlights a 3% increase in tourism revenue over the previous year.

According to the report, California’s tourism sector supported 1.2 million jobs, generated $12.6 billion in state and local tax revenues, and created 24,000 new jobs in 2024.

Despite the gains in tourism revenue, Visit California’s revised 2025 forecast points to a 1% decline in total visitation and a 9.2% decrease in international travel. The downturn is attributed to federal economic policy and what officials are calling an impending “Trump Slump,” caused by waning global interest in traveling to the United States.

To offset projected losses, the Governor is encouraging Californians to continue traveling within the state and has launched a new campaign aimed at Canadian travelers.

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Activism

California Observes Third Annual Black Health Advocacy Week

On May 4, 2023, the California Assembly unanimously passed ACR 53, enacting BHEAW every first week of May. “The life expectancy at birth for Black Californians is 76.2 years of age, which is five years shorter than the state average and the lowest life expectancy of all racial and ethnic groups in California,” said Weber in a statement.

Published

2 hours ago

May 19, 2025

Oakland Post

Dr. Akilah Weber Pierson. File photo.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

California’s third annual Black Health Equity Advocacy Week (BHEAW), observed from May 5-9, reaffirmed the commitment of the state and advocates to address systemic health disparities affecting Black communities.

Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D-San Diego), who is a medical doctor and chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), authored the resolution that created BHEAW — the first statewide initiative of its kind focused on advancing Black health equity.

On May 4, 2023, the California Assembly unanimously passed ACR 53, enacting BHEAW every first week of May.

“The life expectancy at birth for Black Californians is 76.2 years of age, which is five years shorter than the state average and the lowest life expectancy of all racial and ethnic groups in California,” said Weber in a statement.

“This disparity is a stark reminder of the systemic and institutional factors that contribute to health inequities in communities of color,” she added.

The California Black Health Network (CBHN) led this year’s events, combining advocacy, training, and public engagement to amplify the urgency of closing health gaps for Black Californians.

The theme of this year’s observance was “We’ve Got the Power.”

“CBHN is calling on our community to step up, speak out, and get involved. Increasing the participation of Black Californians in policymaking — across the health industry and public sector — is one of the most powerful ways we can drive change and save lives,” reads a message from the organization promoting this year’s BHEAW.

“Policy change is within your power and this week we’re in Sacramento with our Health Equity Advocacy Training (HEAT) Program Cohort 3 to uplift issues impacting our community and advocate to help shape the policies and programs that will improve the health of current and future generations of Black Californians,” the message continued.

Focused on public awareness and information, this year’s BHEAW included a social media campaign, a rally and training program with vital information on medical conditions that have a disproportionate impact on Black Californians, including maternal mortality, mental health, diabetes, cancer and more.

For more information on the resolution or to join the movement, visit CBHN’s official site, www.cablackhealthnetwork.org.