Opinion

OP-ED: Keeping Our Eyes on the Prize

Published

12 years ago

September 22, 2014

By Jovanka Beckles

In the civil rights era we knew that to make progress and be treated with dignity, we’d have to stand up against taunts, fire hoses, dogs and more. We still face many horrors today as we have seen in Ferguson.

In Richmond, the situation is mixed.

Richmond is rising. We have beautiful parks, art, and community gardens again! Our young people are beginning to feel loved again! We’re experiencing increased peace in our community and we have the lowest crime rate in 33 years!

All this is the sign of the healthy community we are re-creating together. Richmond is healing.

Progressive policies have brought us a higher minimum wage, less pollution, safety with a community approach to policing, programs to help the formerly incarcerated and those facing foreclosure.

But we still much to do. We still have low-wage work. We have environmental racism with much of our community suffering from pollution.

Self-sufficiency is needed, and we have what it takes to do for ourselves.

Chevron has put in $1.6 million in its “Moving Forward” committee to flood our mails with lies to taunt and burn forward-thinking candidates like Gayle, Eduardo and me.

If you look at the fine print on the back, you can see that they’re paid for by Chevron. They know that we don’t have the money to match their mailers and correct their lies and distortion, so they repeat the same lies.

Those mailers neglect to tell the public that I spend my budget on sponsoring community-oriented events for women, children and the homeless in Richmond.

Chevron is using its money to pollute our politics and take control of City Government, which is supposed to represent the people.

Since our city council, progressive leadership has been free of corruption. Chevron’s hit pieces have to make up “facts.”

The facts are: Gayle has taken only three trips in eight years and only one—an official trip to our sister city, Regla Cuba—used her Council expense money.

Eduardo is not an anarchist. My spending on the one trip I took on city business was far less than the amount allowed per day. Unlike other Council members, I work a full-time job and get up at 5 a.m. to mentor youth.

Yet, my attendance at Council meetings is better than the attendance of the Chevron candidate for Mayor.

One of the proudest moments in serving our community has been raising the minimum wage in Richmond. If you are minimum wage worker in California, you may have noticed that you’ve been making a dollar more an hour.

In Richmond, you’ll receive another raise come January first. Over the next four years, you’ll actually be getting $4 an hour more than you do today!

We are taking concrete steps to move working people out of poverty.

In addition to improving our economy by raising the minimum wage, I sponsored our Ban the Box ordinance to fight discrimination of the formerly incarcerated, who must be given opportunities to earn a living.

I fought to keep Doctor’s Hospital open. I advocated for improved lighting to increase our public safety. For those with an interest in reviewing my record, look at my website, Facebook or review the public record to see for yourselves.

My opponents, who attack me with fabrications, have no program and no vision, so they distract from the truth.

Richmond is far better now than it was 12 years ago. Let’s continue in the positive, prosperous, healthy and safe direction that we are going. Let’s not allow fear tactics to distract us from the truth. Let’s keep our eyes on the prize.

Vice Mayor Jovanka Beckles is running for reelection to the Richmond City Council.

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The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

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March 22, 2026

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Advice

Women & Wealth: Tips for Navigating Your Lifelong Financial Journey

Published

3 weeks ago

March 15, 2026

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Sponsored by J.P. Morgan Wealth Management

We are in the midst of a seismic shift in wealth. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “Great Wealth Transfer,” describes the unprecedented movement of assets from the Baby Boomer generation to their heirs – an estimated $105 trillion by 2048. And women are poised to inherit most of this.

J.P. Morgan Wealth Management’s 2025 Investor Study found that women are not only set to receive significant wealth – they’re actively working to build it on their own. Ninety-three percent of women surveyed who are expecting an inheritance aren’t relying on it to reach their goals.

Here are a few tips for women to consider in their wealth-building journey:

Create a financial roadmap

A detailed, well thought out plan is important. J.P. Morgan’s study found that 90% of those surveyed with a plan feel confident about reaching their financial goals, compared to 49% without one.

Your plan should reflect your unique goals, priorities and circumstances. Consider your investment horizon and risk tolerance, and remember to revisit your plan regularly as life evolves.

Are you saving up for goals like buying a house, sending your kids off to college or retiring early? Where do you want to be in the next five, ten or twenty years? Everyone’s financial situation is unique, so it’s important to think about these questions and build a plan that is unique to your life.

Women tend to live longer than men on average. Many take career breaks or care for family members, which can influence long-term planning. It’s important to adjust your strategy with these factors in mind.

Where to start with investing

Don’t let misconceptions hold you back. Starting to invest doesn’t require a large sum, and beginning early can be beneficial. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to potentially grow over the years. Understand your overall financial situation, set clear goals and develop a long-term plan.

It’s important to also make sure you’re covered for unexpected expenses that come up before you start to invest. Build up a cash emergency fund, typically enough to cover three to six months of expenses, and pay down any high-interest debt.

Taking charge of your finances

The good news is that women are taking charge of their finances. J.P. Morgan’s research found that 75% of women respondents make financial decisions with their partner or take the lead themselves. For those who have a spouse or partner, it’s important for each person in the relationship to play an active role in the process.

Building wealth can be empowering for many women. The same survey found that 73% of women respondents said money gives them “security,” while 64% of Gen Z and Millennial women associated it with “freedom.”

The power of having a team

Some people find it helpful to work with a financial advisor, so you don’t have to tackle things alone. An advisor can help you craft a plan tailored to your needs and keep you on track throughout your lifelong financial journey. If you expect to receive an inheritance, you should also consult with estate planning and tax professionals.

No matter where you are on your wealth-building path, education is key. It’s so important to be an informed investor, and there are plenty of resources out there to help. You can find a library of free educational resources at chase.com/theknow.

As the landscape of wealth continues to evolve, women have a unique opportunity to shape their financial futures and those of generations to come. By staying informed and planning ahead, women have the tools to help them confidently navigate the Great Wealth Transfer and set themselves up for financial freedom.

The views, opinions, estimates and strategies expressed herein constitutes the author’s judgment based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice, and may differ from those expressed by other areas of J.P. Morgan. This information in no way constitutes J.P. Morgan Research and should not be treated as such. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions. For additional guidance on how this information should be applied to your situation, you should consult your advisor.  

JPMorgan Chase & Co., its affiliates, and employees do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any financial transaction.  