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Passion in 1st Meeting of Black Women Organized for Political Action in Napa

Published

9 years ago

November 13, 2017

From left to right: K Patrice Williams, President; Latressa Wilson Alford, Vice President; Danette Mitchell, Secretary; Peggy Cohen Thompson, Political Educator Director, the Honorable Dezie Woods-Jones, State Board President; and Cassandra Joebert, Regional BWOPA Director. Not pictured Shontell Beasley, Treasurer.

By Danette Mitchell

A week ago, more than 50 women of color from diverse backgrounds, varying ages, marital status, including same-sex relationships, community, and political involvement — all gathered from Solano and Napa counties with exuberant anticipation, passion and pride to celebrate the inaugural meeting of Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) Solano/Napa County chapter — joining seven other nonpartisan BWOPAs in Northern California.

K. Patrice Williams, a 2017 honoree of Congressman John Garamendi’s Women of the Year award and the newly-elected chapter president, said the event felt historical. It was “inspiring and moving to see women of color coming together to meet for one united purpose and committed to having a greater voice in both Solano and Napa counties and seeing the support of men.” Williams said one of the “brothers” indicated that he is a longtime supporter of BWOPA. A husband attended to support his wife.

Williams said that many African Americans are frustrated with low voter turnout and the low to none minority elected representation in many of the cities in Solano County. Some of the goals of the chapter are to increase voter registration and issue engagement in the African-American community and increase the number of black women appointed to boards, commissions, and political offices through education, endorsements, and campaign support.

Committees were formed to begin the work, including one made up of young people to expose them to the political process. Officers were sworn in by Hon. Dezie Woods-Jones, State Board president and one of the founders of BWOPA in 1968. In Jones’ welcome address, she said everything we do is political and that others are making decisions and creating public policy on black women’s behalf.

African Americans and especially black women must be engaged in the process, and sit at decision-making tables to speak for themselves and continue work that remains.
Jones mentioned education, health care, criminal justice and economic security. She pointed out that black women outvoted all other race and gender subgroups yet are the least represented.

She concluded her remarks by saying that African-American women must be unapologetically black and come to political tables with power, strength, purpose, vision, research, and knowledge. They must also educate other black women who have a willingness to make a difference and to make things happen in the local community.

The mission of BWOPA is to activate, motivate, promote, support and educate African-American women about the political process, encourage involvement and to affirm a commitment to, and solving of, those problems affecting the black community in Solano and Napa counties and challenges that are unique to black women.

In 2011, writer, political science professor, and former MSNBC talk show host Melissa Harris-Perry published a book, “Sister Citizen,” using the subtitle “For Colored Girls Who’ve Considered Politics When Being Strong Isn’t Enough.” She adapted her subtitle from Ntozake Shange’s choreopoem, “For Colored Girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf.” According to Perry, Shange’s work is a representation of the experience of the crooked room.

Perry said black women have attempted to stand upright in a room made crooked by the stereotypes about African-American women as a group, warped images of their humanity, and derogatory assumptions about their character and identity. Black women have always had to attempt to preserve their authentic selves and to secure recognition as citizens. When confronting both race and gender, African-American women must strategize an upright position.

Some black women managed to tilt and bend themselves to fit the distortion, said Perry, that further exacerbated the distortions, resulting in self-inflicted wounds and justification. However, throughout black women’s political history, African-American women found a way to discern the distortion and shift the angle of the crooked room amid unspoken experiences of hurt, rejection, and their search for identity.

In an interview with Jones, after the BWOPA event, she said the political process is, therefore, not foreign to black women. African-American women have always been barred from achieving full equality as citizens. Yet many of the issues experienced impacts other communities and when black women are free, everyone else is free.

BWOPA does not exclude anyone, Jones said. She is excited about the new BWOPA chapter, and the appointment of talented and creative women to the board who have a passion for serving others and effecting change. Jones invites others to join in their endeavor to impact the Solano and Napa counties by attending the next meeting scheduled for Nov. 11.

Danette Mitchell is a social issues advocate, writer and a Vacaville resident. Email: damitchell@earthlink.net.

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Prostate Cancer is Twice as Likely to Kill Black Men. Talking to Your Doctor Could Help Save Your Life

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The American Cancer Society recommends that African American men speak with their doctor at age 45 about whether prostate cancer screening is right for them. Men at even higher risk should have that discussion at age 40, especially those with one or more close relatives who were diagnosed at an early age.

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1 day ago

September 10, 2026

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Prostate Cancer is Twice as Likely to Kill Black Men. Talking to Your Doctor Could Help Save Your Life

American Cancer Society board member Dr. Robert Winn discusses risk factors for the disease and why too many Black men still aren’t getting screened

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and as both a Black man and a cancer center director, I know many men in our community think it’s bad luck to talk about cancer. But I’m here to tell you it’s bad luck not to talk about it.

We, Black men in the U.S., are nearly 70% more likely than White men to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. We’re also twice as likely to die from the disease.

But I’m telling you, if you’re diagnosed early, you can still enjoy a long, happy life doing the things you love, whether that’s playing with grandkids or staying active in your community. That’s because although it can become a serious illness, most men diagnosed with prostate cancer won’t die from it.

In fact, more than 3.5 million U.S. men who’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer are still alive today. And when it’s diagnosed early, you boost your odds of survival. It’s that simple.

Generally, prostate cancer is most likely to develop after age 50, but when it develops in Black men, they tend to be younger. That means we need to be on the ball about understanding our personal risk. The risk factors include a family history of prostate cancer and certain genetic health risks that come from a parent.

When it comes to family medical history, we need to get a lot better at talking. For me, it turned out I had uncles who’d died from prostate and other cancers, but I didn’t always know that, so I couldn’t use that information to help me make smarter screening choices.

The American Cancer Society recommends that African American men speak with their doctor at age 45 about whether prostate cancer screening is right for them. Men at even higher risk should have that discussion at age 40, especially those with one or more close relatives who were diagnosed at an early age.

Look, I get that no one looks forward to a screening, but it typically starts with just a simple blood test, called a prostate-specific antigen, or PSA.

Even if you end up needing a digital rectal exam, it takes less than a minute and could save your life. So, what I say to people is, what’s the price of your life? Isn’t it worth a minute of being uncomfortable?

Brothers, this is essential for you to know: just because you’re feeling good doesn’t mean you don’t have early-stage prostate cancer. By the time you start to actually experience symptoms, the disease could be at an advanced stage and might be harder to treat.”

Prostate cancer is significantly impacting our fathers, our brothers, and our sons. That’s why the American Cancer Society is working with health systems and professionals in your community to help remove barriers in the fight against the disease.

We can help you find low-cost or free screening locations. And for men who need cancer treatment, the American Cancer Society can reduce the financial burden of traveling to medical appointments by providing free rides and, if you live far away from where you receive treatment, a free place to stay.

When it comes to prostate cancer screening, one size doesn’t fit all. So, it’s important for all men – and especially Black men – to talk to their doctor about what’s best for them based on their age, risk, and health history. Please make that appointment, because we don’t want you to risk missing out on the best years of your life.

For more information, call the American Cancer Society’s 24/7 helpline at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

Dr. Robert Winn is a nationally recognized physician-scientist and researcher. He currently serves as cancer center director at Temple Health’s Fox Chase Cancer Center. Since 2021, he has served on the board of directors for the American Cancer Society, a leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.

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Oakland Post: Week of September 2 – 8, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of September 2 – 8, 2026

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September 7, 2026

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Longtime BWOPA Member Brendalyn Goodall Appointed to California Workforce Development Board

Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed longtime Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) member Brendalynn Goodall to the California Workforce Development Board. Goodall, an Oakland resident with decades of experience in public service, has held leadership positions focused on

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2 weeks ago

August 30, 2026

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Post Co-Publisher Gay Plair Cobb with Brendalynn Goodall. Courtesy photo.

By California Black Media

Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed longtime Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) member Brendalynn Goodall to the California Workforce Development Board.

Goodall, an Oakland resident with decades of experience in public service, has held leadership positions focused on employment, aging services and assistance for underserved communities.

“Brendalynn will be a great addition to this Board,” said Gay Plair Cobb, who served as former state Assemblyman Sandre Swanson’s alternate to the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB).

“She understands that California’s non-profit organizations serve persons who have the most significant barriers to their labor market success and that the Board should help these groups navigate the complicated requirements of state funding.

“In other words, she will be a strong advocate for our most marginalized populations. Her voice is needed now, more than ever.”

CWDB works with the governor to shape workforce policies, programs and investments designed to strengthen the state’s economy. It collaborates with employers, workers, labor organizations, educational institutions, community groups and California’s 45 local workforce development boards to expand access to quality jobs and respond to regional employment needs.

According to the board, its work includes coordinating state programs and guiding investments in workforce training and development.

BWOPA California celebrated the appointment, describing Goodall as a dedicated advocate for workers, families and older adults.

“Her appointment reflects a lifetime of leadership, service, and unwavering commitment to strengthening California’s workforce and expanding opportunity for all,” the organization stated in a press release.

Goodall served as summer jobs program coordinator in the Oakland Mayor’s Office from 2012 to 2014. In that position, she helped connect young people with employment opportunities and job experience.

Before joining the Mayor’s Office, Goodall was division manager for Aging and Adult Services in the City of Oakland Human Services Department from 2002 to 2011. She previously served as senior services supervisor and program director for the city’s Department of Aging, Health and Human Services from 1990 to 2002.

Goodall is also a member of the California Commission on Aging, which advises the governor and state officials on policies and programs affecting older Californians.