Activism
‘Rooted in the Town’ Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom Awards Held in Oakland
The Celebration of Freedom honorees included Children’s Fairyland Executive Director Kymberly Miller, Construction Resource Center Executive Director Len Turner, and clothing designer Taylor Jay of Taylor Jay Collections.
By Carla Thomas
On Saturday, June 15 the Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom Awards were held at the California Ballroom, MC’d by Emeryville Mayor Courtney Welch and hosted by Oakland City Councilmembers Kevin Jenkins, Treva Reid, and Carroll Fife. This year’s theme was ‘Rooted in the Town.’
Reid passionately spoke of the Council’s accomplishments, while Fife spoke of the need for the City of Oakland to have a Black agenda to meet the urgent needs in the community.
The Celebration of Freedom honorees included Children’s Fairyland Executive Director Kymberly Miller, Construction Resource Center Executive Director Len Turner, and clothing designer Taylor Jay of Taylor Jay Collections.
Miller, who joined Children’s Fairyland in August 2019, previously worked with Girl Scouts of Northern California for 11 years. Her experience in youth development, relationship with community leaders, and the Oakland business community have positioned her as a champion for Fairyland.
Turner previously worked for CADAM-Lockheed, IBM, and Disneyland before he and his family established the largest minority general contractors’ business in the Bay Area, the Turner Construction Group. His sister and co-founder, LaTanya Hawkins, accepted the award on his behalf.
Jay has been in the fashion industry for 14 years and became an entrepreneur at 23. She currently runs two boutiques in the Bay Area offering luxury fashions. Jay celebrates women of all sizes and is a proud mentor of aspiring entrepreneurs.
Entertainer Dee Dee Simon sang soulful R&B favorites. The singer was in town briefly in between America’s Got Talent tapings. DJ Chanel spun familiar songs and anecdotes between speeches and commentary.
Journalist Carla Thomas and Post News Group Publisher Paul Cobb were present at the awards ceremony. Courtesy photo.
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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