Events

San Francisco Remembers Martin Luther King, Jr.

Published

7 years ago

January 30, 2019

The San Francisco Interfaith Council hosted the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at the Yerba Buena Garden complex on Monday, January 21. The celebration featured an array of speakers, singers and events that brought the San Francisco Bay Area together to remember Dr. King and his legacy of service and his fight for racial justice.

“This is the legacy of Dr. King and his work,” said San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott, who is the second African American to hold that position in San Francisco. “Look at the people in leadership positions in San Francisco, starting with me to the mayor to countless others.”

Born and raised in Alabama, Scott moved to California and worked his way up the ranks of the Police Department in Los Angeles. After several years of service and a nationwide search, he was selected to be police chief in San Francisco.

“Dr. King’s fight for civil rights gave everyone a fair shot at opportunity,” continued Scott. “It gave people a chance to live and thrive. We still have a long ways go, but we are on our way.”

Other speakers at the event, which is in its 34th year, included U.S. House of Representative Speaker Nancy Pelosi, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Dr. Arelious Walker from True Hope Church of God and Christ, Rudy Corpuz from the United Playaz youth organization and Rev. Amos Brown from Third Baptist Church.

There were also various other events at the Yerba Buena Complex, including a Black and Brown Comic Book Festival for kids in the View Lounge at the Metreon, a speakers’ series at the Yerba Buena Auditorium and various arts and crafts for sale.

Kimberly Brandon, the President of the San Francisco Port Commission, was proud to be at Yerba Buena Gardens reflecting on King and his work.

“It’s 2019, and Dr. King and his work are needed more now than ever before,” said Brandon. “He was about freedom, respect and coming together and we need this during this time in our country.”

The Yerba Buena Gardens complex is home to a waterfall memorial of King, which has his various quotes, as well as pictures of local San Francisco Civil Rights leaders marching in the streets of San Francisco.

Aaron Grizzell, executive director of the Northern California Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Foundation and one of the organizers of the celebration, was pleased with the turnout.

“This is one of the main spots in San Francisco for people to express ourselves and to be heard on this day,” said Grizzell.

Dr. Amos Brown, was one of eight students who King taught at Morehouse College in the 1960s. He looked at the day with gladness as well as some sadness.

“I am glad we are celebrating a great man today, but this ceremony in San Francisco is kind of tepid in my opinion,” said Dr. Brown.

“We have 800,000 people in San Francisco and there should at least be 8,000 people here,” said Dr. Brown. “If this was Cinco De Mayo or Gay Pride, this place would be packed, but it isn’t.”

Dr. Brown said that civil rights is on the back burner in San Francisco. He pointed to the decline in the city’s black population, which he said was unacceptable.

“The black community in San Francisco is almost extinct, including the cultural community,” continued Brown. “We have to fight this, and help bring in more black people to the city.” Brown said that this needs to be fought politically, with housing policies that help retain blacks in San Francisco, which is something that Dr. King would be in favor of in 2019.

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Oakland Post: Week of February 11 = 17, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – February 11 – 17, 2026

Published

10 hours ago

February 16, 2026

Oakland Post

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Community Celebrates Turner Group Construction Company as Collins Drive Becomes Turner Group Drive

The event drew family, friends, and longtime supporters of Turner Group Construction, along with a host of dignitaries. The mood was joyful and warm, filled with hugs, handshakes and belated New Year’s greetings. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and a festive display of gourmet cupcakes as they conversed about the street sign reveal.

Published

6 days ago

February 10, 2026

Oakland Post

The Turner Construction group members.

By Carla Thomas

It was a family affair on Friday, Jan. 23, at the corner of Hegenberger Road and Collins Drive in East Oakland as community members, local leaders, and elected officials gathered to celebrate the renaming of Collins Drive to Turner Group Drive. The renaming saluted the Turner Group’s 45-plus years of economic development and community investment.

Special guests included former Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, veteran broadcaster Valerie Coleman-Morris, Chevron Senior Public Affairs Representative Andrea Bailey, community leaders Cephus “Uncle Bobby” Johnson and Beatrice “Aunt Bea” Johnson of the Oscar Grant Foundation, and Oakland City Councilmembers Ken Houston, Carroll Fife, and Kevin Jenkins. Members of WEBCORE, the Nor Cal Carpenters Union, the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC), Swinerton and Alten construction companies, activists Elaine Brown and David Newton, and many others joined the celebration.

Inside the event tent, an emotional Oakland City Councilmember Ken Houston spoke of his deep connection to the Turner family.

“I grew up on the same street with the Turners,” he said. “When my father passed away, their parents and siblings embraced me like family. This is our city, and it’s an honor to name this street Turner Group Drive because of the love and effort this company and family have given. Many dreams came out of this building. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the Turners.”

Councilmember Kevin Jenkins, whose father once taught the Turner brothers, added, “Len Turner is an amazing person. He’ll help anyone.”

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee praised the company’s legacy, noting its creation of the Construction Resource Center, which trains and mentors the next generation of builders and developers through partnerships across the region. “This is a great day for Oakland and a profound acknowledgment of the Turner Group’s contribution to our community,” she said.

Fife echoed that sentiment: “This is a day for celebrating Black excellence. The Turner Group has poured into people and the community, showing us what’s possible.”

Among the many family members in attendance was the Turners’ 92-year-old patriarch, whose presence underscored the strength of the family’s legacy.

A touching highlight of the event came when Coleman-Morris was honored for her lasting mentorship of LaTanya Hawkins, now program manager of the Construction Resource Center. In 1979, Hawkins, then a fourth-grader, wrote Coleman-Morris a letter seeking advice. Coleman responded with words of encouragement that inspired Hawkins to pursue her dreams. The two stayed in touch for decades. On stage, they embraced as Coleman reflected on “the power of small acts of kindness to change a life.”

Coleman-Morris also shared reflections on leadership and community spirit, saying, “If we change the way we look at things, the things we see will change.” She then recited the Serenity Prayer, reminding the crowd, “We are a powerful community, we just need to believe it.”

Company leaders Len and Lance Turner closed the ceremony with words of gratitude and humor. Len thanked his mother, wife, family, legal team, and longtime supporters including Carson, Geoffrey Pete, and the late Dorothy King of Everett & Jones Barbecue. He also acknowledged the challenges the company had overcome, saying, “Without all of this support, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Through Turner Group Construction and the Construction Resource Center, the Turners have created new opportunities for underrepresented groups in the construction industry and continue to inspire the next generation of builders.

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Cracking Down on Human Trafficking, California DOJ Announces 120 Arrests

According to the California DOJ, 87 arrests were made for loitering, 25 for solicitation, and eight for pimping and pandering. Officials said the operation focused on reducing demand for commercial sexual exploitation while prioritizing a survivor-centered approach.

Published

6 days ago

February 10, 2026

Oakland Post

iStock.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

The California Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Jan. 26 that 120 people were arrested during a coordinated, multi-county law enforcement operation aimed at disrupting human trafficking and connecting survivors with support services.

The arrests stem from Operation Stand On Demand, a six-day effort conducted from Jan. 19 through Jan. 24 across San Diego, Sacramento, Tulare, and Fresno counties. It involved more than a dozen state and local law enforcement agencies working together to target individuals involved in sex trafficking, including traffickers and buyers.

“This operation reflects an ongoing commitment by California law enforcement to target those who fuel trafficking and exploitation,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta.

“It’s a coordinated, multi-county law enforcement effort focused on disrupting sex trafficking, holding perpetrators accountable, and connecting survivors with support,” said Bonta.

San Diego County accounted for the majority of enforcement activity during the operation. District Attorney Summer Stephan said law enforcement agencies worked around the clock to identify and arrest individuals attempting to purchase sex.

“Our officers, in less than one week during this operation, took action, not words, by working around the clock and arresting and citing 105 people who thought that they were going to go out and buy a human being like they’re a hamburger or a slice of pizza,” Stephan said.

San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez chimed in.

“Communities like Santee and San Marcos, which were part of this operation, face unique vulnerabilities tied to transportation routes, student populations, and employment opportunities,” she said.

Bonta said the arrests are part of broader statewide efforts to combat human trafficking. Since 2021, the Attorney General’s Office said its human trafficking task forces have led to more than 900 arrests and connected more than 1,000 survivors to services and resources.

“Human trafficking is a complex, devastating crime, but when we work together, we can make a real difference, and this operation is proof positive of that fact,” Bonta said.

California DOJ officials said similar operations will continue as part of the state’s ongoing strategy to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable communities.