Community

SCHOOL BUZZ: Stay Focused

Published

9 years ago

June 10, 2015

Many people today are usually stuck in place, looking down rather than reaching up towards the goal line.

Otis Bruce, Jr., founder and organizer of the Marin African-American Professional Network (MAAPN), is constantly encouraging others to achieve.

“MAAPN believes in inspiring professional connections for better communities, businesses, education, leadership and success stories,” said Bruce. He is also the Marin County Supervisor of Volunteers/Student Interns of the Year, Mentor Coordinator and Mock Trial Coach at De Anza High School Law Academy.

Bruce is someone that always strives to inspire others. At De Anza High School, he teaches kids to be confident and how to present themself, and tries to instill in them the courage to be true to themself.

Young people today have the potential to achieve anything they put their mind to, if they take advantage of all of the opportunities presented to them.

“Take control of your destiny. Stay focused and be ready for when your ship may come in or leave,” said Bruce.

He assures the youth that it is okay to be yourself. Create a “happy day and happy life. Never give up and never quit,” he said.

By keeping students on track, Bruce motivates and inspires them to follow their passion and do what is right.

Bruce remains true to himself and continues to try to make a difference.

Now is the time for change. To bring that change, we all have to be strong and speak our minds, but remain focused. We should always be true to ourselves, and surround ourselves with positivity.

We must remember all of the things that bring us happiness in life. And, continue to work hard as we go down that road to become successful.

This is not the end of the incredible work that Bruce has done. He says he will continue to help bring a change for the future, and encourage people to be positive, intelligent, and influential.

“Stay true to yourself and stay focused,” Bruce said.

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

2 days ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

5 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

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City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Published

5 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.