Connect with us

Activism

The Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce receives distinguished Charles Houston Bar Association Benjamin Travis Community Service Award

OAACC has become a trusted voice of the Black business community through the many services and resources it provides to its 500 plus membership base.

Published

on

Left to right: Attorney Vince Brown, Vice President of CHBA; Anne Fredd, wife of Judge Benjamin Travis; Attorney Tamara C. Micheal, CHBA; Cathy D. Adams, President & CEO, Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce; Donovan Loud, nephew of Attorney Gordon Greenwood, Kazan, McClain, Satterly & Greenwood; Attorney Terrace Evans, Terrance Evans, Immediate Past President of the Charles Houston Bar Association
Pictured Left to right: Attorney Vince Brown, Vice President of CHBA; Anne Fredd, wife of Judge Benjamin Travis; Attorney Tamara C. Michael, CHBA; Cathy D. Adams, President & CEO, Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce; Donovan Loud, nephew of Attorney Gordon Greenwood, Kazan, McClain, Satterly & Greenwood; Attorney Terrace Evans, Terrance Evans, Immediate Past President of the Charles Houston Bar Association

The Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce received the distinguished Charles Houston Bar Association Benjamin Travis Community Service Award, Saturday, December 3, at the San Francisco Hyatt Regency Embarcadero.

Cathy D. Adams, President and CEO accepted the award on behalf of OAACC.  The Honorable Judge Benjamin Travis (deceased) was a respected leader in the Community.

OAACC has become a trusted voice of the Black business community through the many services and resources it provides to its 500 plus membership base.

In 2020 OAACC created the OAACC Resiliency Relief Grant Program and raised more than $1.1 million dollars to assist business.

Under the leadership of CEO, Cathy D. Adams, more than 200 plus grants were awarded to Black Owned Businesses.

That same year OAACC was awarded 2020 Black Chamber of the year from the U.S. Black Chamber of the year from the U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. which has 200 global members.

Anne Fredd, the wife of Judge Travis from Chicago attended the event festivities and presented the award along with Attorney Tamara C. Michael.  Judge Horace Wheatley (retired), a personal friend of Travis attended the event to celebrate the contributions of the late jurist.

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

Published

on

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Continue Reading

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025

Published

on

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Continue Reading

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.

Published

on

William "Bill" Patterson, 94. Photo courtesy of the Patterson family.

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.

Continue Reading

Subscribe to receive news and updates from the Oakland Post

* indicates required

CHECK OUT THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE OAKLAND POST

ADVERTISEMENT

WORK FROM HOME

Home-based business with potential monthly income of $10K+ per month. A proven training system and website provided to maximize business effectiveness. Perfect job to earn side and primary income. Contact Lynne for more details: Lynne4npusa@gmail.com 800-334-0540

Facebook

Trending

Copyright ©2021 Post News Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.