Bay Area

Unapologetically Black Mayor of Bay View Hunters Point Charlie Walker Leaves SF Legacy

A celebration of life for the mayor of Bay View Hunters Point, businessman Charlie Walker, was held on Friday, Feb. 10 at Third Street Baptist Church in San Francisco. Walker passed away just six months shy of his 90th birthday on Jan. 26.

Published

3 years ago

February 18, 2023

Oakland Post

Homecoming services of entrepreneur and community leader Charlie Walker at Third Baptist Church in San Francisco. Flowers formed letters spelling out Walker as the mayor of Bay View Hunters Point BVHP. Photo by Carla Thomas

By Carla Thomas

Born in the South, Walker relocated to San Francisco in his early teens and faked his birth certificate to join the Air Force, where he served for three years. He returned to the city and started — with one truck — his first trucking business.

He went on to become such a renowned figure in the community that he became its unofficial mayor: Arching over Walker’s casket were hundreds of flowers in blue and red spelling: Mayor of BVHP, Bay View Hunters Point.

Through an all day and night series of events, Walker was remembered as a community titan who never gave up as he fought racism and blazed a legacy for his family and the community, while opening doors for fairness in contracting in San Francisco.

Eulogized by Third Baptist pastor Rev. Dr. Amos Brown, Walker was described as a fearless businessman who never gave up a fight.

Brown described one of the many times Walker spoke up for the community. To get his point across at a school board meeting where others were backing down, Brown said Walker jumped up on the table and demanded support for youth of the San Francisco Unified School District.
Story after story revealed the truth about a man that stood for racial equity in contracts and civil rights.

“Today we are celebrating a servant of the people, a champion of social justice, an entrepreneur, and our brother in ‘good trouble,’” said Brown.

Close friend, former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown recalled the early days and their longtime friendship. Brown described Walker as extraordinary in that while Walker’s companies held some of the largest civic contracts like BART, he and his wife of 63 years, Annette Walker, demonstrated kindness by inviting people with nowhere else to go to his home for every holiday.

“He did social work and wasn’t a social worker. He was heavy duty into education, a community organizer and he was able to brilliantly drown out the noise of racism and distractions to change the city for the better,” said Willie Brown.

In the 1970s, Walker was known for chaining trucks together on construction sites where Black people had not been hired. In 1971, he secured a lucrative contract to clean up an oil spill after two oil tankers collided under the Golden Gate Bridge spilling tons of oil in the Bay.

In a 30-page commemorative booklet of his life, Walker said: “I made $5 million in 30 days.”

“America is still the place” he was often quoted as saying. In Walker’s heart, only in America could a son of sharecroppers, a grandson of slaves, with not even a high school education garner such success. “America Is Still the Place,” the book Walker wrote on that chapter in his life has been adapted into the major 2022 film, “I’m Charlie Walker,” funded by his friend Bill O’Keefe and starring actor Mike Colter as Walker.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed fondly remembered Walker as a friend, supporter and fighter who stood up to white people at a time when Blacks could suffer repercussions.
“He drew attention to the many injustices and stood up for what was right at a time when Black people could be concerned for their lives. Charlie did not back down,” she said.

For San Francisco Councilmember Shamann Walton, Walker was a mentor he referred to as “Uncle Charlie.” “He knew his power when he entered a room and no matter where he was, no matter the conversation, and no matter who was around, he was unapologetically Black and paved the way for me to do the same.”

Businessmen Shelly Tatum and Timothy Alan Simon referred to Walker as a “once-in-a-generation thought leader, businessman, advocate and revolutionary.”

“This gathering is a testament to how much he loved the community, and the community loved him,” said Simon. “His legacy will live on,” said Tatum.

Businessman Dwayne Jones, former Young Community Developers director, said, “He helped me transform my trajectory from a nonprofit director into an entrepreneur and to be unapologetically Black about it.”

Walker’s granddaughter Lyn-Tise Jones read the opening scripture at the service (2 Timothy 1:7) “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.”

“If you knew anything about my grandfather you knew he wasn’t afraid of nothing or nobody. He lived fiercely and ferociously for his family, his friends and his beloved community,” said Jones.

Walker’s granddaughter Geoffrea Morris read letters of acknowledgement from U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Gov. Gavin Newsom, Assemblymember Matt Haney and State Controller Malia Cohen.

A reading included Walker’s favorite poem entitled, “A Gentleman” written by Beverly Al-Kareem.

Family member Crystal Walker sang “Trouble of the World.”

While fighting the troubles of the world Walker blazed a trail creating businesses, opportunities, and promoting education. Walker’s dreams produced lawyers, doctors, engineers and dentists in the family.

Until her untimely death, Walker’s daughter, Yolanda Jones took up the trucking business, which was how her father started out. She had headed Yolanda’s Construction Administration and Traffic Control, where the company secured government contracts and hired and trained people of the community on the business, opening doors of opportunity to members of a sidelined community.

For Minister Abdul Rashidullah Muhammad, Walker was a welcoming bridge when his mosque moved into the neighborhood. “Charlie’s living was not in vain. He didn’t let anyone put him down. He used his time to help people,” he said.

Maestro Curtis of the Curtis Family C-Notes credited Walker with helping him create a music studio early in his career. “Walker took me to the music store and purchased everything I needed, $20,000 worth of equipment. Who does that? Because of the quality of music I was able to produce in that studio, I was signed to Earth, Wind and Fire’s label.

A procession of vehicles from Gilman Street traveled past Walker’s Bret Harte Middle School to the New Southeast Community Center along Third Street. A flatbed truck bearing Walker’s mega image with a dozen of his grandchildren in tow, led the way with police and the Kings of Cali Motorcycle Club as traffic escorts.

At the New Southeast Community Center, an art tribute in honor of Walker produced by Malik Seneferu showed the many facets of Walker’s life. From articles of clothing to photographs in Africa and meetings with heads of state, each item included a scannable QR code providing the item’s context with additional video.

Later that evening, SF Black Wallstreet presented a Lenny Williams concert in Walker’s honor. The audience danced and sang along to Williams’ hits, as the famous R&B crooner belted out “’Cause I Love You,” “This Time It’s Real,” and “You’re Still A Young Man,” among others. “Charlie was a man of the people, and we will miss him,” said Williams.

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Activism

Post Newspaper Invites NNPA to Join Nationwide Probate Reform Initiative

The Post’s Probate Reform Group meets the first Thursday of every month via Zoom and invites the public to attend. The Post is making the initiative national and will submit information from its monthly meeting to the NNPA to educate, advocate, and inform its readers.

Published

2 days ago

February 10, 2026

Oakland Post

iStock.

By Tanya Dennis

The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) represents the Black press with over 200 newspapers nationwide.

Last night the Post announced that it is actively recruiting the Black press to inform the public that there is a probate “five-alarm fire” occurring in Black communities and invited every Black newspaper starting from the Birmingham Times in Alabama to the Milwaukee Times Weekly in Wisconsin, to join the Post in our “Year of Action” for probate reform.

Reporter Tanya Dennis says, “The adage that ‘When America catches a cold, Black folks catch the flu” is too true in practice; that’s why we’re engaging the Black Press to not only warn, but educate the Black community regarding the criminal actions we see in probate court: Thousands are losing generational wealth to strangers. It’s a travesty that happens daily.”

Venus Gist, a co-host of the reform group, states, “ Unfortunately, people are their own worst enemy when it comes to speaking with loved ones regarding their demise. It’s an uncomfortable subject that most avoid, but they do so at their peril. The courts rely on dissention between family members, so I encourage not only a will and trust [be created] but also videotape the reading of your documents so you can show you’re of sound mind.”

In better times, drafting a will was enough; then a trust was an added requirement to ‘iron-clad’ documents and to assure easy transference of wealth.

No longer.

As the courts became underfunded in the last 20 years, predatory behavior emerged to the extent that criminality is now occurring at alarming rates with no oversight, with courts isolating the conserved, and, I’ve heard, many times killing conservatees for profit. Plundering the assets of estates until beneficiaries are penniless is also common.”

Post Newspaper Publisher Paul Cobb says, “The simple solution is to avoid probate at all costs. If beneficiaries can’t agree, hire a private mediator and attorney to work things out. The moment you walk into court, you are vulnerable to the whims of the court. Your will and trust mean nothing.”

Zakiya Jendayi, a co-host of the Probate Reform Group and a victim herself, says, “In my case, the will and trust were clear that I am the beneficiary of the estate, but the opposing attorney said I used undue influence to make myself beneficiary. He said that without proof, and the judge upheld the attorney’s baseless assertion. In court, the will and trust is easily discounted.”

The Black press reaches out to 47 million Black Americans with one voice. The power of the press has never been so important as it is now in this national movement to save Black generational wealth from predatory attorneys, guardians and judges.

The next probate reform meeting is on March 5, from 7 – 9 p.m. PST. Zoom Details:
Meeting ID: 825 0367 1750
Passcode: 475480

All are welcome.

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Activism

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

2 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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Activism

New Bill, the RIDER Safety Act, Would Support Transit Ambassadors and Safety on Public Transit

The RIDER Safety Act would allow public transit agencies to hire transit ambassadors trained in de-escalation, crisis response, and rider education and engagement. Acting as a visible, non-enforcement presence to deter low-level incidents and reduce conflict, transit ambassadors would ease the burden from law enforcement and enhance public safety.

Published

2 days ago

February 10, 2026

Oakland Post

BART train. Photo courtesy of ABC7.

By Post Staff

A new federal bill would support transit ambassador, or transit support specialist, programs at public transit agencies across the country.

The bill, (D-CA-12), H.R. 6069, the Rapid Intervention and Deterrence for Enhanced Rider Safety Act, or the RIDER Safety Act, was introduced Jan. 30 by Congresswoman Lateefah Simon. (D-CA-12), H.R. 6069, the Rapid Intervention and Deterrence for Enhanced Rider Safety Act, or the RIDER Safety Act.

This legislation is based on Congresswoman Simon’s work at Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to create a first-in-the-nation Transit Ambassador Program, which previously earned a prestigious nationwide award for “Innovation in Public Safety.”

She announced the bill at a press conference at the 19th Street BART Station alongside BART leaders and other supporters.

The RIDER Safety Act would allow public transit agencies to hire transit ambassadors trained in de-escalation, crisis response, and rider education and engagement. Acting as a visible, non-enforcement presence to deter low-level incidents and reduce conflict, transit ambassadors would ease the burden from law enforcement and enhance public safety.

This bill would also create jobs provide meaningful work, training opportunities, and a pathway for career growth in local communities. In the House of Representatives, the bill is also co-led by Representatives Shomari Figures (AL-02), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), and John Garamendi (CA-08).

“I am incredibly proud to champion the RIDER Safety Act in Congress and continue my work to ensure transit is safe, accessible, and affordable to everyone. We have seen the success of the transit ambassador programs here in the East Bay, and I am dedicated to bringing this proven public safety model to the rest of the country,” said Congresswoman Simon.

“These are strong local jobs for people who want to support public safety on transit and serve as a resource to individuals who may be in crisis or in need of services,” she continued. “Strengthening safety on transit benefits us all and helps ensure our public transportation systems remain places of opportunity, dignity, and trust.”

“This bill is critical to ensure the safety of every passenger who relies on public transportation across the country,” said Congresswoman Nellie Pou. “The RIDER Safety Act builds on successful transit models already implemented in communities, including the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) through the leadership of Congresswoman Lateefah Simon during her time as BART President. By providing transit stations with medically trained, unarmed personnel, we can strengthen safety standards, reduce fare evasion, and give riders a greater peace of mind when getting from one place to the next.”