News

White House Reporter April Ryan Keynote Speaker at 100 Black Women Luncheon

Published

5 years ago

April 29, 2019

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc., Oakland Bay Area Chapter (NCBW-OBAC) held their 21st annual Madam C.J. Walker Luncheon and Empowerment Forum at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis on April 19.

Themed “Cultivating Our Legacy: Intentionally Building Our Future,” the event featured keynote speaker White House Correspondent April Ryan.

Ryan acknowledged the many influences that shaped her. From the legacies of Madam C.J. Walker, the first female self-made millionaire, and Shirley Chisholm, the first woman to run for president, to Huey Newton of the Black Panthers, Malcolm X and Marcus Garvey.

“Madam C.J. Walker was a pillar of strength for all of us,” she said.

Ryan, who has covered the White House for more thantwo decades, garnered much attention when Pres. Donald Trump refused to allow her to ask a question about voter suppression and told her to sit down during a White House press conference.

His blatant disrespect of the seasoned journalist caused a media storm because the issue of voter suppression was fully relevant.

A day prior to the luncheon the results of the Mueller Investigation flooded the press and showed that Sarah Huckabee Sanders misled reporters during a May 2017 daily press briefing shortly after Trump fired former FBI Director James Comey

Ryan did not hold back. “Sarah Huckabee is a liar and the apprentice that needs to go.”

“Where is your dis-ease (with the status quo)?”

Ryan shared her dis-ease with Blacks having the highest disparities in the nation and asserted that Stacey Abrams should have become Georgia’s governor.

None of the Trump administration’s antics will cause her to cower.

“My parents raised me to be a catalyst for change.”

Ryan said the voter irregularities after the mid-term election, voter suppression throughout the country and the lack of a federal anti-lynching law in 2019 should cause everyone to be concerned. “What is old is not new. Shirley Chisholm, who ran for president in 1972, said; “If you don’t have a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”

And as Iyanla Vanzant says; “Am I my brother’s keeper? No I am my brother.”

Ryan implored the more than 1,000 powerful women in the room to harness their talent and resources. “Don’t be afraid to scrape your red bottoms,” as she referred to the $1,000 Christian Louboutin red-soled shoes sported by affluent professional women.

Luncheon honorees included Valerie Lewis – assistant vice president and assostant secretary at Safeway Inc.- who waved her red-bottom shoes in the air to show Ryan that they were scuffed.

The Advocacy Award was presented to Tomiquia Moss – CEO of Hamilton Families- who thanked her grandmother and the Pioneer Award was presented to Morgan DeBaun – CEO and Founder of Blavity.

Honoree Dorian Webb, a jewelry designer, quoted Shakespeare; “They tread on gems beneath their feet.” Supporting the quote, Webb explained that African Americans are oftentimes denigrated or ignored. “It’s time to realize we are the gems and magic happens when we work collectively.”

Teenagers Jasmine Edwards and Zoei Brown, the 2019 Positive Steps Mentoring Program Essay contest winners took the podium and inspired everyone as they ensured the future of Black girl magic. “We are the Black girls that know their worth and won’t be taken for granted,” said Edwards.

“My Aunt Carolyn Downs, a founding member of the Black Panthers of Seattle, is an unknown. But she is my inspiration and I will tell her story,” said Brown.

Song and dance were a highlight of the conference featuring vocalist Mykah Montgomery and Heat Dance Studio.

Carla Thomas

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

Published

6 days ago

April 19, 2024

Oakland Post

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California Black Media

Yahushua’s Law: Senate Advances Bill to Protect Students from Extreme Weather

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3. The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Published

6 days ago

April 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Yahushua Nyerere Robinson (Courtesy Photo)

By California Black Media

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3.

The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Authored by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) and co-authored by Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. (D-La Mesa), SB 1248 directs the California Department of Education to develop comprehensive guidelines for schools regarding student activity during all extreme weather conditions.

“No student should ever lose their life on campus to extreme weather when we can take steps to protect them by preparing statewide plans to minimize exposure to the most harmful elements of exposure,” Hurtado said after introducing SB 1248.

The bill stipulates that schools must implement safety measures which include monitoring weather forecasts, postponing or relocating outdoor activities during hazardous conditions, and ensuring students have proper hydration and access to shade. It also requires schools to establish clear communication plans to keep parents, teachers, and students informed about potential weather hazards.

Supporters of the bill include the Robinson family, advocate Christina Laster, Bold Enterprises LLC, California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute, Familias Empoderadas del Valle Central National Action Network, The Black Student Advocate, and the Ventura County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Thanking Hurtado for introducing this crucial legislation, Weber said, “The story of Yahushua Robinson last year was heartbreaking. We have protections for farm workers and other industries in the case of extreme weather, now climate change is forcing us to also extend similar protections to students at school.”

Oakland Post

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Barbara Lee

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on Deaths of Humanitarian Aid Volunteers in Gaza 

On April 2, a day after an Israeli airstrike erroneously killed seven employees of World Central Kitchen (WCK), a humanitarian organization delivering aid in the Gaza Strip, a statement was release by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12). “This is a devastating and avoidable tragedy. My prayers go to the families and loved ones of the selfless members of the World Central Kitchen team whose lives were lost,” said Lee.

Published

1 week ago

April 17, 2024

Oakland Post

Congresswoman Barbara Lee

By California Black Media

“This is a devastating and avoidable tragedy. My prayers go to the families and loved ones of the selfless members of the World Central Kitchen team whose lives were lost,” said Lee.

The same day, it was confirmed by the organization that the humanitarian aid volunteers were killed in a strike carried out by Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Prior to the incident, members of the team had been travelling in two armored vehicles marked with the WCF logo and they had been coordinating their movements with the IDF. The group had successfully delivered 10 tons of humanitarian food in a deconflicted zone when its convoy was struck.

“This is not only an attack against WCK. This is an attack on humanitarian organizations showing up in the direst situations where food is being used as a weapon of war. This is unforgivable,” said Erin Gore, chief executive officer of World Central Kitchen.

The seven victims included a U.S. citizen as well as others from Australia, Poland, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Palestine.

Lee has been a vocal advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza and has supported actions by President Joe Biden to airdrop humanitarian aid in the area.

“Far too many civilians have lost their lives as a result of Benjamin Netanyahu’s reprehensible military offensive. The U.S. must join with our allies and demand an immediate, permanent ceasefire – it’s long overdue,” Lee said.