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Wilfred Tibbs Ussery Celebrates 95th Birthday: “Have a Purpose”

Dr. Paul L. Cobb, publisher of the Post newspapers, served as the “Master” Master of Ceremonies as he welcomed guests to the stage to talk about Ussery. Geoffrey Pete, owner of Geoffrey’s, and Ussery’s old friend, provided the soul food refreshments.

Published

2 years ago

October 15, 2023

Oakland Post

(Left to right) Wilfred Tibbs Ussery at his 95th birthday celebration at Geoffrey’s Inner Circle in Oakland, Mrs. Gay Plair Cobb, Dr. Paul L. Cobb, and Mrs. Maxine Ussery. Photograph by Conway Jones.

By Conway Jones

Wilfred Tibbs Ussery celebrated his 95th birthday with his family and friends on Oct. 8 at Geoffrey’s Inner Circle in Oakland.

Ussery has dedicated his life’s work to civic engagement and the advancement of the disenfranchised.

He served as the chairman of the San Francisco Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). He was also the president of Black Urban Systems, a firm that consulted African Americans on getting control of services, institutions, and resources in their communities.

He served for 18 years as an elected director and president of the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) District Board.

He was an active member of many national and local social change organizations.

He helped organize non-violent, civil disobedience sit-ins, including the successful 1963 demonstration at Mel’s Drive-In and the 1964 Automobile Row demonstrations in San Francisco.

Norman Brown and Dr. Oba T’Shaka spoke of his skills in architecture and his ‘people skills,’ teaching how to “put your ego aside” and let organizations be administered by the best qualified.

Among those present enjoying, bringing greetings, and reminiscing were his son, Wilfred R. Ussery, and old friends: Altheda Carrie, Norme Rogers Jackson, Rhonda Benin Long, Sophia Maxwell, Carol Tatum, Kitty Epstein, Dr. Lynette McElhaney, Merlin Edwards, and Troy Belton.

Ussery thanked his wife, Maxine, for her more than 50 years of love and support. He also thanked the assembled guests.

He challenged the next generation to “have a purpose,” to do something with their lives that will make a difference.

Wilfred Tibbs Ussery is not retiring. His last remark was that he was preparing his speech for his 100^th birthday celebration.

Oakland Post

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Oakland Post: Week of May 7 – 13, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May 7 – 13, 2025

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3 days ago

May 9, 2025

Oakland Post

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Oakland Post: Week of April 30 – May 6, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 30 – May 6, 2025

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1 week ago

May 4, 2025

Oakland Post

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Gov. Newsom Approves $170 Million to Fast Track Wildfire Resilience

AB 100 approves major investments in regional conservancies across the state, including over $30 million each for the Sierra Nevada, Santa Monica Mountains, State Coastal, and San Gabriel/Lower LA Rivers and Mountains conservancies. An additional $10 million will support wildfire response and resilience efforts.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 28, 2025

Oakland Post

Courtesy of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Facebook page.

By Bo Tefu
California Black Media

With wildfire season approaching, last week Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 100, unlocking $170 million to fast-track wildfire prevention and forest management projects — many of which directly protect communities of color, who are often hardest hit by climate-driven disasters.

“With this latest round of funding, we’re continuing to increase the speed and size of forest and vegetation management essential to protecting communities,” said Newsom when he announced the funding on April 14.

“We are leaving no stone unturned — including cutting red tape — in our mission to ensure our neighborhoods are protected from destructive wildfires,” he said.

Newsom also signed an executive order suspending certain regulations to allow urgent work to move forward faster.

This funding builds on California’s broader Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan, a $2.7 billion effort to reduce fuel loads, increase prescribed burning, and harden communities. The state has also launched new dashboards to keep the public informed and hold agencies accountable.

California has also committed to continue investing $200 million annually through 2028 to expand this effort, ensuring long-term resilience, particularly in vulnerable communities.