Featured

Women Leaders at the Port of Oakland

Published

12 years ago

March 27, 2014

In recognition of Women’s History Month, the Port of Oakland is paying tribute to its women leaders that are at the forefront of one of the largest ports in the country.

Those who are being recognized include Aviation Director Deborah Ale Flint, Commercial Real Estate Director Pamela Kershaw, Chief Financial Officer Sara Lee, Director of Social Responsibility Amy Tharpe and Jean Banker, principal assistant to the Executive Director.

Amy Tharpe

These women handle multiple responsibilities at the port – form the Oakland International Airport to Jack London Square – ensuring job opportunities at the port for local residents.

For women looking to climb the corporate ladder, they say confidence, creativity, hard work, and commitment will take you far.

Oakland resident Deborah Ale Flint was appointed director of aviation in 2010 and was previously assistant aviation director. Leading the operation and management of the airport, she says, “Transportation is all about moving forward.”

Pam Kershaw

“There’s a role in the transportation industry for everyone, whether you are interested in design, engineering, accounting, the environment, marketing, customer service or media. Bring your creativity, your technology savviness, innovative approach, and join us,” said Flint.

“There are so many career paths within transportation that the opportunities abound,” she continued.

With over 20 years of experience working for various public agencies in the Bay Area in the field of land planning and development, Pamela Kershaw became director of commercial real estate in 2012 after being appointed acting director in 2010.

Sara Lee

“Pick a career that you have a passion for and put your best effort into it every day,” said Kershaw. “Have confidence in yourself and your abilities, trust your instincts, and remember to smile and laugh each day if you can.”

Added Chief Financial Officer Sara Lee, “Don’t be intimidated to ask a question or admit you don’t know something. Be honest, work hard, and know your stuff.”

Lee has over 15 years of experience in investment banking. Prior to working for the port, she was vice president of investment banking at Goldman Sachs in San Francisco and assistant vice president at Paine Webber Incorporated (now UBS Investment Bank).

Deborah Ale Flint

As Director of Social Responsibility, Amy Tharpe promotes positive economic and social changes that will benefit the port’s business development and the communities of Oakland. She previously managed San Francisco’s HOPE SF Initiative and was director of policy and planning for the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing.

“Follow your passions and have faith in your ability; always trust your instincts,” says Tharpe, who was appointed director in 2013.

Jean Banker has been with the port since 2007, serving as the port’s Deputy Executive Director, Acting Maritime Director, and Manager of Finance and Administrative Services for the Maritime Division.

Jean Banker with Captain Laszlo Minarik

She previously worked for the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority as Deputy Director of Capital Programs.

Now as principal assistant to the Executive Director, Banker says, “Do not assume that your accomplishments will speak for themselves; talking about them can make a difference between being overlooked and advancing your influence or position.”

All photos courtesy of the Port of Oakland.

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Community

Four Candidates, Including Incumbent Barbara Lee, Qualify for Oakland Mayor’s Race

POST NEWS GROUP — Four candidates, including incumbent Mayor Barbara Lee, filed their papers to run for office by last Friday’s deadline, and the City Clerk issued a list this week of those who are qualified to run.

Published

22 hours ago

August 15, 2026

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View of downtown Oakland, California and City Hall. iStock photo.

By Post Staff

The four mayoral candidates who will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot are:

Brenda Grisham. A business owner in East Oakland and public safety advocate, Grisham led the successful recall campaign against Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price. As part of her platform, she pledges to work with local, state, and federal partners to secure stricter gun control measures and investments in community violence intervention programs.

Barbara Lee. A former congressional representative and state Assembly member, Lee was elected by voters in a special election last year for a two-year term. Now running for a four-year term, she points out that her administration achieved major successes in addressing some of the city’s major challenges, including balancing the city budget, dramatically reducing crime, and making significant inroads into homelessness and illegal dumping.

Mindy Pechenuk. An educator and activist, Pechenuk is a registered Republican and supporter of Lyndon LaRouche, who has been described by observers as a conspiracy theorist and cult leader. She ran unsuccessfully for mayor in last year’s special election and for the at-large council seat in 2024. She seeks to end Oakland’s police commission and MACRO and invest in more police while launching a new local war on drugs.

Julius Robinson. While little information is available so far about Robinson, he was quoted in a KTVU story about Thao’s recall, stating that people in Oakland want to come together as a community but lack infrastructure and leadership.

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Black History

Oakland Observes Black August with Block Parties, Film Showings, Workshops

POST NEWS GROUP — Beginning in 1979 in San Quentin State Prison, the Black Guerrilla Family called for the remembrance of political prisoner George Jackson and his brother Jonathan Jackson who were assassinated in the early 1970s. George Jackson was considered a political prisoner in that it was the anti-Black justice system that led to his incarceration for armed robbery with a sentence of one year-to-life in 1960.

Published

24 hours ago

August 15, 2026

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George Jackson wrote two books: “Soledad Brother,” and “Blood in My Eye” before her was killed in an attempt to escape prison on Aug. 21, 1971.

By Jana Lang, Propel Youth Reporter

Study. Train. Fast. Fight.

These are the four tenets of Black August, a month dedicated to commemorating the sacrifices of political prisoners and Black revolutionaries in the struggle for Black liberation.

Observers are urged to study the history of the Black struggle for freedom, train their bodies for health and self-defense, fast to cleanse the mind, body, and spirit, and fight ongoing oppression alongside their communities and local political organizations.

Beginning in 1979 in San Quentin State Prison, the Black Guerrilla Family called for the remembrance of political prisoner George Jackson and his brother Jonathan Jackson who were assassinated in the early 1970s. George Jackson was considered a political prisoner in that it was the anti-Black justice system that led to his incarceration for armed robbery with a sentence of one year-to-life in 1960.

While in prison, George befriended fellow prisoner W.L. Nolen, who introduced him to the works of Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin, Mao Zedong, and Frantz Fanon. This radicalization coupled with his experiences of violence while imprisoned led to him writing and publishing two books, “Soledad Brother” (1970), and “Blood in my Eye” (1972). In January of 1970, George and two other prisoners were charged with murdering a corrections officer at Soledad State Prison in Monterey County.

On Aug. 7, 1970, Jonathan Jackson burst into a Marin County courtroom armed with a shotgun to demand the freedom of the Soledad Brothers. He, along with the inmates he freed, was shot and killed while driving away. This involved one of the Black Panther Party’s most notable associates, Angela Davis, because the shotgun was registered in her name. She was later acquitted of charges of conspiracy, kidnapping, and murder in 1972.

On Aug. 21, 1971, George Jackson was assassinated by a corrections officer after attempting to escape and free other inmates. As a result, there were uprisings and protests within prisons all over the country that year, calling forth resistance against racial oppression and mass incarceration.

Since its outset, Black August has evolved across the country, taking many forms to honor this history and embody the four tenets.

In Oakland, the upcoming Black August Experience, hosted by Youth Alive! and the East Oakland Boxing Association (EOBA), is a free, family-friendly event celebrating the legacy of Black August. Activities include free food and drinks, a kids’ activity zone, interactive workshops, live cooking and boxing demonstrations, and more.

Happening on Aug. 21 from 4-8 p.m. at the EOBA Patio, Carolyn Flynn, director of administration at EOBA, said the event, in its second year, will be an opportunity to engage with people in person through food, shared space, and education.

“We do regular classes in education, and those are ongoing programs that we offer, but we wanted to have [an opportunity] for our neighbors to utilize this space.” Combined with Youth Alive’s work in community violence prevention and youth leadership, this event surely aims to bring the Oakland community together to capture what Black August means today.

Here are additional Black August events happening in Oakland:

Forum and Community Discussion hosted by the Oakland Liberation Center, 1499 Fruitvale Ave., Aug. 14, 7 p.m.

“George Jackson/San Quentin” Screening hosted by Nostalgic for Nothing Cinema at Moments Co-Op, 410 13th St., Aug. 16, doors at 6 p.m., show at 6:30 p.m. (Masks required and scent-free)

Commemorating the Struggle, Building the Altar for Liberation: Black August at Bandung Books, 2269 International Blvd., Aug. 23rd, 1-5 p.m.

Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), will host “Black August: The Arc of Liberation” at Oakland City Hall on Sat. Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.