Carla Thomas
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Articles by Carla Thomas
Oakland Faith Leaders Gather to Revitalize the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Oakland
Valarie Bachelor and Jennfier Brouhard, File images. The Oakland schools have excellent leadership right now. I know it’s hard to believe – because there is so much wrong with the national education picture. But sometimes good things do happen locally. This school year: The Oakland Unified School District escaped from state control after 22 years. Every classroom had a teacher at the beginning of the year, unlike past years when many classes started the year with day-to-day substitute teachers.
Oakland Honors 60 Years of the Black Panther Party at the All Power to the People Gala
COGIC Pastor Mark Anthony Clifton, Sr. (left) was host to Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee at the meet-and-greet to revitalize the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (IMA) of Oakland at the Church of All Faiths in Oakland. Photo by Carla Thomas. Pastors, civic leaders, and community members in the Bay Area gathered Thursday, Oct. 8, at Church of All Faiths in Oakland for a meet-and-greet marking a renewed push to revitalize the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (IMA) of Oakland and Vicinity.
From Historic Memories to New Possibilities: Oakland Celebrates Coliseum 60
Quixote Atkins of VillageGIVE moderates a panel discussion at the Coliseum 60 celebration at Youth UpRising featuring Keith Brown, a member of IATSE Local 107; author, historian and former Black Panther Party member Tareka Lewis; and African American Sports and Entertainment Group President Ray Bobbitt. By Carla Thomas More than 75 people gathered at Youth UpRising in East Oakland on Friday, Sept.
From Historic Memories to New Possibilities: Oakland Celebrates Coliseum 60
More than 75 people gathered at Youth UpRising in East Oakland on Friday, Sept. 18, for Coliseum 60, a celebration honoring six decades of sports, entertainment, employment and community memories connected to the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Complex. Held 60 years to the day after the Coliseum opened, the event carried the theme, “One Community. One Legacy. One Future.
From Historic Memories to New Possibilities: Oakland Celebrates Coliseum 60
The Rev. Leon “Sonny” Clark. File photo. Rev. Leon William “Sonny” Clark, longtime pastor of New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana and a respected faith and community leader in Orange County, died Sept. 9. He was 72. Born Oct. 2, 1953, in Bennettsville, South Carolina, Clark was a U.S. Navy veteran who later built a life of service centered on family, faith, ministry, and community. Clark began his formal ministry at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Altadena in 1978.
Inside Blackpink star Lisa’s luxury watch collection: from Rolex and Hermès to Patek Philippe
15 hours ago It’s that time of the year again — the MTV Video Music Awards are back! Hosted by Snoop Dogg, the MTV Video Music Awards will air live from Los Angeles this Sunday. This year’s most-nominated artist, Madonna, will be opening the show with her first VMA performance in 23 years. Madonna is up for …
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee Remembers Her Friendship With Gloria Steinem
By Carla Thomas Black Press USA Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee is mourning the death of her longtime friend Gloria Steinem, remembering the feminist icon as a devoted ally who understood that the struggles for racial justice and gender equality were inseparable. Steinem died Sept. 2 in New York City at the age of 92. A pioneering journalist, author and political activist, she spent more than six decades advocating for women’s equality and reproductive choices.
Barbara Lee Mourns Gloria Steinem, Remembers a Friendship Rooted in Equality Original
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee is mourning the death of her longtime friend Gloria Steinem, remembering the feminist icon as a devoted ally who understood that the struggles for racial justice and gender equality were inseparable. Steinem died Sept. 2 in New York City at the age of 92. A pioneering journalist, author and political activist, she spent more than six decades advocating for women’s equality and reproductive choices. She also co-founded Ms. magazine and the National Women’s Political Caucus.
Neighborhood Empowerment Day in Deep East Oakland Brings Community Together After Recent Tragedy
Families, residents and community organizations gathered at the Parker Community Resource Center on Saturday, Sept. 12, for the 40×40 Neighborhood Empowerment Day, transforming the site of a recent tragedy into a space for healing, resources, connection and joy. Hosted by the 40×40 Council, the free, family-friendly resource fair featured health and wellness services, workshops, children’s activities, food, giveaways and local Black-owned businesses.
Port of Oakland, Army Corps Sign Historic Harbor Design Agreement
(L-R) Sylvia Williams, Mike Hutchinson, Kathryn Camp Local Democratic clubs and community organizations interviewed candidates running for Oakland school board in the November elections, including incumbents Jennifer Brouhard in District 2, Mike Hutchinson in District 4 and Valarie Bachelor in District 6.
BOOK REVIEW — Curved Air: A Biography of Sickle Cell Anemia and the Quest to Cure the First Molecular Disease
Music, food trucks, bouncers, and rock climbing turned Ira Jinkins Park into a neighborhood block party on Saturday, Sept. 5, as nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard hosted his 15th annual back-to-school backpack giveaway in Deep East Oakland. The Portland Trail Blazers point guard, an Oakland High School alum, returned to the recreation center where he trained as a kid and distributed backpacks stuffed with school supplies to nearly 400 children.
Tarsha Jordan’s Bonita the Bumble Bee Brings STEAM Learning to Life
Author: Audrey Smaltz with Alina Mitchell, foreword by Michael Kors, Copyright: c.2026, Publisher: Amistad, SRP: $27.99, Page Count: 256 Pages, Snaps, zippers, buttons, ties. Toss that garment on, pull it up, wrap it around; you know what you like and how to wear it. The color is perfect for your skin tone, and the fabric enhances your figure. Yep, you always look your best and, as in the new book “Every Inch a Lady” by Audrey Smaltz (with Alina Mitchell), that best is fabulous.
Tarsha Jordan’s Bonita the Bumble Bee Brings STEAM Learning to Life
California State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) authored Senate Bill 1030, legislation designed to repeal California’s outdated “Man in the House” rule affecting CalWORKs eligibility. The bill passed the California Legislature and was sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom for consideration. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey. A California rule requiring an unrelated adult man living with a family receiving welfare benefits to contribute financially to the household could be repealed if Gov.
NBA All-Star Damian Lillard Returns Home for 15th Annual Backpack Giveaway
A bust by sculptor Dana King at Tyrone Carney Park in the Sobrante Park neighborhood of East Oakland honors U.S. Marine Corps PFC Tyrone Carney who died while serving in Vietnam in 1968. Photo Courtesy of OBL. After remaining closed for more than two decades, Tyrone Carney Park reopened Thursday Aug 27, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating a $5 million investment in recreation, wellness and community space in East Oakland.
Revitalized East Oakland Park Honors the Legacy of Tyrone Carney, Killed in Vietnam War Original
After remaining closed for more than two decades, Tyrone Carney Park reopened Thursday Aug 27, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating a $5 million investment in recreation, wellness and community space in East Oakland. Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, District 7 Councilmember Ken Houston, city leaders, community partners and residents gathered at the half-acre park, located at 10501 Acalanes Drive, to commemorate its long-awaited revitalization.
Sharon Lee - North Dallas Gazette
By Carla Thomas Oakland Post For Chef Sharon Lee, the kitchen has never been just a place to prepare meals. It has been a classroom, a workplace, a training ground and a doorway to opportunity. The San Francisco chef, culinary educator and owner of The Spot! Fine Catering Services has spent more than two decades building a career that blends professional cooking with community service.
‘Eyes on Cuba’: a conversation about humanitarian conditions facing Cuba in midst of crippling U.S. blockade
Community members gathered last weekend for an “Eyes on Cuba” conversation with two representatives of the Cuban embassy in the United States, focusing on the terrible suffering inflicted on the Cuban people by the intensified U.S. blockade and also discussing the historic connections between Black freedom movements in the U.S. and struggles for justice in Cuba. Held in downtown Oakland Saturday, Aug.
Jackie Wright Champions Bay Area Stories, Filmmakers and Cultural Institutions
By Carla Thomas | Oakland Post Jackie Wright has spent more than two decades helping people, organizations and communities understand the power of a well-told story. As founder and president of Wright Enterprises, a San Francisco-based strategic communications and public affairs firm, Wright has built a career spanning journalism, public relations, media relations, crisis communications, community engagement and multimedia storytelling.
Jackie Wright Champions Bay Area Stories, Filmmakers and Cultural Institutions
Jackie Wright has spent more than two decades helping people, organizations and communities understand the power of a well-told story. As founder and president of Wright Enterprises, a San Francisco-based strategic communications and public affairs firm, Wright has built a career spanning journalism, public relations, media relations, crisis communications, community engagement and multimedia storytelling.
Chef Sharon Lee Blends Culinary Excellence, Education and Empowerment
For Chef Sharon Lee, the kitchen has never been just a place to prepare meals. It has been a classroom, a workplace, a training ground and a doorway to opportunity. The San Francisco chef, culinary educator and owner of The Spot! Fine Catering Services has spent more than two decades building a career that blends professional cooking with community service.
Jackie Wright Champions Bay Area Stories, Filmmakers and Cultural Institutions
Jackie Wright has spent more than two decades helping people, organizations and communities understand the power of a well-told story. As founder and president of Wright Enterprises, a San Francisco-based strategic communications and public affairs firm, Wright has built a career spanning journalism, public relations, media relations, crisis communications, community engagement and multimedia storytelling.
Chef Sharon Lee Blends Culinary Excellence, Education and Empowerment
For Chef Sharon Lee, the kitchen has never been just a place to prepare meals. It has been a classroom, a workplace, a training ground and a doorway to opportunity. The San Francisco chef, culinary educator and owner of The Spot! Fine Catering Services has spent more than two decades building a career that blends professional cooking with community service.
Gov. Newsom’s Latest Appointees Include Sacramento Advocate for Formerly Incarcerated Students; State’s New Tech Chief
As plans for the redevelopment of the Oakland Coliseum move forward, a key question is emerging alongside the vision for new buildings, entertainment, and economic activity: Who will have the opportunity to build it? For the African American Sports & Entertainment Group (AASEG) and its financial partner Loop Capital, the answer could include a much larger role for Oakland’s small, minority-, and women-owned businesses.
Frontier Airlines’ Return to Oakland Airport Brings Flights, Jobs and Opportunity Original
Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport welcomed Frontier Airlines back on Aug. 20, with a ribbon-cutting celebration marking the launch of new nonstop service between Oakland and Las Vegas. The celebration, held in Terminal 1, highlighted Frontier’s return to the East Bay airport after last serving OAK in 2023. The airline’s new Las Vegas service expands travel choices for Bay Area passengers headed to one of the airport’s most popular destinations.
Oakland Coliseum Project Opens Door for Small Businesses to Build Bigger
As plans for the redevelopment of the Oakland Coliseum move forward, a key question is emerging alongside the vision for new buildings, entertainment, and economic activity: Who will have the opportunity to build it? For the African American Sports & Entertainment Group (AASEG) and its financial partner Loop Capital, the answer could include a much larger role for Oakland’s small, minority-, and women-owned businesses.
‘Eyes on Cuba’: A Conversation About Humanitarian Conditions Facing Cuba in Midst of Crippling U.S. Blockade
Community members gathered last weekend for an “Eyes on Cuba” conversation with two representatives of the Cuban embassy in the United States, focusing on the terrible suffering inflicted on the Cuban people by the intensified U.S. blockade and also discussing the historic connections between Black freedom movements in the U.S. and struggles for justice in Cuba. Held in downtown Oakland Saturday, Aug.
‘Eyes on Cuba’: A Conversation About Humanitarian Conditions Facing Cuba in Midst of Crippling U.S. Blockade
A member of the crew of Tacos El Rulas serves a plate of tacos at a fundraiser for the survivors of a deadly Richmond house fire that occurred on Aug.18. Photo by Kathy Chouteau. On 23rd Street Sunday, Richmond did what Richmond often does in its hardest moments: It showed up. Hundreds of community members gathered at Tacos El Rulas on Aug.
Oakland Protesters Rally to Defend Haitian Immigrants and TPS
Protesters gathered in downtown Oakland near City Hall at 14th Street and Broadway on Thursday, Aug. 13, calling for protections for Haitian immigrants and an end to deportation policies affecting Haitian communities across the United States.
First 5 Alameda County Celebrates First Year of Measure C’s Implementation
First 5 Alameda County marked the first anniversary of the impact of Measure C with a community celebration Friday, Aug. 7, at Children’s Fairyland in Oakland, highlighting more than $135 million invested to strengthen early childhood education, families and caregivers across Alameda County. The celebration brought together families, educators, caregivers, advocates, elected officials and community leaders for an evening of music, cultural performances, and children’s activities.
From Palestine to Oakland: Seeds for Liberation Examines Shared Struggles for Freedom
Community members gathered at the Black Panther Party Museum on Saturday, Aug. 15, in downtown Oakland for a screening of “Seeds for Liberation,” an award-winning documentary examining the Palestinian liberation movement and its connections to Black, Chicano and other movements for collective liberation. The film reveals the face of conflict, struggle, and injustice today and yesterday.
Oakland Protesters Rally to Defend Haitian Immigrants and TPS
By Carla Thomas | Oakland Post Protesters gathered in downtown Oakland near City Hall at 14th Street and Broadway on Thursday, Aug. 13, calling for protections for Haitian immigrants and an end to deportation policies affecting Haitian communities across the United States.
Oakland Protesters Rally to Defend Haitian Immigrants and TPS
News Headlines The Haiti Action Committee traces its roots to the international movement that emerged following Haiti’s 1991 military coup, which overthrew the nation’s first democratically elected president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Political violence […] The Haiti Action Committee traces its roots to the international movement that emerged following Haiti’s 1991 military coup, which overthrew the nation’s first democratically elected president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
From Palestine to Oakland: Seeds for Liberation Examines Shared Struggles for Freedom
Community members gathered at the Black Panther Party Museum on Saturday, Aug. 15, in downtown Oakland for a screening of “Seeds for Liberation,” an award-winning documentary examining the Palestinian liberation movement and its connections to Black, Chicano and other movements for collective liberation. The film reveals the face of conflict, struggle, and injustice today and yesterday.
Oakland Protesters Rally to Defend Haitian Immigrants and TPS
From left to right: Justice Rashida Adams, Judges Denise Hippach, and Juliet Macaulay. Image courtesy of California Black Media. Gov. Gavin Newsom nominated three Black women — Justice Rashida Adams and Judges Denise Hippach and Juliet Macaulay — to serve on the California Courts of Appeal. Justices Adams, Hippach and Juliet Macaulay are among eight appellate court nominees recently announced by Newsom. The governor also appointed nine Superior Court judges across five counties.
From Palestine to Oakland: Seeds for Liberation Examines Shared Struggles for Freedom
Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas (left) with Community Advisory Councilmember and childcare provider Nancy Harvey. Photo by Carla Thomas. First 5 Alameda County marked the first anniversary of the impact of Measure C with a community celebration Friday, Aug. 7, at Children’s Fairyland in Oakland, highlighting more than $135 million invested to strengthen early childhood education, families and caregivers across Alameda County.
$5 Billion Coliseum Vision Puts Oakland Jobs, Businesses at Center
OAKLAND – A sweeping, multiphase redevelopment of the Oakland Coliseum site led by Ray Bobbitt, president of the African American Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG), and businessman James “Jim” Reynolds Jr., could eventually attract between $3 billion and $5 billion in investment. Reynolds said the first phase, estimated at $1 billion to $1.5 billion, could include housing, hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, open space and opportunities for local small businesses.
Oakland Celebrates $125 Million Coliseum Sale
Oakland OKs $125M sale of its Coliseum stake, trading longtime losses for upfront cash, future ticket revenue and a partnership to redevelop the East Oakland site. John Jones III, Jonathan Fitness Jones, Mayor Barbara Lee, Ray Bobbitt, Samantha Wise, and Cecilia Cunningham.
Roots and 40×40 Council Introduce Grassroots Strategy to Build Safer Neighborhoods
Khariyyah Shabazz, associate director of Neighborhood Development with Roots Community Health, addresses community members about Peace Committees at Lodestar Academy in East Oakland. Photo By Carla Thomas. By Carla Thomas Oakland community leaders, residents, and organizers gathered at Lodestar Academy on June 27 to mark the launch of Neighborhood Peace Committees; a grassroots effort designed to prevent violence by addressing conflict at its source.
NCBW-OBAC Champions Black Women Entrepreneurs at Business en Blaque Expo
By Carla Thomas The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Oakland Bay Area Chapter (NCBW-OBAC) strengthened its commitment to economic empowerment through its 2026 Sisternomics initiative, offering free financial literacy and entrepreneurship resources aimed at advancing financial independence among Black women. As part of the initiative, the “Business en Blaque” Entrepreneurship Workshop and Small Business Expo was held Saturday, May 23, at the Executive Inn & Suites in Oakland.
EBMUD Enshrines the Legacy of its First Black Board Member William ‘Bill’ Patterson
William “Bill” Patterson, Jr. Courtesy Peralta College District By Carla Thomas On Tuesday, May 12, Oakland honored a towering community figure, William “Bill” Patterson, with the unveiling of a bronze plaque and the renaming of the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) boardroom in downtown Oakland. Board members, family, colleagues, and mentees gathered to reflect on Patterson’s enduring legacy at the meeting.
Mayor Barbara Lee Declares ‘Delroy Lindo Day,’ Presents Acclaimed Actor with Key to the City
By Carla Thomas Oakland honored one of its most distinguished residents on May 6 as Mayor Barbara Lee presented acclaimed actor Delroy Lindo with the Key to the City and an official proclamation declaring “Delroy Lindo Day.” The event, titled “Rooted in Legacy: Honoring Delroy Lindo,” took place at Oakland City Hall and brought together community leaders, artists, and young people for an evening centered on storytelling, cultural pride, and intergenerational connection.
Stanford Health Care Collaborates with Alameda Health System Affiliate, Expanding Access to Care in East Bay
At St. Rose Hospital in Hayward, Alameda Health System and Stanford Announce Partnership.(L-R) Mark Fratzke, COO Alameda Health System (AHS), James Jackson, CEO AHS, Richard Espinoza, chief administrative officer AHS, California Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro), Rick Shumway, COO Stanford Health Care (SHC), Alameda County Supervisor Elisa Márquez, and Hayward Mayor Mark Salinas. Photo by Carla Thomas.
Mayor Barbara Lee Proclaims April 9 as ‘100 Black Men of the Bay Area Day’
By Edward Henderson When Aurelle Garner stepped out of her car one summer evening and saw a group of youths marching down her street, her stomach dropped. What had begun as slurs hurled at her and her transgender children at a local park had escalated to violent pounding on their front door. Garner said that, before that incident, local law enforcement had repeatedly minimized her reports of harassment.
Chase Oakland Community Center Hosts Alley-Oop Accelerator Building Community and Opportunity for Bay Area Entrepreneurs
By Carla Thomas The Golden State Warriors and Chase bank hosted the third annual Alley-Oop Accelerator this month, an empowering eight-week program designed to help Bay Area entrepreneurs bring their visions for business to life. The initiative kicked off on Feb. 12 at Chase’s Oakland Community Center on Broadway Street, welcoming 15 small business owners who joined a growing network of local innovators working to strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Community Celebrates Turner Group Construction Company as Collins Drive Becomes Turner Group Drive
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.
Art of the African Diaspora Celebrates Legacy and Community at Richmond Art Center
‘Be Still...’ by Virginia Jourdan is on display at the Richmond Art Center (RAC), in Richmond, CA. Photo by Carla Thomas. By Carla Thomas The 2026 Art of the African Diaspora exhibition is on display at the Richmond Art Center (RAC) through March 14. The one-room gallery bursts with more than 100 works – paintings, photographs, sculptures, and mixed-media pieces – each affirming the power, beauty, and vitality of cultural expression across the African diaspora.
Candidates Vying for Governor’s Seat Debate at Ruth Williams-Bayview Opera House in San Francisco
The gubernatorial debate was hosted by KTVU’s Greg Lee, KTTV’s Marla Tellez and KTVU’s Andre Senior. The candidates are (l.-r.): Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton, Matt Mahan, Tom Steyer, Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Betty Yee. By Carla Thomas On Tuesday, Feb.
The Greenlining Institute Appoints Max Vargas as the New CEO and President
“I decided early to give my life to something eternal and absolute. Not too little gods…. but to God who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.” J. Alfred Smith Sr. By Rev. Dr. Martha C. Taylor, Allen Temple Baptist Church Historian Most tributes are written from the writer’s personal perspective of the deceased. My intent is to expand this tribute so that readers feel a sense of shared experiences and admiration.
Newark: Brenda Knight Inspires and Educates at Breast Cancer Conference
By Carla Thomas On Aug. 23, the Stanford Cancer Institute (SCI) Office of Community Outreach and Engagement hosted the Breast Cancer and African Americans (BCAA) Conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Newark, California. The event, themed “Helping Communities Better Help Themselves,” provided culturally tailored education, aiming to promote healthier lifestyles, and encourage lasting improvements in community well-being.
On Lok Celebrates PACE Program and Innovative Elder Care
By Carla Thomas Cruising along Bay Area highways or parked on neighborhood streets, the brightly decorated vans of On Lok are mobile works of art. Boasting a larger than life photograph bubble wrapped over the entire vehicle, the illustration depicts the warmth and glow of a dedicated care giver and smiling gray-haired elder, symbolizing the nonprofit’s signature service, PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly).
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