APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
DRAFT
________________________
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. _______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMEMBER CARROLL FIFE
RESOLUTION IN CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN
FEBRUARY 2022 BY HONORING BLACK CHANGE -MAKERS IN THE
CITY OF OAKLAND WORKING TOWARDS A TRANSFORMATIVE
FUTURE THAT SEEKS TO DISMANTLE OPPRESSIVE SYSTEMS AND
ADVANCE TRUE LIBERATION, SAFETY, AND OPPORTUNITIES IN
OUR COMMUNITY
WHEREAS, Black History Month provides us the opportunity to recognize the innumerable achievements, contributions, and impact of Black people, while acknowledging the extensive work that still needs to be done to address the fact that the Black community in the City of Oakland and across the nation continues to grapple with racist structures that perpetuate inequality in housing, education, health care, jobs and more; and
WHEREAS, we acknowledge that the history of Black people in this country is the history of this country; from chattel slavery and emancipation to Jim Crow policies of segregation and the enduring fight for socioeconomic justice; and
WHEREAS, the vestiges of these oppressive systems remain to this day and in spite of the injustice, inequality, and brutality that Black people in America have faced and still face, they continue to serve and advance their communities and this nation as innovators, educators, leaders, organizers, activists, artists and so much more; and
WHEREAS, we recognize the following individuals and organizations for their work to help shape a better Oakland; and
WHEREAS, District 1 is honoring Piedmont Avenue Elementary School principal Zarina Ahmad who has been an educator and principal at North Oakland public schools including Peralta Elementary School, Chabot Elementary School and Piedmont Avenue Elementary School for more than 20 years; and Principal Ahmad has advanced many successful initiatives to support both advanced students and struggling students, is adept at engaging with the community and creating partnerships to benefit her students, has earned a reputation as an incredible mentor to her staff, and has created a nurturing environment at Piedmont Avenue Elementary School where teachers, students and families can thrive; and
WHEREAS, District 2 is honoring The Oakland LGBTQ Community Center, and their Co-Founders Jeff Myers and Joe Hawkins for their work and dedication to enhancing and sustaining the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals, their families and allies, by providing educational, social, and health related activities, programs and services. The Center is Oakland's first Black-founded and led all-inclusive multi-service LGBTQ center in California. The Center has remained open throughout the pandemic helping community members in need of essential and emergency services, including food access; emergency housing and rental assistance; mental health support; youth counseling; peer support services; HIV testing, linkage to primary care, and treatment; Covid -19 testing; transportation assistance; addiction and recovery resources; transgender support servic es and gender -affirming medical care; assistance for LGBTQ elders; Spanish-language support services; and wellness care management. In February of 2021, they expanded their space and opened an LGBTQ health and wellness program, the Glenn Burke Wellness Clinic, to offer a variety of critical LGBTQ-centered medical services under one roof; and
WHEREAS, District 3 is honoring The Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation. The Huey P.
Newton Foundation is dedicated to preserving and promoting the revolutionary legacy of the Black Panther Party for Self Defense and its co-founder, Huey Percy Newton. This organization seeks to ensure that the significant contributions made by the Party and Minister of Defense Huey P.
Newton with regard to Black self-determination, the fight against state violence, and the liberation of all oppressed people, are indelible in Oakland and around the nation. Founded and led by Fredrika Newton, the Foundation has developed and distributed educational materials, established educational conferences and forums, maintained and exhibited historical archives, and is currently working to establish a national monument and visitor center in the geographically relevant service area of the Party. The Foundation’s work highlights that the basis of Dr. Newton’s organizing was grounded in an unwavering love for his community. Though tarnished by the often lethal impacts of federal, state and local law enforcement infiltration, the social programs implemented by the Party and Dr. Huey P. Newton serve as a model for Oakland to realize a just future, and to remind us that Black Panther Party contributions are central to Oakland’s history, to American history, and the continuing fight for liberation, justice, and equity; and
WHEREAS, District 4 is honoring Pastor Lester L. Cannon, Sr. for more than forty years of service as Senior Pastor to the Cornerstone Baptist Church. Pastor Cannon is a native to Maben, Alabama and husband to Mrs. Minnie Ruth Cannon and father of five, and great grandfather of nine. Over his career he has numerous accomplishments, including serving at the Baptist Ministers’ Union of Oakland, the Golden State Convention, the East Bay Baptist Association, and the Southern Baptist Convention. Pastor Cannon also established the Thurgood Marshall Program, which serves men recovering from substance abuse in conjunction with the Comprehensive Action Network; and
WHEREAS, District 5 is honoring Charles King who opened King’s Boxing Gym on March 12, 1984, locating it on 35th Avenue in the Fruitvale District. Charles King mentored and trained innumerable Oaklanders of all genders and backgrounds providing a safe atmosphere and a motivating and empowering progra m. Charles King uses the sport of boxing to motivate and empower his students providing neighborhood youth a positive outlet for their energy and frustrations; and
WHEREAS, the District 6 Council Office is proud to honor James W. Head, for his more than 45 years of service to underserved and under-resourced communities in Oakland and the Bay Area through philanthropy and grant making; nonprofit management and technical assistance; community and economic development; and public interest and civil rights la w. Under James’ leadership as President and CEO, the East Bay Community Foundation accelerated its impact by connecting donors with community-led movements to eliminate structural barriers, advance racial equity, and create an inclusive, fair, and just East Bay. Oakland has benefitted tremendously from James’ dedicated service throughout his career and it is our honor to recognize him; and WHEREAS, District 7 is honoring Selena Wilson who serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the East Oakland Youth Development Center (EOYDC) in Oakland’s District 7.
Selena is an East Oakland native, an EOYDC alumni, and developed her love of working with young people through EOYDC’s youth leadership program and her involvement in the California Association of Student Councils. Selena graduated from Castlemont High School, obtained her Bachelor’s in Human Services from Holy Names University, and earned a Master of Science in Learning and Organizational Chan ge. After serving as a management consultant for the Organization Transformation and Talent division of Deloitte Consulting, Selena returned to EOYDC as the Vice President of Organizational Effectiveness in 2015 and transitioned into her role as the CEO of EOYDC on December 15, 2021. In addition to her work with EOYDC, Selena advocates for systemic change based on the foundational principles of belonging, dignity, justice, and joy through her work with Decolonize Design--a global organization leading the movement to envision a more just and joyful world; and
WHEREAS, the At-Large Council Office is honoring LaNiece Jones, an Oakland native, who serves as the Executive Director of Peralta Colleges Foundation where she is charged with raising student scholarship funds for deserving students of Laney College, Merritt College, College of Alameda and Berkeley City College. Since 1995, LaNiece has served in the volunteer capacity as BWOPA/TILE's statewide Executive Director and the BWOPA Oakland/Berkeley Chapter President. She held the role of President of Metropolitan Greater Oakland Democratic Club (MGO) for three years, is an appointed member on the KQED Community Advisory Panel and a proud member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Xi Gamma Omega Chap ter (Oakland). LaNiece serves as a presiding co -chair of Congresswoman Barbara Lee's political advisory committee and, appointed by Congresswoman Lee, LaNiece was one of California’s 55 Presidential electoral college voters this past December 2020. Most re cently, State Attorney Rob Bonta has appointed LaNiece to serve as a California delegate; and WHEREAS, the Mayor’s O ffice is honoring Dr. Tony Iton, who is the Senior Vice President for Healthy Communities at The California Endowment and former County Hea lth Officer for the Alameda County Public Health Department. At the beginning of the pandemic, an emergency task force was established to immediately address the racialized impacts of the COVID-19 virus and create state legislation to reduce health dispari ties for people of color. Dr.
Iton was co -chair of the COVID -19 Racial Disparities Task Force alongside the late County Supervisor Wilma Chan, former Assembly member Rob Bonta, and Mayor Libby Schaaf. Many know Dr. Iton as the father of place -based commun ity health planning and the often quoted statement "your zip code matters more than your genetic code" in terms of social determinants of health and life expectancy. Under his leadership as the County Health Officer, Alameda County launched an innovative p lan to improve the health and lifespan of low -income communities by focusing on the poverty, racism and discrimination that prevented residents from getting good housing, better jobs and quality healthcare and educational opportunities. By inserting a publ ic health perspective into conversations about community and economic development, he led the department’s efforts to improve community engagement and galvanize equity -driven policy solutions aimed at improving residents’ health. His work continues to empo wer millions of residents in 14 cities across California with the worst health outcomes to fight for changes in their communities that will help them lead healthier lives; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council, in celebration of Black History Month 2022, hereby recognizes Zarina Ahmad, The Oakland LGBTQ Community Center, and Co-Founders Jeff Myers and Joe Hawkins, The Huey P. Newton Foundation, Pastor Lester L. Cannon, Sr., Charles King, James W. Head, Selena Wilson, LaNiece Jones, and Dr. Tony Iton for their exemplary work and contribution towards a safer, healthier, and more equitable Oakland; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: The City of Oakland commits to working towards a transformative future that seeks to dismantle oppressive systems and advance true liberation, safety, and opportunities in our community.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - FIFE, GALLO, KALB, KAPLAN, REID, TAYLOR, THAO AND PRESIDENT
FORTUNATO BAS
NOES –
ABSENT –
ABSTENTION –
ATTEST
______________________________________
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California