1 APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
___________ _____________
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. ______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMEMBER CARROLL FIFE
RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF OSCAR CARL
WRIGHT SR. FOR HIS LIFELONG WORK TO ADVANCE EQUITY AND
JUSTICE IN OAKLAND AND BEYOND
WHEREAS, Oscar Carl Wright Sr. was born on July 25, 1923, on the Smith Plantation near Clarksdale, Mississippi and was one of eleven children; and
WHEREAS, despite growing up in the segregated Deep S outh, Mr. Wright excelled academically and athletically , graduating as a class speaker from Coahoma Agricultural High School in 1942; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wright served as U.S. Army Sergeant during World War II and later earned a degree in Building Construction from Alcorn A&M College, igniting his lifelong mission to uplift the African American/Black community and improve the education system; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wright was a union leader and co-founded the first Black Boy Scout Troop and Credit Union in Mississippi before moving to Oakland, California; and
WHEREAS, a respected and pivotal figure in Oakland, Mr. Wright fought diligently to advance civil rights, education access and reform, and community improvement in the City; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wright was a founding member of several initiatives, including the African Am erican Education Task Force, the Police Review Board, and was a leader in the NAACP; and
WHEREAS, one of his greatest joys was launching the African American Honor Roll to recognize and support Black students who demonstrate academic excellence; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Wright’s legacy and impact is indelible and w ill live on through his family and the communities he inspired; now, therefore, be it
2 3388877/LL
RESOLVED: That the City Council honors and celebrates the life and legacy of Oscar Carl Wright Sr. for his lifelong work to advance equity and justice in Oakland and beyond.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - FIFE, GALLO, JENKINS, KALB, KAPLAN, RAMACHANDRAN, REID, AND
PRESIDENT FORTUNATO BAS
NOES –
ABSENT –
ABSTENTION –
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California