What do you get when amazing local businesses take over empty storefronts in Old Oakland? POPUPHOOD. This is at least the second “pop-up” retail destination this holiday season and I think it’s fantastic. Do your holiday shopping at one… Read more
Author Archives: Ricardo
Use Your Money– POPUPHOOD in Old Oakland
by Ricardo on Dec 9, 2011
Oakland Solar Mosaic Launches
by Ricardo on Oct 13, 2011
Violence, poverty, health, and climate-change are just a few of the complex issues we face today. They are intertwined, persistent, and to me personally, a bit overwhelming. The best solutions are the ones that take into account these complexities.
This is why I am excited about Read more
Speaking Out for Youth at the Ventura Prison
by Ricardo on Aug 25, 2011
Last weekend, I traveled to the Ventura Youth Prison in Camarillo, CA. There I joined families of incarcerated youth, formerly incarcerated youth, and allies from across the state to decry the abuses of the Division of Juvenile Justice. Their stories reveal a system that is violent, abusive and ineffective at… Read more
Thanks Oakland, Throw Down for the Town Was Amazing
by Ricardo on Aug 18, 2011
I’m sorry but if you weren’t a part of Throw Down for the Town: The Oakland Service Festival last weekend, you really missed out. I mean you really missed out (kind of like throwing away a winning lottery ticket).
What I thought would just be a fun day in the… Read more
Civil Rights Hero: Etta Simpson, Freedom Rider
by Ricardo on Aug 3, 2011
I had an evening last May that I will never forget for the rest of my life. I had the opportunity to watch a film screening of the “Freedom Riders” PBS documentary and listen to one of the freedom riders herself talk about what it was like to… Read more
Honoring the Freedom Rides
by Ricardo on May 17, 2011
Last Wednesday was one of those evenings I will never forget for the rest of my life. On May 11, 2011 I had the honor of watching an exclusive preview of the new PBS documentary “Freedom Riders” at a free event in Oakland, California co hosted by KQED and the… Read more
We came. We rallied. Now it’s your turn.
by Ricardo on May 16, 2011
On May 10th, hundreds of teachers, parents and students traveled to Sacramento for the State of Emergency Day of Action. Books Not Bars members were a large part of the day’s events.
Join the hundreds of Californians who have already stood with Books Not Bars, by contacting Governor… Read more
Join the Ella’s Voice Volunteer Editorial Board
by Ricardo on Apr 6, 2011
Ella’s Voice is here to bring you political commentary, inspiring news, and social action and now, we are launching an Editorial Board. This volunteer advisory team will assist Ella Baker Center Communications Department staff in blog oversight, content development, and promotion. Editorial Board volunteers serve as Ella’s Voice… Read more
Human Rights Watch Film Festival: In The Land Of The Free…
by Ricardo on Mar 29, 2011
The Yerba Buena Center for the Arts is wrapping up its 10th annual Human Rights Watch Film Festival but there’s still one great film left, In the Land Of The Free… The film tells the story of the Angola 3, three men who have served a combined… Read more
Oakland Has Spoken: Mayor Quan Survey Results
by Ricardo on Feb 18, 2011
With our Executive Director, Jakada Imani, serving on Mayor Quan’s transition committee, we thought it would be a great opportunity to gather some community input. We decided on a ranked-choice survey that asked people to rank what they thought should… Read more