“Community Ready,” a two word nugget these young fellows heard from Oakland Superintendent Antown Wilson, Saturday November 8, 2014, at the GradNation community summit an America’s Promise Alliance http://www.americaspromise.org/ and AT&T event held at Laney College.
All of the young men in the picture were asked, “What two things keep you in school.” Sixteen-year-old Luis Ramirez, shown second from the right, answered, “Number one, the love and support I receive from my family, friends, mentors and former teachers and number two the need for a diploma to get a job.” The other young men shared their top two reasons and other speakers inspired the attendees to become societal givers. Our black and brown boys need more educational options instead of exposure to cycles of violence, which increases the need for programs like Ceasefire and Oakland Unite.
Oakland has a choice. Invest in our children now or pay later to salvage wrecked lives. I prefer Wilson’s, “Community Ready,” approach given in his message ( http://youtu.be/tzdcFVP8xD0 ).
Gerald Green is a retired Mechanical Engineer. In 2007, Congresswoman Barbara Lee honored him for his: 1) engineering expertise, 2) 10 years’ service as a mentor volunteer to at-risk youth, and 3) for being a distinguished writer. Baba Green released his memoir, "Life Constricted: To Love, Hugs and Laughter," in 2010, which chronicled his family’s victories over tongue cancer in 1995, neck cancer in 1997 and prostate cancer in 2008. He has published numerous articles and is currently writing a book about African American men’s journey with prostate cancer. Baba Green is a member of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group-American College Radiology Imaging Network, where he serves as an advocate on the Head and Neck Committee. He also advocates for the Prostate Health Support Group for African American Men, sponsored by the University of California at San Francisco Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Alameda County.
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