On Saturday, April 27, 2019, 9:30am – 2:30pm, the African American Family Outreach Project will host its free informational workshop "YOU ARE NOT ALONE," for African American families who seek support and care for those who are living with mental illness and/or addicted to drugs or alcohol with an opportunity to talk with several mental health professionals. Open to the community, the "You Are Not Alone" workshop is open to the entire community and will take place at the North Oakland Senior Center, 5714 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Oakland, CA (ample parking is available around back of the Senior Center). RSVP today! Family members with lived experience say "when mental illness or substance abuse hit our loved ones, we did not know where to turn. In these workshops, we're actually able to talk with the managing psychiatrist for Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services and get answers! It's made a huge difference." Interim Director of Alameda County Behavioral Health Services, Carol Burton, will attend the meeting and wants to hear families’ concerns and comments. Time will be offered for individuals to discuss symptoms, causes and medications with a psychiatrist; an expert in dealing with drug and alcohol problems and advice from experienced family members who […]

Human trafficking continues to be one of the major human right abuses today. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, in 2018 California has the most reported human trafficking cases in the United States. The 3rd Human Trafficking in San Francisco Report noted that most individuals recruited in California had their initial trafficking experience in San Francisco or Alameda County. Human trafficking is not a victimless crime. The Baptist Ministers Union of Oakland Women’s Ministry recognizes that it takes a village to eradicate this abuse of human dignity and well-being. On Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. the BMU Women’s Ministry will host “Not our Daughter” Brunch. We are taking a stand against human trafficking while reclaiming, revitalizing and restoring our sisters. During the brunch there will be a special screening of Surviving International Boulevard. A documentary by filmmaker Sian Gowen which reveals the complex reality of domestic child sex trafficking through the experiences of two local women from Oakland, California. Many other exciting activities are planned for this special event. Funds from ticket sales will assist several local organizations that are working with survivors of human trafficking. These organizations include ROYLS, INC founded by Virginia Arnold and Jamar […]

The celebration of Gospel Music in the Oakland/San Francisco Greater Bay Area will be held on Sunday April 28, 2019 at the 16th Annual Bay Area Gospel Music Awards and Hall Of Fame Inductions. The Laney College Performing Arts Center Theatre will be filled with the best of the best in Bay Area Gospel music as the awards are presented to singers, musicians, choirs, groups, bands and recording artists. Hosted by Bay Area legends Nona Brown and Bishop L.E. Franklin the event is always a standing room only celebration of Gospel music like no other.