Al Sharpton Kicks Off Oakland NAN Chapter

Feb 9, 2014

Posted in CommunityEducation/Schools/YouthEqual Rights/Equity

 Education, Crime Are Group’s Top Priorities

By Kia Croom

Rev. Al Sharpton, nationally known civil rights leader and founder of the National Action Network (NAN), was the featured guest pastor at Beebe Memorial Cathedral in Oakland, Sunday, Feb. 2, where Sharpton spoke passionately about the need to reignite the fight for social justice, helping to inaugurate the NAN Oakland chapter.

“The seeds of social justice were planted in Oakland that helped change the paradigm for Blacks and other people in this country,” said Sharpton, who emphasized that much has yet to be done.

“Dr. King’s dream has made great progress, but we are still facing race, income, gender, sexual orientation inequality and criminal justice issues. We need action in a strategic way from the streets to the suites,” he said.

Following church service, Sharpton attended the NAN Jazz Sunday Launch Party at the Home of Carl Hackney in Oakland. About 150 community members and dignitaries attended the event.

Rev. Al Sharpton. Photos by K. Epstein

NAN Oakland Chapter’s founder and president, Rev. Dr. Charley Hames Jr., discussed the chapter’s priorities for the coming year.

“Our focus is education and crime prevention,” he said.

Rev. Dr. Charley Hames Jr.

Rev. Hames said that Oakland NAN will be an action-oriented organization and will work in concert with other local groups,

“We are here to compliment other local agencies,” he said. “Where other agencies are weak we want to be strong. Where their agenda is bureaucracy. we want to create action.”

Hames said the NAN Oakland hopes to have over 300 members by the end of the year.

To learn more about the NAN Oakland chapter, visit www.nanoakland.org.