Oakland High and Oakland Tech Girl’s Basketball brought home not one, but two CIF Championship wins this past month!
Just a week after an intense teacher strike – We needed this WIN! Almost a year after the OAL sports programs were threatened to be cut – We Needed this WIN! And this week, as a city we are mourning the senseless death of a talented musician and son of Oakland, Victor McElhaney – We Needed this WIN!
At the beloved Caribbean food restaurant and lounge, Kingston 11 – 50 young women, their coaches, principals and school community gathered and represented the resilience and the determination of Oakland. These young women helped us center ourselves back on the youth. As educators and advocates for Black Excellence in education, SoBEO was honored to throw a party and celebrate the Wildcats and Bulldogs!
Oakland Tech’s Coach, Leroy Hurt, spoke highly of the character and talent of the Oakland High Wildcats. He’s convinced Oakland High prepared them for their championship win, even after losing to them early this month. What an example of a great educator and ally for the development of our young people.
The young women also exemplified that attitude of unity and respect for your peers by insisting they celebrate together; for their school, the school district, and for the Town. Oakland Tech’s Team Captain, Tiffany Siu, expressed her love and appreciation for everyone celebrating together. As educators and advocates, we have work to do to preserve all of these activities and programs that build the character and spirits of Oakland youth. These activities are a part of the health and well being of educating Oakland’s youth.
To the athletes, Student Board Director Josue Chavez had this to say:
“Beautiful to see everyone in unity! Please as student don’t forget how important your voice is. It is so crucial in these times when we have difficult decisions to make. Your voice is a way to make sure your needs are actually heard and what is necessary is actually heard! Your voice keeps the Board in check!”
We also celebrated the Oakland Athletic League Commissioner Sonjha Beams Phillips, Oakland’s first female commissioner. Commissioner Phillips has now ushered in four championship teams in just her first year of service to Oaklands’ Scholar Athletes!
We were incredibly grateful for local Oakland businesses stepping up and ensuring our young women had an amazing celebration to kick off a series of celebration. Kingston 11 never hesitates to celebrate the brilliance of Oakland and most especially our youth! Alongside, FoCon Inc., a local contractor in the city of Oakland, chipped in also to ensure these young women and their families were celebrated in style. We salute these business leaders of Oakland!
“Thank you for Honoring our kids. I’ve been at this a long time. I have 86 college graduates who played for me over my 20 years of service. It’s a Godly assignment that I love & cherish. We’ll never stop showing up for them.”
~ Oakland High Coach Orlando Gray
You’re welcome coach and Thank you for all that you do for these girls! Oakland Needed this WIN!