Congresswoman Barbara Lee is a forceful and progressive voice in Congress, dedicated to social and economic justice, international peace, and civil and human rights.

M.C. Hammer is considered a “forefather” and innovator of pop rap, and is the first hip-hop artist to achieve diamond status for an album. BET ranked Hammer as the #7 “Best Dancer Of All Time”. Vibe’s “The Best Rapper Ever Tournament” declared him the 17th favorite of all-time during the first round. Hammer is also known for his hit records, including “U Can’t Touch This”, flamboyant dance movements and trademark Hammer pants.

Angela Y. Davis is known internationally for her ongoing work to combat all forms of oppression in the U.S. and abroad. Over the years she has been active as a student, teacher, writer, scholar, and activist/organizer. She is a living witness to the historical struggles of the contemporary era.

Little Bobby Hutton was the first to join the newly formed Black Panther Party for Self Defense. He was only 16 years old when he joined but already believed in the ideals that Seale and Newton had outlined in the Ten-Point Program; he was dedicated to serving his community.

Today Ericka Huggins is a professor of Women’s Studies at CSU, East Bay. Her political career got its early start in Los Angeles with the Black Panther Party.

Although, never officially a Black Panther member, Tolbert Small was the official physician to Oakland’s chapter of the Black Panther Party.

Dezie Woods-Jones was the first Black woman Vice Mayor of Oakland and also served as an Oakland city council member. Currently, Dezie Woods-Jones is the State President for Black Woman Organized for Political Action (BWOPA), an organization she founded. Today BWOPA is considered to be one of the most politically influential organizations in the nation.

To learn more about Dezie Woods-Jones visit the following website:http://www.bwopa.org/Hx.htm

We are thrilled to announce that Jessamyn Sabbag will become the Deputy Director of Oakland Rising beginning January 15th, 2012. “Over the last three years as Field Director, Jessamyn has been a cornerstone of Oakland Rising’s success. I am confident that Jessamyn will continue to take Oakland Rising’s work to new heights as our first Deputy Director,” said Esperanza Tervalon-Daumont, Executive Director of Oakland Rising.

Under Jessamyn’s leadership, Oakland Rising has waged 11 civic engagement campaigns, developed a cadre of skilled paid phone bankers and canvassers, and built a strong reputation for excellence in educating and mobilizing occasional and unlikely voters in Oakland. Thanks to her tireless dedication and talent, Oakland Rising’s civic engagement work has successfully increased voter turnout by 5% amongst low income, immigrant and voters of color living in the flatlands of East and West Oakland.

At the close of 2011, Oakland Rising set out to run our first ever end-of-year fundraising drive and raise $3,500 by the end of 2011. We reached out to our circle of donors, supporters, and volunteers and asked you once again to stand with Oakland Rising by supporting our campaigns with your grassroots donations and we were successful! We are honored and grateful to report that we not only met, but also exceeded our fundraising goal and raised a little over $3,500 (and there are still a couple of pending pledges).