2012 East Oakland Project Blogs
Debora Gordon
Debora Gordon is a writer, artist, educator and non-violence activist. She has been living in Oakland since 1991, moving here to become a teacher in the Oakland Unified School District. In all of these roles, Debora is interested in developing a life of the mind. “As a mere human living in these simultaneously thrilling and troubled times,” Debora says, “I try to tread lightly, live thoughtfully, teach peace, and not take myself too seriously.”
Edward Cervantes
A native Angeleno and former New Yorker, Edward Cervantes is proud to now be a resident of Oakland, where he lives with his partner Jim and their three cats. He is a candidate for a master’s degree in public policy at Mills College. Fascinated by Oakland’s history, diversity, and geography, Edward looks forward to further exploring and writing about the city’s richness and complexity.
Howard Dyckoff
Howard Dyckoff has lived in Oakland for over 30 years and has been involved with many community groups, including Oakland Digital and Oakland Local and the East Oakland Boxing Association (EOBA). A New York transplant, Howard attended Laney College, where he wrote for the Laney Tower newspaper. He has served as the Berkeley Free Clinic’s Outreach Coordinator, and also worked as an information technology professional at Chevron and Wells Fargo.Howard has been a regular contributor to Oakland Local and currently does event photography around the Bay Area.
Jian Di Liang
Jian Di Liang (Charlotte) is from China. She is enthusiastic, friendly and outgoing. Meeting new people and traveling are her biggest interests.
Katherine Brown
Katherine Brown was born in Houston, and her family moved to Oakland when she was 6 months old. “I am fortunate to have a loving family and an amazing community of friends,” Katherine says. “I love to help others, which is fused into my life and work.” Katherine enjoys volunteering, dance, and sports, with football being her favorite.
Katrina Davis
Katrina Davis is a photographer who also enjoys reading various gossip blogs and hanging out with good friends. “I’m also a comic genius.”
Michael Holland
Michael Holland is a 39 year-old slightly disabled man with a checkered past. “Remove all that,” Michael says, “and I am just your average, brutally honest Black man. I also am somewhat of a God ‘freak,’ although I don’t formally belong to a church!”
Ronald Owens
Ronald Owens is a nine-year resident of East Oakland’s Maxwell Park neighborhood. He originally came to California to go to law school in Berkeley, leaving his hometown of Chicago, and his job as a retail advertising copywriter. Owens currently works as a legal editor for “the world’s leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals.” He also pursues interests in photography, drawing, music, gardening, and wine.
Sabirah Mustafa
Sabirah Mustafa is a community liaison and cultural enthusiast. “My aim in life is to facilitate, inform, and educate others,” Sabirah says, “about what is happening in our community and society at large in order to share our stories, bridge our differences, and create a more welcoming world.”
Sheila Blandon
Sheila Blandon is an 18 year-old Nicaraguense woman, and a first-year student at Berkeley City College. She is very passionate about the issue of domestic violence in her community. Sheila would like to open a non-profit advocating for all victims and survivors, specifically immigrant women who are involved in abusive relationships.