Guide to the Paula Beal Papers

Sean Heyliger

African American Museum & Library at Oakland

659 14th Street

Oakland, California 94612

Phone: (510) 637-0198

Fax: (510) 637-0204

Email: aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org

URL: http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/locations/african-american-museum-library-oakland

Guide to the Paula Beal Papers

Collection number: MS 221

African American Museum & Library at Oakland

Oakland, California

Processed by:: Sean Heyliger
Date Completed:: 2018-05-10
Encoded by:: Sean Heyliger

Descriptive Summary

Title: Paula Beal papers

Dates: 2003-2017

Collection number: MS 221

Creator: Beal, Paula

Collection Size: 2 linear feet (2 boxes + 1 oversized box)

Repository: African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)

Oakland, CA 94612

Abstract: The Paula Beal Papers consist of notebooks, subject files, reports, correspondence, flyers, and periodicals documenting her activities with housing activist and food justice groups in Oakland, California in the 2010s.

Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English

Access

No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.

Access Restrictions

Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.

Publication Rights

Permission to publish from the Paula Beal Papers must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.

Preferred Citation

Paula Beal papers, MS 221, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Acquisition Information

The Paula Beal Papers donated to the African American Museum & Library at Oakland by Molly McClure on May 4, 2018.

Processing Information

Processed by Sean Heyliger, May 10, 2018.

Biography / Administrative History

Housing and food activist Paul Beal (1953-2016) was born on January 31, 1953 in Alton, Illinois to Charles Jones, Sr. and Pearline Jones. After attending Alton High School and Claremont McKenna College in Cicero, Illinois, she moved to Richmond, California where she met and married Willie Clyde Beal Sr. The couple were early pioneers in the medical marijuana in the East Bay and Paula Beal began her work as a housing activist after working at the Oakland Independent Support Center, a non-profit serving the homeless and individuals with substance abuse issues. She was later active with a number of housing activist groups including Causa Justa:: Just Cause, Oakland Renters Union, and Oakland United Coalition following the wave of displacement and gentrification in Oakland, California in the early 2010s.

She also helped to initiate the movement to pass the Renters Upgrade Measure JJ, a campaign to strengthen renter's protections against wrongful evictions by landlords, and was a leading critic of Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf for not taking greater steps to curb the housing crisis in Oakland. She was also active in advocating for access to healthy food in disadvantaged neighborhoods in Oakland. She was a member of the HOPE (Health for Oakland’s People and Environment) Collaborative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health and well being of low income families in West and East Oakland. She spearheaded the Healthy Corner Store Project which worked to increase availability of nutritious, affordable food at neighborhood corner stores in food deserts. She was also active in efforts to bring a grocery store to West Oakland and the People's Grocery, a collaborative project to foster community economic development and to provide low cost healthful foods to West Oakland communities. Following years of advocating for others, Beal herself became homeless after her landlord increased the rent in her 10-unit building from $850 to $1,080 per month in March 2016, a 27% increase which forced her, her son, and grandchildren to stay at a homeless shelter in Santa Rosa, California. She was the focus of a number of articles in The Guardian and The EastBay Times on gentrification and the homeless crisis in Oakland in 2016. Following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2016, a GoFundMe campaign was started to help raise funds for her food, housing, and medical costs prior to her death in December 2016.

Scope and Content of Collection

The Paula Beal Papers consist of notebooks, subject files, reports, correspondence, flyers, and periodicals documenting her activities with housing activist and food justice groups in Oakland, California in the 2010s. The papers are organized into six series: I. Notebooks, II. Speeches, III.Causa Justa :: Just Cause, IV. Hope Collaborative, V. Subject files, VI. Publications. The bulk of the materials document her work with Causa Justa :: Just Cause, The People's Grocery, and Hope Collaborative reflecting her struggle to fight displacement and gentrification and her efforts to establish better access to healthy food for disadvantaged citizens in Oakland, California.

Arrangement

Series I. Notebooks Series II. Speeches Series III. Causa Justa :: Just Cause Series IV. Hope Collaborative Series V. Subject files Series VI. Publications

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Causa Justa :: Just Cause

Gentrification--California

Homelessness--California

Minorities--Nutrition--Social aspects--United States

Oakland (Calif.) Social conditions

Social justice--United States

Notebooks

Physical Description: 3 folders

Series Scope and Content Summary

Three notebooks with handwritten notes documenting Paula Beal's activities with various activist groups.

Arrangement

Arranged by format.

Box 1:1

Notebook 1 undated

Box 1:2

Notebook 2 undated

Box 1:3

Notebook 3 undated

Speeches

Physical Description: 1 folder

Series Scope and Content Summary

Includes a speech delivered by Paula Beal on SB 375 and a letter regarding her Charles Beal.

Arrangement

Arranged by format.

Causa Justa :: Just Cause

Physical Description: 1 folder

Series Scope and Content Summary

Includes policy documents, reports, and drafts created by the organization Causa Justa :: Just Cause.

Arrangement

Arranged by subject

Box 1:5

"Black and brown unity for the right to the city” undated

Box 1:5

State of the organization draft 2015-12-03

Box 1:5

“Definition of neoliberalism / gentrification” 2013-10

Box 1:5

“Oakland United policy demands platform – key points” undated

Box 1:5

Group discussion on gentrification undated

Box 1:5

“Development without displacement: resisting gentrification in the Bay Area” circa 2013

Box 1:5

“From the base: revolutionary left community organizing in the US – draft" undated

Box 1:5

Activity calendar 2012-09

Box 1:5

2012 CE goals and priorities 2012

Box 1:5

2016 merger committee plan 2016

Box 1:5

"Development without displacement: resisting gentrification in the Bay Area" 2014-04-02

Hope Collaborative

Physical Description: 18 folders

Series Scope and Content Summary

Includes reports, correspondence, notebooks, project files, and subject files maintained by Paula Beal documenting her work with the Hope Collaborative.

Arrangement

Arranged by subject

Leadership Institute

Box 1:6

Notebook 1 2011

Box 1:7

Notebook 2 2011

Box 1:8

Notebook 3 2011

Box 1:9

Kellogg proposal planning meeting 2012-03-07

Box 1:10

Oakland Unified School District 2011-2012

Box 1:11

Healthy Corner Store Project 2014

Box 1:12-13

Steering committee 2011-2013

Box 1:14

A blueprint for health: planning communities that promote equity 2015

Box 1:15

Food & community harvesting change conference program 2015

Box 1:16

Communications plan 2014

Box 1:17

Correspondence 2011-2012

Box 1:18

Food Systems Committee 2011-2014

Box 1:19

Legal Eats! undated

Box 1:20

Growing Justice Institute Project 2012

Box 1:21

Built Environment Team 2014 and undated

Box 1:22

Assorted undated

Box 1:23

Mini Grant Program undated

Box OM 52:2

Hope Collaborative brochure [seven copies] undated

Subject files

Physical Description: 16 folders

Series Scope and Content Summary

Subject files maintained by Paula Beal

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject

Box 2:1

Alton Museum of History and Art, Inc. 2010-2012

Box 2:2-3

Assorted 2005-2015

Box 2:4

California Food Policy Council 2012

Box 2:5

Growing Justice Institute 2011

Box 2:6-7

Housing 2010-2012

Box 2:8

MHSA Housing Review Committee 2009-2010

Box 2:9

Millionaires tax of 2012 initiative 2012

Box 2:10

Mental health 2015-2016

Box 2:11

Oakland Food Policy Council 2010-2012

Box 2:12

Oakland United Coalition 2016 and undated

Box 2:13

People's Grocery 2009-2012

Box 2:14

Tobacco 2009-2012

Box 2:15

Transportation 2011

Box 2:16

Wellness Recovery Action Plan undated

Publications

Physical Description: 14 folders + 1 oversized folder

Series Scope and Content Summary

Assorted reports, flyers, periodicals, and brochures related to food, housing, and activism in Oakland, California.

Arrangement

Arranged by format.

Reports

Box 2:17

“Breathing easy from home to school: fighting the environmental triggers of childhood asthma” 2008

Box 2:17

“Oakland Unified School District feasibility study executive summary” 2010

Box 2:18

“Resource directory for the formerly incarcerated serving the greater East Bay” 2010

Box 2:19

“Legal resources for food enterprises” 2011

Box 2:20

“Countywide transportation plan update and transportation expenditure plan development steering committee meeting agenda” 2011-05-26

Box 2:21

“Banks make bad neighbors: how we can fix LA’s foreclosure registry program to make banks pay for the millions of dollars in harm they cause our communities” 2012-06-04

Box 2:21

“Oakland Unified School District health and wellness information a guide for the school year 2012-2013” 2012

Box 2:22

“Alameda County, California comprehensive HIV prevention plan” 2014-07

Box 2:22

“The 99% spring training guide" undated

Box OM 52:2

Policy work group interest areas spreadsheet undated

Flyers

Box 2:23

Welcome to Priority Africa Network P.A.N. undated

Box 2:23

Create a safer, cleaner Oakland undated

Box 2:23

Oakland Food Policy Council [two copies] undated

Box 2:23

Decolonize your diet, Oakland Food Policy Council 2015-11-01

Box 2:23

10 x 10 wellness for Alameda County undated

Box 2:23

In pursuit of justice – transportation for all, First Congregational Church 2011-07-14

Box 2:23

Black men speak! undated

Box 2:23

Eat real festival undated

Box 2:23

Spring plant sale, California Hotel Urban Farm [seven copies] undated

Box 2:23

Twilight by the Lake, Cathedral of Christ the Light undated

Box 2:23

Do it yourself at NIMBY undated

Box 2:23

Peralta Junction Project 2012-12-15

Box 2:23

St. Varean Armenian Church Bazaar and Food Festival 2012-10-05

Box 2:23

Oakland financial planning clinic 2012-10-06

Box 2:23

The Waiting Room film 2012-10-19

Box 2:23

KONO 4th annual culture festival 2012-10-05

Box 2:23

Celebrate mental health awareness month [two copies] 2012-05-18

Box 2:23

East Bay Housing Organizations 15th annual affordable housing week 2011-05-06

Box 2:23

Institute of Urban Homesteading undated

Box 2:23

Black Women’s Media Project undated

Box 2:23

Flavas’ of the garden garden workparty, California Hotel undated

Box 2:23

All of us or none: a project of legal services for prisoners with children [two copies] undated

Box 2:23

Community stakeholders neighborhood planning workshop undated

Box 2:23

Dream: let’s make it real 2012 People’s Grocery 2012

Box 2:23

Visions for better food options & health in our community 2011-06-04

Box 2:23

2nd annual march to reclaim MLK’s radical legacy [two copies] undated

Box 2:23

Black alliance for just immigration undated

Box 2:23

Your community your food, Community Food Security Coalition [two copies] undated

Box 2:24

Black intersection on migration teleconference undated

Box 2:24

Our community knows best!, Oakland United Coalition [two copies] undated

Box 2:24

Alameda County clean slate clinic [three copies] undated

Box 2:24

Clean up green up action days, Communities for a Better Environment undated

Box 2:24

6th annual holiday sales bazaar, Jack London Square [two copies] undated

Box 2:24

14th annual pow-wow, American Indian Child Resource Center 2012-12-01

Box 2:24

All of us or none of us donation form 2012

Box 2:24

UC Cooperative Extension harvest festival 2014-09-20

Box 2:24

MyPlate for older adults 2011

Box 2:24

Green up day of action, Tassafaronga Center 2014-04-26

Box 2:24

Toward healthy food and farms, Union of Concerned Scientists 2012-03

Box 2:24

Mental health and spirituality workgroup, Alameda County Cultural Responsiveness Committee undated

Box 2:24

Network with the network, Ashland Cherryland Garden & Arts Network [two copies] 2012-05-24

Box 2:24

Flavas’ of the garden free community meal and workshop undated

Box 2:24

Get out the jail vote [three copies] 2012

Box 2:24

Speak out to stay put! An Oakland-wide anti-displacement forum, West Oakland Youth Center undated

Box 2:

Guide Light Community Elderly Car undated

Box 2:24

Boards and commissions leadership institute undated

Box 2:24

Juneteenth community celebration, Phat Beets Produce undated

Box 2:24

Food & water watch fact sheet [two copies] 2011-04

Box 2:24

SFNOMA 2012 project pipeline architecture summer camp 2012

Box 2:24

Mini job fair, Alameda Social Services Agency 2015-11-19

Box 2:24

Professional image workshop presented by Wardrobe for Opportunity 2015-11-06

Box 2:24

East Bay Homeless Connect a 1-day resource fair [two copies] 2016-02-19

Box 2:24

Dig Deep Farms & Produce 2012

Box 2:24

Save A Life Wellness Center Healthy Communities Oakland [two copies] undated

Box 2:24

Cypress Mandela Construction Training Center undated

Box 2:24

Need help?, Eden I&R, Inc. 2007

Box 2:24

Oakland Housing Authority 2012 free owner workshops 2012

Box 2:24

Development disabilities service sector program College of Alameda 2012

Box 2:24

6 wins for social equity 2012

Box 2:24

MG fall equinox weekend [two copies] 2017

Box 2:24

Food Day at Tassafaronga Farm undated

Box 2:24

Are you worried that your arrest or conviction, East Bay Community Law Center undated

Box 2:24

Select staffing staffing recruitment undated

Box 2:24

Annual holiday party & food drive 2011-12-15

Box 2:24

Have you been harassed by the po’lice Copwatch undated

Box 2:24

Bay Area Regional May Day March for Dignity and Resistance 2012

Box 2:24

I am the face of displacement undated

Box 2:24

No on J profits for the 1% vs. civil rights & clean air for the people undated

Box 2:24

Allen Temple Streets Disciples present for sisters only! undated

Box 2:24

Ready, set, grow!, Lincoln Child Care Center [two copies] undated

Box 2:24

One size does not fit all: meeting the health care needs of diverse populations, The California Endowment undated

Box 2:24

Green for all 2012 music contest 2012

Box 2:24

How to start a business 101: a free legal workshop for small businesses undated

Box 2:24

Ready, set, grow!, Lincoln Child Care Center [two copies] undated

Box 2:24

Good jobs…healthy communities youth event and forum!, Lincoln Child Center [two copies] undated

Box 2:24

March 5th on Sacramento We won’t pay for their crisis! Againstcuts.org undated

Box 2:24

Occupy the capitol! We are the 99%! [two copies] undated

Box 2:24

Oakland Community Land Trust OakCLT information sessions undated

Box 2:24

Courageous Women Association presents resume critique & interview skills 8 weeks workshop series 2012-02-04

Box 2:24

Oakland United T.E.A.M. undated

Box 2:24

If the bank comes to foreclose we’re not leaving! [two copies] undated

Box 2:24

Revolution foods 2011

Box 2:24

Race the power of an illusion, Alameda County Building Blocks Collaborative 2012-04-27

Box 2:24

Clean up Green Up East Oakland 2016

Box 2:24

Dedication ceremony city view farm, Dig Deep Farms & Produce undated

Box 2:24

Oakland Housing Authority change to the OHA portability policy 2015

Box 2:24

Legal advice line, Bay Area Legal Aid 2012

Box 2:24

Regional housing and displacement forum, Oakland Marriot 2016-02-20

Box 2:24

City slicker farms undated

Box 2:24

Priority home partnership undated

Box 2:24

Home health care and home care agencies 2012-09

Box 2:24

Community resources for independent living undated

Box 2:24

Catholic Charities of the East Bay 2011-02-25

Box 2:24

The holdout event proposal form undated

Box 2:24

An equity-driven regional plan: why it matters 2016-02-17

Box 2:24

6 wins for social equity community messages, Regional Housing and Displacement Forum 2016-02-20

Box 2:24

Wellness care 2011-12

Box 2:24

Grub by people for people box, Dig Deep Farms undated

Box OM 52:2

Oakland breaking the silence townhall on girls & women of color poster 2016-02-27

Box OM 52:1

Ready, Set, Grow! poster [two copies] undated

Packets

Box 2:26

African American organizations making connections, Merritt College 2010-05-01

Box 2:27

Center for Elders’ Independence undated

Box 2:28

Right to the city urban congress, Los Angeles, California 2012-09-12

Box 2:29

“Building inclusive communities: racial equity and immigration,” San Francisco Foundation 2011-03-30

Brochures

Box 2:30

Oakland Housing Authority employment and training opportunities for OHA residents brochure 2011-04-07

Box 2:30

Oakland Housing Authority homeownership program brochure 2011-06-08

Box 2:30

Oakland Housing Authority neighborhood orientation workshop brochure undated

Box 2:30

Ecology Center brochure undated

Box 2:30

Farm fresh choice, Ecology Center brochure undated

Box 2:30

California Coalition for Women Prisoners brochure undated

Box 2:30

Disability rights California brochure undated

Box 2:30

My wrap crisis plan undated

Box OM 52:2

Alameda County Nutrition Services harvest of the month 2016 calendar 2016

Programs

Box 2:31

52nd appreciation /anniversary banquet Dr. J.L. Jones & first lady Lillian Jones 2015-11-13

Box 2:31

Celebrating the life of Dr. Lanetta Marie Hill 2012-11-19

Periodicals

Box 2:32

Down to earth newsletter, vol. 3 issue 1 2014-03

Box OM 52:1

All of Us or None Fall 2012

Box OM 52:1

Oakland Post 2015-11-04