Quick recap
The February 2026 speaker meeting of East Bay Gray Panthers honored the late Winston Burton, who had spoken at the previous year's meeting about "Living Black Making History." The meeting featured Michele Tingling-Clemens, co-convener of Metropolitan Washington Gray Panthers, who shared insights about DC statehood efforts, housing issues, and her work with the National Welfare Rights Union. The discussion covered DC's unique status as a city and county, its history of tenant rights legislation, and current challenges with housing affordability and food security. The conversation ended with updates about the upcoming Berkeley Tenants Convention on April 19th, which will serve as a caucus for Berkeley Rent Board candidates and aims to build tenant solidarity across the region.
Summary
Elevator Access Concerns at Mabel Howard
The meeting began with technical setup and introductions, including confirmation of 18 RSVPs and a direct join link shared via email and Facebook. Betsy raised concerns about residents trapped in the upper levels of the Mabel Howard Apartments due to an elevator outage, noting that the over-60 clinic's elevator is available but not consistently accessible. The group discussed the need to address this issue, potentially at a future board meeting, and Raines mentioned the potential for liability concerns. The conversation ended with technical difficulties regarding music and closed captioning, which were eventually resolved.
Winston Burton's Legacy and Reparations
The meeting honored Winston Burton, a member who passed away, and discussed his contributions and legacy. Betsy shared details about Burton's life and work, including his role in economic development and his involvement with the NAACP. The group watched a video about the Russell City reparations, where Hayward and Alameda County formally apologized to former residents displaced in the 1960s and 1970s. The conversation ended with a discussion about the significance of apologies and the need for justice and reparations.
Berkeley's Black History and Gentrification
Betsy Morris shared a personal story about her father's history in Russell City and introduced a video series about Berkeley's Black history. The meeting included a discussion about gentrification in Berkeley and its impact on the Black community. Michele Tingling-Clements spoke about the District of Columbia's quest for statehood and shared her experience as a former state director for federal nutrition programs in D.C.
D.C. Advocacy and Political Insights
Michele shared her personal experiences and insights about the District of Columbia, including her involvement in local politics and advocacy. She discussed the challenges faced by D.C. residents, such as limited self-determination and issues related to homelessness and healthcare. Michele also spoke about Marion Barry's impact on the city and his efforts to improve civic engagement and economic opportunities for residents. She emphasized the importance of understanding the complexities of D.C.'s political landscape and the need for continued advocacy for greater autonomy and resources for the city.
Gray Panthers' Activism and Advocacy
Michele discussed Gray Panthers' history of activism in Washington D.C., including their role in crafting rent control legislation, fighting for fair housing, and integrating schools. She highlighted the organization's efforts in providing accommodations for people with disabilities at demonstrations and their work on welfare benefits and utility costs. Michele also shared plans to organize teach-ins and collaborate with healthcare advocates to push for universal healthcare legislation at the local level, as a strategy to bypass federal resistance. Arlene inquired about funding mechanisms for tenant-led affordable housing initiatives, and Michele suggested exploring city-provided funds and potential collaborations with organizations like the Harrison Institute for technical assistance.
Addressing Hunger and Labor Issues
The group discussed food insecurity and hunger in the United States, with Michele sharing her experience working at FRAC and highlighting how the Thrifty Food Plan was designed for only 2.5 weeks, not a month, while David explained how Supreme Court appointments by Mitch McConnell have primarily served to oppose union organizing, rather than addressing issues like poverty and hunger. The discussion explored how hunger myths persist due to lack of understanding about the working class and how racism has been used as a divide-and-conquer strategy to weaken labor movements.
Berkeley Rent Board Candidate Convention
The meeting focused on the Berkeley Tenants Convention scheduled for April 19th at the Black Rep on Ashby Street, which will serve as a caucus to nominate and endorse candidates for the Berkeley Rent Board. Michael explained that the convention aims to maintain a tenant-friendly majority on the board and will include a tenant gathering to build solidarity and consensus. Betsy and Gray Panthers will be involved in interviewing candidates who wish to speak at the convention, with a focus on addressing issues related to senior housing quality and habitability. Applications for rent board candidates are open until mid-March, and the convention is open to all tenants, allies, and even landlords interested in tenant rights.
Berkeley Tenant Solidarity Event Planning
The meeting discussed plans for a tenant-focused event in Berkeley, with Michael confirming that voting and endorsements would be limited to Berkeley residents but emphasizing the importance of tenant solidarity across cities. Betsy highlighted the endorsement of the Tenants Together Tenant Bill of Rights and the goal of building power through collaboration with various tenant organizations. Arlene raised questions about the participation of different tenant groups, and Michael confirmed that Juan from the Oakland Tenants Union would moderate the candidate forum. Additionally, Pam provided updates on the League of Women Voters' activities, including concerns about the Berkeley Police Accountability Board, and Hali announced plans for a No Kings Day event and a People's Park anniversary celebration. Carol Murasovic was invited to make an announcement, but technical difficulties prevented her from doing so.
Police Accountability and Homeless Services
The meeting covered several key topics. Carol explained that the Police Accountability Board's director was dismissed due to unanimous council dissatisfaction with his work performance and high salary. The group discussed a lawsuit regarding homeless encampments on 8th Street, with the city seeking to hold service providers accountable as co-defendants. Arlene reported progress on establishing a countywide grievance process for homeless services providers. The conversation ended with tributes to Winston Burton, a community member who passed away, and an urgent discussion about elevator maintenance issues at the Mabel Howard Apartments, where residents are stuck on upper floors due to non-functioning elevators.
Winston Burton Memorial Planning Discussion
The group discussed organizing a memorial for Winston Burton, a poet who passed away without a formal obituary, with Carol offering to present information about him at the Council meeting. Betsy shared Winston's website and picture, and the group discussed the ongoing elevator technician shortage in Oakland and Berkeley, with Arlene noting similar issues in Oakland. David read a poem about life's brevity and challenges, and the conversation ended with a discussion about a transit measure, where David requested board endorsement and help gathering signatures, with plans to present this at the next board meeting.
Welcome to 2026! and our second monthly speaker meeting of the year (generally the fourth Wednesday of the month).
The Gray Panthers of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. are dedicated to: