Blog Post – Page 6 – West Oakland Stories Positive Feeling Movement Inc

ED HOWARD STORY PART 1

ED HOWARD – WEST OAKLAND STORIES

On the afternoon of February 29, I had the pleasure of meeting West Oakland Stories founder Mr. Ed Howard, a man of warmth and dignity. As we are both native Oaklanders, we enjoyed exploring the commonalities among our generations and cultures, as the city has long been home to deep-rooted Black and Greek communities.

Born in Waterproof, Louisiana in 1937, Ed Howard moved with his family to Oakland in 1942 where they resided in the Bayview, Harbor Homes, and Campbell Village Projects. Growing up in West Oakland, Howard enjoyed the neighborhood’s sense of camaraderie as blacks from all over the country settled in the area that would eventually be known as the “Harlem of the West.” A charismatic character from the time of his youth, Howard utilized his smarts and charm to eventually become a head engineer, instructor, and job developer for Kaiser Engineers of Oakland, and an advisory board member of Kaiser Industry’s. In addition, he holds many other titles, chief among them: owner and vice president of Social Dynamics consultant firm; nightclub owner of Ed Howard’s Place; owner of EH Engineering – Department of Defense contracting firm specializing in Reverse Engineering/Research Development; and Producer and creator of the Channel 7 (KGO-TV, San Francisco) TV show “Black Dignity.”

He is also a film and stage play producer. Currently, Mr. Howard is the Chief Executive Director and national spokesman for West Oakland Stories Positive Feeling Movement (and creator of the “No Negative Speak [“NNS]” motto) a non-profit preserving the stories of elderly black West Oakland as a way to archive experiences for the next generations. Forefathers of the classic Oakland mystique, the elders of WOSPFM spread positivity throughout the community via a commitment to uplifting speech and actions that encompass black Oakland pride.

Click on link below to see West Oakland Stories film of the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s spreading positivity throughout the community. https://westoaklandstories.org/ then click on “Stories and Spotlight” (at top of page)

As a believer in the ethos of the WOSPFM, I’m honored to begin a series of posts sharing Mr. Howard’s story.-

Apollo Papafrangou

Photo 1 – Ed Howard with his mother and older brother in Louisiana.

POSITIVE HISTORY OF GREEK-AMERICAN AND BLACK COMMUNITIES

Thanks to Apollo Papafranguo for his support and informing WOSPFM about the POSITIVE history of Greek-American and Black communities. “NO NEGATIVE SPEAK” with each other.

OAKLAND BLACK ELDER PIONEERS USING THEIR WISDOM

OAKLAND BLACK ELDER PIONEERS USING THEIR WISDOM, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND HINDSIGHT:
to bring together our younger generations in a positive way using “NO NEGATIVE SPEAK” (NNS) with each other.

We have to seriously talk to ourselves and start practicing what you tell yourself. When you do this you will feel the positive feelings and the new confidence and strength that are already in you. Keep making positive statements on this post about your efforts with (NNS).

Remember if it does not flow when you start that’s OK you just keep doing your practice over and over and you will get better and better. You see there is no magic way for us to come up out of over 400 years under the Slave System but to work at being positive with each other.

SPOTLIGHTING THE POINTER SISTERS FAMILY STORY

We Oakland Black Elders are so pleased to spotlight another West Oakland Black Pioneer Family Story the Pointer Sisters and their book “FAIRYTALE” written by Anita and Fritz Pointer. Another West Oakland positive story. Read this book and you will feel the West Oakland Black attitude and positive culture.

Reading this book, you will become familiar with the trailblazing, honest, positive and open way Anita Pointer has expressed herself. You will truly experience the ups and downs, successes and always a positive determination to be themselves. (The Black Oakland Attitude)

My personal notes regarding the family:

I remember Fritz and Aaron his older brother from the time they were young boys at Defremery (Bobby Hutton) Park and their first cousin Paul Silas who played Basketball for McClymonds high school, the NBA and he also coached in the NBA; their families lived across the street from the park. I remember in 1960 I worked out of the Pointers home as a census taker and Rev. Pointer was the West Oakland District Captain. I remember the incident that Fritz had with the Black Panther Party because I bumped into him the same day it happened and he told me about it.

Also, I appreciate that Fritz acknowledged Ernest Howard (R. I. P.) my older brother in the book as one of his mentors.

The Elders are asking you to say “NO NEGATIVE SPEAK” to yourself two times a day for a week because you must make yourself aware first of negativity. NNS wakes you up in a positive way if you just say the words. Saying NNS makes everyone aware of negativity. Positive people make other people positive. Hit that SHARE button right now.

UNITE USING “NO NEGATIVE SPEAK” with each other.

“NO NEGATIVE SPEAK” (NNS) WITH EACH OTHER

“NO NEGATIVE SPEAK” (NNS) with each other brings about a long happy positive life and keeps you looking like this (See our picture) Ed and Faye Howard. We are just two of the Oakland Black Pioneer Elders testifying to using NNS with each other for 63 years.

We met at Oakland Merritt City College when it was on Grove Street now Martin Luther King Blvd. – the same college that Bobby Seal and Huey Newton met each other and started the Black Panther Party and also Dr. Melvin Newton, Huey’s older brother, was at Merritt College with the Mrs. and me. We all knew each other because it was only a handful of Black people going to Merritt City College at that time. We were there a few years before Bobby and Huey.

BLACK OAKLAND ELDERS WISDOM SPEAKING:

BLACK OAKLAND ELDERS WISDOM: THINK, THINK, THINK!

If you think about money it has no value in itself. Its value is only recognized when you are convinced it has value. Money is used so that you will work together for a goal and that goal is your job description. You will be rewarded in what is called “MONEY” for your work toward that goal.

This is why all other races work together to get the money. They don’t necessarily like each other but the “MONEY” keep them working together for the goal. (Business, politics, education, religion, etc.)

We, elders, are speaking on this so that our people can get this understanding to work together. You can’t get the positive benefits of this society as a race until you work together to get the “MONEY”.

The “NO NEGATIVE SPEAK” (NNS) with each other motto is the foundation to coming up out of negativity for us so that we can get the money. We don’t have to like each other as long as we work together to get the “MONEY”. “NNS” with each other smooths out that negative attitude that has been embedded in our subconscious by the SLAVE SYSTEM for 400 plus years. When you begin to understand, you will feel compelled to support each other.

What good is it to put up a business if we are in such a mental state that we will not support it? It’s almost a business suicide for a Black person to start a business and expect our race to support it. This is why it is almost mandatory to start using “NNS” with each other.

After reading this piece of wisdom we encourage you to support WOSPFM Organization with a donation. We need MONEY in order to keep growing WOSPFM.

WEST OAKLAND STORIES POSITIVE FEELING MOVEMENT ORGANIZATION