COO, EDUCATOR, CONSULTANT

Saturu Ned, then known as James Mott, joined the Black Panther Party in May of 1968 in Sacramento California while attending Sacramento City College. Saturu was a member of the ‘Lumpen’, the Black Panther Party singing group. A book was written by Professor Ricky Vincent called “Party Music” the untold story of the Lumpen and their influence on the Black Power Movement.

Dr Saturu was a teacher at the award-winning Oakland Community School and Learning Center that was started and run by Black Panther Party Members. He has appeared on numerous television and video productions, radio, print and online publications.​

He continues to work in the interest of the community as an Educator, Innovator, and a Survival Program Architect.

CHIEF EDUCATION DIRECTOR

Steve, whose pen name is Lil’ Masai, was an early member of the Baltimore Chapter of the BPP where he joined in 1968. During those early years he was also assigned to Philadelphia, New York and New Haven. In 1972, Steve arrived in Oakland along with other Party members from chapters around the country.

In 1973, he was assigned to the Intercommunal Youth Institute, later renamed the Oakland Community School, where he taught math and physical education.

In 1974, Steve launched the Martial Arts program for youth and adults housed at the Oakland Community Learning Center. After the BPP, Steve taught math and then Ethnic Studies with the Oakland Unified School District. He is an accomplished spoken word performer, having been a member of the Oakland Writers Guild and International Black Writers & Artists, Bay Area collective. In 2008, his book, We Were Free For A While: Back to Back in the Black Panther Party was published.

He currently is a member of the Black Organizing Project based in Oakland and Contra Costa county, and now stands side by side with former BPP members and community activists as part of the BPP Alumni Legacy Network.

Katherine Campbell’s journey into community leadership and service began in 1969. After an educational stint in a scholarship with Miami University, Florida, she returned to San Francisco and received political education from the Black Panther Party (BPP). She was a member of BPP from 1969 – 1978. Receiving an Associate Degree in Social Sciences from Laney College, she went on to study Civil Engineering at San Francisco State University and Family Counseling and Eviction Defense at UC Berkeley, obtaining her counseling certification. After her education, she took an internship at S.F. County Jail at 850 Bryant for its pre-release program. In this position, she provided counseling for inmates to help find housing placement and readjust to life after incarceration.

She also interned at Juli House as a counselor for young pregnant women, providing assessment and counseling and helping them prepare for motherhood and independent living. As a Counselor for Mission Housing, Ms. Campbell worked on the transitional housing program for homeless people by providing counseling and other supportive services. She was also a case manager and counselor for the Family Service Agency. Katherine Campbell was part of BPP during the development of its 10-point service plan and supported the Sickle Cell Anemia program. She was also an active part of BPP’s projects, Seniors Against a Fearful Environment and Oakland Community School -one of the best accredited alternative schools. Ms. Campbell was also part of the Free Breakfast Program of the party in Fillmore, San Francisco. In 2019, she commemorated the 50th year anniversary of the establishment of Black Panther Party breakfast program for hungry kids.