Oakland Mayor Congratulates New Class of Scholars

Posse Bay Area celebrated the new year with the inauguration of 30 young leaders from Bay Area high schools at the annual Awards Ceremony. New Scholars were awarded full-tuition scholarships from Boston University, Lehigh University and the University of Puget Sound.

The event was sponsored by ValueAct Capital, Maverick Capital Charities, and Christopher and Coltrane Lord and was attended by over 200 guests including family, friends, high school counselors, university representatives and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf.

Mayor Schaaf delivered an inspiring message to the audience.

“I’m excited to be here and I’m excited about your journey,” said Mayor Schaaf. “To you, the supporters of Posse, I want to thank you for changing the face of education and of opportunity. In Oakland, you are inspiring us.”

Before concluding her address, Mayor Schaaf wanted to leave Scholars with two challenges:

“I have two simple requests: Take care of one another. Everyone thinks that success is about ambition, it is not. It’s about kindness. We are all only as successful as the people around us. Second, unleash your talent on the world.”

The 30 scholarship recipients hail from San Francisco, Richmond, Oakland, Daly City, San Jose, Alameda, El Cerrito, Berkeley and Redwood City.