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by Eddie R. Dillard and Thomas Cloman, Oakland Black Board of Trade
Whereas, Monsa Nitoto’, born Wesley Benjamin Williams Jr., worked tirelessly for over 40 years as an advocate for a better quality of life for West Oakland residents; and
Whereas, Monsa Nitoto’ was instrumental in the establishment of the Cypress Mandela pre-apprentice training program after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which established construction skills training for West Oakland residents; and
Whereas, Monsa Nitoto’ was a primary creator of the Minority and Women Participation Organization (MAWPO), a workers’ advocacy group, and the Federation of African American Contractors (FAAC), a public works contractor advocacy group; and
Monsa Nitoto’ was a catalyst along with Margaret Gordon in the establishment of the West Oakland Environmental Indicators project, addressing air and water quality deficiencies that were harming West Oakland residents; and
Whereas, Monsa Nitoto’ was a protégé of the late great Ralph Williams, who was commonly known as the first mayor of West Oakland; and
Whereas, Monsa Nitoto’ was a key organizer of the Edith Austin Skills Training Center in North Oakland, where Oakland residents received apprenticeship training in a variety of trades; and
Whereas, Monsa Nitoto’ in association with Darryl Carey and Alice Spearman were successful in establishing a 50% small and local business participation requirement on all Oakland Unified School District public works projects; and
Whereas, Monsa Nitoto’ was a staunch advocate for Black and Brown business participation in Alameda County and City of Oakland public works projects; and
Whereas Monsa Nitoto’ was a champion for equity, access, diversity and inclusion; and
Whereas, Monsa Nitoto’ gained the respect of political leaders, labor officials and private sector business proponents by acknowledging the commonality of the challenges we face and working cooperatively to forge mutual benefit agreements; and
Whereas, Monsa Nitoto’ was a visionary, who knew the impacts of past discrimination and exclusionary laws and fought tirelessly to bring some measure of fairness in the delivery of economic opportunity to underserved Black and Brown communities; and
Whereas, Monsa Nitoto’ had health challenges, but he never allowed his personal challenges to diminish his commitment to elevate the quality of life for West Oakland Black and Brown residents; and
Whereas, Monsa Nitoto’ was a strong supporter of the arts and was instrumental in the Ivey Brothers (John, Fred and Jay) setting up Ivey’s Restaurant and Entertainment in Jack London Square, and Monsa Nitoto’ along with Jimmy Mack gave financial support to the O’Town Passions, who entertained thousands of music lovers, and Monsa Nitoto’ helped Ronnie Stewart of the West Coast Blues Society establish the famous Oakland Seventh Street Walk of Fame, featuring artists such as Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls, Jimmy McCracklin, Etta James and many others; and
Whereas, Monsa Nitoto’ collaborated with the Oakland Black Board of Trade on economic development projects designed to foster Black business participation on projects at the state, local and federal level; and
Be it Resolved on this 19th day of August, 2023, that the Oakland Black Board of Trade and Commerce memorialized our appreciation for the enormous contributions to our organization and the countless other organizations within the nine Bay Area counties; and
Be it further Resolved that his model of community organizing, labor policies and civil rights practices continue on, and that a call to action be issued for all who knew him and shared in his journey; and
Therefore, be it Resolved that it is with great honor and humility that the Oakland Black Board of Trade acknowledges the enormous contributions that Monsa Nitoto’ made to the citizens and the businesses of West Oakland specifically and the greater Oakland community.
Eddie R. Dillard is past president and CEO of the Oakland Black Board of Trade and Commerce. He can be reached at eddie.dillard2020@gmail.com. Thomas Cloman is past chairman of the board.
