When Oscar Grant III was murdered by BART Police officers on New Year’s Day 2009, the world mourned a young Black father whose life was stolen far too soon. But behind prison walls, his own father, Oscar Grant Jr., was left to grieve alone. He missed the funeral. He missed the memorials. He missed the collective outcry for justice. He returned home not only carrying the weight of his son’s death, but the responsibility to rebuild his own life and make meaning out of unimaginable pain.

Today, Oscar Grant Jr. has transformed that pain into purpose. And a major part of that purpose is serving the City of Oakland, working side-by-side with a group of formerly incarcerated organizers who are cleaning freeways, painting over graffiti, and restoring pride block by block.

A Band of Brothers: The Organizers Leading Oakland’s Street Restoration

The above KTVU news segment highlights a graffiti cleanup effort organized by Edwin Hagler, along with the work of several other nonprofit founders, many of whom spent significant time behind bars, who volunteer every week to clean Oakland’s overpasses and neighborhoods. What makes this effort especially powerful is not just the cleanup itself, but the unity behind it. As Oscar Grant Jr. explains, “Seeing African American–led nonprofits collaborate instead of compete has been one of the greatest inspirations of my life. When we cooperate, we show the city what real brotherhood looks like, and that’s how we rebuild Oakland together.”

Among the leaders in this movement is Rick Fortenberry, a founder and lifelong Oakland resident whose commitment to service comes straight from the heart. As Rick puts it, “We don’t have a lot of money. This is just some guys that grew up in Oakland that created a nonprofit and want to help Oakland survive.” Oscar Grant Jr. says he is drawn to Rick’s spirit because, “Rick reminds me that real change doesn’t start with funding, it starts with heart. He loves this city the way I love my son, and that’s why I stand with him.”

Another pillar of this work is Richard Johnson, a returning citizen who came home in 2021 after serving time for drug-related charges. Reflecting on his past, Richard says, “I was out here in the streets… doing all kinds of things negative. But I know now you have to be that shining light.” Oscar says working with Richard is personal for him, sharing, “When Richard talks about being a shining light, I feel that. We both lived in darkness for years, and now we’re choosing to light up these streets together in a positive way.”

Also standing strong in this collective effort is Minister King X, who served 18 years in Pelican Bay and understands the struggle of coming home with few resources. He explains their mission clearly: “Without resources… we have to pull our resources together as a community and work together. And that’s what we’re doing here today.” Oscar praises Minister King X’s leadership, saying, “Minister King X is wisdom in motion. He knows what it means to survive the system, and he knows what it takes to rebuild a community. That’s why I trust him and follow his lead.”

Together, these men form the backbone of a quiet but powerful movement, one rooted in community improvement, self-accountability, and healing through service.

Turning Tragedy Into Transformation

For Oscar Grant Jr., community service is not an extracurricular activity. It is a spiritual responsibility. It is the continuation of his son's legacy. And it is a personal commitment to give back to the community he once harmed and now hopes to heal.

He often shares that:

• His son’s death changed him.

• His incarceration shaped him.

• His release motivated him.

• This work restores him.

Through volunteering, mentoring, and partnering with other returning citizens, Oscar Jr. embodies the core mission of the Two Lives of Oscar Grant Foundation: redemption, healing, and community empowerment.

A New Chapter for Oakland

Oakland is a city of brilliance, resilience, and cultural power, but like all cities, it needs care, investment, and people willing to roll up their sleeves. The work being done by these men has not gone unnoticed. Oakland leaders, including Mayor Barbara Lee, have acknowledged the value of their grassroots efforts to restore pride, strengthen neighborhoods, and set a new standard for community-led action. Their service is a reminder that real change often comes not from city budgets or national headlines, but from returning citizens who step forward to repair what they once had a part in breaking.

The organizers featured in the KTVU segment, Edwin Hagler, Richard Johnson, and Minister King, are proving that transformation is possible at every level: individual, neighborhood, and citywide. And their work extends far beyond graffiti removal and freeway cleanups. Alongside them, Oscar Grant Jr. is helping fight food instability every Thursday in Oakland, handing out boxes of groceries to families, seniors, and unhoused residents who rely on these efforts to make it through the week. What began as a small act of compassion has grown into a consistent lifeline for dozens of households, demonstrating that service, when sustained, becomes community infrastructure.

And Oscar Grant Jr. is proud to stand with these men, not only to clean and beautify Oakland’s streets, but to nourish its people, uplift its families, and bring hope to the communities that raised them all.

If you would like to support this work or join future clean-up efforts, reach out to us at:
📧 info@TwoLivesOfOscarGrant.org