The San Francisco Chronicle recently published a story exposing Oakland's 39 percent high school dropout rate. Within that article, San Francisco was reported has having a 9 percent dropout rate, with the state of California overall at 22 percent.  

There isn't a moment to waste, as the circumstances are dire.

Please commit. Today. Right now. Immediately make plans ... change plans. Oakland youth are in need.

Mayor Jean Quan's inauguration speech promised her commitment to cultivating a program, which seeks to attract 2,000 mentors specifically for Oakland youth. The community is invited to come after work this Friday, Feb. 25, for a Black History Month celebration with Quan and a host of organizations including:

• 100 Black Men
• Black Women for Political Action
• First Fridays of the SF Bay Area
• Top Ten Social

A donation of $15 is requested, which will benefits this important mentorship initiative.

Please RSVP to mayorrsvp@oaklandnet.com by Feb. 22.