Welcome

Upcoming Community Events

Sunday, September 13 | 6:00–7:30 PM
Meet & Greet with Mayor Oglesby
📍 Side Effects Barbershop, Seaside

A chance to ask questions, raise concerns, and hear about Mayor Oglesby’s mission and priorities.

Wednesday, September 16 | 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
2026 Coastal Cleanup Day
📍 Laguna Grande Park / Robert’s Lake

Check-In: Dirt lot between Chili’s and Laguna Grande Park
Supplies: Bring reusable work gloves, sturdy shoes, layers, and a reusable water bottle.

Friday, September 18 | 6:00 PM
Mayoral & City Council Candidate Forum
📍 Greater Victory Temple, Seaside

Please come out and participate in the audience as we hear from candidates about their goals, priorities, and efforts to serve the City of Seaside.

Friday, September 18 | 9:30 AM–1:30 PM
Sickle Cell Awareness Blood Drive
📍 HRC

Two inspiring days dedicated to saving lives, raising awareness, and bringing our community together. Whether you donate blood, walk alongside us, or come to learn, your participation helps make a meaningful difference.

Friday, September 18 | 11:30 AM–2:00 PM
GVT BBQ Fundraiser
📍 1620 Broadway Ave, Seaside

Support the ministry and enjoy a delicious BBQ meal! Pre-sale tickets are available.

Meal Options:

• Four Rib Plate — $22 — Choose two sides
• ¼ Chicken Plate — $20 — Choose two sides
• Hotlink Plate — $10 — Choose two sides

Side options: BBQ Beans, Mac ’N Cheese, and Coleslaw.

All plates are served with two sides and bread.

Saturday, September 19 | 11:00 AM–7:00 PM
Sickle Cell Awareness Walk & Event
📍 Laguna Grande Park

Join us for education, entertainment, health resources, community support, and family-friendly activities created for individuals and families affected by sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait.

Walk Meet-Up: Corner of Broadway and Noche Buena, at the Social Services building. Line-up begins at 11:00 AM.

Sickle Cell Awareness Event Information

Saturday, September 19 | 10:00 AM–1:30 PM
Girls in Aviation Day
📍 Marina Municipal Airport

Girls in Aviation Day is a global initiative by Women in Aviation International designed to introduce both girls and boys to the diverse and exciting world of aviation and STEM.

Registration & Information — Girls in Aviation Day

Sunday, September 27 | 11:30 AM–4:00 PM
Oaxaca by the Sea Festival
📍 Seaside City Hall

Fun fact: Oaxaca is in the top five cities in Mexico with the largest Afro-Latino populations.

Tuesday, September 29 | 6:30–8:30 PM
Seaside Candidate Forum
📍 Oldemeyer Center

Another opportunity to hear directly from candidates about their goals and priorities. Whether you missed the first forum or would like to attend both, we encourage community members to participate.

We are also interested in learning about candidate forums taking place in other cities throughout Monterey County. MCBC serves communities across Monterey County, and we want to make sure we are sharing resources and information relevant to Monterey, Marina, Salinas, South County, and surrounding communities.

Saturday, October 3 | 12:30–4:00 PM
Pause the Calls: Know Your Rights Training
📍 Monterey Peace & Justice Center, Seaside

Hosted by Mariam Smith, who periodically offers these training sessions to share information and resources supporting residents and their rights in the event they come into contact with law enforcement.

Sunday, October 4 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Ciclovia
📍 E. Alisal Street, Salinas
Running from Front Street to Sanborn Street

A family-friendly open streets event featuring community resources, walking, biking, rolling, and the KREW 3K run/walk beginning at Sanborn Street. Come participate in the 3K fun run or enjoy the community activities.

Saturday, December 19 | 5:00–8:00 PM
⭐ Save the Date — 5th Annual Youth Summit
Seaside Rising Youth Leadership Academy (SRYLA)

🗳️ November 3, 2026 General Election

As we discussed during our meeting, MCBC is beginning to prepare for the November General Election and our continued voter engagement and political education efforts.

Our goal is to provide nonpartisan information and resources that help our community make informed decisions.

We are looking to build an Election Engagement Team of volunteers who can help with:

• Providing nonpartisan political education for our community.
• Developing a community voters’ guide.
• Forming a committee to help review and organize the guide.
• Inviting local candidates to submit statements for inclusion.
• Making sure our election resources include information from communities throughout Monterey County.

This effort is being spearheaded by First Lady Charron Smith of New Hope Baptist Church in Salinas.

Another important goal is to have folks represented from all of our cities so that we not only have representation, but are also informed about the priorities, issues, and candidates in each community.

If you are interested in being part of the Election Engagement Team, please let us know! Your participation will be vital in helping create resources that provide our community with accessible, nonpartisan election information this November.

Important California Election Dates

The November 3, 2026 General Election is an important election for California voters. The statewide ballot currently includes 14 qualified ballot measures, along with federal, state, county, and local contests depending on where you live.

A few important dates to keep in mind:

• October 5: Counties begin mailing vote-by-mail ballots.
• October 6: Secure ballot drop-off locations open.
• October 19: Last day to register to vote for the November election.
• October 20–November 3: Same-day/conditional voter registration is available for eligible voters who miss the registration deadline.
• October 24: Vote centers open in Voter’s Choice Act counties for early in-person voting.
• November 3: Election Day polls are open from 7:00 AM–8:00 PM.
• November 10: Last day for counties to receive vote-by-mail ballots that were postmarked by Election Day.

The California Secretary of State’s Official Voter Information Guide is also available and includes information about the statewide propositions and candidates for statewide constitutional offices.

California November 3, 2026 Election Information

We will continue sharing additional local election information, candidate forums, voter education resources, and opportunities to participate as we move closer to November.

✊🏾 Get Involved: MCBC Action Teams

There are several ways to plug into the work happening throughout our community. If you are interested in joining an action team, please reach out to the team lead listed below.

Black Power Building – Salinas
Organize for Black liberation and racial equity in Salinas. Support local campaigns, events, and healing spaces grounded in Black joy, justice, and power.
Pastor Smith — Artisbhc@actioncouncil.org

Black Power Building – Seaside
Help build political and cultural power in Seaside’s Black community. This team leads events, organizing, and civic engagement rooted in love for our people.
Rosalyn — Rosalynbhc@actioncouncil.org

Youth Leadership
For young Black leaders—or those who support them—who want to create change, lead movements, and shape the future of Monterey County through action, art, and advocacy.
Daja — Dajabhc@actioncouncil.org
Nina — Ninabhc@actioncouncil.org

Parents Team
A space for parents organizing for education justice, culturally affirming schools, youth safety, and a future where our children can thrive.
Renée — Reneebhc@actioncouncil.org
Daja — Dajabhc@actioncouncil.org

Economic Development
Join efforts to increase Black wealth and community ownership. Focus areas include small business support, reparative economics, and equitable resource distribution.
Renée — Reneebhc@actioncouncil.org

Thriving Neighborhoods
Support local housing justice campaigns, tenant protections, land use advocacy, and efforts to stop displacement. This team defends our right to stay and thrive where we live.
Robert — Robertbhc@actioncouncil.org

Health Justice
Focus on health justice, advocacy, resource navigation, and empowering underserved communities.
Lisa — Lisabhc@actioncouncil.org

📱 Stay Connected with MCBC

Want to receive MCBC updates, upcoming events, community information, and reminders directly by text?

Sign up for the MCBC Text Message Opt-In:

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Thank you again for showing up, staying engaged, and continuing to be part of the work. We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event, action team meeting, or community gathering!

In Community,