Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee on Thursday plans to address the challenges facing the people in her city.

Lee is slated to speak during an 11 a.m. panel discussion focused on building a stronger and healthier Oakland.

The president of Samuel Merritt University, a school that teaches nursing and other health sciences in Oakland and the organizer of Thursday's panel discussion, said Oakland is diverse; the city has a great culture, climate and food scene; and it is known for its resilience and innovation but faces serious challenges.

For example, the president said in West Oakland the life expectancy is 10 years less than the surrounding community, adding that Black mothers in Oakland face birth rate complications at a rate of more than twice the state average.

The panel discussion is expecte

See Full Page