Revolutionary Roots Shape Advocate’s View, Vision

By Genoa Barrow | OBSERVER Senior Staff Writer For local public health advocate and organizer Madalynn Rucker, the roots of her commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of the African American community run deep. Russell Stiger, Jr., OBSERVER. Long before “woke” was a catchphrase, the Black Panther Party For Self Defense formed in Oakland and chapters soon sprung up around the country, with young revolutionaries unapologetically letting folks know that Black lives did in fact matter. They called for screenings for sickle cell disease and conducted free neighborhood testing. They fed Black children so they’d be ready to learn and advance in school. They called out police brutality and racist officers who patrolled the Black community.Black Panther members were targeted, imprisoned and even killed for their efforts. Many of those who are still around remain engaged in community organizing and working toward equity and equality. Among them is Madalynn Rucker, founder of ONTRACK Program Resources, a major provider of mental health services for the region’s Black community. The OBSERVER recently sat down with Rucker to discuss her efforts to provide mental health resources and learn more about the roots of her action and activism. “I had parents that were...