{"id":172464,"date":"2026-02-10T22:07:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T22:07:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/172464\/"},"modified":"2026-02-10T22:07:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T22:07:10","slug":"community-celebrates-turner-group-construction-company-as-collins-drive-becomes-turner-group-drive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/172464\/","title":{"rendered":"Community Celebrates Turner Group Construction Company as Collins Drive Becomes Turner Group Drive"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Carla Thomas\u00a0<\/p>\n

It was a family affair on Friday, Jan. 23, at the corner of Hegenberger Road and Collins Drive in East Oakland as community members, local leaders, and elected officials gathered to celebrate the renaming of Collins Drive to Turner Group Drive. The renaming saluted the Turner Group\u2019s 45-plus years of economic development and community investment.\n<\/p>\n

The event drew family, friends, and longtime supporters of Turner Group Construction, along with a host of dignitaries. The mood was joyful and warm, filled with hugs, handshakes and belated New Year\u2019s greetings. Guests enjoyed hors d\u2019oeuvres and a festive display of gourmet cupcakes as they conversed about the street sign reveal.\n<\/p>\n

Special guests included former Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, veteran broadcaster Valerie Coleman-Morris, Chevron Senior Public Affairs Representative Andrea Bailey, community leaders Cephus \u201cUncle Bobby\u201d Johnson and Beatrice \u201cAunt Bea\u201d Johnson of the Oscar Grant Foundation, and Oakland City Councilmembers Ken Houston, Carroll Fife, and Kevin Jenkins. Members of WEBCORE, the Nor Cal Carpenters Union, the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC), Swinerton and Alten construction companies, activists Elaine Brown and David Newton, and many others joined the celebration.\n<\/p>\n

Inside the event tent, an emotional Oakland City Councilmember Ken Houston spoke of his deep connection to the Turner family.<\/p>\n

\"Jeep<\/a>TrendingJeep Wagoneer S: Electric SUV of the Future<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up on the same street with the Turners,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen my father passed away, their parents and siblings embraced me like family. This is our city, and it\u2019s an honor to name this street Turner Group Drive because of the love and effort this company and family have given. Many dreams came out of this building. I wouldn\u2019t be where I am today without the Turners.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Councilmember Kevin Jenkins, whose father once taught the Turner brothers, added, \u201cLen Turner is an amazing person. He\u2019ll help anyone.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee praised the company\u2019s legacy, noting its creation of the Construction Resource Center, which trains and mentors the next generation of builders and developers through partnerships across the region. \u201cThis is a great day for Oakland and a profound acknowledgment of the Turner Group\u2019s contribution to our community,\u201d she said.\n<\/p>\n

Fife echoed that sentiment: \u201cThis is a day for celebrating Black excellence. The Turner Group has poured into people and the community, showing us what\u2019s possible.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Among the many family members in attendance was the Turners\u2019 92-year-old patriarch, whose presence underscored the strength of the family\u2019s legacy.\n<\/p>\n

A touching highlight of the event came when Coleman-Morris was honored for her lasting mentorship of LaTanya Hawkins, now program manager of the Construction Resource Center. In 1979, Hawkins, then a fourth-grader, wrote Coleman-Morris a letter seeking advice. Coleman responded with words of encouragement that inspired Hawkins to pursue her dreams. The two stayed in touch for decades. On stage, they embraced as Coleman reflected on \u201cthe power of small acts of kindness to change a life.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Coleman-Morris also shared reflections on leadership and community spirit, saying, \u201cIf we change the way we look at things, the things we see will change.\u201d She then recited the Serenity Prayer, reminding the crowd, \u201cWe are a powerful community, we just need to believe it.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Company leaders Len and Lance Turner closed the ceremony with words of gratitude and humor. Len thanked his mother, wife, family, legal team, and longtime supporters including Carson, Geoffrey Pete, and the late Dorothy King of Everett & Jones Barbecue. He also acknowledged the challenges the company had overcome, saying, \u201cWithout all of this support, I wouldn\u2019t be here today.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Through Turner Group Construction and the Construction Resource Center, the Turners have created new opportunities for underrepresented groups in the construction industry and continue to inspire the next generation of builders.\n<\/p>\n

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