James W. Sweeney passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2020 at the age of 71. Loving and devoted husband to Renee, they lived in Sacramento, California. Surviving family also includes children, Wayne Sweeney, Jr. (Angela); Samantha Stonework-Hand (Eric); and Brett Sweeney; grandchildren, Shayne, Ronan, Xavier, and Roosevelt.
After graduating with honors from UC Riverside, James earned his Juris Doctorate degree from UC Davis, Humphrey’s School of Law, and served on the Berkeley City Council for four years. During that tenure, he strongly advocated and voted for the renaming of Grove Street in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Grove Street had once represented the dividing line between neighborhoods where African Americans could not live or buy property, and at the time of the city council vote, there was strong, organized opposition against the renaming. The street renaming was confirmed by city council in 1984. James was a member of the Camp Wilmont Sweeney advisory board, the Multi-agency Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council, served on the Berkeley’s Redevelopment Agency and Housing Authority, was Executive Director of the South Berkeley Community Development Corporation, and a Consultant at UC Berkeley, Communications and Transportation Division.
James had over forty years of experience working with governmental, educational, and political agencies. He was Director of Legislation with BAPAC (Black American Political
Association of California); served as a Legislative Liaison with the California Office on Aging; Chaired, and was a 12-year board member of the New College Board of Trustees of San Francisco -allowing many full time workers a gateway to obtaining a college degree; served as Chief Lobbyist for California NAACP -played a major role in California’s divestment of funds from Darfur; received two California Commissioner assignments: was appointed by three Governors for the COMIO (Council on Mentally Ill Offenders); and by Governor Gavin Newsom as a Community Equity Representative for the Cannabis Advisory Committee.
Funeral services will take place on Thursday March 12, 2020 at McGee Avenue Baptist Church, 1640 Stuart St. in Berkeley at 11:00am; Quiet hour will be held at Harris Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, from 11:00am-5:00pm; Interment will be at Mountain View Cemetery,
A memorial service for the Sacramento area is currently being planned for a later date.
5000 Piedmont Ave, Oakland; Floral tributes may be sent to Harris Funeral Home, 1331 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702; Cards and Notices to 4595 San Sebastian Way, Sacramento CA, 95823. Email: denocoo@aol.com
A memorial service for the Sacramento area is currently being planned for a later date.
