ALAMEDA, Calif. — Ten years after an Obama led the country, another Obama hopes to lead California.
In a three-piece blue suit, walking down the sunny streets of Alameda, Barack D. Obama Shaw looks at the community he’s called home for years.
What You Need To Know
- The man’s prominent name is printed in black ink in ballots mailed out to millions of Californians within the last month
- While he recognizes the name is an immediate attention-grabber, Obama Shaw said he’s had this name long before running for office
- Obama Shaw’s platform includes solving the homelessness crisis, building more housing, and eliminating unnecessary spending
- He argues that, despite less prominence than the highest-polling candidates, that everyone should run for office if they believe their ideas are better
“I love [Alameda] it’s a great place. It reminds me of Mayberry with Andy Griffith except without the whistling,” Obama Shaw said while laughing.
The man’s prominent name is printed in black ink in ballots mailed out to millions of Californians within the last month. While he recognizes the name is an immediate attention-grabber, Obama Shaw said he’s had this name long before running for office.
It started in the early 2010s, when then Cecil Shaw III was in the military.
“When I would stand to attention… and his picture was on the wall and I was proud,” Obama Shaw said.
He legally changed his name to Barack D. Obama Shaw in 2013.
“He made it happen that a person like me could become president,” Obama Shaw said. “And the word on the street was it’s not going to happen in our lifetime.”
Obama Shaw’s affinity toward Former President Obama grew, that people moved on to nicknaming him that in the military.
Before the presidential comparisons, people would call him Denzel Washington. Hence the “D” initial in his name.
“My name represents Obama, Denzel, my father, my grandfather and myself is what it is,” Obama Shaw said.
His father is photographed at Soul Train in the 70s, and Obama Shaw claims his grandfather was mentioned as knowing Ray Charles in an autobiography.
Obama Shaw carries the musical genes today at the Alameda Theater, where he hosts Alameda’s Got Talent and teaches kids to play music.
“If you really want the future to be better you really have to go out there and create it,” Obama Shaw said.
Hence why, he said, he put his name out into the ring for California governor. Obama Shaw’s platform includes solving the homelessness crisis, building more housing, and eliminating unnecessary spending.
“I’m the one that believes in myself and willing to take risks, that’s the only difference,” he said.
He argues that, despite less prominence than the highest-polling candidates, that everyone should run for office if they believe their ideas are better.
“Just do it and believe in yourself,” Obama Shaw said.
So while his name makes a splash compared to the 61 names on the governor election page on your ballot this June, just know that his name came before this year’s election and will likely last well beyond.
“Barack Obama is the superhero. I’m the guy wearing his suit that’s me,” he said. “I’m the one that has the privilege that carries that banner around.”
