Prince's Legacy Runs Deep in Oakland

OAKLAND, CA: When Price died unexpectedly and far too young last week, his fans around the world mourned.

Quietly and behind-the-scenes, leaders of Oakland charities grieved the loss of a great philanthropist.

Since his death, those close to Prince have disclosed his deep commitment to improving life for people of color who have fewer resources available to them than middle-class Americans. Two examples are in Oakland -- providing funding for young people to learn how to code and installing solar panels on Oakland homes.

"There are people who have solar panels right now on their houses in Oakland, California that don't know Prince paid for them," Prince friend and political activist Van Jones told CNN.

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In addition, Jones told USA Today, "He insisted we create 'Yes We Code' so that kids in hoodies could be mistaken for kids in Silicon Valley."

The Yes We Code website currently pays tribute to Prince:

#YesWeCode would like to honor Prince and thank him for his inspired vision for #YesWeCode. Prince’s commitment to ensuring young people of color have a voice in the tech sector continues to impact the lives of future visionaries creating the tech of tomorrow.

It's been estimated that Prince's estate is worth some $300 million. A will has not yet been filed that indicates how Prince's fortune will be dispersed. He was divorced, and his only child died soon after birth.

--Image via WikiMedia Commons