Did you know that Oakland, California is emerging as a pilot city for more just and resilient communities? We believe cities are a strategic place to drive change, so we've been getting our hands dirty in our own backyard to test some ideas. SELC has been helping Oakland lead the way in supporting worker cooperatives and seed sharing, addressing climate change, promoting economic development without displacement, and removing obstacles for mobile food vending. Here's what we're working on in Oakland.

Oakland City Council Resolution Supporting Worker Coop

Cities across the nation are embracing cooperative development as a tool to create resilient economies rooted in local communities. New York City Council recently invested $2.1 million dollars in worker cooperative development! Here in Oakland, we’ve been working with City Council Member Campbell Washington to bring a “Resolution Supporting the Development of Worker Cooperatives in Oakland!” On September 8th, join us at City Hall to tell Oakland City Council to vote in favor of a resolution that builds momentum toward funding economic development that doesn’t displace our communities! RSVP here!

Oakland Adopts City Policy in Support of Seed Sharing

SELC has been providing legal and advocacy support to protect seed libraries nationally. On July 21st, the Oakland City Council unanimously passed a resolution in support of seed sharing and seed libraries, becoming the first city in California to officially support seed libraries. We applaud the City of Oakland for its leadership and foresight in supporting public and democratic access to seeds. Read the resolution by clicking here, and consider asking your own city to adopt such a resolution!

Bay Area Worker Coop Academy to begin Second Year 

In 2014, SELC, the East Bay Community Law Center, and Project Equity created the Worker Coop Academy, a 12-week cooperative business accelerator program piloted at Laney College in Oakland. We're continuing this partnership with Laney College and providing the 2nd annual Bay Area Worker Coop Academy! 6 teams have been selected and will participate in a revamped 16 week cooperative entrepreneurship training. Centro Community Partners (http://centrocommunity.org/) will provide 6 sessions of business training to our cooperative start-ups, conversions, and growth-oriented worker owned cooperatives!

Community-Driven Responses to Displacement in Oakland

One of the biggest challenges facing Oakland and many other cities is how to promote development that doesn’t displace existing low-income community members. Generations of discriminatory housing policies, income inequality, and targeted disinvestment have left many communities of color particularly vulnerable to displacement during times of renewed economic development. SELC has been a core member of the Economic Development Without Displacement (EDWD) Coalition – a multi-racial, multi-organizational coalition that promotes community-driven development strategies to uplift those most vulnerable to displacement. On July 18th in North Oakland, the EDWD Coalition convened a community forum to begin creating a shared vision for community-owned development along the San Pablo Corridor. Several working groups created at the Forum will continue developing a long-term strategy for equitable development over the coming months. Read more on the Coalition’s Facebook page.

Oakland Updating Zoning Code to Promote Mobile Food Vending

Oakland had one of the oldest mobile food programs in the country, with a pilot program for pushcarts dating back to 2001. However, progress has been limited since then (there were a couple food “pods” for food trucks introduced in 2011), and the community has been calling for a more comprehensive mobile food program. The City of Oakland is finally responding, and the Planning Department is spearheading an effort to give Oakland a comprehensive plan for food vending, including food trucks, food carts, pop-up tents, and food pods. Read more about it and our summer Berkeley Food Institute Fellow’s research on food bikes here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Legal Cafe at The Blueprint -  AUGUST 12 
Legal Cafe at Alchemy Collective - AUGUST 18
Legal Cafe at The Blueprint - SEPTEMBER 9
Legal Cafe at Alchemy Collective - SEPTEMBER 15

Chartering Your Own Credit Union Teach-In - AUGUST 12

SELC's Annual Fall Celebration - NOVEMBER 19
(Save the Date! No event page yet!)


We can't do it without you! Support our work in Oakland and beyond by becoming a member of SELC today!