ST EOBHCSunset 072321 - Flipbook - Page 14
Cultivating relational
capital among people
and organizations in
East Oakland
With the many organizing groups in
Oakland, there is naturally a complicated
history, a plethora of tensions and
challenges that predated BHC. This
dynamic is not unique to Oakland. The
work is complicated and often the
challenges and stresses of the work
get misplaced through infighting. BHC
helped level some of the tension because
it created a space that both resourced
groups and brought them together
under the common focus of community “health” no matter what the system, issue, population
or neighborhood focus, everyone was being asked to think about what it would take to improve
the health of East Oakland. With a new chapter offered by EOBHC and a new crop of organizers
establishing a “big tent” where all of the organizing groups and residents are welcomed and
appreciated, these feelings began to shift.
“CBE, 2 EOYDC, 3 and Allen Temple 4 are now doing work together. We did great
intergenerational work with our members and seniors from Temple Arms [a
senior living residential building]. Beautiful relationships have blossomed.
That relational capital is starting to grow. Base-building organizations are
working together, there’s not as much innuendo about turf, and we’re talking
about power-building strategies, organizing ourselves to tell funders what we
want instead of funders telling us how to organize. That’s been really powerful
for East Oakland. We will see
ripple effects beyond the five
years. These relationships will
be the foundation for how we
do work going into the future.”
—EOBHC CBO-Member Staff
2 Communities for a Better Environment
3 East Oakland Youth Development Center
4 Allen Temple Baptist Church
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FOR THE LOVE OF BLACK EAST OAKLAND: EOBHC Sunset Report