ST EOBHCSunset 072321 - Flipbook - Page 26
CBO constituency. Fifty people came. Participants provided input as to how the EOBHC could be
restructured and identified priority issues for EOBHC.
The group wanted to see an EOBHC driven and led
by East Oakland residents, shifting to build resident
power rather than resident engagement. The group
also questioned TCE’s grant making strategy,
suggesting that hiring Hub staff to organize residents
and run campaigns was creating duplicative
structures that drew resources away from existing
base-building organizations.
In January 2016, EOBHC
convened a retreat for
residents, supported by
interpreters and childcare
providers. The aim was to
provide a healing and learning
space, to provide an update on
In January 2016, EOBHC convened a retreat for
the EOBHC structure, and to
residents, supported by interpreters and childcare
providers. The aim was to provide a healing and
create the basis for organizing
learning space, to provide an update on the
the next phase of resident
EOBHC structure, and to create the basis for
leadership for EOBHC’s future.
organizing the next phase of resident leadership
for EOBHC’s future. Over 70 residents came. They
Over 70 residents came.
laughed, shared stories, played music, danced,
ate, and proudly claimed a new multicultural and
multiracial community. More than 50% of participants were under 24 years old; 13% were over 55; and
37% of participants were parents, mostly mothers. Nepalese, Bhutanese, Spanish, and Vietnamese
languages were represented in the group, in addition to English. Participants were affiliated with
EOBHC partner organizations CHAA, Urban Peace Movement, Causa Justa Just Cause, Communities
for a Better Environment, and Girls Inc.
Then, in March 2016, the LC
convened a third retreat for
CBOs and residents to move the
EOBHC from process to action,
with a “Campaign Café” where
participants shared information
and built support around
EOBHC’s priority issue areas to
carry forward.
There were losses along this
journey “to get the inside
right.” In February 2016, the
two remaining EOBHC staff
members from a previous team
of eight resigned, including the Transition Manager, leaving EOBHC with no staff. LC members once
again stepped in and stepped up to act as temporary staff as a bridge to new staff.
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FOR THE LOVE OF BLACK EAST OAKLAND: EOBHC Sunset Report