In East Oakland, a coalition of Black-led organizations has secured $100 million for Rise East, a decade-long initiative to transform a 40-block stretch into a model of community-led revitalization.
It’s one of Oakland’s largest community-driven investment efforts, designed to reverse decades of systemic disinvestment and displacement.
Led by the 40×40 Council, a coalition of Black-led nonprofits, Rise East focuses on three pillars of long-term stability: education, public safety, and housing.
The targeted area spans from Interstate 580 to the San Francisco Bay, and from Seminary Avenue to the San Leandro border.
It contains the densest concentration of Black residents in Oakland—a community where the legacy of redlining and underinvestment remains deeply visible.
How the Funding Came Together
In 2023, Rise East received a $50 million challenge grant from Blue Meridian Partners, a national philanthropic organization. But there was a catch: the funds would only be unlocked if $50 million more could be raised locally.
On an episode of KQED’s Forum, Rise East leaders formally announced they had surpassed the goal. With the full $100 million secured, investment is already underway, shaped by the priorities of residents, not outside developers.
What the $100M Will Fund
Affordable housing to help families stay rooted
A youth workforce program offering stipends up to $10,000
A wellness hub focused on mental and physical health
Cultural infrastructure, including Liberation Park and the International Welcome Center
Revitalization of the MacArthur Boulevard commercial corridor
A Movement Rooted in Community
Carolyn Johnson, CEO of the Black Cultural Zone and a key leader of Rise East, emphasized that the effort isn’t just about infrastructure—it’s about reclaiming power.
She described Rise East as a way for the community to protect its future and ensure that East Oakland youth have real opportunities to thrive.“Everyone in this country deserves to live a life of ease—and so do we,” she said.
Johnson made clear this is not a top-down redevelopment plan. Local voices—especially those of people born and raised in East Oakland—are driving every decision. Her vision includes thriving corridors filled with cultural artisans, makers, and businesses that reflect the soul of the community.
Why It Matters
East Oakland has long been a cultural and political epicenter. But it has also endured decades of displacement, divestment, and broken promises.
Rise East offers a blueprint for what it looks like when a neighborhood rebuilds on its own terms—through strategic capital, local leadership, and shared vision.
As cities across the country grapple with how to redress racial and economic injustice, East Oakland is showing what real investment—and real community wealth—can look like.
