Empower Oakland

Empower Oakland We’re Empower Oakland – a volunteer-led organization focused on common sense solutions to our city’s most pressing challenges.

Our mission is to educate Oakland voters. This account is being used for campaign purposes by Empower Oakland Committee.

Public safety isn’t just another policy issue. It’s the precondition for thriving schools, vibrant small businesses, sta...
01/04/2026

Public safety isn’t just another policy issue. It’s the precondition for thriving schools, vibrant small businesses, stable neighborhoods, and a city people flock to instead of run away from.

These three problems — staffing, fragmented oversight, and self-inflicted wounds — didn’t appear overnight, and they won’t be solved with slogans. But they can be solved with honest diagnosis and sustained attention.

We’ll be unpacking each of these in depth throughout 2026. Stay tuned.

It’s hard to believe how much time and resources the OUSD board has wasted — at the expense of our KIDS and the quality ...
12/16/2025

It’s hard to believe how much time and resources the OUSD board has wasted — at the expense of our KIDS and the quality of their education. 💔

What do you think? Are this board and superintendent capable of implementing a real plan to avoid bankruptcy?

This is not a "manufactured" crisis in OUSD, nor are there any easy ways out. This board desperately needs to hear publi...
11/19/2025

This is not a "manufactured" crisis in OUSD, nor are there any easy ways out.

This board desperately needs to hear public support for a focus on school quality rather than school volume. Political pressures support the status quo, made worse by misinformation.

Make your voice heard TONIGHT, Wed, Nov 19 @ 6PM-10PM
OUSD Board of Education
Special Meeting on Budget Issues

Get a crash course and our action guide in our latest newsletter (link in bio).

⏰ We’ve run out of time. The Oakland Unified school board must put all scenarios on the table for how to restructure and...
11/19/2025

⏰ We’ve run out of time. The Oakland Unified school board must put all scenarios on the table for how to restructure and keep OUSD out of bankruptcy (again).

The next two weeks are the board’s last chance to stand up to political pressure and do right for our kids.

🚨 Visit the linked action guide for how to make your voice heard in TONIGHT's critical board meeting.

Oakland’s kids don’t need another bailout. They need adults who can balance a budget and finally act in their best inter...
11/08/2025

Oakland’s kids don’t need another bailout. They need adults who can balance a budget and finally act in their best interest — even if it means making politically tough calls.

Visit our bio to find your OUSD Board rep and visit our newsletter for more info and an email template.

Last week, Oakland City Council passed a two-year, $4.2B budget — three weeks ahead of the deadline. It’s unusually fast...
06/19/2025

Last week, Oakland City Council passed a two-year, $4.2B budget — three weeks ahead of the deadline. It’s unusually fast for a city known for drawn-out negotiations, and while the budget is a big step in the right direction, it’s still not quite the strategic reset Oakland needs.

Swipe through for a primer and head to empoweroakland.substack.com for more details.

Nearly every article about Oakland’s budget crisis assumes the city needs more money. But that’s not necessarily the cas...
06/01/2025

Nearly every article about Oakland’s budget crisis assumes the city needs more money. But that’s not necessarily the case. 👀

Swipe through for a primer and head to our News highlight for more.

The result of this chaos is a school system that feels unpredictable — the last thing we want for our kids’ education.Sw...
05/20/2025

The result of this chaos is a school system that feels unpredictable — the last thing we want for our kids’ education.

Swipe through or head to our newsletter, which includes live links to sources and how to take action to hold the OUSD School Board accountable.

“A safer, thriving, vibrant Oakland is within reach. But it’s going to take all of us getting involved and doing our par...
05/02/2025

“A safer, thriving, vibrant Oakland is within reach. But it’s going to take all of us getting involved and doing our part.”

⚡ We're launching a new content series -- spotlights on Oakland community members. First up -- meet Arielle. 👋

Arielle has proudly called Oakland home for the last decade and loves being part of this vibrant, exciting and special city. Arielle is a city enthusiast who loves tackling complex governance challenges (who doesn’t?!) and turning all her mom friends into community activists.

As a dedicated advocate for safer streets, Arielle believes everyone deserves to walk and bike safely in Oakland -- because lively, welcoming streets are the backbone of a thriving city. Right now, she’s all-in on the Grand Ave redesign, determined to help Grand live up to its name as a vibrant, safe, and community-centered corridor.

Arielle was recently elected as a Delegate for the California Democratic Party for Assembly District 18, and serves as an alternate for the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee. She also writes a safe streets column for the Grand Lake neighborhood newsletter, Splash Pad news. Since August 2024, Arielle has been a volunteer member of Empower Oakland's leadership team.

04/29/2025

Our first major election cycle was just 6 months ago. 😅 Since then, we’ve catalyzed an ever-growing movement of residents, united by the belief that Oakland deserves better — and can do better.

We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished, and we've got more coming this year.

We’re thrilled to have supported Charlene Wang in her decisive victory. Charlene’s campaign stood out for its thoughtful...
04/25/2025

We’re thrilled to have supported Charlene Wang in her decisive victory. Charlene’s campaign stood out for its thoughtfulness, integrity, and deep connection to the District 2 community. Day after day, she was out in the neighborhoods, listening to residents and articulating a bold, practical vision for a stronger Oakland.

Charlene brings a rare mix of authenticity, curiosity, policy depth, and hustle — qualities that will serve her well in her new role on city council. And it’s that hustle that gives us confidence she will deliver real outcomes. Oakland is lucky to have her.

Empower Oakland’s first major election campaign was just 6 months ago. 🤯 In that short time, we’ve catalyzed a movement ...
04/24/2025

Empower Oakland’s first major election campaign was just 6 months ago. 🤯 In that short time, we’ve catalyzed a movement of tens of thousands of residents, united by the belief that Oakland deserves better — and can do better.

We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished. And we’ve still got a lot of work ahead of us.

With the election behind us, we want to continue to engage Oaklanders so they are better informed about what’s happening across our city. Keep an eye out for events and meetups with city leaders in the coming weeks and months.

Address

Oakland, CA
94601–94615, 94617–94624, 94649, 94659–94662, 94666

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