10/08/2026
How do we bring people into the democratic process beyond voting and election cycles? For our latest blog, we are excited to feature Founder in Residence at PolicyLink and Professor of Practice at the Goldman School of Public Policy, Angela Glover Blackwell and Founder and Board Chair at Akonadi Foundation, Quinn Delaney, in a discussion about Oakland’s first-ever civic assembly.
The Civic Assembly is a community-led process giving residents real power to shape decisions about the city and its future. As part of the process, 40 delegates reflecting the diversity of the Town, were selected to review data, gather community input, explore examples of successful strategies, and develop recommendations on how to transform vacant storefronts, commercial spaces, and lots into vibrant community assets.
Together, Angela and Quinn discuss how the Oakland Civic Assembly helps build a racially just society, combats apathy in a tumultuous political climate, and serves as a blueprint for building similar models across the country. Read more: https://akonadi.org/by-the-people-building-governing-power-through-oaklands-first-civic-assembly/