February 3, 2022
Dear Friend,

Black history is Oakland history. It's been 102 years since the first Black firefighters helped keep Oaklanders safe. This Black History Month, Oakland Fire Department made a video highlighting its trailblazing Black and women firefighters. As America celebrates Black history, let's honor the Black leaders who have made - and continue to make - Oakland history.

Welcome to the Mayor’s Weekly Briefing, your weekly Oakland news roundup. Please forward this to a friend. They may subscribe here.

In community,
—Libby
MAYOR LIBBY SCHAAF
The fight against coal in Oakland has been won! Today, City Attorney Parker announced a settlement with the developers of the Oakland Army Base that prevents coal from being transported, stored, or handled in Oakland. Stay tuned to learn more about this tremendous victory for the health of West Oaklanders.
Six Years Of Keeping The Oakland Promise
Six years ago we launched the Oakland Promise, a bold cradle-to-career initiative to dramatically increase the number of college graduates from Oakland. Since then, more than 1300 people have stepped forward to serve as mentors for our youth as they moved to and through college.

We’ve started more than 1,000 college savings accounts for Oakland’s “brilliant babies” born into poverty. We’ve given over $3 million to seed $100 savings for kindergartners and their educations. And we’ve provided over 2,100 scholarships to Oakland kids for college or career programs to set them on a path to a bright and fulfilled future. We’re proud of our progress and we’re more excited for the work ahead. If you want to join our movement to make college a reality for every child in Oakland, please visit this link.

The City of Oakland is now requiring proof of vaccination for people 12 years and older to enter indoor public spaces such as restaurants, cafes, bars, theaters, gyms, concert venues, and museums. This is an important step that underscores how vital it is that Oaklanders get vaccinated and boosted. If you'd prefer not to carry around your paper vaccination card, get a digital copy and QR code of your COVID-19 vaccine record here.
Hundreds of Youth Jobs Headed To Oakland
On Thursday, I joined mayors from California's biggest cities to announce the #CaliforniansForAll Youth Job Corps, which will provide funding for youth employment across the state. The program will fund jobs for Oaklanders between the ages of 16 and 30, and with a focus on young people who are unemployed, low-income, or justice-involved.

For Oakland, this means about 240 summer and year-round jobs that will help our young people earn money, reduce student debt, support educational attainment, and move our economy towards recovery in an equitable and sustainable way. The City will soon issue a Request for Qualifications to find community partners to run much of the jobs program. Big thanks to Governor Newsom and the advocacy of California's Big City Mayors for making this happen!
Storytelling, Data, And Homelessness Solutions
Image via UCSF
Zoom calls and more Zoom calls! Last year, I participated in a talk for the UCSF Changemaker Series on homelessness solutions, specifically on the influence of research and data on local policy. The Bay Area's homelessness crisis is a moral injustice that disproportionately affects our Black residents, and increasingly impacts those over 50 years of age.

Cutting-edge research and data on this crisis is absolutely necessary, but we also need to use that data to tell stories, to see how homelessness and housing change people's lives at the individual level, in order to ultimately create policy change. Thank you to UCSF for hosting a talk on this vital issue!
Sweet Fingers Opens In East Oakland
Image via City of Oakland
Last weekend, we deliciously welcomed Sweet Fingers to Seminary Point in East Oakland! This longtime restaurant coming to our new shopping center is a shining example of how a locally-owned small business, in partnership with the City, can have a deep community impact.

And in case you missed it, Community Kitchens' Dining For Justice initiative is sending 1% of your check from participating restaurants directly toward meals for our unhoused residents, home-bound seniors, and Oaklanders experiencing food insecurity. Find a list of participating restaurants here.
Town Hall on What to Expect in 2022
Next Thursday, we will host a town hall discussion on my goals for 2022 and how we can support our physical and mental health, find resources for families, and learn about what's ahead. Our guests will be Dr. Nick Moss, the Alameda County Public Health Officer, and Dr. Lee Atkinson-McEvoy, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at UCSF Health. We'll share advice and forecasts, and you can ask questions.

At 6pm on February 10, join on Zoom, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube, and ask questions by texting 273-459-183 to the phone number 72855.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Image via City of Oakland
This week's photo of the week is a Draft Map F5, the redistricting plan that Oakland's Redistricting Commission has proposed for final adoption. Through February 15, the public will be able to review this map and provide comment to the Commission. Please provide comments by emailing calvin@oaklandca.gov or by filling out this survey. Redistricting is an incredibly important part of our democratic process, so I encourage all Oaklanders to make your voice heard in this process. Further information on the draft map and Census data is available at the Commission's website.
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND RESOURCES
  • If you live or work in Oakland and have attended a City of Oakland event, we want to hear from you! Exygy, an agency that builds and designs technology, is helping the City of Oakland connect with community members to learn how we can improve access to information and services on the City's website at oaklandca.gov. The session takes 30 minutes and involves meeting with a researcher over a video call, you will need access to a computer with the internet, and you'll receive a $20 gift card as a thank you. To see if you qualify to take part in this study, please complete this short survey 

  • Help shape Oakland's General Plan Update by participating in our upcoming community meetings. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for all Oaklanders to create a visionary blueprint together for the future of our City. Find meeting times here.

  • New laws for 2022 make it easier to create more housing in Oakland! Single-family homeowners may now build more homes or split their lots with more homes, and owners of RVs may now occupy these "vehicular residences" with special permits. Learn more.

  • Oakland teachers, be sure to use DonorsChoose.org to get your school supply wishlists up! Steph and Ayesha Curry's Eat.Learn.Play. foundation will be filling one million dollars worth of non-tech, literacy-related requests.

  • REMINDER: Even though the federal moratorium has ended, Oakland's eviction moratorium remains in place. Find rental resources here.

  • Access a digital copy of your COVID-19 vaccine record here.

  • Enrollment for the 2022-23 OUSD school year is open now until February 4, 2022.

OPPORTUNITIES

  • Civicorps, an incredible workforce development organization based in West Oakland, offers paid job training for young adults age 18-26. No experience necessary, and a high school diploma completion program is available for those who need it. Find more info about Civicorps opportunities at this link.
 
  • Are you committed to fair housing and rent regulation in Oakland? The Housing, Residential Rent and Relocation Board (aka the Rent Board) enforces the Rent Adjustment Ordinance and fosters fair housing for a diverse population of renters, hears rent adjustment appeals, and develops regulations for the Rent Adjustment Program. This is a great opportunity to learn more about rent regulation in Oakland as well as serve the community! You can learn more and fill out an online application here.

  • The City of Oakland is looking for qualified applicants to fill positions in our Planning & Building Department. Work with our experienced staff in the Strategic Planning or Zoning Divisions or our Digital Unit. Learn more and apply here.

  • Now through June, Oakland entrepreneurs and business owners can meet with the City's business support staff at any of 6 Neighborhood Business Assistance locations. Learn more + schedule an appointment here.

  • The Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT) is hiring paid interns for a variety of roles. Open to full-time students in community college, four-year college, or graduate school. Applications are open through February 10.


  • Was your New Year's resolution to find a new job? Oakland residents have access to 5,000 free online courses in multiple languages to help advance your career of prepare to return to work. Learn more here.


  • The Youth Beat Multimedia Apprentice program, launching in 2022, is currently recruiting BIPOC young adults who are NOT currently on a 4-year college track but who are ready to dive into a career in media. Apprentices will gain access to professional tools, skills, and mentors they need to pursue a fulfilling career in the film and media industry. Apply here!

  • Oakland Unified School District is hiring for a variety of roles! Find out more at the OUSD Jobs Portal.

  • AC Transit is hiring bus operators. Jobs start at $22.11/hour after paid training. Learn more about further opportunities here.