Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce

Following the Oakland Metro Chamber of Commerce’s successful 12-member advocacy trip to Washington, D.C. last month, we were honored to welcome Acting Housing and Urban Development Secretary Adrianne Todman to Oakland for a follow-up visit. It was a privilege to showcase the impactful work being done across the city to support our unsheltered and housing-insecure neighbors, as well as efforts to build wealth and economic opportunity for all Oaklanders. The day began at Casa Arabella, a development offering 94 affordable housing units through a partnership between the Oakland Housing Authority, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, EBALDC, and The Unity Council. Secretary Todman met with teams from these organizations, toured the facility, spoke with residents, and learned from housing counselors about the challenges and opportunities in Oakland’s housing landscape. Secretary Todman then joined Metro Chamber of Commerce Board leadership for a lunch discussion with representatives from the Black Cultural Zone, East Oakland Youth Development Center, and legacy Oakland businesses with strong philanthropic commitments, such as Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, and Comcast. Small business owners, including Oaklandish and Home of Chicken and Waffles —who provided a delicious lunch—were also in attendance, along with leadership from Oakland’s community college system and BART. The discussions focused on key issues critical to Oakland, including streamlining housing approvals and production, reducing barriers to securing housing for unsheltered neighbors, and proposing changes to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to better support small businesses and incumbent workers. Secretary Todman also highlighted opportunities for local projects to tap into available resources to benefit the city. She praised the strong partnerships between service providers, developers, government, and the business community, emphasizing that by working together, we can achieve our shared goals. The Metro Chamber remains a dedicated partner in creating a more equitable and sustainable Oakland. We are #OakProud to have hosted Secretary Todman today and look forward to continued collaboration with federal and state agencies to support our city’s future.

The Oakland Metro Chamber's Voter Opinion Poll Breakfast is back! Keep your finger on the pulse of Oakland voters during the Oakland Chamber of Commerce's influential annual voter poll that includes: top issues, election information, public safety opinions, economic confidence, and quality of life attitudes. Be the first to know how Oaklanders feel about major issues facing our city and whom they want to lead Oakland next year. The Chamber’s annual poll will have all the answers. Join us for breakfast, networking, and all the information you need before heading into election season. Registration is available here: https://bit.ly/3ZM2Azd

The Oakland Metro Chamber's Voter Opinion Poll Breakfast is back! A huge thanks to The Waterfront Hotel - JdV by Hyatt for hosting this year's Pulse of Oakland. Keep your finger on the pulse of Oakland voters during the Oakland Chamber of Commerce's influential annual voter poll that includes: top issues, election information, public safety opinions, economic confidence, and quality of life attitudes. Be the first to know how Oaklanders feel about major issues facing our city and whom they want to lead Oakland next year. The Chamber’s annual poll will have all the answers. Join us for breakfast, networking, and all the information you need before heading into election season. Registration is available here: https://bit.ly/3ZM2Azd

Team Oakland advocated in DC this week led by the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce with representatives from the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC), The Unity Council, the Port of Oakland, McGuire and Hester, Argent Materials Inc., Southwest Airlines, and small businesses. We met with The White House, HUD, DOT, SBA, and of course our representatives in Congress. We learned about funding and policy opportunities. We shared some of the challenges and opportunities we’re seeing in Oakland. #OakProud of our team and hopeful for the future.

Thank you Barbara Leslie and the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce for the opportunity to advocate for and uplift Oakland in DC this past week with leaders from The Unity Council Argent Materials Inc. Kos Read Group McGuire and Hester Comcast Business East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) and Port of Oakland. Southwest Airlines is proud to be the hometown carrier that brought the Town to the Capitol.

The Oakland Metro Chamber of Commerce led a 12-member delegation to our nation’s capital this week as Congress worked to wrap up its agenda before the 2024 election recess. Our delegation, comprising a diverse group of Oakland business, community, and civic leaders, spent two days in back-to-back meetings with California's elected officials, key agency leaders, and White House personnel.   The discussions focused on critical issues for Oakland, including streamlining housing approvals and production, advocating for reducing barriers and increasing housing vouchers for our unsheltered neighbors and proposing modifications to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to better support small businesses and incumbent workers. Additional topics included expanding hiring tax credits, securing further grant opportunities for continued public safety and infrastructure investments—especially in zero-emission technologies—and training Oakland's local workforce for the jobs of the future.   Much work will be done to build upon the connections made during the delegation’s whirlwind trip – all in support of our local businesses, our residents, and our City’s future. It was an honor having conversations with HUD Acting Secretary, Adrianne Todman, Senator Alex Padilla, Congresswoman Barbara Lee; Congressman John Garamendi; and Congressman Mark DeSaulnier.   Many thanks to the following delegation attendees including Barbara Leslie, Chamber President and CEO; Ken Maxey, Comcast; Janelle Chan, EBALDC; Bill Crotinger, Argent Materials; Bruce Daseking and Zeydi Gutierrez, McGuire Hester; Matt Davis, Port of Oakland; Caheri Gutierrez, The Unity Council; Derreck Johnson, Home of Chicken and Waffles; Isaac Kos-Read, Kos Read Group; Lillian Santos-Stables, Southwest; and the OMCCs new Director of Public Policy, Max Giella. A special note of thanks to Southwest Airlines for transporting our delegation to and from the DC area! The delegation also had an opportunity to personally thank our very own Congresswoman Barbara Lee for her decades long advocacy for our beautiful and vibrant City.

There's just a few weeks left to apply for the Leadership Oakland class of 2025! For over 30 years, the Oakland Chamber of Commerce has produced a high-level, intensive training program for mid-career professionals looking to deepen their involvement and knowledge of Oakland issues. Of the program's over 500 graduates, many have gone on to excel in positions of leadership in elected office, city boards and commissions, and as CEO's of high-profile companies and nonprofits. See Program Calendar for more info. What is Leadership Oakland? Leadership Oakland is a civic, professional development, networking, and leadership training program of the Oakland Metro Chamber of Commerce. Now in its 33rd year, the program offers Oakland's current and future leaders the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of the role leadership plays in our city and prepares participants for roles in the public, private and nonprofit sectors while achieving greater community engagement. Who should participate in Leadership Oakland? Anyone living or working in Oakland who has a stake in the City's future and plans to continue to be involved in Oakland five years from now. Anyone with an interest in government, advocacy, non-profit work, or who wishes to contribute to the betterment of our community. Anyone interested in professional development and leadership skills training. Cohorts develop a close bond that provides them a valuable network after the program ends. Participants also benefit from membership in the Leadership Oakland Alumni Association, which hosts mixers and events year round. What are the commitments and requirements? One full day per month from October to May, on the second Friday every month, 8:30am-4pm followed by a cohort happy hour (see Program Calendar for details). Participants will attend and speak at an Oakland City Council or other public agency meeting to advocate on an issue they find important. Ample opportunities and coaching will be provided of the topic of their choosing. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/guiSKYHr

One more day to take advantage of early bird pricing for Leadership Oakland tuition! Join the Leadership Oakland Class of 2025! For over 30 years, the Oakland Chamber of Commerce has produced a high-level, intensive training program for mid-career professionals looking to deepen their involvement and knowledge of Oakland issues. Of the program's over 500 graduates, many have gone on to excel in leadership positions in elected office, city boards, and commissions, and as CEOs of high-profile companies and nonprofits. Learn about our City government, school system, and robust business, arts, and nonprofit sectors, as well as how to make an impact on some of Oakland’s most pressing issues – housing, homelessness, transportation, equity, and more. Early bird tuition is available through July 31. Full program information and the application can be found here: https://lnkd.in/guiSKYHr

Join the Leadership Oakland Class of 2025! For over 30 years, the Oakland Chamber of Commerce has produced a high-level, intensive training program for mid-career professionals looking to deepen their involvement and knowledge of Oakland issues. Of the program's over 500 graduates, many have gone on to excel in leadership positions in elected office, city boards, and commissions, and as CEOs of high-profile companies and nonprofits. Learn about our City government, school system, and robust business, arts, and nonprofit sectors, as well as how to make an impact on some of Oakland’s most pressing issues – housing, homelessness, transportation, equity, and more. Early bird tuition is available through July 31. Full program information and the application can be found here: https://lnkd.in/guiSKYHr

I'm excited to share that I've graduated from the 2024 Leadership Oakland program! This journey has been incredible, deepening my understanding of Oakland's key issues and connecting me with inspiring community leaders.  I'm looking forward to using this experience to help shape a brighter future for Oakland. Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce