Oakland Civic City Info Session
OAKLAND, CA. – Phase one of the “Oakland Civic Assembly on Transforming Vacant Spaces” has begun: This week, 20,000 randomly-selected households in Oakland will receive an invitation in the mail to participate in a “civic assembly” focused on transforming vacant commercial spaces, storefronts, and lots into vibrant community assets.
A short virtual event will be held on Zoom on Thursday, July 9th at 11am Pacific Time at: https://berkeley.zoom.us/j/
A civic assembly is a democratic process that brings together a group of everyday people to learn, dialogue with each other, and make recommendations about an important public issue. Assemblies around the world have been shown to bolster civic trust, decrease polarization, and increase democratic resilience, critical outcomes at this moment in American democracy.
“Oakland has always led the way in showing what a living, breathing democracy looks like — and we build it ourselves,” said Mayor Barbara Lee. “This Civic Assembly is an exciting opportunity for Oaklanders to shape the future of our own neighborhoods and show the world that democracy is flourishing right here. When that postcard arrives at your door, say yes. Oakland’s strength has always been its people, and this is your moment to prove it.”
Interested recipients who respond to the mailing by July 17th will be entered into a democratic lottery. Forty of these residents will be selected to accurately reflect the demographics of Oakland, including factors such as age, neighborhood, and educational attainment at a public Lottery Selection event on July 24th. Starting on August 22nd, these 40 Delegates to the civic assembly will spend three weekends together to review data, community input, examples of successful strategies, to carefully consider options, and to develop recommendations on how to turn vacant commercial spaces, storefronts, and lots into vibrant community assets. They will be paid $1350 for their time as well as receiving support for childcare, eldercare, transportation and other expenses.
Key decisions guiding the Assembly creation and focus have been made by a Community Steering Council made up of representatives from a dozen Oakland organizations. Member organizations include the Akonandi Foundation, Alameda Labor Council, Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Allen Temple Baptist Church, Black Organizing Project, Brotherhood of Elders Network, East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy, Faith in Action East Bay, Oakland Charter Reform Project, Oakland Rising, Street Level Health Project, and Unity Council.
Angela Glover Blackwell, Founder in Residence at PolicyLink and Professor of Practice at the Goldman School of Public Policy, says, “PolicyLink is proud to work with community leaders, UC Berkeley, and experts in civic assemblies to create a uniquely Oakland approach to civic flourishing.”
“We’re thrilled to partner with so many amazing Oakland organizations to bring the civic assembly model to this community,” said Linn Davis, Program Director at Healthy Democracy. “It’s an opportunity to engage residents in a new way, foster deeper conversations and explore solutions together. We look forward to working to build a representative Assembly that reflects the diversity and spirit of the city.”
Institutional support and project staffing is provided by PolicyLink, the Possibility Lab and Democracy Policy Initiative, both at UC Berkeley, Public Good Group, and nonpartisan nonprofit Healthy Democracy.
To learn more, visit healthydemocracy.org/oakland.