City Hall is open and it's budget season! 

The goal of our City’s two-year budget should be to focus on delivering effective, equitable services to Oaklanders rooted in our values of racial equity, fiscal responsibility, transparency and results. To address the projected budget deficit and set the stage for Oakland’s future where racial disparities are eliminated and all Oaklanders thrive, I am committed to working with all of you in greater unity across the branches of government as One Oakland. 

I'm excited to share new ways that the City — across multiple departments — will work with some of our most impacted neighborhoods. 

Our D2 Office is pleased that the City's Neighborhood Engagement and Service Teams (NEST) are now working with us in Central Oakland. NEST focuses the City’s engagement and service delivery systems to prioritize neighborhoods suffering the worst equity indicators and violent crime. The program piloted in deep East Oakland and is now working in Police Beat 19X which includes San Antonio and Little Saigon. 

"Ours is not the struggle of one day, one week, or one year. Ours is not the struggle of one judicial appointment or presidential term. Ours is the struggle of a lifetime, or maybe even many lifetimes, and each one of us in every generation must do our part." — John Lewis

As Council President, I have made sure to uplift the names and work of Black leaders in our District 2 and Oakland community. Whether it's amazing advocates like James Vann, Joe Hawkins, and Tonya Love, or outstanding organizations like the Black Organizing Project, I'm humbled to be able to recognize the hard work, passion, and dedication of Black leaders here in Oakland, and to work in partnership with many of them.

From Oakland to Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay to Memphis, our communities are grieving and we are fed up with the senseless violence. Whether it's community violence or state-sanctioned violence, it must stop.

During such tough times, please take care of yourself, check in with your loved ones and neighbors, and care for each other.

On this Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I'm reflecting on his I Have a Dream speech: "Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy." Now is the time for racial justice, for equality, opportunity, and privilege and property widely distributed.

Keeping Dr. King's legacy alive, we are building #PeoplePoweredGovernment. YOUR voice matters because this is YOUR government. Read below about the impact we've had together in our first term and about our recent town hall to shape our second term priorities. 

Welcome 2023! May this new year bring more opportunities for Oakland to achieve health, safety, equity, and economic empowerment, as well as peace for you and your loved ones.

I want to make sure you are aware of the City's winter storm resources,  invite you to two important events — Monday's inauguration and next Saturday's District 2 Town Hall, and share two Council job openings. 

As we head into the New Year, I hope you and your loved ones are staying warm and healthy, and have the chance to break bread together and recharge. 

This holiday season, I hope you'll consider supporting our District 2 LakePoint Tiny Homes Community, where 65 residents are transitioning out of homelessness and working towards employment, health, and permanent housing. 

The majority of residents were previously living in encampments around Lake Merritt, Clinton Park / Little Saigon, Eastlake, and Downtown throughout D2.

This week I'm thrilled to welcome Eric Adams, joining our team as Policy Analyst & Community Partnerships Manager!

I'm energized by Eric's deep roots in Oakland and District 2, fierce work organizing with young people and LGBTQ+ communities, and expertise in communications and advocacy.

Dear Oaklanders, 

It’s official; I have received 67.79% of the vote! The people of District 2 have re-elected me to serve as their Council representative. I couldn’t be more humbled and overjoyed for the privilege of continuing the work that we’ve been doing together towards the goal of an Oakland for All of Us.

Thank you to the many people and organizations who volunteered on our campaign to engage voters and organize in our neighborhoods from Chinatown and Little Saigon to San Antonio, Eastlake and Grand Lake. Our volunteers are passionate about the future of our town and our people, and that is what motivates me to continue our work.