Barbara Lee has made history—she’s now the first Black woman elected mayor of Oakland, California. During her first press conference as Mayor-Elect, she accepted the new role, “with a deep sense of responsibility, humility, and love.” Voters saw Lee as a steady, trusted leader—someone with the experience to steer the city toward stability. In her own words, “Oakland is a deeply divided City,” and she “answered the call to run to unite our community, so that I can represent every voter, and we can all work together as One Oakland to solve our most pressing problems.” Change Consulting was proud to support Mayor-elect Lee’s historic, 100+day campaign as media relations lead, with the closely watched race garnering national media attention. Read more in Ebony, New York Times, The Guardian, Wonkette, San Francisco Chronicle, and the San Diego Voice and Viewpoint.

Akonadi Foundation’s president, Ray Colmenar, recently traveled to New Zealand with a delegation of Alameda County leaders, including Change Consulting’s Director of Communications, Insights Dina Sigal, as part of the Journey to Justice initiative to learn how Māori communities are transforming their youth justice system through culture, care, and community. We first mentioned the initiative, launched and managed by the Zellerbach Family Foundation, the San Francisco Foundation, California Wellness Foundation, and the California Funders for Boys and Men of Color (CFBMoC), in a previous blog. Read more about Ray’s reflections on what’s possible when we center healing over punishment and collective action over isolation in his blog here and see more photos from the trip here. 

“If donors truly want to shift systems, challenge injustice, and influence policy — they must fund all available levers of change, regardless of tax status — not just what they can write off.” Ludovic Blain, CEO of the California Donor Table, which organizes donors to shift power to progressive communities of color, says real change doesn’t come from prioritizing tax breaks. “We just need to put our money to work more strategically and in ways that truly reflect our values and our convictions. This means forgoing tax deductions and expanding our giving to political organizations and advocacy work.” Read more in this op-ed with Inside Philanthropy.

CHANGE NEWS:

Change Consulting is thrilled to be named a finalist for  PR Daily’s Media Relations Award for Thought Leadership—a recognition that celebrates bold vision, strategic storytelling, and powerful impact. This nomination is for the thought leadership campaign to promote  Black Futures Lab and Black to the Future Action Fund Principal Kristin Powell and her unique approach to building durable political power for Black communities. Winners will be announced September 26 at an exclusive luncheon honoring the top media relations campaigns, content, teams, and professionals. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with Black Futures Lab and Black to the Future Action Fund to advance their vision, and deeply proud of the work we have accomplished together. This nomination fuels our drive to keep pushing boundaries and delivering bold, heartfelt excellence for our partners!