Congratulations to our longtime partners, the Akonadi Foundation, on their powerful new partnership with Mayor Barbara Lee. We’re incredibly excited to see Akonadi join forces with a bold, visionary leader to build an Oakland where every community has the opportunity to thrive. This collaboration includes over $2.5 million in new investments toward inclusive tech, STEAM education, and the One Oakland Fund. This emerging partnership strongly aligns with Akonadi’s strategic vision of building an Oakland for All and demonstrates what is possible when government, philanthropy, and community come together. We’re inspired by Akonadi’s continued commitment to Oakland and can’t wait to see the incredible impact that unfolds. Learn more about the partnership here. 

Tinisch Hollins, Executive Director of Californians for Safety and Justice, is reminding all of us that true safety requires lasting solutions, not punishment. Drawing from her personal experience living in San Francisco and Vallejo, Hollins warns against relying on law enforcement in a recent Los Angeles Times times story:  “It’s not just arresting people that brings crime down. The [penal] system isn’t going to deal with the drivers of the crime.” Hollins is urging policymakers to stay focused on long-term solutions such as rehabilitation, community investment, and transformative criminal justice reform. Read more here and check out Tinisch on NBC Bay Area above.

Last month, voting rights advocates and state leaders convened in Sacramento to identify opportunities for expanding language access in elections. Our partner Ramla Sahid, Founder and Executive Director of Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans (PANA), was among the many speakers at the summit. Check out more in this coverage from Fox 40 Sacramento.

ICMYI: Don’t forget to join our partners, The Black Collective Foundation MN, for the first-ever The Collective Sum November 18–20, 2025 in Minneapolis! This premier gathering will bring together leaders, visionaries, organizations, and businesses committed to building community, making tangible impact, and shaping effective strategies for the times we are in. Register now – here.