START LOCAL, GROW GLOBAL!
OAKLAND: MODEL OF GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT

Sometimes, you just can’t retire … even if you want to. The power of Ron Dellums’ passion and the people of the port city called him back into action.

They needed hope.

He brought experience, leverage, and a comprehensive “can do” attitude.

Oakland’s big city problems of unemployment and crime called for an entirely fresh approach. Competitors for the mayor’s race envisioned the city as an even more entrenched bedroom community for nearby San Francisco. Community leaders feared lower income people would be left out of the picture.

Formerly a US representative from California, Dellums is a fixture on the nation’s civil rights landscape. He was retired. However, Oakland citizens compelled him to get back in the fray two years ago.

Dellums has a forward-thinking vision: to position Oakland as a “global green city;” with environmental issues as a pathway out of poverty for many of Oakland’s 500,000 residents in need. Green-collar jobs are at the heart of the campaign, which includes a multi-racial, multi-issue coalition of government, for impact, sustainable energy and job training programs, including the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights.

The Baker Center strives for economic equity. They believe investment is the “third wave” of environmentalism, preceded by regulation and conservation.

Bluntly, the Baker Center cited three possible outcomes if green, sustainable programs weren’t embraced by Oakland’s city leaders:

> Eco-Apocalypse

> Eco-Apartheid

> Eco-Equity

Pundits call this solution-based politics. Other cities can and should model the innovative solutions Oakland and other cites are beginning to roll out. On a personal level, it can be as simple as conducting an energy audit of your home. Visit the website of your local utility company; someone may even come out for free. Learn what your family, block association, neighborhood, city or region can do to be more eco-friendly.

If you’re retooling your career, understand that green has gone mainstream! Join the eco boon and explore “green collar” training or degree programs in the bio tech arena. This would include careers that support: fuel cells, wind energy, microturbines, fuel-efficient vehicles, green architecture, solar power, environmental remediation, eco-consulting and many more.

To learn about Oakland’s model programs, see
http://www.oaklandnet.com/documents/011408_report_state_of_the_city.pdf

Oakland has always been ahead of the curve. The city pioneered programs for children like “Head Start” and Colgate’s “Bright Smiles, Bright Futures,” which provides free dental screenings and oral health education. Dellums and Colgate Chairman Reuben Mark met on a plane; discussed what was possible; connected the right leaders; allocated resources—and made things happen!

They launched the program in Oakland nearly two decades ago. Today, more than 50 million children and their families in 80 countries have received vital dental services as a result of their tenacity and the help of countless community partners.

Oakland is also home of the Black Panthers, who were among many grassroots community groups that launched voter registration drives and ran self-help organizations to foster community empowerment.

No vote, no voice. No chance to see an African American male or woman being seriously considered for the Democratic Party nomination for President of the US.
http://newblackpantherparty.com

Start local, grow global!