Oakland and the World Enterprises is the brainchild of former chair of the Black Panther Party (BPP) for Self Defense and an Alameda County Supervisor. Their nonprofit runs a community garden, which in turn, employs former prisoners, that tend a community garden. The employees earn $20 an hour and are learning how to be entrepreneurs.
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Elaine Brown, is the only woman to ever lead the BPP. As a woman with a history of being on the front line to fight economic injustice, in the Black community, the West Oakland Farms is just the beginning. The farm already has its first restaurant signed up, Pican, which is located in Oakland. Founder/Owner, Michael LeBlanc, hails from New Orleans.
Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson covers the 5th District which includes the cities of Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Piedmont, and the West Oakland, North Oakland, Rockridge, Grand Lake, Fruitvale, and Dimond District neighborhoods.
The organization has raised $300,000 thus far and have leased city land to start the garden. The organization is seeking additional funds to expand into building and providing affordable housing options to the residents.
We salute the Supervisor, for supporting Ms. Brown’s vision, to give people a second chance at life by teaching them and providing them the tools for success.
My favorite quote from Ms. Brown:
Use the power of your mind, towards the freedom of all people, with a revolutionary love
