Oakland Rising's Young Progressive Benefit Party Wednesday night displayed the many communities in Oakland who are excited about empowering one another for a better city.

"Only in Oakland can such a diverse group of people be in one room. Oakland is a melting pot," said Erin Hagan, a native San Franciscan.

"Where are the young people who think progressively?" Solana Rice asked. She said she attended the June 16 event so she could meet other young progressives.
 
Councilwoman Jean Quan also was present. Quan supports Oakland Rising and came out for the event because she said she believes there should be mentorship with the "next generation of leaders."

Quan's daughter Lailan Huen spoke with me for a while about Quan's upcoming mayoral campaign. Huen shared that the campaign will embrace new media tools such as social networks and interactive videos. Huen said Oakland needs a grassroots approach involving the community versus a "saviour" to help Oakland.

In the middle of the party, Esperanza Tervalon-Daumont, executive director of Oakland Rising, spoke passionately about why Oakland Rising's mission is so essential to Oakland.

Jakara Imani, executive director of the Ella Baker Center spoke about joining forces with Oakland Rising and about how many non-profits uniting could become a powerful force. She related it to the popular Japanese-inspired cartoon "Voltron," in which five robots team up to become defenders for justice. This example painted a portrait of many non-profits uniting to represent those who have have homes, jobs and voices tend to be silenced.

East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy shared a plan titled "Revive Oakland," a coalition for real jobs and healthy communities. Revive Oakland is working on a contract with the port to create thousands of jobs for Oaklanders.

Oakland Rising counts and speaks to voters who are low-income and from communities of color who have been historically left out of electoral processes. In speaking and representing those voices, it helps them become powerful.

Event Sponsored by: Akonadi Foundation Black Women Organized for Political Action/ Training Institute for Leadership Enrichment Citizen Hope Common Counsel Foundation French-American Chartitable Trust Mitchell Rapor Foundation Pro- Copy and Printing Salidago Foundation.

For more information about Oakland Rising : www.oaklandrising.org