We Did It! Long-term, Low-rent, Qtpoc Space In Oakland. Forever.
OMG WE DID IT!!! A long-time, low-rent community building in East Oakland could've become a giant playground for big tech. But as of November 28th, 2017, it's staying an affordable, people of color-led social justice center, because of you! Our landlord sold the building and you raised more than $90,000 to help us buy it. The vibrant, tight-knit community members and community resources who share our historic building at 23rd and International will stay here long-term. Our mixed-use building contains: * a community bike shop (The Bikery, part of Cycles of Change) * a Queer & Trans People Of Color collectively-run house and community garden (SOL - Sustaining Ourselves Locally) * a martial arts and self-defense studio (Shaolin Life) * a people of color-led maker/hacker space (LOL - Liberating Ourselves Locally) that is now a program of Peacock Rebellion * a queer and trans people of color arts + healing organization (Peacock Rebellion) and is home to a diverse group of low-income people of color who want to stay in their homes! Together with community allies and the Oakland Community Land Trust, we were given the rare opportunity to buy the building and build a dream of long-term affordable housing and community space. When we found out in January that our landlord was selling the building, we thought we might end 2017 with eviction notices. Instead, the tenants of the 23rd Ave. Community Building all signed long-term leases and are working toward collective ownership. WAHOOOO!!!
HUGE THANKS TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO MADE THIS POSSIBLE; THE OAKLAND COMMUNITY LAND TRUST; OUR HUNDREDS OF DONORS; OUR ALLIES AND FRIENDS AT THE PEOPLE OF COLOR SUSTAINABLE HOUSING NETWORK, THE SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIES LAW CENTER, RICK LEWIS AT BAY AREA COMMUNITY LAND TRUST, JACK TSE AT NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY LOAN FUND, THE FORMER OWNER WHO SUPPORTED COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP; AND ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HELPED SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT OUR EFFORTS. WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THIS AMAZING COMMUNITY, AND WE'RE EXCITED TO BEGIN THE NEXT CHAPTER.
Help us thrive! All of the groups in the building are small community organizations dedicated to serving our community. As we devote time and energy to fighting displacement, we’re also working to: * keep our bike shop open for more hours each week * expand our summer garden internship programs, and * increase the opportunities for queer and trans people of color in the neighborhood to make art to heal from violence and other trauma By donating, you’ll also be contributing to make sure that Cycles of Change/the Bikery, Sol, LOL, and Peacock can continue to thrive in this time of transition. Get details here