Akonadi Foundation

07/26/2024

Congratulations to our 2024 Fund grantee partners! We are proud to provide 49 grants to Oakland's organizers, storytellers, culture bearers, and healers who seek to ignite and implement a radical collective vision of freedom and justice. Stay tuned for upcoming features on each of our grantees and their incredible work!

Learn more: https://akonadi.org/congratulations-2024-so-love-can-win-grantee-partners/

07/18/2024

07/16/2024

"'Systems impacted' lets racism off the hook. It implies that oppression just happens to people randomly. This is false. By saying 'systems intended' we aim to acknowledge the historical context and intentionality that created present day racial disparities. Race and gender are two of the biggest determinants of how healthy and successful you are in this country. The systems in place – the way they are constructed and operated – are the reason for that. It is all very much intentional." - Zoë Polk, Executive Director of East Bay Community Law Center

Check out our full conversation with Zoë for our All in for Oakland interview series! https://akonadi.org/creating-equitable-legal-systems-that-center-women-of-color/

Q&A with East Bay Community Law Center’s Zoë Polk about advancing justice through a women of color-centered platform. For our latest spotlight featuring leaders from our All In for Oakland grantee partners, I had the pleasure of speaking with Zoë Polk, Executive Director of East Bay Community La...

07/10/2024

"The millions of dollars we spend on law enforcement should actually be invested in the things that make people feel hopeful: food, clothes, shelter, resources, mental health programs, and viable employment and engagement opportunities." - George Galvis, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice (CURYJ)

ICYMI: Akonadi President Ray Colmenar interviewed George for our All in for Oakland spotlight series. Read their full conversation!
https://akonadi.org/curyjs-george-galvis-unlocks-youth-power-building-for-abolition/

For the latest feature in our All In For Oakland blog series, I had the opportunity to speak with George Galvis, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice (CURYJ). Since 2011, CURYJ has been building community and mobilizing young leaders in the movement t...

07/05/2024

Join our amazing grantee partners, Homies Empowerment Program/Adelante for this summer's second Town Night next Friday, July 12. There will be games, food, music, prizes!

07/02/2024

For the latest installment of our All in for Oakland Blog series, Akoandi President Ray Colmenar interviewed Zoë Polk, Executive Director of East Bay Community Law Center!

Check out their full conversation to learn more about Zoë and EBCLC's work to achieve a thriving, equitable East Bay – and how centering women of color is critical to their success.
https://akonadi.org/creating-equitable-legal-systems-that-center-women-of-color/

06/20/2024

Join one of our amazing grantee partners, Oakland Black Pride for their 4th Annual Oakland Black Pride Festival: A Celebration of Unity, Diversity, and Empowerment!

Each of the events honors the rich tapestry of Black, LGBTQ+ culture and identity in Oakland. The week of celebrations includes panels, a healing circle, and expo and more.

For more info and to register for events, visit https://www.oaklandblackpride.org/events

06/19/2024

Happy Juneteenth! Today, we remember and celebrate the emancipation of the last enslaved people in Texas.

At Akonadi Foundation, we remain more committed than ever to working with our partners for liberation and racial justice in Oakland and beyond.

06/13/2024

Join our So Love Can Win grantee partner Ministerio Latino - Latino Ministry for their next Healing is Justice Retreat.

Created as a way to care for activists, community and faith leaders, the day will include art, music, delicious food, facilitated conversations and rituals to acknowledge grief and loss.

Registration is limited. Learn more and sign up: https://bit.ly/3QMHjQq

06/10/2024

Join Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice for the 4th Annual Summer Town Nights in the Fruitvale Village – there will be family friendly activities and performances!

06/06/2024

Looking for weekend plans in Oakland? Join East Oakland Futures Fest for an Afrofuturistic block party showcasing East Oakland’s food, arts, tech, and local businesses!

When: Saturday, June 8th, 11-6pm
Where: 90th Ave, from Plymouth St to Birch St
Who: Everyone and ALL ages, especially East Oakland residents!

06/04/2024

Just a few days left to apply to our 2024 Fund! We're proud to support Oakland-based groups who seek to ignite and implement a radical collective vision of freedom and racial justice in Oakland working towards freedom and racial justice. This fund provides general support grants to organizations and projects dedicated to racial justice organizing, healing, arts and culture, journalism, and narrative strategies.

Apply by this Friday, June 7th: https://akonadi.org/2024-so-love-can-win/

05/30/2024

Are you part of an Oakland-based organization, group, or collective seeking to ignite and implement a radical collective vision of freedom and racial justice in Oakland?

Apply for our 2024 Fund! Applications due by June 7th: akonadi.org/so-love-can-win/

05/29/2024

We're proud to join California Black Freedom Fund, legal experts, and advocates to launch the LEAD for Racial Justice Initiative!

LEAD offers education and tools to help nonprofits understand their ability to conduct racial justice work in the current legal landscape.

Now is the time to double down on our collective commitment to racial justice. Learn more about LEAD and stay up to date about how to get involved at LEAD.CABlackFreedomFund.org

05/23/2024

Akonadi Foundation is proud to share the application for our 2024 fund to support Oakland-based groups who seek to ignite and implement a radical collective vision of freedom and racial justice in Oakland focused on healing, arts and culture, organizing, journalism or narrative change for racial justice.

Apply by June 7th: akonadi.org/so-love-can-win/

05/20/2024

Celebrate 10 years of Oakland Carnival on June 1st! There will be live music from local and international artists, dance performances, the African Marketplace, food, a Youth Zone, and more 🎉

05/16/2024

"[T]he biggest contribution those of us in philanthropy can make is to invest in power building, so that communities most impacted can lead the long-term fight for racial justice."

Akonadi President Ray Colmenar recently contributed to Northern California Grantmakers' Mic Drop series! Read more from Ray on some of the lessons he's learned from movement partners and mentors:

As we face the stinging backlash to progress and concerted efforts to challenge the movement for greater equity and inclusion, a new generation of organizers and leaders are defending these wins and building the power of communities to dismantle systems of oppression.

05/14/2024

Is your organization or collective:
✅ Oakland-based?
✅ Seeking to ignite and implement a radical collective vision of freedom and racial justice in Oakland?

Apply for our 2024 Fund! Learn more and submit by June 7th: akonadi.org/so-love-can-win/

05/09/2024

For the latest installment of our All in for Oakland Blog series, Akoandi President Ray Colmenar interviewed George Galvis, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice!

Check out their full conversation to learn more about George and CURYJ's work to unlock the leadership of young people to transform communities through healing and activism.
https://akonadi.org/curyjs-george-galvis-unlocks-youth-power-building-for-abolition/

05/06/2024

Applications for our 2024 Fund are open! We're proud to support Oakland-based groups who seek to ignite and implement a radical collective vision of freedom and racial justice in Oakland.

This year, we’re eager to invest in efforts that uplift Oakland, foster togetherness and belonging, and move us towards inspiring collective action in service of a racially just Oakland.

Apply by June 7th: akonadi.org/so-love-can-win/

05/02/2024

"What we’re seeing with young people right now is that they’re bold truth tellers, and they’re unapologetic. And if we actually listen to young people, we can learn a lot." - Marlene Sanchez, Executive Director of Ella Baker Center for Human Rights

Check out our full interview with Marlene! https://akonadi.org/ebcs-marlene-sanchez-uplifts-the-role-of-restorative-justice-in-public-safety/

04/30/2024

Thank you so much to everyone who joined us to celebrate this year's Racial Justice Poster, “We dance to the beat of a thousand prayers” by artist Jose “Peps” Garcia.

We gathered at Kinfolx in Downtown Oakland with youth, leaders in philanthropy, artists, and grantee partners. The reception started with a ceremonial dance from local dancers, Moragaut Souet, Poungmalai Souet Pich, and Sothea Saunders and was followed by a discussion with artists Peps and Pat Kong, facilitated by Akonadi's senior program officer, Demetria Huntsman.

Download a Zoom background and coloring book page of this year's poster ➡️ https://akonadi.org/posters/

04/24/2024

ICYMI: Inside Philanthropy featured our incredible grantee partners and our partnership with East Bay Community Foundation and the City of Oakland.

Belonging in Oakland: A Just City Cultural Fund is seeking to show what a just Oakland can look like by supporting collaborative efforts that combine organizing, movement-building, and arts & culture work. Learn more ⬇️

The City of Oakland is partnering with local foundations to support collaborative efforts that combine organizing and arts and culture work in pursuit of racial justice. The latest round backs BIPOC-led business cooperatives and more.

04/18/2024

Sharing an incredible wellness resource from our grantee partner !

Learn more and make an appointment: https://calendly.com/healingjustice_team?fbclid=IwAR2Of7Z3vwINtlGHsVvnegv9r-DvJzv1M6Nk-UgQU38TKaypYcyiL7yH5hc_aem_ASXQT4H5iKbQzbssa4keqC8qDT6dm6RiFQd4KdogvP6UjR5GqWq3KhwV96wMgntrXa01NX7aYT1V2U3dLR1fb2yI

04/16/2024

For the latest installment of our All in for Oakland Blog series, our President Ray Colmenar sat down with Marlene Sanchez, the Executive Director of Ella Baker Center for Human Rights.

Check out their full conversation to learn more about Marlene and EBC’s work to shift resources away from prisons and punishment towards opportunities that make our communities safe, healthy, and strong. https://akonadi.org/ebcs-marlene-sanchez-uplifts-the-role-of-restorative-justice-in-public-safety/

04/11/2024

Join BAY-Peace for their 3rd Annual Multicultural Arts & Wellness Jamboree!

This Cinco De Mayo (May 5th), enjoy a day filled with free cultural wellness services, interactive art & wellness activities, local businesses, and food & drinks.

04/02/2024

Are you an arts worker and/or artist leading the charge towards a more diverse, inclusive, accessible, and equitable arts & culture sector? Apply now for a 2024 CALI Catalyst grant, which includes up to $7,500 in unrestricted funds.

- Round 1 is now open and closes on May 6 at 11:59 a.m. PT.
- Round 2 will be open from June 12 to August 5 at 11:59 a.m. PT.

Questions? Join the Center for Cultural Innovation for the CALI Catalyst Informational Session tomorrow at 12pm PT.

Register and learn more at https://bit.ly/CALI-InfoSession

03/28/2024

Belonging in Oakland: A Just City Cultural Fund is seeking to show what a just Oakland can look like by supporting collaborative efforts that combine organizing, movement-building, and arts & culture work.

“This year, we decided not just to focus on cultural practitioners, but to focus on cultural practitioners as well as movement-building and organizing, that we would pair the two together to have a focus on long-term change.”

Read Inside Philanthropy's feature on our incredible grantee partners and our partnership with East Bay Community Foundation and the City of Oakland.

The City of Oakland is partnering with local foundations to support collaborative efforts that combine organizing and arts and culture work in pursuit of racial justice. The latest round backs BIPOC-led business cooperatives and more.

03/21/2024

We’re proud to share our 2024 Racial Justice Poster, “We dance to the beat of a thousand prayers” created by artist Jose “Peps” Garcia!

This year’s poster honors the unique political and cultural contributions of Oakland’s Black, Khmer and Pomo communities and amplifies the importance of cross-racial solidarity. “In the midst of chaos, we witness poetry, dance, and paint rising in opposition and defiance to the new normal. Oakland, as we all know, has seen decades of allied struggles for liberation, like the ones we see in Palestine, Congo, and Sudan today,” shared Garcia.

Learn more about Akonadi’s Racial Justice Poster Project: https://akonadi.org/posters

03/14/2024

Akonadi staff attended the press conference announcing the Black Cultural Zone Welcome Center! This resource hub will be a beacon for the community. Located on 80th Ave. and International Blvd., the visitor center will provide housing support, co-working space, podcast production space, and safety ambassadors.

As a funder partner for the Rise East initiative, we're excited to see this incredible rollout to engage the deep East Oakland community and residents.