We’re new, and we’re getting a lot of questions. Empower Oakland embraces transparency — here are 10 things you should know about us.

1. We’re volunteer led. No, really. We are. We’re 150+ Oakland residents working in education, technology, non-profits, media, development, and government. For many of us, this is our first foray into politics — and it’s none of our full-time jobs. We’re juggling kids and work; squeezing in Empower Oakland during naps and after bedtime. We are simply united by a love for Oakland and a desire to see Oakland thrive.
2. We have no full-time staff. We recently began working with two part-time  consultants to help with social media and marketing. But all other work to build Empower Oakland is done by volunteers who love Oakland. We’ve spent hundreds of hours drafting content, reviewing endorsement questionnaires, interviewing candidates, combing copy for grammar mistakes, developing ads, and building our website — all as volunteers.
3. The median donation is $100. We’ve received donations from hundreds of Oaklanders who care and are willing to step up and support a vision for a thriving, safer, vibrant Oakland. We aren’t shy about our funding – you can see our financing disclosures here.
4. We believe in practical, evidence-based solutions that address the real issues facing Oakland. Empower Oakland volunteers have diverse opinions, just like as Oakland’s voters. What brings us all together is a desire to advance practical, pragmatic solutions to the challenges facing The Town. Empower aims to be a voice for Oaklanders who want safe and clean streets, thriving families and businesses, and effective local government.
5. Empower Oakland actively seeks community input in its endorsement process. Our endorsement committee combines Empower Oakland volunteers and community members to ensure an open and fair process. Endorsement committee members have experience in areas like school board, transportation, urban development, and housing. They’ve lived in Oakland for years, have kids in Oakland schools, and some of their families have been in Oakland for generations.
6. It’s cool if you don’t agree with our endorsements. We spend hours researching candidates and measures to identify those who we feel align with our vision for Oakland. What’s most important is that folks are informed and vote. You can read the endorsement questionnaires, watch the interviews, and go deep into the measures. It’s there for you to help you make the choice that best aligns with YOUR values and vision for Oakland.
7. Loren Taylor founded Empower Oakland, but Empower Oakland is indepenent of Loren and his campaign. Loren founded Empower Oakland in 2023 to focus on voter education and outreach. Empower Oakland has grown a lot since then, with new leadership joining in the summer of 2024. Prior to launching his current campaign, Loren stepped down from Empower Oakland, and our organization does not coordinate with his campaign.
8. We’re laser-focused on Oakland’s biggest issues. Homelessness, housing, transportation, blight, the economy, good government and public safety —these are the defining issues for Oakland. We’ve developed a straightforward, practical agenda for solving Oakland’s biggest challenges.  But implementing this agenda requires leaders who can deliver results — which is why electing Empower Oakland’s endorsed candidates is so crucial for our city’s future.
9. We champion evidence-based solutions to our public safety crisis. Oakland has the fewest police officers per crime of any major city in America. Our vision includes a coordinated strategy between a fully staffed police force and 911 dispatch, as well as coordination between the Department of Violence Prevention, MACRO, and an expanded Ceasefire program. We also know modern technology solutions  can help police catch criminals and fight crime while making efficient use of a finite budget. Lastly, we must hold accountable police officers who betray the public’s trust through misconduct.
10. We’re pumped and we’re glad you’re here. We know that helping Oakland overcome its challenges and reach its potential will require the time and energy of many good people. Which is why we’re delighted to see so many everyday Oaklanders who aren’t normally active in politics working together to do something about it. We’re proud to be building this organization for Oakland. Check out our voter guide and sign up for our newsletter to go deeper into what’s happening in Oakland. And if our mission motivates you, reach out to us about volunteer opportunities!