Why do small businesses, co-ops and creatives need to organize? What's at stake in Oakland? How can we come together to meet the political moment and move towards a liberatory future?

The REAL People's Organizing Collective (RPOC) is building an alternative chamber of commerce with a political voice that reflects Black and Brown businesses to build a regenerative economy that advances real safety, affordable spaces, and develop worker power in Oakland + Alameda county.

Why? There is much we stand to lose if corporations, wealthy billionaires and conservative forces continue to shape the political and economic landscape with false and harmful narratives. Our approach to building power has multiple dimensions because we know Oakland’s businesses, worker-owners and creatives contain multitudes - our histories, experiences, and cultural differences impact how we relate to power, ownership and wealth. With this understanding, we are actively creating the space to learn, unlearn and experiment towards alternative solutions that meet our collective needs.