West Oakland’s 7th Street Corridor is now home to the locally-led 7th Street Thrives initiative! Check out our roadmap to restore 7th Street’s vibrance as a hub for a thriving Black community! Read the report on our website.
7th Street Thrives, an economic repair and corridor re-activation initiative, has been almost 2 years in the making. Supported by the Bay Area Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and the East Bay Permanent Real Estate Cooperative (EB PREC).
7th Street Thrives convened dedicated community advocates, residents, local government partners, small businesses, private partners, and community organizations to develop a focused economic inclusion roadmap that would seek to repair decades of community removals and neglect.
Leaning on the strengths of previous planning efforts in the neighborhood, the 7th Street Thrives roadmap is using a cultural revival strategy to re-invest in 7th Street’s business community and support the placement of small Black and POC businesses and artists along the corridor. The 7th Street Thrives Implementation and Activation report details this work, as well as what is to come — the reignition of the vibrant community character of the street. Through small business support and attraction, corridor and infrastructure improvement, and a series of cultural community activations that will make the neighborhood a destination for Black culture and business.
But we can't do it alone. Here's how you can get involved today:
Connect us with businesses and property owners at and around West Oakland's 7th Street: If you know business owners residing or working in the neighborhood and/or property owners, please put us in touch!
Become a partner: We need individuals and organizations with inspiring ideas or who are passionate about supporting small business outreach and community engagement to join us. Your involvement amplifies our impact. If you know anyone or have connections, please connect us. Let's make a positive difference together!
Invest in equity work: We invite funding partners who share our commitment to equity for the Black and People of Color community in West Oakland. Together, we can drive meaningful change. Reach out to request an investor prospectus to get more information.
This report reflects 7th Street Thrives’ progress in engaging key stakeholders, examining the neighborhood’s small business and built environment needs, and proposing shared priorities to implement necessary interventions.