How do you raise educational outcomes for Black youth? This group has ideas

"By investing in Black educators, majority Black schools, early childhood education, and youth development, Oakland's Rise East initiative hopes to create a zone where Black youth and their families can thrive. The $100 million Rise East initiative grew out of efforts by a variety of community groups to respond to years of disinvestment in the area and an exodus of Black families from East Oakland. Over the next 10 years, the Rise East initiative seeks to rebuild the area and address disparities faced by Black residents there."

"Blue Meridian Partners, a national philanthropic group, selected Oakland for a $50 million matching grant, on the expectation that local fundraising efforts will raise another $50 million. The project is led by Oakland Thrives, a body of officials representing local public institutions, and the 40-by-40 Council, a collaboration between the East Oakland Youth Development Center, the Brotherhood of Elders Network, the Black Cultural Zone, and Roots Community Health Center."

Rise East is a $100 million, 10-year initiative focused on revitalizing a 40-by-40-block area of East Oakland with a high concentration of Black residents and health disparities. The initiative centers investments on education, health, work, housing, and public safety while prioritizing Black educators, majority-Black schools, early childhood programs, and youth development. Blue Meridian Partners committed a $50 million matching grant contingent on local fundraising of $50 million. The effort is led by Oakland Thrives and the 40-by-40 Council, a coalition of local institutions and community organizations deploying a place-based, stewardship-oriented strategy to reverse disinvestment.

Read at The Oaklandside