The Bese Saka Initiative is a healing, capacity, and power building effort led by the Brotherhood of Elders Network with support from the San Francisco Foundation. Initially, it was a 2-year initiative that supported 18 Black-led organizations throughout the Bay Area. The work was so impactful that at the end of the initial 2 years, the participants strongly encouraged us to extend the initiative. We have raised additional funding and partnered with the East Bay Community Foundation’s ASCEND BLO program to continue the initiative. Together, in the Spring of 2025, we will host a 3 day regional convening for 400 Black Leaders and organizations. The convening will focus on helping Black-led organizations explore Reparations, Power building, and Healing.

The African American Latino Action Alliance (AALAA) is a coalition of African, Indigenous, and Latino men dedicated to enhancing the mental, economic, and political well-being of Black and Brown boys, young men, their families, and communities in the Bay Area. Our work is deeply rooted in shared values that guide our actions and define our purpose:

BOEN produced the BYD Book, a directory of sixty Black-led, youth-serving organizations, to raise awareness of the multitude of youth programs available in Oakland. The intention is to build a community of practice amongst these organizations to meet the needs of the young people in our community, in accordance with the Black Education Vision established by the Education Committee.