ABOUT BLACK CULTURAL ZONE
Black Cultural Zone (BCZ) was born out of a powerful, community-led movement to stop the displacement of Black residents and businesses in East Oakland. In response to decades of disinvestment and the accelerating pressures of gentrification, Eastside Arts Alliance convened local nonprofits, cultural workers, and grassroots organizations in 2014 to develop a bold strategy for reclaiming and revitalizing Black spaces.
This collective became known as the East Oakland Black Cultural Zone Collaborative, a network rooted in Black arts, culture, and community self-determination. United by a vision to preserve legacy neighborhoods and foster cultural resilience, the Collaborative designated a 50-square-block area—from High Street to the San Leandro border—as the East Oakland Black Cultural Zone.
To help realize this vision through long-term infrastructure and development, the Black Cultural Zone Community Development Corporation (BCZ CDC) was founded in 2019. As the implementing arm of the Collaborative, BCZ CDC advances neighborhood, commercial, and cultural development that centers the needs and aspirations of East Oakland’s Black communities.
Together, the Collaborative and BCZ CDC are working to build, protect, and celebrate Black spaces in East Oakland—unapologetically and with purpose.
Rooted in Culture and Community
Black Cultural Zone unapologetically centers Black arts, culture, and economics as we build collective power for our communities.
organizational overview
East Oakland BCZ Collaborative
The East Oakland Black Cultural Zone Collaborative (the “Collaborative”) is the founding body of the Black Cultural Zone. Formed by Eastside Arts Alliance and several East Oakland-based nonprofits, the Collaborative envisions a thriving East Oakland where Black residents, businesses, artists, and culture bearers are deeply rooted and actively shaping the future of their community.
By centering Black arts and culture within a community development framework, the Collaborative works to activate the Zone through cultural events, art activism, and strategic planning—ensuring that legacy residents and businesses are not only protected but also empowered.
Our Story in Numbers
Community Stewards
17,000 +
Reached through BCZ’s Community Stewards program, with $800,000+ paid to 160+ stewards (July 2024–June 2025).
Source: CD_Stewards_001
Businesses Support
300 +
Businesses engaged across BCZ programs, with direct navigation support provided through Biz Nav.
Source: [insert source]
Collaborative Network
168
Partners in the BCZ Collaborative, including 106 General Assembly members working together for community impact.
Source: Causeway
Overall Impact
$800,000 +
Invested directly into East Oakland through stewards, businesses, and collaborative partnerships.
Sources: CD_Stewards_001, Causeway
MILESTONES
📍 2013 – 2014
The Vision Begins – The City of Oakland and the Oakland Sustainable Neighborhoods Initiative (OSNI) bring together 50+ community organizations to revitalize East Oakland.
Call for a Black Cultural Zone – Community leaders recognize the need for a Black Cultural Zone (BCZ) to address disinvestment and displacement.
📍 2014 – 2017
Building the Foundation – Inspired by historical power movements, the East Oakland Black Cultural Zone Collaborative is formed, led by EastSide Arts Alliance (ESAA).
📍 2017
Developing the Plan – ESAA and Just Cities draft a Business Plan for a Black Cultural Zone Hub.
Community-Led Growth – The East Oakland Neighborhoods Initiative (EONI) identifies the BCZ as a key strategy for economic and cultural empowerment.
📍 2018
Activating the Arts – The Collaborative shifts focus to arts and cultural strategies, engaging local artists in community-driven activism.
New Partnerships – Allen Temple Health and Social Services joins the Collaborative.
📍 November 2019
Official Incorporation – The Black Cultural Zone Community Development Corporation (BCZ CDC) is formally established as a California nonprofit
Expanding Impact – More partners join the mission to strengthen East Oakland’s Black cultural and economic presence.
📍 Today
A Thriving Movement – The Black Cultural Zone continues to grow, transforming vacant spaces, empowering entrepreneurs, and preserving Black culture in East Oakland.
Organizational Spotlight -
Rise East
The 40x40 Council, which includes the Black Cultural Zone Community Development Corporation (BCZ CDC), Brotherhood of Elders Network, East Oakland Youth Development Center, and ROOTS Health, in partnership with Oakland Thrives, are proud to serve as the backbone organizations for the Rise East Investment Plan. The 40X40 Council Members are all Partners of the East Oakland Black Cultural Zone Collaborative. Rise East is a collective impact effort guided by a comprehensive 10-year plan. This effort grew out of a community-led vision to develop a Black Cultural Zone in East Oakland. For more than 10 years, community leaders in East Oakland have done the groundwork to bring this vision to life. The Rise East plan identifies core investable strategies that will accelerate this work over the next 10 years. Key to this place-based strategy is deep partnership and collaboration between community-based organizations, community members, public and private sector institutions, along with philanthropy.