Economic Empowerment
Building Individual and Collective Wealth in Deep East Oakland
Why This Matters
Decades of redlining, predatory lending, and disinvestment stripped wealth out of Deep East Oakland. Families here work just as hard as anywhere else in the Bay Area, but far too many are locked out of credit, savings, and ownership.
Our economic empowerment work rebuilds that foundation from the inside out — through financial education, community-controlled capital, and cooperative economics that keep dollars circulating in the neighborhood.
Our Programs
Financial Literacy & Money Management
Budgeting, credit repair, savings strategy, and money coaching led by trusted community educators.
Lending Circles & Cooperative Economics
SuSu-style lending circles that build credit history and community-controlled capital.
Who This Program Is For
Individuals Seeking Stability
Neighbors working to build savings, repair credit, and get out from under debt.
SuSu Academy Participants
Residents ready to commit to a 12-month structured financial education cohort.
800+
Participants Trained
25+
Small Businesses Supported
15+
Workshops Annually
$500K+
Community Capital Circulated
Success Stories
"The lending circle gave me the cushion I needed to stop living paycheck to paycheck."
"I raised my credit score by over 100 points in a year with the coaching I got here."
"For the first time I have savings, a budget, and a plan for my family's future."
Get Started
Whether you need support, want to give time, or want to fund the work — here is where to begin.
Enroll in Programs
Join the next SuSu Financial Literacy Academy cohort or a lending circle.
Enroll nowVolunteer
Give a few hours at a distribution, caravan, or outreach shift. No experience needed.
VolunteerDonate
Fund groceries, hot meals, housing navigation, and wellness services for your neighbors.
Donate