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