East Oakland Youth Leading The Campaign For Environmental Justice

by Taqwaa Bonner, LSPC Housing Advocate

Assembly Bill 617 (Garcia, C., Chapter 136, Statutes of 2017) is a state-mandated program for air districts to implement a community-based approach to improve air quality in communities that experience the most air pollution.

East Oakland was designated as an AB 617 community and the youth of these communities have identified a priority that will improve the air quality and public health of their communities.

The East Oakland North Star, a community collaboration of:

• Taqwaa’s Youth Diversion (TYD)
• Intricate Details LLC
• Reaching Every Child: Enrichment Support Services (RECESS)
• Earth’s Legacy Care
• Block By Block
• Lifers Leaving A Legacy
• The East Oakland Boxing Association
• United Souls Inc
• Lending Hands United
• Celebrity Cole Foundation

presents a collaborative proposal for Environmental Justice, Public Health, and Community Empowerment in East Oakland. This proposal seeks the City of Oakland and the County of Alameda’s support for the development and implementation of The East Oakland Clean Air Plan of Action – a grassroot driven initiative designed to address environmental injustice, improve air quality, and provide vital community services in the Elmhurst district. The centerpiece of this initiative is the transformation of the long-defunct restroom facility at Willie Wilkins Playground (9700 C Street, Oakland, CA 94603) into a multi-purpose Clean Air Community Center – a replicable prototype for clean air hubs throughout East Oakland.

Proposal Objectives:

1. Deconstruction and Reconstruction of Willie Wilkins Playground facility

• Current Status: The existing restroom facility is in disrepair, has been chained off, and unused for decades.
• Proposed Action: Tear down the existing structure and rebuild it as a multi-purpose Clean Air Center.
• Function: serve as a hub for free, year-round community programs including After school tutoring; Weekend enrichment programs; and summer learning academies.
• Impact: Provide a safe, educational, and supportive environment for East Oakland’s youth and families at no cost to parents or guardians.

2. Emergency Charging Station for Medically Vulnerable Residents

• Need: Many community members rely on electronically powered medical equipment (e.g., breathing machines, electric wheelchairs).
• Function: The new facility will include emergency backup generators and charging stations accessible to the community during power outages or PG&E public safety shutoffs.
• Impact: Offer life-sustaining services and ensure continuity of care during electrical blackouts, particularly affecting medically vulnerable residents.

3. Clean Air Safe Haven for Respiratory Health

• Need: East Oakland residents face disproportionate exposure to air pollution, exacerbating asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions.
• Function: Install portable high-efficiency air filtration systems within the center, creating a clean air environment.
• Access: Community members can use the facility as a Clean Air Safe Haven on high-risk air quality days.
• Impact: Improve health outcomes for individuals with respiratory issues, especially children and elders.

Community Collaboration and Stewardship

This proposal is submitted on behalf of a broad-based coalition of local organizations with deep roots in the community. These groups represent decades of service, cultural competency, and commitment to holistic well-being in East Oakland. Together, we are committed to: 

• Participatory design and planning
• Ongoing stewardship and maintenance of the facility
• Transparent collaboration with the city and county departments

Call to Action

We respectfully request the following from the City of Oakland and the County of Alameda:

1. Approval to decommission and remove the existing restroom structure at Willie Wilkins Playground.
2. Allocation of capital funding and infrastructure support to build the new Clean Air Community Center.
3. Partnership in establishing clean air standards and emergency preparedness protocols for the facility.
4. Recognition and support of this project as a model for scalable implementation throughout East Oakland.

Conclusion

The East Oakland Clean Air Plan of Action represents a vital investment in the health, safety, and empowerment of a historically underserved community. This initiative addresses urgent needs – from educational disparities to public health and environmental justice – with sustainable, community-led solutions. We are ready to partner with the City of Oakland and the County of Alameda to make this vision a reality.