Community Relations
Community Relations
Community Engagement
The Port of Oakland, through the Oakland Seaport, Oakland International Airport, and waterfront properties, generates 98,345 local jobs. As the second largest job generator in Oakland and the fifth largest job generator in the region, the Port remains a critical source of economic opportunity and jobs in Northern California.
Our mission is not only to operate a thriving seaport; an airport-community connection is also a pillar of our work. Throughout the year, the Port of Oakland offers family-friendly events at Jack London Square; provides opportunities to explore the Oakland Seaport by boat on free harbor tours; hosts free field trips at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park for learning about the natural habitat and maritime activities; makes charitable contributions, sponsorships, and grants to local community-based organizations; and has speakers available to share the Port’s story for classrooms and business functions.
We listen carefully to citizen feedback and follow up on your suggestions and concerns. That’s why Port staff engages with residents and local businesses regarding Port activities and developments at neighborhood councils, civic organizations, and community festivals and fairs.
Community Investment Program
Approved by the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners on July 2015, the Port of Oakland Community Investment Program seeks to add value and best serve our diverse communities within the Port’s footprint. This program provides grants to benefit the communities in the Port’s Local Impact Area (LIA) in Oakland, Alameda, Emeryville, and San Leandro, as well as communities in the Port’s Local Business Area (LBA) in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
Harbor Tours
The Port of Oakland is pleased to sponsor free harbor tours from May through October 2024 on a Blue & Gold boat. The tours will be held once a month, and each tour will last approximately 90 minutes.
Visitors will learn about the Port, its operations, and the economic and jobs impact on the region. Harbor tours provide a unique vantage point because the Port’s marine terminals can be viewed from the water. The excursions are a great way to see how the Oakland Seaport works.
Boarding will take place at the Oakland Jack London Terminal (Ferry Dock) at 10 Clay St. (at the corner of Water Street) in Jack London Square, Oakland, California. There are nearby parking lots (There is a fee to park.)
Community Relations
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Port of Oakland Calendar
Upcoming Public Meetings and Events
| Date | Details | Registration Link |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, October 18, 2024 5:30 – 7:00 PM | Port of Oakland Harbor Tour Take a FREE 90-minute narrated harbor tour from Oakland Estuary to the San Francisco Bay on board a Ferryboat. Learn about the Port of Oakland, its operations and economic impact on the region. Location: Boarding will take place at the Oakland Jack London Terminal (Ferry Dock) at 10 Clay St. (at the corner of Water Street) in Jack London Square, Oakland, California. | Registration Required |
| Saturday, October 19, 2024 8am - Donut Fun Run 9 am - Donut Eating Contest | The Donut Fun Run The Donut Fun Run will be a timed, donut-themed 5k race held at Alameda Point's Seaplane Lagoon Promenade. Our first annual event will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024. The post-run Donut Festival will feature live music, live entertainment featuring The Dancing Donuts, food booths, wine and beer, photo ops, and of course, donuts from Donut Petit! Location: Alameda Point's Seaplane Lagoon Promenade | Web Link |
| Saturday, October 19, 2024 12 noon – 4 pm | Oakland Ed Fund: Oakland Grown: Student Art & Music Festival The joy-filled celebration will feature student performances and visual arts displays, art activities–all culminating in a special hometown concert by Oakland native and internationally acclaimed R&B artist GOAPELE. Location: Oakland Museum Garden - 1000 Oak Street, Oakland | Web Link |
| Saturday, October 19, 2024 12 noon – 3 pm | Prospera: Eighth Annual Summit for Latina Entrepreneurs: “Human Libraries: Bridging Stories, Learning and Connection” The Eighth Annual Summit for Latina Entrepreneurs offers a safe space for healing, unlearning, and inspiration. Participants will gain valuable tools, resources, and connections through panels, activities, and networking sessions to support their personal and professional development. Additionally, a marketplace will showcase products and services from participating entrepreneurs, community organizations, and sponsors, creating opportunities for exposure and collaboration. Location: Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland | Register |
| Saturday, October 19, 2024 Doors Open at 5:30 pm, Program Starts at 6:30 pm | Oakland Asian Cultural Center: Future>Forward 2024 Gala The 2024 GALA: FUTURE > FORWARD, will bring together the community to seek OACC’s vision of transformative change for the future. Proceeds from the Gala will support the work of OACC and help them create robust programs and events that serve the AAPI community in Oakland and beyond. Location: 388 9th St., Suite 290, Oakland | Web Link |
| Saturday, October 19, 2024 6 – 10 pm | Chabot Space and Science Center: Annual Starlight Gala: Visions of Tomorrow Join the dazzling extravaganza which will include stargazing, a unique auction experience, delicious food, networking with new friends and plenty of surprises. Show your support for STEM education and the thrilling space age happening right here, right now in Oakland. Location: 10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland | Web Link |
| Saturday, November 2, 2024 Doors Open at 5 pm | Lovelife Foundation: Oakland Finest Black Tie Gala & College Scholarship Drive The Lovelife Foundation presents its 5th annual black tie gala and college scholarship drive. Proceed go to benefit high school graduates who will be attending a 4-year college. There will be food, dancing, entertainment and an awards ceremony. Location: Downtown Oakland Marriot Hotel – 1000 Broadway, Oakland | Get Tickets |
| Saturday, November 3, 2024 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Port Sponsored Festival: Unity Council 29th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival The Oakland Día de los Muertos Festival is a free, outdoor festival that brings over 100,000 people to the vibrant, culturally-rich Fruitvale neighborhood to enjoy world-class live music, family-friendly games, rides and activities, traditional Latin American artisans, and the stunning altar artistic installations created by community members paying homage to los Muertos. The Día de los Muertos Festival was inducted into the U.S. Library of Congress by Congresswoman Barbara Lee as a “Local Legacy.” Location: International Blvd. at Fruitvale Ave., in Oakland, CA | Web Link |
| Monday, November 4, 2024 1:00 – 3:00 PM | San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport Aviation Stakeholder Advisory Committee The agenda for the November 4, 2024, meeting, and minutes from the August 12 meeting will be disseminated prior to the meeting and posted online at the “web link” to the right. Location: (In-person) Lake Merritt Conf. Room, Terminal 1, 2nd Floor; (Virtual) Zoom information will be disseminated closer to the meeting date. | Web Link |
| Thursday, November 14, 2024 6 – 9 pm | Native American Health Center: 2024 Gala Celebration Strength, Resiliency, Excellence The Native American Health Center is excited to announce our 2024 Gala Celebration on November 14, 2024! We invite you to gather your colleagues and join us at Bloc 15 in Oakland for an unforgettable evening of celebration and support. Together, we will honor our rich history, celebrate the present, and embrace a future defined by STRENGTH, RESILIENCY, AND EXCELLENCE. Location: Bloc 15 - 252 2nd Street, Oakland | Web Link |
| Saturday, November 16, 2024 6 – 8 pm | EBAC Silver Gala 25th Anniversary EBAC Auxiliary SILVER Gala Location: The Gold Bar, Treasure Island - 1 Avenue of the Palms #167, San Francisco | Web Link |
| Wednesday, November 20th, 2024 9 am – 2 pm | 2024 Bay Area Construction Workforce Conference Join us at the 2024 Bay Area Construction Workforce Conference on November 20th to hear from education and workforce development leaders across the state. This year, we are featuring keynote conference speakers California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, Division of Apprenticeship Standards Chief Curtis Notsinneh, and Assemblymember Liz Ortega. It will be an incredible day of networking, collaboration, and connection with industry leaders to discover new opportunities within the Bay Area’s construction workforce. Location: Cypress Mandela Training Center — 977 66th Ave, Oakland, CA | Register |
Past Public Meetings and Events
| Date | Details | Registration Link |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, September 19, 2024 11 am – 1 pm | COMTO NorCal Small Business Finance Forum An exclusive event designed for small businesses eager to explore new financial horizons. Don’t miss the expert panel discussions where banks and lending institutions will demystify the lending process and discuss funding demographics, providing valuable insights into which groups are more frequently funded and identifying opportunities for underfunded sectors to gain better access to necessary capital. Gain a better understanding of obtaining access to capital and the best strategies for your business. Location: OAK, Muir Woods Conference Room – Terminal 1, 2nd Floor | Meeting/Event Information Flyer |
| Friday, September 20, 2024 10 am – 3 pm | Port Sponsored “Zero Emissions Ride & Drive” Fleet owners will have the opportunity to drive ZEVs and talk to companies that offer financing, leasing, insurance, charging infrastructure, etc.
Location: Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, 2777 Middle Harbor Rd, Oakland, CA 94607 | RSVP Flyer |
| Saturday, September 21, 2024 9 am – 12 noon | California Coastal Cleanup and Oakland Creek to Bay Day Turn the tide on trash and join the global movement to keep our cities and shared waterways clean. Oakland Creek to Bay Day is part of California and International Coastal Clean-up Day, one of the most significant volunteer days in California and the world! Here is one way you can have an immediate and tangible impact on the health of your San Francisco Bay estuary, local wildlife, and your own health. In appreciation for all your hard work, AFTER the shoreline clean-up, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, the Port of Oakland will provide lunch for volunteers (RSVP required). Location: Middle Harbor Shoreline Park | Registration Link |
| Saturday, September 21, 2024 9 am – 12 pm | California Coastal Cleanup and Oakland Creek to Bay Day (In partnership with Matson Terminals, East Bay Regional Parks, EBMUD, and City of Oakland) Volunteers will help clean up trash and debris to beautify our local waterway. Location: East Creek Slough | Flyer |
| Saturday, September 28, 2024 6 pm – 9 pm | La Clinica de La Raza - All That Jazz La Clinica de la Raza will be celebrating more than 53 years of connecting communities in the East Bay with healthcare services they need and deserve. Location: Yoshi's – 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland | Register Here |
| Friday, October 4, 2024 6 – 10 pm | West Oakland Cultural Action Network Clean Air Day Community Mixer Brown Likka Fridayz presents the Clean Air Day Community Mixer on Oct. 4 in West Oakland! The Port of Oakland and Oakland Ballers are sponsoring this FREE backyard event for the neighborhood! Come for a night full of fun conversation and community, as we discuss ways to promote clean air in Oakland and beyond. Sign up for the CA Clean Air Pledge today at www.cleanairday.org. | Web Link |
| Saturday, October 5, 2024 10 am – 6 pm | Oakland Black Cowboy Association (OBC) 50th Annual Black Cowboy Parade and Festival The Oakland Black Cowboy Association (OBCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to enlightening children and adults about the contributions of people of color in the settling of the West while actively enhancing and promoting the furtherance of the African American cowboy in modern society. The event celebrates the existence of OBCA and is a platform to inspire and educate people about their culture and cause while creating new experiences. Location: 1651 Adeline St., Oakland, CA 94607 | Web Link |
| Sunday, October 6, 2024 12 noon – 3 pm | Alameda County Community Food Bank - Savor the Season Join Alameda County Community Food Bank for a lively and impactful afternoon with gourmet food and wine to support Alameda County Community Food Bank’s critical hunger-relief efforts. Location: Wente Vineyards – 5050 Arroyo Road, Livermore | Register Here |
| Sunday, October 6, 2024 4 pm - 7:30 pm | Girls Inc 2024 EmpowerFest Participate in an evening full of celebration and generosity dedicated to the empowerment of women and girls. Location: Oakland Museum of California – 1000 Oak St., Oakland | Register Here |
| Thursday, October 10, 2024 11 am – 2 pm | Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce 21st Annual Business Awards Luncheon Join OAACC for their 21sst annual business awards luncheon, “Forging Innovative Paths for a Successful Oakland Now!” Location: Scott's Seafood Restaurant – Jack London Square – 2 Broadway, Oakland | Buy Tickets Here |
| Saturday, October 12, 2024 10 am – 12 pm | 58th Annual United Nations Flag Raising Celebration with Parade “Peace and Nonviolence” Free, family friendly event The event will include live entertainment, guest speakers, and light refreshments. Location: Jack London Square, Oakland at UN Flagpole | Web Link |
| Wednesday, October 16, 2024 Starts 6:30 PM | Airport-Community Noise Forum Meeting The agenda for the October 16, 2024, meeting will be disseminated prior to the meeting and posted online at the “web link” to the right. Location: (In-person) Port of Oakland Board Room, 530 Water Street, 2nd Floor , (Virtual) ) Zoom information will be disseminated closer to the meeting date. | Web Link |
