Barbara Lee Elected Mayor of Oakland: A Call for Unity and Community-Centered Governance
- bossbayarea
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
In a pivotal special election, former U.S. Representative Barbara Lee was elected as the new mayor of Oakland, California, securing over 52% of the vote after nine rounds of ranked-choice voting.
Lee's victory comes at a critical juncture for Oakland, a city grappling with challenges such as crime, homelessness, and economic instability.
Lee, a progressive icon with a long-standing commitment to social justice, emphasized the need for unity in her victory speech, "Oakland is a deeply divided City; I answered the call to run to unite our community, so that I can represent every voter, and we can all work together as One Oakland to solve our most pressing problems".
The election also saw the passage of Measure A, a citywide sales tax increase aimed at addressing Oakland's substantial budget deficit. Additionally, Charlene Wang won the District 2 City Council seat, further shaping the city's leadership landscape.
As Mayor Lee prepares to take office, community organizations like Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS) are calling for a renewed focus on collaboration between city leadership and grassroots initiatives. BOSS, which provides services in housing, reentry, mental health, and violence prevention, emphasizes the importance of sustained funding and partnerships to serve Oakland's most vulnerable populations effectively.
In the lead-up to the special election, BOSS hosted “Healing, Housing & The Ballot”—a community roundtable rooted in truth-telling, civic awareness, and collective responsibility.
Held at the Wellness Empowerment & Resiliency Campus (WERC), the gathering brought together local residents, organizers, returning citizens, and frontline advocates to name what Oakland needs—and what real accountability should look like beyond Election Day.
The outcome of the meeting was clear: people are not just asking for representation—they are demanding partnership. Participants expressed urgent needs for transparent governance, sustainable investment in reentry and mental health services, and city leaders who maintain a relationship with the communities they serve. It ended with a collective call to keep showing up, not just during campaign seasons but throughout.
BOSS looks forward to working with Mayor Lee, council members, and the broader civic ecosystem to continue those conversations—and ensure that the voices in that room are not just heard but honored through action. The city’s next chapter must be written with community, not just about it.
"The challenges facing Oakland require a collective effort," says Donald Frazier, CEO of BOSS. "We look forward to working with Mayor Lee and the City Council to ensure that programs addressing homelessness, incarceration, and community violence receive the support they need."
Mayor-elect Lee has outlined a 10-point plan for her first 100 days, focusing on public safety, economic revitalization, and improving city services . Her leadership presents an opportunity to bridge divides and foster partnerships that prioritize the well-being of all Oakland residents.
As Oakland embarks on this new chapter, the collaboration between city officials and community organizations will be crucial in building a more equitable and resilient future.
At a time when communities of color are fighting to have their voices heard, the SJC Fellowship is developing new leaders who have personal experience in the justice system — predominantly Black and Brown men and women.
The Fellowship provides a 20-week series of trainings designed to educate, inspire, and train new leaders—it is making change in important ways:
Lifting Up LIVED EXPERIENCE
Creating HEALTHY & SAFE COMMUNITIES
Changing SYSTEMIC RACISM & INEQUITY
Your support will help us:
Continue recruitment of Social Justice Collective Fellows
Transport participants to advocate in Sacramento 4 times a year and Washington, DC once a year
Hire facilitators to provide classes, seminars and workshops
Engage individuals and neighborhoods in get-out-the-vote activities
Connect 200 individuals to housing, employment, & health care by the end of the year