The Oakstop Effect combines workforce development with a culturally relevant workplace to embrace the emotional well-being of Black workers and remove barriers to career development that Black professionals confront in the workplace.

Work Based Learning

A real-time learning approach allows for practical hands-on experience within Oakstop’s operation.

Living Wages & Benefits

Participants start by earning a living wage of $25+/hr while learning the necessary job skills to earn $50+/hr

Culturally Conscious Work

A culturally conducive environment focused on embracing the emotional well-being of participants.

Worker Ownership

Participants who stay with Oakstop for 36 months will have opportunities to own stock in the company.

Who We Serve

The workforce development program focuses on upskilling and career pathways for Black working age adults (ages 18-64) seeking opportunities to work in a culturally relevant mission-driven business. As a Black owned and operated organization, Oakstop’s management and leadership staff facilitate the program, allowing participants to learn directly from other experienced Black colleagues with relatable backgrounds.

Target Demographics

Artists & Creatives

Participants who stay with Oakstop for 36 months will have opportunities to own stock in the company.

Returning Citizens

Participants will either be promoted within Oakstop or have the necessary skills to earn.

Former Foster Youth

Participants will be serving, have access to, and be building relations with 100+ employers.

 

What We Offer

Our program offers workers opportunities for wealth creation by creating jobs for  emerging Black professionals, who earn living wages while learning skills to lead organizations that advance Black communities!

The Oakstop Effect Provides

✓  Employment w/ Living Wages & Benefits
✓  A Culturally Relevant Workplace
✓  Job Skills & Leadership Training
✓  Personalized Career Coaching
✓  Access to 100+ Relevant Employers
✓  Opportunity for Continued Employment
✓  Opportunity for Stock Ownership

 

Where We Focus

The program engages cohorts of 20 employees, with a focus on teaching skills required to fulfill roles within Oakstop’s operating model: hospitality, sales/customer service, administration, digital literacy, project management, and property management.

Administrative Assistance

Facilitating client needs and administrative duties for the shared workspace function.

Hospitality & Events

Implementing plans for small and large scale events for corporate/personal clients.

Property Management

Maintaining commercial real estate assets and managing third party service vendors.

Sales & Customer Service

Fulfilling client demand for small and large scale event and meeting space bookings.

How We Develop Talent

By creating a culturally conducive environment, we lay the foundation for effectively learning core skills that instill professional confidence.

Competence

Understanding the organization and learning core skills to succeed.

Confidence

Leveraging core skills and relationships to pursue larger career aspirations.

Program Outcomes

Employee Stock Ownership

Participants who stay with Oakstop for 36 months will have opportunities to own stock in the company.

Increased Earning Potential

Participants will either be promoted within Oakstop or have the necessary skills to earn.

Strong Professional Network

Participants will be serving, have access to, and be building relations with 100+ employers.

 

After 12 months, participants have the option of continuing with Oakstop for two subsequent 12-month phases of the program, or transitioning out of the program and into other partner organizations within the Oakstop ecosystem. Participants who continue for subsequent phases will begin vesting in the company after 36 months, making them eligible for partial ownership of Oakstop. The unique opportunity to own shares of Oakstop, which holds real estate assets in downtown Oakland, motivates participants to advance their careers and catalyzes their economic mobility in the face of displacement.

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