Oakland General Plan Update: Racial Equity Impact Analysis
Marybelle Nzegwu Tobias, Principal
Colin Miller, Senior Associate (Phase I)
Sarina Vega, Associate (Phase II)
Equity Facilitator & REIA Author
E/J Solutions is a subcontractor on the City’s technical consulting team led by Dyett & Bhatia. We support the development and inclusion of equitable policies throughout the General Plan Update. E/J Solutions reviews and provides substantive edits on the development of Alternatives and the Elements and conducts a Racial Equity Impacts Analysis (REIA) for every component of the General Plan Update.
During Phase I, E/J Solutions supported development of Oakland’s custom Environmental Justice Communities Map and equity scores, co-led community engagement in collaboration with the City’s community consultant team, Deeply Rooted, a collaborative of 17 Oakland based organizations and groups and drafted REIAs for the Housing Element, Environmental Justice Element, and the Safety Element. During Phase II of the project, E/J Solutions will advise during development of Alternatives and draft Elements and develop a comprehensive REIA of the Land Use and Transportation (LUTE), Open Space, Conservation, and Recreation (OSCAR), Noise, and Infrastructure & Facilities Elements.
Community Social Equity Committee & Social Equity Strategic Plan
Marybelle Nzegwu Tobias, Principal; Colin Miller, Senior Associate
Sarina Vega, Sylvia Escarcega, Nefertiti Altan, Aitran Doan, Weikuen Tang, Amani Will, Associates
Equity Facilitator & Plan Writer
E/J Solutions is developing a community-driven social equity and cultural inclusion strategic plan for Millbrae. We conducted robust community engagement to bring together a 15-member Community Social Equity Committee to work alongside us to build a collective vision and actionable plan for a more just, equitable, sustainable, and inclusive Millbrae. The Social Equity Framework we developed for the plan comprehensively covers 17 spheres of social equity and includes measures to ensure results-based accountability. We also developed a logo for the planning process and iconography for the spheres of social equity.
Building Electrification & Targeted Gas Decommissioning Focus Groups
Marybelle Nzegwu Tobias, Principal; Colin Miller, Senior Associate
Sylvia Escarcega, Nefertiti Altan, Aitran Doan, Weikuen Tang, Amani Will, Associates
Focus Group Facilitator
E/J Solutions conducted three in-person focus groups with residents of three pre-selected neighborhoods in EBCE’s service territory as part of the California Energy Commission’s (“CEC”) Tactical Gas Decommissioning Project, which is working to assess the practicability of targeted electrification— the complete electrification of an area in order to decommission the gas lines to that neighborhood. We provided a comprehensive final report highlighting resident’s priority needs and concerns and preferred solutions and provided recommendations on best practices to promote equitable outcomes in building electrification.
Air Pollution Community Needs Assessment, Listening Sessions & Community Air Action Plan
Marybelle Nzegwu Tobias, Principal
Colin Miller, Senior Associate
Community Engagement & Plan Development
E/J Solutions developed an air quality community needs assessment (CNA) to better understand the burdens experienced by Marin City residents. After synthesizing the data, we co-hosted Listening Sessions with Marin City residents to share the results and gain further insights. We compiled all of the feedback into a Community Air Action Plan based on the big picture vision that Marin City residents successfully work together to spur action that improves their air quality, health, and well-being, without destroying or displacing the existing community.
A People’s Vision for Food Sovereignty in the Bay Area
Marybelle Nzegwu Tobias, Principal; Colin Miller, Senior Associate
Aitran Doan, Sylvia Escarcega, Megan Mubaraki, Eva Farah, Associates
Community Engagement & Vision Development
E/J Solutions carried out meaningful community engagement via community roundtables, focus groups, and 1-1 interviews to learn the ways the current food system does not meet the needs of local communities and food and farm workers. We conducted a thorough assessment of the research gathered by the full PFFP team and the data from our community engagement activities to develop a community-based vision for an equitable, sustainable and just food system in the nine-county Bay Area.
Equitable Lead Poisoning Prevention Policy: Racial Equity Impact Analysis
Marybelle Nzegwu Tobias, Principal
Author
Gathered and assessed extensive data on disparities in lead poisoning and prevention efforts. Developed detailed recommendations to close equity gaps in the City of Oakland and County of Alameda’s joint programmatic efforts.
CITY OF OAKLAND PRESS RELEASE Announcing Release of Report & City Council’s Approval of a new Equity-Based Lead Program (December 21, 2021)
“The impetus for the Equity Impact Analysis was to provide a framework for how to allocate $24 million to the City of Oakland and Alameda County from a settlement with the lead paint industry. In 2001, the City of Oakland, Alameda County were among 10 cities and counties that sued the lead paint industry for knowingly selling and marketing their products as safe, despite knowing the significant health risks of lead, especially for children. The landmark litigation resulted in a $305 million settlement; $24 million was allocated to the City of Oakland and Alameda County, which share jurisdiction.
On December 21, the Oakland City Council authorized a Memorandum of Understanding, which was also authorized by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors on December 16, 2021, allocating 60% ($14 million) of the settlement funds to the City of Oakland to fund lead poisoning prevention services within the City and 40% of the funds ($9.6 million) to fund lead poisoning prevention services within Alameda County but outside of Oakland. The City will receive 20% ($4.8 million) now to fund development of an Equity-Based Lead Program to implement the recommendations outlined in the Equity Impact Analysis.
UC Climate Resilience Planning Initiative
Marybelle Nzegwu Tobias, Principal
Colin Miller, Senior Associate
Equity & Engagement Facilitators & Framework Co-Authors
Developed a step-by-step guide for UC campuses and medical centers detailing how to accomplish climate resilience planning centered in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Leading the organization and facilitation of multiple climate resilience planning workshops for each UC location (17 various locations: 10 Campuses, 5 Medical Centers, UCOP, and ANR) with state and local community leaders to identify local vulnerabilities and potential actions for improving resilience.
Framework available by request.
Connected Communities Focus Groups
Marybelle Nzegwu Tobias, Principal; Colin Miller, Senior Associate
Aitran Doan, Tran Lam, Associates
Focus Group Design & Facilitation
Hosted focus groups with struggling utility customers in Alameda County in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Cantonese. Prepared detailed program recommendations based on our findings.
Community Climate Solutions
Marybelle Nzegwu Tobias, Principal
Climate Equity & Engagement Advisor
Developed community listening sessions for San Leandro residents to inform local, regional, and state climate policy.
Oakland 2030 Equitable Climate Action Plan
Marybelle Nzegwu Tobias, Principal
Colin Miller, Senior Associate (Coordinator – Oakland Climate Action Coalition)
David Jaber, Director of Optimization – Blue Star Integrative Studio
Equity Facilitators
2030 Equitable Climate Action Plan (ECAP)
Led a robust and equitable community engagement process to develop community priorities for the plan, reaching over 5,000 Oaklanders. The ECAP and REIA were unanimously adopted by Oakland City Council on July 28, 2020.
Racial Equity Impact Assessment & Implementation Guide (REIA)
Gathered and assessed data on disparities in Oakland identifying the City’s frontline communities. Provided detailed recommendations for maximizing benefits to frontline communities throughout Plan implementation.
Oakland 2030
Developed Oakland 2030 website to host our online presence. The website hosted our climate action survey, which received over 800 responses, included a portal to leave comments directly on the draft plan, and shared announcements for upcoming events, including Climate Equity Work Days co-hosted by local Oakland nonprofits and community groups.
IN THE PRESS
EAST BAY EXPRESS Climate Change & Social Change by Jean Tepperman
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE How climate change activists are adapting to the pandemic by Taylor Kate Brown
OAKLAND NORTH New climate action plan details city action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by Isabel Lyndon
THE AMERICAN PROSPECT A Green New Deal for Oakland by Julian Brave Noisecat
PO PEOPLE’S REVOLUTIONARY NEWZ HOUR Interview with Host Lisa Tiny Gray-Garcia
CalEnviroScreen: A Critical Tool for Achieving Environmental Justice in California
Marybelle Nzegwu Tobias, Principal
Co-Author
Co-authored manual for policymakers on using CalEnviroScreen to create equitable policies that protect overburdened communities and direct much-needed resources to disadvantaged areas.
Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment
Marybelle Nzegwu Tobias, Principal
Member, Board of Directors
Member, California Environmental Grassroots Fund
Oversee foundation governance and award small grants for community-based environmental science, education, and advocacy.
West Oakland AB 617 Community Action Plan: Owning Our Air
Marybelle Nzegwu Tobias, Principal
Steering Committee Co-Facilitator
Co-facilitated a consensus-based, community-led planning process that resulted in the development of the Owning Our Air plan, which seeks to reduce air pollution disparities in West Oakland.
E / J Solutions 