By Oakland City Councilmember At-Large Rowena Brown—
Community, how are you? It is always my pleasure to connect with you! Across the bay, in Oakland, we have been hard at work taking care of essential city business as we approach the end of our legislative session.
June marks Pride Month for most major cities—even though Oakland proudly throws its main celebration in August. (Mark your calendars: the official date for the Oakland Pride Parade is Sunday, August 16th, 2026!)
In the beautiful spirit of Pride, I recently had the opportunity to bring forth legislation to support the Oakland LGBTQ+ Cultural Center in renaming a plaza located within our LGBTQ+ Cultural District: Moore Hope Plaza. This space is proudly named after two incredible trailblazers in our community, Peggy Moore and Hope Wood, who were tragically killed in a car accident in 2024. They left behind an immeasurable impact on Oakland and beyond.
The renaming of this plaza, located right outside the Oakland LGBTQ+ Cultural Center, is far more than a ceremonial recognition. It is a profound commitment to honoring the legacy of two women who fought tirelessly to create a more equitable and just world. Moore Hope Plaza will stand as a lasting reminder that queer history cannot—and will not—be erased in Oakland. Please stay tuned for the official dedication ceremony hosted by the Cultural Center.
Critical Policy Updates: Budget & Charter Reform
On the policy front, the City of Oakland has begun moving forward with our mid-cycle budget, which will consume most of our time in the coming weeks, leading up to the end of June.
Additionally, the council weighed in on Charter Reform at the convening of the full City Council on June 2, 2026. It had the goal of placing a specific initiative on the upcoming ballot. If you are a registered voter in the City of Oakland and the balance of city power—such as a Strong Mayor vs. Council-Manager system—or preserving the At-Large Council seat matters to you, be sure to vote in the upcoming November election.
Regional Advocacy & Lifelong Learning
In my role on the Alameda County Transportation Commission, I recently joined agency leadership at the State Capitol in Sacramento. Together, we advocated for essential programs that support our neighborhoods, including paratransit services, Safe Routes to Schools, and increased transportation funding to ensure pedestrian, bike, and road safety.
Likewise, I attended the Ava Community Energy Conference to continue my education as a board member on the commission. It was an invaluable opportunity to learn about the latest innovations in clean energy and how we can bring sustainable, affordable power solutions back to our local communities.
Full Circle Moments
Finally, I had the joy of being the Commencement Speaker at the Merritt College Graduation at the historic Paramount Theatre. Watching the graduates cross the stage was an incredible, full-circle reminder of my own journey as a former student of that very community college. Seeing their success is exactly the kind of encouragement our young people need right now, especially as we navigate these challenging times.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out and connect. It is my absolute pleasure to serve as Oakland’s Councilmember At-Large!
Rowena Brown, elected in 2024 as Oakland’s At-Large City Councilmember, is an African American queer leader and lifelong East Bay resident. A former community organizer, civics educator, and State Legislative District Director, she has spent her career advancing equity, opportunity, and inclusive policies at both the local and state levels. As Councilmember, she is centering community voices and bridging grassroots movements with City Hall to build a more resilient, just, and thriving Oakland. https://bit.ly/4m3rMJ2
Leading with Pride from Oakland City Hall
Published on June 11, 2026
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