Alliance for West Oakland Development
WHO WE ARE
The Alliance for West Oakland Development (AWOD) is a non-profit organization that has been in operation since June 28, 1999. Several small business owners came together to revive the famed West Oakland 7th street corridor to reflect the communities image. The group agreed to make earnest strides toward employing residents for local development.
The mission of AWOD is to initiate, promote and facilitate the development of blighted districts in Oakland, California. Our objective is to introduce and teach local inner city youth skill sets that will broaden opportunities for a new career path. Students will learn the basics of construction development trades. This will inspire community involvement and productivity; resulting in successful job retention rates within the city of Oakland.
HISTORY
Alliance for West Oakland Development (AWOD) is a non- profit organization that was incorporated on June 28, 1999 as a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation. The goal was to promote housing, local cultural retail districts, and economic development in the distressed community of Oakland, California. On December 15, 1999, AWOD structured an equity partnership with Bank of America's CDC and acquired a 3.5 acre parcel from Union Pacific. This parcel was located across from the West Oakland Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) electric rail station. The parcel served as the catalyst site for the Mandela Village project. On September 19, 2000, the Alliance was designated as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.