A Conversation with Mayoral Candidate Loren Taylor
Over the next few editions of Joinery, I’m diving deeper into Oakland’s social infrastructure—the bars, restaurants, cafés, and gathering spaces that shape our city’s culture, economy, and sense of belonging. These spaces don’t just serve food and drinks; they serve community. They provide places to connect, organize, and build relationships in a city that, like many others, faces challenges of isolation and loneliness.
At the same time, Oakland is on the verge of a major leadership transition. With a special election approaching to fill the Mayoral seat vacated by Sheng Thao, this is a critical moment to ask: What will the next mayor do to support the businesses and spaces that keep Oakland vibrant?
I reached out to both leading candidates—former City Councilman Loren Taylor and Representative Barbara Lee—to hear their thoughts on how they plan to strengthen and sustain social infrastructure in Oakland. Below is my conversation with Loren Taylor.
JJ: Oakland’s social infrastructure—its bars, cafes, arts venues, and other gathering spaces—plays a critical role in fostering civic engagement and economic vitality. How would your administration prioritize investment in these spaces to ensure they remain accessible and sustainable?
LT: Oakland boasts a dynamic and globally recognized social infrastructure. My administration will prioritize and support key initiatives that not only celebrate our city's cultural richness but also attract visitors, strengthen community connections, and drive economic growth. These targeted initiatives are aimed at reducing crime, lowering financial burdens, and fostering economic growth. A dedicated OPD unit for retail and property crimes will focus on protecting small businesses from theft and vandalism. I will eliminate the city tax for businesses earning less than $2 million in revenue, allowing entrepreneurs to reinvest in their operations and workforce. Additionally, I will create a small business concierge service to help local businesses navigate city regulations. Establishing an Economic Development Corporation will drive long-term investment and job creation by coordinating public and private sector efforts to grow Oakland’s economy. Finally, I will implement a "Vacant-to-Vibrant" program to revitalize underutilized commercial spaces, turning empty storefronts and lots into thriving businesses.
Culinary Excellence: The city’s vibrant food scene has garnered national attention, with several local chefs and restaurants named semifinalists in the 2025 James Beard Awards. Notable nominees include Suzette Gresham-Tognetti of Acquerello for Outstanding Chef and Spencer Horovitz of Hadeem for Emerging Chef.
Technological Innovation: Oakland’s tech sector is thriving, with tech jobs growing at twice the rate of other sectors. The city has transformed into a powerhouse of tech innovation, featuring over 350 active startups—a 40% increase since 2020. Sectors like AI, fintech, and clean tech are particularly prominent while there is significant growth potential still available.
Rich Cultural History: Oakland is a hub of cultural and artistic expression. Its deep history of social justice movements, diverse music and arts scenes, and enduring legacy as the birthplace of the Black Panther Party make it a beacon of resilience and activism. Events like First Fridays and the Malcolm X Jazz Arts Festival bring the community together to celebrate this heritage.
Natural Beauty and Green Spaces: The city boasts stunning natural landscapes, including Lake Merritt, Joaquin Miller Park, and the Oakland Hills. These areas offer residents and visitors opportunities for outdoor recreation and connection with nature, serving as urban oases within a bustling metropolis.
JJ: Many small business owners in Oakland face significant challenges related to permitting, zoning, and city responsiveness. What specific steps would you take to reduce bureaucratic barriers and better support independent businesses that contribute to community connection?
LT: Oakland must be fully open for business and set the standard for a thriving business-friendly environment. Currently, our schedules and operations are not aligned with the needs of business owners, and we must make accessibility and efficiency a priority. Implementing a shot clock—a set timeframe for city agencies to process permits and respond to business inquiries—would create accountability and efficiency in Oakland’s permitting and zoning process. By setting firm deadlines for approvals, reviews, and responses, small business owners would no longer face indefinite delays that hinder their ability to open or expand.
As an Oakland Councilmember, my first legislation was to create a performance management system in the city. All city departments should have transparent performance dashboards. As Mayor, to further reduce bureaucratic barriers, I would: 1) Establish an online dashboard where business owners can track their permit status in real-time, ensuring transparency; 2) Streamline redundant regulations and cut unnecessary steps in zoning and permitting processes; 3) Create a dedicated small business liaison to help owners navigate city requirements and troubleshoot delays; and 4) Implement an automatic approval mechanism where permits are granted if the city fails to respond within the designated shot clock period.
These steps will ensure that small businesses—essential to Oakland’s economic and cultural fabric—receive the timely support they need to thrive.
JJ: Other cities have leveraged public-private partnerships, grants, and community-driven initiatives to strengthen their social infrastructure. How would you partner with local organizations and private sector stakeholders to enhance civic engagement and preserve Oakland’s gathering spaces?
LT: Oakland can strengthen its social infrastructure by leveraging public-private partnerships, grants, and community-driven initiatives in collaboration with ethnic chambers of commerce and local organizations. Partnering with ethnic chambers of commerce, such as the Oakland African American, Latino, Chinatown, and Vietnamese Chambers, ensures that civic engagement efforts are inclusive and reflective of the city's diverse communities. There are also new business advocacy organizations such as Savor, a consumer brand of the Oakland Restaurant Collective.These organizations can serve as direct conduits between the city and small business owners, cultural institutions, and neighborhood groups to preserve gathering spaces and ensure they remain accessible. Additionally, securing private sector investment and grant funding can support community spaces—such as cultural centers, small business incubators, and nonprofit hubs—creating sustainable venues for civic engagement. By working with corporate partners and philanthropic organizations, the city can increase funding for key community-driven projects.
As a Councilmember, I worked closely with the Black Cultural Zone to create the Akoma
Outdoor Market on a city-owned lot in District 6. This project revitalized the area and boosted economic development in the community. I also helped direct capital project resources to the places of greatest need in East Oakland. Activating vacant or underutilized spaces through partnerships with local organizations like The Town Experience, The Unity Council, and Black Cultural Zone can create vibrant, accessible hubs for arts, business, and civic participation. By prioritizing inclusive economic development and community-driven planning, Oakland can ensure that public spaces remain centers for cultural expression, business growth, and social engagement.
JJ: Public safety concerns—real or perceived—impact Oakland’s nightlife and small business economy. How do you plan to balance safety investments while ensuring that bars, live music venues, and restaurants remain welcoming and thriving parts of our social fabric?
Oakland's public safety crisis requires systemic, comprehensive changes to immediately reverse the trend of homicides and crime in our communities. I have a record of championing smart investments in technology, partnering with responsible law enforcement, and centering equity in our public safety system.
As mentioned above, I will establish a dedicated OPD unit for retail and property crime to address rising concerns over theft and property crimes, ensuring that both businesses and residents feel safe and protected. We have more work to do to ensure that all people feel safe in their communities. I reject the framing that it’s either police and enforcement or violence prevention and root cause intervention. We can be compassionate, focusing on addressing root causes of crime while also supporting the good officers who keep our community safe, and also hold the problematic officers accountable should there be a violation of constitutional policing practices.
Restoring confidence in the Oakland Police Department requires both support and reform. I will ensure that OPD leadership is committed to constitutional policing, rebuild staffing levels to improve emergency response times, and invest in proven violence prevention programs. I support the following 1) Increase the police staffing levels to 800 officers and increase officer efficiency We need to increase our academies to full capacity with higher-quality local cadets. 2) Continue funding proven violence prevention programs and strategies (like Ceasefire, Youth Alive, The OK Program, and others) while reallocating funding from those programs that fail to deliver on their promised value. 3) Exit the 20-year Negotiated Settlement Agreement (NSA) to reduce the burdensome administrative demands and direct more resources toward improving public safety while maintaining strong accountability. 4) Speed up 911 response times. By increasing the number of 911 dispatchers, by aggressively recruiting dispatchers and expediting their training.
My plan prioritizes smart resource allocation, community engagement, and accountability to create a safer Oakland for all.
Upcoming events:
Through March 30: Future Chefs of Oakland. Part of Oakland Food Futures Summit, this pop-up event will highlight three aspiring chefs each offering a selection of dishes out of Community Kitchens’ Central Kitchen on W. Grand and Telegraph (Former Kingston 11). Menu at Community Kitchens.
March 30: 10:30-2pm: Italian Street Food Pop Up. From a telephone pole flyer: “A Modena style trattoria with gnocco fritto, Prosciutto, Mortadella, and Lambrusco!” At Ramen Shop (5812 College Ave). More on IG.
April 25, 5-9pm: JOIN or DIE Screening. Join or Die is a film about why you should join a club—and why the fate of America depends on it. Follow the story of America's civic unraveling through the journey of Robert Putnam, whose legendary "Bowling Alone" research into American community decline may hold the answers to our democracy's present crisis. RSVP on Partiful.
May 4, 9:30-12pm: Make a Miniature Vignette. In this 2.5 hour workshop for adults, you’ll create a miniature scene that features a wall and floor, framed piece of art, console table, miniature books, and clock. You’ll get to customize your space with a choice of art print and mini-framing method, “tile” color and pattern, wall color, clock color, and more. Final dimensions approx. 7.75” tall x 6” wide x 3.7” deep. Hosted by JOINERS regular, Erica Meade.RSVP at Brushstrokes Studio.