A Conversation with Representative Barbara Lee
Today, we’re accelerating our publication schedule to continue gathering perspectives from public officials on Oakland’s social infrastructure—the bars, restaurants, cafés, and gathering spaces that shape the city’s culture, economy, and sense of belonging. With a special election to fill the mayoral seat vacated by Sheng Thao coming up on Tuesday, April 15, we were fortunate to hear directly from another leading candidate: Representative Barbara Lee.
Jared Joiner: 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?
Barbara Lee: Oakland’s cultural spaces are more than businesses—they are the heartbeat of our neighborhoods. They are where stories are shared, movements are born, and communities are knit together. As Mayor, it is vital to support our social infrastructure by investing in the creative and communal spaces that make Oakland special.
Just the other week, I was at a Friday night dance party at Lake Merritt, and I would love to see more public spaces around Oakland for arts, culture, and community.
One of the most important jobs as mayor is to be a cheerleader for the city of Oakland and ensure we are attracting people, businesses, private investments, and economic activity into the city. That can only happen if we can provide a safe and clean city.
Every Oakland resident should feel safe and secure — whether it's running our small business, dining at one of Oakland's incredible restaurants, attending one of the city’s many arts and culture events, and catching the bus or BART, or walking home at night. That’s why public safety will be one of my top priorities as mayor. We also need effective solutions to address homelessness. We must connect unhoused people with supportive housing, addiction and mental health services, and with jobs.
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?
BL: I hear these frustrations every day on the campaign trail. We must make it easier—not harder—for small, independent, community-serving businesses to thrive here.
Oakland is a nationally recognized hub of food, art, and culture – Burdell was just named the #1 restaurant in the country by Food & Wine magazine. We need to support small businesses to continue as a core part of what makes Oakland so special.
This is also critical to our fiscal health. We must focus on economic development and grow the city’s tax base. More business activity means more tax revenue. I will streamline permitting, support small businesses, and attract responsible investment to grow Oakland’s economy.
I want to leverage state and federal resources - I have a proven track record of securing millions for Oakland in Congress – and will aggressively pursue grants, infrastructure funding, and emergency financial support.
I’m grateful to have the support of so many small business owners across Oakland, as well as the sole endorsement of OakPAC, the political action committee for the Oakland Chamber of Commerce.
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?
BL: Collaboration is key—and no one is better positioned to bring resources to Oakland than I am. As Congresswoman, I’ve delivered billions of dollars in federal investment to our city. As Mayor, I will continue to leverage my deep relationships across government, philanthropy, and the private sector to bring dollars home.
As I mentioned above, one strategy I will explore is starting an office of public and private partnerships to leverage philanthropy and the business sector, and support businesses with grants and technical assistance. This office could coordinate new investments from federal and state sources, philanthropic partners, and businesses.
This kind of effort must prioritize community-driven projects and maintain strong ties with cultural organizations, neighborhood business associations, and local entrepreneurs.
Oakland deserves to be a national model for how cities can preserve culture, build community, and invest in connection. I am ready to fight on day one for Oakland. From my time as a member of Congress, I have the experience to create these public-private partnerships, and will continue doing that as Mayor.
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?
BL: As I said, public safety is one of my top priorities. I believe in a comprehensive approach to community-centered safety that supports both residents and local businesses. Everyone in Oakland deserves to feel safe.
If elected Mayor, public safety will be my top priority. Police officers should prioritize investigating gun crimes, arresting dangerous fugitives, and ending gun violence. Law enforcement policing efforts must work in tandem with violence prevention programs, community policing and anti-gang/drug programs for youth.
My public safety priorities include:
Maintaining police patrols and programs such as Oakland’s Operation Ceasefire Safety Program. Ceasefire is a partnership between OPD, the Department of Violence Prevention, and the Alameda County Probation Department that focuses specifically on those responsible for most local crimes and the groups and gangs with which they’re involved and offering them incentives to stop engaging in violence.
Deploying special police teams trained to investigate gun crimes and arrest dangerous fugitives and increasing the number of police officers. The number of assaults, smash/grabs, retail theft, and home robberies are frightening and costly for residents and business owners alike. I will work to cut bureaucratic inefficiencies, so that as many sworn officers as possible are out on patrol, not behind desks -- which will help to deter these situations.
Executing on Measure NN’s comprehensive public safety strategy: law enforcement, violence prevention, and alternative response models adopted by Oakland voters in 2024. I will prioritize getting guns off our streets and expanding successful programs like MACRO, an innovative crisis response program that dispatches trained EMTs and social workers to respond to 911 calls for mental health crises, allowing law enforcement to respond more quickly to gun violence and other serious crimes. I will also work to increase funding – including philanthropic investment and public/private partnerships – to support neighborhood-based mental health crisis teams and antigang/drug youth prevention programs.
Expanding and enhancing year-round after-school and summer initiatives to provide safe and structured environments for Oakland’s youth. I believe children and youth should have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive and build brighter futures –such as mentorship, mental health resources, leadership opportunities, and academic support. I will work with Oakland Unified, Oakland Teachers, families and parent leaders and organizations to lift up our kids, including leading an Oakland effort to achieve “Computer Science for All,” as I did in Congress to help create STEAM (Science, Technology, Art and Math) for Oakland students.
Working to reopen the three fire stations serving Grand Lake, Joaquin Miller Park, and Grass Valley neighborhoods. Over 75% of emergency calls in Oakland are responses to medical emergencies. I will work to ensure our Paramedic Firefighters and EMTs have the resources and support they desperately need to respond to any Oaklander who needs help quickly.
These actions are just a start. Most importantly, once in office, leading City Hall to focus on addressing the issues that Oaklanders face every day effectively, will be my top priority.
Upcoming Events:
April 9, 7pm: Making Oakland’s Government Work. This event will look at the challenges that SPUR raised in its 2021 report Making Government Work and explore how city governance can adapt to meet the needs of Oaklanders. Free Tickets at SPUR.
April 10, 7:30-11:30pm: Elastic Magazine Oakland Launch. Elastic is the new magazine of psychedelic art and literature. Their first issue is available now and they’re celebrating with a launch event in Oakland. Register (free) at Eventbrite for location.
April 19, 2pm ET. Find common ground - Addressing Immigration. Braver Angels will bring together an equal number of Reds and Blues to do a deep dive into the topic of immigration. By the end, participants will jointly come up with shared points of agreement, values, concerns, and policies. Sign up free on Eventbrite.
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.