Frequently Asked Questions

As of July 2020, 41% of black-owned small businesses had already closed due to the pandemic compared to just 17% of non black-owned businesses. Not only have black entrepreneurs historically borne the burden of racist economic policies, most technical assistance and business support efforts (before and after COVID-19) simply don’t meet the core needs of these businesses. They need focused support from providers who are in their respective communities and who understand that black entrepreneurs are more likely to be invested with personal savings/credit since they lack access to capital. We acknowledge that many businesses in communities of color are run by entrepreneurs who have turned to independent business ownership in response to labor markets that have already failed them.

Oakstop Alliance was created in January of 2020 to facilitate arts focused community events, workshops and experiences. Our service offering dramatically pivoted during the pandemic as we worked to drive relief resources to our arts and small business communities via our granting initiative, the Oakland Black Business Fund. In 2022 we’ll enter our third year of providing services to the East Bay arts and small-business communities.

While the idea for Oakstop Alliance (501(c)3) was born from Oakstop’s (LLC) many years of operating as a social enterprise working to guarantee the East Bay had access to cultural venues, we are two separate organizations.

Oakstop Alliance is dedicated to providing services to artists and entrepreneurs and to curating accessible community experiences in the East San Francisco Bay Area.

If you are looking for an event space, co-working memberships or office space, reach out to Oakstop!

Yes! We are a 501(c)3 organization and your one-time/recurring donation is 100% tax deductible!

Yes! We are a 501(c)3 organization and your one-time/recurring donation is 100% tax deductible!

100% of your donation goes to our mission to create and maintain a sustainable economic network for black artists and small businesses in the Bay Area.

Your donation will be used for the greatest organizational need unless you indicate otherwise! We direct resources to our overhead (rent, lights & gas!) program costs (space rental, costs of materials, vendors) and grants (direct artist/small business support.)