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For
over 25 years, OCO has remained dedicated to organizing the people
of Oakland into a powerful force for social change. Guided by our
ecumenical faith values and belief in democratic participation,
OCO works to unite people across diverse communities in order to
 collectively
improve the quality of life for families, especially those in greatest
need. OCO seeks to reweave the fabric of our communities by calling
upon each individual to transform the pain of injustice by joining
others in the development of solutions that affect permanent and
positive change in the neighborhood, the schools, and in the city.
OCO
is a federation of 40 congregations and allied community organizations
representing 40,000 familiesfrom East, West and North Oakland. Our
members include African American, Latino, Asian and Caucasian families
from Baptist,Catholic, African Methodist Episcopal, Reformed Church,
 Christian
Methodist Episcopal, non-denominational, Presbyterian, United Methodist,
and Church of God in Christ. People of all faiths participate through
neighborhood organizations, charter and public schools, village
centers, agencies, and labor unions, demonstrating a democratic
power that strives to make equal the voice of the voter and the
actions of the elected.
 OCO
has been the gathering place, the training ground where thousands
of people have put their faith in action and become known leaders
in Oakland, powerfully enacting the true meaning of democratic life.
OCO leaders have learned how to listen to the pain and concerns
of their neighbors, have courageously worked to bring people together,
and have taken repeated risks when speaking out for needed change
in public
forums.The voices and victories of our leaders are well known from
the offices of Oakland City Hall to the Governor’s Chambers.
We want to honor the journey of each leader and tell the stories
of so many of our modern day heroes.
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