Restorative Economics

Restorative Economics explores the intersection of economy, democracy and collective care.

At Restore Oakland, we are practicing a framework designed by Nwamaka Agbo to build pathways for small businesses to have the resources, skills and organizing tools to build thriving businesses, vibrant neighborhoods, and community wealth and power.

Anchored by the wisdom and voices of our community,

we work with a deep understanding that Black, Indigenous, Latinx, AAPI and communities of color have historically been blocked out of, and face economic barriers to accessing capital.

In addition to ongoing health, climate and economic crises, these systemic barriers contribute to a widening racial wealth gap preventing our communities from building wealth for themselves, their families.

We envision a restorative and regenerative economy that reflects the wholeness of our humanity, rooted in a culture of abundance and care for the people and the planet.

Our work focuses on reimagining the economy in ways we have always known we needed.

We do this by working in deep relationships with local community members and grassroots movement organizations in the East Bay.

Together, we are transforming the landscape of capital as a tool for building wealth, and developing place-based programs to uplift and empower those who have been most harmed by the current economic system.

Reimagining an economy rooted in a culture of abundance will require all parts of us.

In this work, we honor the importance of our wholeness, and healing as a tool to repair and restore a kind of economic future where entrepreneurs, businesses and worker-owners can live and thrive with dignity and self-determination.

Restorative economics is put into practice by organizing with BIPOC businesses to make visible the elements of capitalism that don’t allow us slow down.

Together we’ve won key victories for small business services in the City of Oakland 2023-2025 budget

$600K funding to save Oakland arts and culture
$400K grant funding for small business Facade and Tenant Improvements
$200K funding for special events and activation in Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
Secured staffing for multilingual business support
Secured staffing to support and coordinate neighborhood special events

How We Do It

Collectively
Leading the REAL
People’s Fund

Affordable meeting spaces that can be rented by residents and community based organizations.

Community
Events &
Healing

Taking Care of Businesses the first Tuesday of every month from 12-5pm – Join us November 7th at RO.

Building the power of cooperatives & entrepreneurs

If you’re an entrepreneur who’s interested in organizing, get in touch with Jessie (they/them).

Restorative Economics