Economics

New Task Force Could Advocate for Oakland’s Diverse Small Businesses

Published

10 years ago

September 17, 2016

A number of residents are raising questions about a City Council Community and Economic Development (CED) decision this week to create a small business task force.

They want to make sure the task force will be sufficiently representative, including the voices and needs of nonprofits in Oakland and Black and immigrant business owners, and build on the work of existing organizations that are already advocating for creating a sustainable environment for small businesses in the city, which are being displaced at an alarming rate.

Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan told the Post she supports the creation of the task- force because City Council members have the opportunity to appoint taskforce members, ensuring that it will be truly diverse.

“The task force is free to discuss a full range of issues that are not limited to concerns that are raised by the (city) report,” said Kaplan.

“The taskforce is also free to make its own recommenda- tions, including what kind of permanent (small business) structure we would want to have,” she continued. “And we should expect the task force to incorporate the needs of Black-owned businesses, which have been dealing with a whole variety of issues.”

The task force proposal, authored by Councilmember Annie Campbell Washington, would create a body made up of 11 members, eight appointed by the councilmembers and three by the mayor.

The task force would meet for four months, supported by city staff, to provide the council with “facts, guidance and recommendations in the work to significantly improve the communication” between the city and small business owners.

The task force will also draft proposals that the City Council will consider when it begins its work on next year’s city budget.

While many local businesses and nonprofits are saying they are hard-pressed by rising commercial rents, which are forcing them to move, the taskforce proposal focuses on other issues.

“Some of the most challenging issues, as defined by small business owners, include contradictory regulations and requirements; difficulty maintaining a local and affordable workforce; and lack of communication between the city and small business owners throughout legislative decision-making processes,” the city’s report on the proposal said.

“The most debilitating difficulty for small businesses in Oakland right now is maintaining a local and affordable workforce,” according to the report.

The “plight “of small business owners is impacted by “unintended consequences of city legislation,” including the passage in 2014 of Measure FF, the city’s minimum wage law, and the city’s Waste Management contract, which has led to high garbage collection rates, the report said.

One of the speakers at Tuesday’s CED meeting was Mika McCants, owner for the past 11 years of “Spoiled Boutique,” which describes itself as a “trendy local boutique selling an assortment of fashion-forward women’s wear, accessories and footwear.”

McCants said she is paying $2,000 a months for a 400-square-foot space but is afraid she will be forced out when her lease expires next year.

“I can’t afford to pay $5,000 a month,” she said.

McCants said she was concerned that not enough business owners know that the city is going to form the small business task force.

Lavina Wong of Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) said he task force should include immigrant business owners and that it should also pay attention to the work of community organizations that are already working to promote small businesses in Oakland.

In an interview with the Post, Sasha Werblin, economic equity director of the Greenlining Institute, said, “I’m glad the city of Oakland is looking at the needs of small businesses. The (city’s proposal) touches on some good points but could go much further.”

“The task force should listen to the small nonprofits that are struggling to survive in Oakland and are providing social services to local residents,” she said.

The membership of the task force should also encompass board diversity – of ethnicity differing business sizes and types of businesses, she said.

The proposal for the small business task force will go to the full City Council of Tuesday, Sept. 20.

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The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

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Advice

Women & Wealth: Tips for Navigating Your Lifelong Financial Journey

Published

3 weeks ago

March 15, 2026

Oakland Post

Sponsored by J.P. Morgan Wealth Management

We are in the midst of a seismic shift in wealth. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “Great Wealth Transfer,” describes the unprecedented movement of assets from the Baby Boomer generation to their heirs – an estimated $105 trillion by 2048. And women are poised to inherit most of this.

J.P. Morgan Wealth Management’s 2025 Investor Study found that women are not only set to receive significant wealth – they’re actively working to build it on their own. Ninety-three percent of women surveyed who are expecting an inheritance aren’t relying on it to reach their goals.

Here are a few tips for women to consider in their wealth-building journey:

Create a financial roadmap

A detailed, well thought out plan is important. J.P. Morgan’s study found that 90% of those surveyed with a plan feel confident about reaching their financial goals, compared to 49% without one.

Your plan should reflect your unique goals, priorities and circumstances. Consider your investment horizon and risk tolerance, and remember to revisit your plan regularly as life evolves.

Are you saving up for goals like buying a house, sending your kids off to college or retiring early? Where do you want to be in the next five, ten or twenty years? Everyone’s financial situation is unique, so it’s important to think about these questions and build a plan that is unique to your life.

Women tend to live longer than men on average. Many take career breaks or care for family members, which can influence long-term planning. It’s important to adjust your strategy with these factors in mind.

Where to start with investing

Don’t let misconceptions hold you back. Starting to invest doesn’t require a large sum, and beginning early can be beneficial. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to potentially grow over the years. Understand your overall financial situation, set clear goals and develop a long-term plan.

It’s important to also make sure you’re covered for unexpected expenses that come up before you start to invest. Build up a cash emergency fund, typically enough to cover three to six months of expenses, and pay down any high-interest debt.

Taking charge of your finances

The good news is that women are taking charge of their finances. J.P. Morgan’s research found that 75% of women respondents make financial decisions with their partner or take the lead themselves. For those who have a spouse or partner, it’s important for each person in the relationship to play an active role in the process.

Building wealth can be empowering for many women. The same survey found that 73% of women respondents said money gives them “security,” while 64% of Gen Z and Millennial women associated it with “freedom.”

The power of having a team

Some people find it helpful to work with a financial advisor, so you don’t have to tackle things alone. An advisor can help you craft a plan tailored to your needs and keep you on track throughout your lifelong financial journey. If you expect to receive an inheritance, you should also consult with estate planning and tax professionals.

No matter where you are on your wealth-building path, education is key. It’s so important to be an informed investor, and there are plenty of resources out there to help. You can find a library of free educational resources at chase.com/theknow.

As the landscape of wealth continues to evolve, women have a unique opportunity to shape their financial futures and those of generations to come. By staying informed and planning ahead, women have the tools to help them confidently navigate the Great Wealth Transfer and set themselves up for financial freedom.

The views, opinions, estimates and strategies expressed herein constitutes the author’s judgment based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice, and may differ from those expressed by other areas of J.P. Morgan. This information in no way constitutes J.P. Morgan Research and should not be treated as such. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions. For additional guidance on how this information should be applied to your situation, you should consult your advisor.  

JPMorgan Chase & Co., its affiliates, and employees do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any financial transaction.  