“Oakland is cleaner, safer, and open for business,” Mayor Barbara Lee declared yesterday. In her first State of the City address since taking office in May, Lee focused on public safety, housing and government reform.
Public safety and livability
Lee highlighted early wins in public safety, including new police academies, reopened fire stations, and reductions in homicides, robberies, burglaries, and vehicle thefts. According to the mayor, the city balanced a $130 million deficit.
In her address, Lee said federal grants of $5.5 million expanded the city’s Ceasefire program, while $1.4 million was dedicated to sideshow operations, and $700,000 to human trafficking enforcement. She also pointed to her administration’s investment of $1 million into the MACRO crisis-response program.
In light of President Trump’s threats to send federal troops to cities like Oakland, Lee promised that Oakland “will not be bullied” by federal overreach or “provoked into action that gives Trump an excuse to occupy our streets.”
Lee also highlighted her administration’s effort to protect immigrant communities. Oakland Police “does not cooperate with ICE,” she said.
“Oakland’s not defined by its challenges. It’s defined by its people—their courage, creativity, and relentless hope. We are measured not by what we say, but by what we do—not by promises, but by results.”
Mayor Barbara Lee
Beyond policing, Lee emphasized community-based prevention, mental health response, and regional cooperation.
“We’re convening eight Bay Area cities to address gun violence together,” she said, signaling a shift toward regional strategy rather than city-by-city silos.
Public safety, Lee said, extends to “the cleanliness and livability of neighborhoods.” Lee’s Keep the Town Clean initiative has removed over 30 tons of trash around schools and 30 miles of business district streets. Lee warned that illegal dumping would be prosecuted.
Lee launched the Office of Homelessness Solutions to coordinate city departments and nonprofits. Measure W funds are being used to build nearly 1,000 affordable homes under construction and 700 more will break ground within six months, Lee said. Sixty percent units are for people exiting homelessness.
Economic development and government reform
Economic revitalization featured prominently in Lee’s remarks. She cited faster permitting and a software modernization project to streamline projects.
Her Economic Development Action Plan focuses on five priorities: attracting new industries, supporting local business, workforce development, neighborhood revitalization, and celebrating arts and culture.
Cultural investment will also return, with legislation to restore the Cultural Affairs Manager position to oversee grants and public art. Lee promised renewed “sister city” relationships and touted a focus on Downtown economic activity, including Samuel Merritt University’s 2,500 nursing students arriving next year.
To modernize Oakland’s “outdated and unclear” city government, Lee launched a Charter Reform Working Group to increase transparency, clarify responsibilities, and manage public dollars.
Community: ‘Barbara Lee still speaks for me’
Community leaders said Lee’s tone matched the urgency of the moment.
Former Vice Mayor Kim Mayfield Lynch, chair of the Education and Liberal Arts Department at Holy Names University, said Lee has made progress in her first 140 days..
“Crime is down and we are one of the only cities building affordable housing,” Mayfield Lynch said.
Fred Blackwell, CEO of the San Francisco Foundation and a former Oakland City Administrator, called Lee “a breath of fresh air for the City of Oakland.”
“While the City continues to face a variety of challenges, she addresses them with transparency, thoughtfulness, and with a collaborative spirit,” Blackwell said.
Other community leaders found her speech positive and timely.
“Her speech was uplifting,” said Nyiesha Dewitt, founder and executive director of Oakland Natives Give Back.
Dereca Blackmon, senior minister at East Bay Church of Religious Science, said Lee is redefining Oakland.
“For too long we have let folks define us with negative narratives that focus on our worst moments,” Blackmon said. “Standing up to militarism with dignity. Focusing on the positive and building alliances to address our key challenges. Mayor Lee defines us by our strengths and determination.”
“She still speaks for me,” Blackmon added, referring to a longtime slogan of the former Congresswoman’s supporters.
Lee: ‘Oakland’s not defined by its challenges’
Despite touting early wins, Lee said that “we’re not out of the woods yet.”
“Oakland’s not defined by its challenges. It’s defined by its people—their courage, creativity, and relentless hope,” Lee said. “We are measured not by what we say, but by what we do—not by promises, but by results.”
Editor’s Note: With the support from the San Francisco Foundation, Oakland Voices is covering the consequences of the 2024 elections.
Saleem Gilmore, Ed.D. is an Oakland native, community journalist, and author. A 2016 alumnus of Oakland Voices, he continues to write about both Oakland’s beauty and its bruises. As a scholar-practitioner, Saleem’s work spans children’s literature, print, radio, and video journalism. By day, he serves as an educator and higher education administrator. He is also a devoted husband and father of three.
Very impressive and well written article given clarity to her plans. As a former Oakland resident and the former Miss East Bay 1975,I applaud you! Oakland is the city that fights and have the remnant’s left behind by great leaders. I’m hopeful that the new mayor will be as tenacious as she has been since I’ve known her. I pray the city residents see this as a lifeline for the changes so badly needed. Thank you for capturing her plans for the future of Oakland.