Today everyone is more conscious of what environmental impact our actions have on our world and knows what goals we should keep in mind when thinking about the environment.  For example, in April 2008 the California Air Resource Board (ARB) passed a resolution for the Emission Reduction Plan for Ports and Good Movement.  This resolution requires that California return to 2001 emission levels or below by 2010.  In Oakland, this affects all truck drivers going in and out of the Port of Oakland and West Oakland residents. 

Achieving these environmental goals, however, require innovative approaches which have not been utilized before.  While this resolution has numerous health and environmental benefits for the residents of West Oakland-a part of Oakland often overlooked by many-this also places financial burdens on truck drivers.  For 2,000 independent truck drivers, this means they will have to buy new, cleaner big rigs or install modified “scrubbers” into their older truck models to produce fewer emissions and comply with the California ARB.  Currently, 500 to 1,000 truck drivers will need grants or loans to purchase these new trucks or scrubbers.

But the new approaches-the nuts and bolts of meeting these emission goals-are out there.  Recently, the Port of Oakland selected OneCalifornia Bank to be the bank to provide loans to these truck drivers.  This SBA Clean Truck Loan Program come with free checking and savings accounts, online banking, and financial education provided by OneCalifornia Foundation.  The OneCal Family, therefore, is positively impacting both the environment in which it operates as well as furthering its mission of providing economic opportunities and increasing financial literacy awareness of its clients.

OneCalifornia Bank is honored to be the bank backing the Port of Oakland Loan Program and to continue to play a role in improving the Oakland community.

The Alameda County Board of Women’s Initiative for Self Employment is partnering with The San Francisco Business Times to recognize 15 female entrepreneurs throughout Alameda County for their success in sustainable small business enterprise. The time to recognize these women is now, because they are vital components of America’s economic recovery. According to Carla Foster, Alameda County Women’s Initiative Board Member, “Research has shown that it is entrepreneurs who will pull us out of this recession and women in particular will do what it takes to support their families.”

Nominations are being accepted now until August 28^th. One woman from Oakland will be recognized as Oakland Woman Business Owner of the Year 2009. In order to be considered for the award, the female entrepreneur must: “1) Have been successful despite the barriers that exist for woman business owners, 2) Exemplify how business ownership and leadership is beneficial for women, 3) Have a positive impact on local community or the community at large, and/or 4) Advance their field through innovation.” The winner will be recognized in The San Francisco Business Times, The San Jose Business Journal, on the Women’s Initiative website, and through various other media and events in the Bay Area.

If you want to show a female entrepreneur in Oakland how much you appreciate what she does every day, click here to nominate her for Oakland Woman Business Owner of the Year 2009. To learn more about the Women’s Initiative, visit their website at www.womensinitiative.org.

Oakland Unwrapped! would like to introduce you to some of our newest members of our website:

One Small Step provides everything you need to pack a waste-free, “green” lunch-from reusable lunchboxes to food containers, bottles and utensils.  Also available are environmentally-friendly school supplies as well as books with ideas and recipes for healthy lunches.  Visit oaklandunwrapped.org/onesmallstep for more.

O’Lover Hats are one-of-a kind hats, designed and handmade right here in Oakland!  Visit oaklandunwrapped.org/oloverhats for more.

Skincare by Feleciai is all natural, handmade body soaps and creams, shampoo bars and shaving bars.  Visit oaklandunwrapped.org/skincarebyfeleciai for more.

These three are just a few examples of the diverse stores listed on Oakland Unwrapped!  We now have over 130 stores on our e-commerce website and are always adding more.  Keep checking Oakland Unwrapped! to see the newest vendors and see how easy it is to support Oakland’s local economy while shopping online!

This year we held the first Summer Internship Program at OneCalifornia Foundation, of which I was lucky enough to be a part. I came to the Foundation last March as an intern to assist with the marketing of our Oakland Unwrapped! Online Marketplace. I graduated from UC Berkeley in May and decided to stick around for the summer to assist with the internship program, and participate as an intern as well.

I haven’t got enough space here to go address everything that I’ve taken away from the program. The most unique part of this internship was the focus on the enrichment of the interns, specifically the inclusion of a curriculum on banking and socially responsible business. Over the course of six weeks we heard lectures on everything from retail banking to investing to B corporations. We pulled presenters from OneCalifornia Bank and other socially responsible organizations like RSF Social Finance, Give Something Back, Renewable Funding, Green Retirement Plans, and more. With each of the interns in the program working on separate projects, the courses on banking were a great way to acquaint everyone with how a bank is run and the different jobs that need to be done. The socially responsible business component was what really struck me, as there was no class I took as an undergrad to show me that I could, and more importantly, that I should look for a career where I can do good just by showing up to work every day. The bottom line—the business world is changing; there will be more and more companies with socially responsible missions that give more back to the environment and the community. You don’t need to volunteer or work at a non-profit to make a difference, and you can still make a living doing it.

We were lucky enough to have six awesome interns, all Economics majors, from UC Berkeley, Stanford, and Northwestern, and while I could wax on about what made this internship so great, I think I will leave some room for you to hear from everyone else… (more…)

The East Bay Express holds an annual reader poll to find out who is the Best of the East Bay.  Readers vote for the best in various categories, ranging from the Best Band to the Best Brunch Place for Vegans and Carnivores to Coexist, and everything in between.  To celebrate the winners, the East Bay Express holds the Best of the East Bay Party at the end of the summer!  Featured at this party are all types of East Bay food, drink, and retail vendors displaying their wares; East Bay non-profits educating the public about the amazing work that they do; a multitude of East Bay bands jamming on eight different stages as well as dancers, comedians, and other artists showing off their talents; sports demonstrations and car shows; and a kids’ zone with magic shows, art projects, and other hands-on activities; and more!

This year’s Best of the East Bay Party takes place on Friday, August 7^th from 5 PM to midnight at the Oakland Museum of California.  The Oakland Museum of California is located just one block away from Lake Merritt BART Station, so you can take BART to the event.  There will also be Bike Valet parking available onsite.

Each year the East Bay Express chooses an East Bay non-profit to highlight and support through the event; for the Best of 2009 Party, OneCalifornia Foundation is honored to be that chosen non-profit!  This means that, while the event is free, all bar proceeds will go to the Foundation.  See the article on the event’s blog about the party supporting local non-profits.  For more information about the event, check out the East Bay Express event blog.