Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce (OAACC) and Visit Oakland launch a new billboard, bus advertisements and social media content to drive revenue to Oakland’s Black-owned businesses. 

OAKLAND, CA (OCT.27, 2020) - To give Oakland’s Black-owned businesses an economic boost, Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce (OAACC) and Visit Oakland have partnered to launch a marketing campaign encouraging all Oakland residents to discover and engage with local Black-owned businesses. 

Because Black-owned businesses have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 Shelter-in-Place orders, this campaign promotes Oakland’s Black-owned businesses in the travel/leisure and commercial sectors through new visuals of business owners and workers. The new visuals will be published on Oakland billboards, bus advertisements and social media content to encourage Oakland residents to buy local, and especially to buy from Black-owned businesses.  

"Studies show that when Black-owned businesses are thriving, it has a positive impact on the economy as a whole,” said Shonda Scott, Chairwoman, Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce. “We are honored to partner with Visit Oakland to promote our Oakland black-owned businesses that are serving all of us during this time."

This new campaign is the latest addition to “Spend. Stay. Love.”, which is Visit Oakland’s local economy initiative to keep consumer dollars in Oakland. The “Spend. Stay. Love.” campaign reminds Oaklanders that every dollar they spend in Oakland, stays in Oakland, and spending is the best way to show love for local businesses.

“Our Black-owned businesses have been hit especially hard by COVID-19 and the resulting economic upheaval,” said Mark Everton, CEO of Visit Oakland. “Spending dollars in Oakland that will stay in Oakland is a win-win for The Town’s residents and our amazing Black-owned businesses.” 

To help residents engage with local black-owned businesses, VisitOakland.com features a variety of continuously-updated business directories including: a list of restaurants with outdoor dining, retail shops offering in-store shopping and online delivery, a calendar of events and activities (virtual and physical-distanced) as well as DIY itineraries of how to enjoy Oakland outdoors.   

###

ABOUT OAKLAND AFRICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 

Oakland African-American Chamber of Commerce  is non-profit organization, established in 2003, whose mission it is to advance economic opportunity and strengthen Oakland's Black business community. OAACC provides its members numerous services including access to workshops, business development opportunities and advocacy, as well as business advisement. For more information, please visit www.oaacc.org. Follow @theoaacc on Instagram and Facebook.

ABOUT VISIT OAKLAND  

Visit Oakland is a non-profit organization marketing Oakland, California as a travel destination. Visit Oakland offers a wide variety of complimentary services and materials for travelers interested in visiting Oakland. For more information, check out www.visitoakland.com. Want to share the Oakland love with the world? Follow @visitoakland on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.  

For more information, please contact: