Oakland & the World Enterprises
OAW BOARD
Elaine Brown
Hyacinth Ahuruonye
Elaine Brown, a former leader of the Black Panther Party, is founder and CEO of OAW. A social activist for over 50 years, Ms. Brown is author of A Taste of Power, her autobiography, slated for film production. She is also the author of The Condemnation of Little B, the story of Michael Lewis, known as “Little B,” who, in 1997 in Atlanta, was wrongfully charged with a murder he did not commit when he was 13 years old, and convicted as an adult and sentenced to life in prison. Ms. Brown has supported Michael for all of his incarceration, and anticipates a recently-filed new trial motion will finally set him free. Ms. Brown is a songwriter-singer, whose 1972 album, Until We’re Free, recorded on Motown’s classic Black Forum label, has been re-issued digitally with the re-launch of the label in March 2021.
Hyacinth C. Ahuruonye, managing principal, certified public accountant, and chief strategist, is the founder of HCA & Co. He is a highly respected business executive and consultant and has represented various corporate and non-corporate business entities, emerging and established entrepreneurs, corporate executives, non-profit community-based organizations, professional athletes, politicians, entertainers, high-profile and high net-worth individuals, and educators – all with the same dedication, passion, and commitment to meeting their needs and exceeding their expectations.
Dr. Mark Alexander
Deborah Matthews
Zack Wasserman
Dr. Mark Alexander, Epidemiologist. Dr. Alexander is committed to improving health outcomes of marginalized communities, his research focused on cardiovascular disease, geriatric epidemiology and child health. Dr. Alexander is a retired research scientist with the Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, and, Assistant Director of the Medical Effectiveness Research Center for Diverse Populations, University of California at San Francisco.
Deborah Matthews, Secretary. Ms. Matthews is a real estate broker in Berkeley who has overseen many of Berkeley’s housing and commercial projects as former Vice Chair of the Berkeley’s Planning Commission, Chair of the Zoning Adjustment Board, Chair of the Housing Commission.
Zack Wasserman, Partner, Wendel Rosen Black & Dean Law Firm. Mr. Wasserman works with private businesses and public agencies to negotiate and draft complex real estate and financial structures. He is currently representing the Oakland A’s in negotiations with Alameda County and the City of Oakland regarding purchase of the Coliseum site. He is Chair of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, is General Counsel to the East Bay Economic Development Alliance, a member of the Bay Area Regional Collaborative, and currently Chair of the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
ADVISORY BOARD
Gordon Baranco
A former Alameda County Superior Court judge who is Vice-Chair of the California Judicial Council Access Fairness Committee.
Ida Nell Barnett
A retired senior aide to Congressman Ronald V. Dellums.
Keith Carson
Alameda County Supervisor who represents the Fifth District, which includes the cities of Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Piedmont, and the West Oakland.
Annette Darnes
Retired banker who worked with three nationally-known banks and a nationally-known investment banking firm and specialized in providing capital.
Christopher Perryman
An Oakland realtor and board member of the 100 Black Men of the Bay Area.
Wilson Riles Jr.
CEO of Generations Consulting Company, and former Oakland City Council member. He is a founding member of Community Bank of the Bay.
Steve Wright
Current Director of The Resilience Exchange. Formerly serving as Director of the Social Performance Management Center of the Grameen Foundation, as well as their Director of Innovation.