Year One Lessons: People Power

EBALDC’s CEO, Janelle Chan, is reflecting on her first year leading the organization with a multi-part series of lessons learned.

I am thrilled to have passed my 1-year milestone as CEO of EBALDC. This past year has been one of listening, learning, and deciphering who EBALDC is and where we belong in the East Bay ecosystem through conversations with staff and engagement with the community. I am thankful to EBALDC for such long-standing relationships in the community and the dedication from staff and board.  

For 50 years EBALDC has strengthened the community fabric so people of all incomes can live, gather, and connect with each other to grow together. We view our properties as a form of community ownership at scale and are focusing on stabilizing residents, bolstering organizational finances, and building internal capacity so we can fortify our communities. 

As we celebrate Affordable Housing Month and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, I’m thankful to be amongst colleagues and partners who see the value of investing in community. EBALDC’s portfolio represents a quarter of the City of Oakland’s affordable housing, providing homes for over 4,000 of our neighbors.   

I have been grateful to connect with different community members and partners and start to build my own relationships and connections. During my first year I visited Avalon’s senior tenant leaders to hear about their concerns. Often times our role is seen as providing services, whether it be the housing unit itself or being that connector to critical benefits. However, that day, the seniors provided me with inspiration in the stories of their activism and current campaigns. Being there reminded me of why we do our work, and why we do our work in partnership, because of what we can accomplish together. 

I am thankful for all of the partners who have brought us to this point and am reaffirmed in the power of partnerships and the need for our collective community voices to meet the moment. 

In Community,

Janelle Chan