History
Impact Oakland Now (ION) was born out of a moment of crisis — and a commitment to foster and impact transformation in Oakland. During the COVID-19 pandemic, faith leaders, community advocates, and local thought partners came together in response to address the urgent needs across Oakland. Families were facing food insecurity, isolation, economic instability, and housing uncertainty. The unprecedented impact gave way to hopelessness and grief, and deep disruption on a global scale. The founding prophetic leaders were moved to action as they witnessed and experienced the wave of uncertainty that swept throughout households in the most vulnerable neighborhoods and communities in Oakland.
What began as a coordinated response to food access and immediate community care became something more: a collaborative movement rooted in dignity, creativity, compassion, and practical action. ION was formed by leaders who understood that community needs are not one-dimensional — and neither can the solutions be. Food insecurity is connected to housing instability. Housing instability is connected to health. Health is connected to employment, safety, trauma, youth opportunity, and access to trusted support. ION exists to meet people and communities at these intersections.
Today, Impact Oakland Now is a collaborative network working to strengthen people, households, neighborhoods, and the city of Oakland through coordinated care, strategic partnerships, and community-centered solutions. Our work is grounded in the belief that every person deserves access to the resources, relationships, and opportunities needed to live healthy, whole, stable, and thriving lives.
ION is not here to offer cookie-cutter solutions. We are here to listen deeply, respond humanely, and help saturate the neighborhoods with the greatest needs with the right resources, trusted partners, and pathways of support. With collaborative, unified vision and effort, ION is building toward a healthier Oakland — one person, one household, one neighborhood at a time.
Who We Are
Impact Oakland Now (ION) was established in 2021 as a Think Tank of six progressive faith leaders in Oakland. Together, we develop and support community strategies that uplift communities of color by increasing economic opportunities and improving quality of life.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, ION was compelled into action — providing critical information, testing, vaccinations, and distributing nearly 4,000 boxes of food weekly to families across Oakland’s most marginalized neighborhoods.
Our Founding Leaders
| Name | Church |
|---|---|
| Pastor Zachary Carey | True Vine Ministries |
| Bishop Keith L. Clark | Word Assembly Church |
| Bishop Brondon & Pastor Maria Reems | Center of Hope |
| Bishop Kevin D. Barnes | Abyssinian Baptist Church |
| Pastor Michael W. Wallace | Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church |
| Pastor Rodney Smith | First African Methodist Episcopal Church |
Executive Leadership
| Aisha Brown | Executive Director |
| Lucretia Cotton | Accountant |
| Shomari Carter | Consultant |