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Abstract or Project Description

Abstract or Project Description

Mutual Mentorship for Musicians (M3) is a platform created to empower, elevate, normalize and give visibility to musicians of historically underrepresented gender identities (including cis women, trans women, trans men and non-binary) in intersection with race, sexuality or ability across generations in the US and worldwide, through a radical model of mentorship and musical collaborative commissions.

Abstract or Project Description

The NDN Collective, founded in 2018, pioneers a systemic approach to empower Native communities by centering Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) leadership and reallocating resources. Through defense, development and decolonization pillars, NDN fosters sustainable growth while amplifying Indigenous voices to address societal challenges and promote equity and justice.

Abstract or Project Description

To help Norcal Crew continue to provide a great on water rowing experience for youth in Redwood City.

Abstract or Project Description

Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) require timely and efficacious therapeutic intervention. When conventional medications such as corticosteroids or 5-aminosalicylates fail to alleviate the disease, biologics that block a critical inflammatory molecule called tumor-necrosis-factor alpha (TNF_) are commonly used. Several drugs targeting TNF_ are currently used to treat IBD, which include Infliximab, Adalimumab, Etanercept, and Certolizumab Pegol. Unfortunately, one third of treated patients still fail to respond to these drugs. We and others have established in the past a role of immune cells called Neutrophils in IBD pathology. Neutrophils are professional phagocytes with primary role in bacterial killing and host defense; however, they also shape the inflammatory environment in the colon and are responsible for IBD disease severity. More recent studies have correlated Neutrophil presence and activity in the colon with reduced therapeutic response. Importantly, we and others have identified diverse neutrophil subsets in inflamed tissue with both protective and detrimental functions. Thus, the goal of this study is to use state of the art molecular and genetic tools to establish whether distinct Neutrophil subsets drive unresponsiveness to TNF_ biologics and define specific gene signatures that can help predict clinical response and aid in designing of future therapeutics to maintain durable clinical response in severe IBD.

Abstract or Project Description

This project invites and reflects on community responses to history and stories from the cityscapes of Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood of San Francisco and NOW Hunters Point. Through a live, outdoor dance performance, the lead artists will explore how communities inhabit space, how spaces influence bodies, how design can bring communities together, and how history is held in individual and collective bodies. The process and performance will excavate and express those stories to enliven the location and augment community ownership, as community members will be invited to perform alongside Kristin Damrow & Company dancers.

Abstract or Project Description

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs) are typified by bouts of inflammation-induced epithelial damage and repair. By take cues from their microenvironment or “niche”, intestinal stem cells (ISCs) direct these fluctuating pathological and reparative states in IBD. Yet, we do not understand which cells comprise the inflamed ISC niche and how they switch on programs of repair. To track evolving ISC niches, we are proposing the development of a new cutting-edge Niche-labeling system. Our ultimate goal is to understand how ISC niches change over the course of disease and leverage this information to reprogram an “inflammatory ISC niche” into a “regenerative ISC niche” and achieve lasting remission in IBD.

Abstract or Project Description

To support collaboration with citywide literacy partners.

Abstract or Project Description

To engage over 250 literacy changemakers, educators, funders and community leaders through the Second Annual Literacy & Justice for All Symposium in October 2022. The Symposium is at the heart of Oakland Literacy Coalition’s strategy to create accessible, affordable and impactful opportunities for the field to learn, collaborate and champion literacy to strengthen student outcomes.

Abstract or Project Description

To provide paid training and mentorship for Oakland youth who are at high-risk for being victims or perpetrators of violence and provide part-time job opportunities for youth 13-17 to work at a variety of tasks at the OPAL Center.

Abstract or Project Description

The Brilliant Baby program empowers families to create wealth through asset building, financial coaching and entrepreneurship training. To date, Brilliant Baby has enrolled more than 1,100 families and provided information, resources and support to advance their children’s early development and financial well-being.

Abstract or Project Description

To support the hiring and training of 35 literacy tutors. Oakland REACH provides families and students with high-dosage literacy tutoring through their Literacy Liberation Center. They aim to grow their impact by building out a robust cohort of literacy tutors.

Abstract or Project Description

To support general operations and the implementation of their strategic plan.

Abstract or Project Description

To support the Ignite! Reading Literacy Acceleration at Korematsu Discovery Academy.

Abstract or Project Description

How do immune responses of the intestinal lining contribute to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)? The goals of this project are to determine how cells of the intestinal epithelium are “hardwired” to respond to immune stimuli and how stable changes to these responses are related to IBD. It is known that multiple inflammatory factors produced by the immune system are present in the intestinal tissue during IBD flares, and neutralization the inflammatory molecule TNF is among the most successful current treatment strategies. However, TNF neutralization is frequently insufficient to ameliorate disease. Studies from our lab and others have established that other immune signals called interferons can cooperate with TNF to promote epithelial cell damage. Additionally, there is evidence that interferon response may be amplified in diseased epithelial cells. We will use cutting edge genomic approaches and organoid cultures to determine how the inflammatory “wiring” of response genes in epithelial stem cells of IBD patients differ from healthy controls. Additionally, we will compare the amount of damage in response to inflammatory signals and determine the efficacy of novel inhibitors in preventing toxicity. These studies have the potential to reveal new targets that complement existing TNF therapeutics.

Abstract or Project Description

To support the Sea Walls Emeryville mural project.

Abstract or Project Description

People’s Kitchen Collective (PKC) operates in Oakland, California, blending art and activism through food-centered political education, drawing on the diverse backgrounds and migration stories of its members. They use immersive experiences rooted in family recipes to honor shared struggles and advocate for radical hospitality as a means to address pressing social issues.

Abstract or Project Description

To support PTA supplies for teachers and children at Proctor Elementary.

Abstract or Project Description

Intestinal Bowel Diseases (IBD) affect millions of lives worldwide. However, therapeutic options for IBD treatment are limited. In this proposal, building upon our previous findings, we propose to examine an important protein called ARTS, which has never-before been studied in connection to IBD. We have found that ARTS is able to coordinate the cellular suicide of intestinal stem cells; cells that are critical for maintaining and replenishing the intestinal barrier. Strikingly, in mice lacking ARTS, the induction of ulcerative colitis was blocked and mice were able to exhibit enhanced stem cell-dependent repair. In light of these exciting findings, we have established a unique synergistic team that will identify and develop novel compound inhibitors of ARTS, to promote appropriate cellular and molecular signaling and prevent excessive stem cell death. It is our hope that the results obtained from this study will be translatable for the treatment of IBD in the clinic.

Abstract or Project Description

Rogers & Rosewater Soup Kitchen brings hot homemade meals to those facing homelessness and hunger in the streets of Oakland every Wednesday night. They give over 200 meals to our unhoused neighbors as well as try to provide hygiene kits each week.