Red Oak is committed to supporting the community, infusing diversity, equity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging into every aspect of our work.
We started our outreach in the 80s when we launched our nonprofit, the Red Oak Opportunity Foundation (ROOF), to raise money for East Bay charities. And our agents continue to donate significant funds each and every year.
We have accelerated our support of the communities and the people of the East Bay through the Red Oak DEI Action Group, whose members are Alex Morisseau, Demetrius Chapin-Rienzo, Elic Suzao, Hanna Kerns, Karen Carter, Lindsay Ferlin, Lucy Conroy, Negar Souza, Jesbian Widmer, and Suzanne Thompson.
When Red Oak’s El Cerrito office was looking for new artwork, the DEI Action Group saw an opportunity to support and showcase local artists that reflect the diversity of the East Bay. The resulting art series featured vibrant works by Stephen Bruce and Ana Edwards in April 2024; Barnali Ghosh and Sas Colby in June 2024; and Dev Heyrana in September 2024. The team plans to continue offering these opportunities to celebrate local artists and build community at each new art opening.
The DEI Action Group helped raise $2,500 to establish a college scholarship for Oakland youth and support them on their path to college and career. Through the East Oakland Youth Development Center (EOYDC) and their Pathway to College and Career Program, the DEI Scholarship helps to provide academic advising, workshops, travel costs for college tours, and professional training to serve in EOYDC leadership. The recipient of the 2024 scholarship is Christine Clark-Landry. She is attending Purdue University to study psychology. (July 2024)
The Red Oak DEI Action Group hosted a special screening of the documentary, A Rising Tide for fellow real estate professionals to personalize the challenges of the unhoused and encourage individuals to take action. The film reveals, through the eyes of children and their families, the survival strategies they are forced to endure while struggling with homelessness in Alameda County. The event attracted over 75 East Bay real estate industry professionals. The film’s director, Cheryl Fabio, headed up a lively conversation following the film, sharing ideas on how the real estate industry can help make an impact and affect positive change. (February 2024)
Red Oak hosted an in-depth conversation about race and inclusion in real estate. The featured speaker, Farrah Wilder, delved into how to approach this and make small changes in agents’ day-to-day business, to be as inclusive as possible, and how to discuss topics like neighborhood safety with clients in an ethical, legal and honest way. (November 2023)
Two dozen Red Oak agents and staff participated in the Oral Lee Brown Walk for Education to help provide a college education to East Bay teenagers. (October 2023 and 2022)
Red Oak helped Rebuilding Together in their construction of the Berkeley Urban Garden Project. The project intends to help mitigate food insecurity by providing high-quality fruits and vegetables to local neighbors while providing a safe and beautiful space for community members to gather and learn about growing their own produce. (August 2023 and April 2024)
Mortgage broker Brenda Wyatt spoke to Red Oak agents about new loan products that could be of service to clients of a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds.
Red Oak worked with LavaMaex to provide "radical hospitality" to the unhoused. The goal was to deliver basic hygiene services to individuals while taking the time to help restore a sense of dignity and health to people who are often made to feel dehumanized. LavaMaex has unfortunately closed its operations, but the need for their services continues. (March 2023 and December 2022)