We Are Oaklandish: Anna Rodriguez, Oaklandish Team Member

Oakland has taught me so much and still does so everyday. It’s taught me to appreciate everything, big and small. 

The Town is beautiful in all senses of the word, but our town folk struggle nonetheless. Our youth struggle to break stereotypes and statistics, while parents struggle to provide basic necessities. 

Our teachers struggle to provide our youth with an adequate education with inadequate funding. I’m a Fremont High School alumni and have experienced not having enough school funding first hand.

Our principal would often get on the intercom to tell us students that we were extremely low on supplies. He wasn’t talking about computers or fancy art supplies, he was talking about paper and pencils, items that all schools in American should have in abundance. In these moments us students would band together and do small things like buying paper or pencils for the school, knowing it was for the greater good. 

Oaklandish knows our town's struggles which is why they have annual OUSD tee giveaways, an innovators program, grants and donations. Working for Oaklandish is fulfilling in so many ways, but what I love most is knowing that by working here I am helping better my town. 

My Oaklandish crew members are extended family. They are my Oak Fam and I am sure that many of them will be a part of my life forever. I have grown so close to so many of my coworkers and will forever be grateful to the friendships and opportunities that Oaklandish has blessed me with. 

Oaklandish is OAKLAND! Oakland raises unconventional leaders who obtain resilience in the face of adversity. The Town’s energy is immutable and extraordinarily contagious, it’s the land of the hyphy.

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Anna Rodriguez is an Oaklandish team member. She is 24, was born in LA and raised in Oakland. East Oakland to be exact. 

Oakland is diverse and Oakland is proud. 'We Are Oaklandish' is a storytelling project created to highlight just that.

These are stories that shed light on the different experiences, memories, and opinions of the people in the city we all love. They are people who give our city its oddball spirit, its passion for justice, and its creative vigor. They lift us up with laughter, peace, nourishment, and authentic hard work.

They make us proud to call this town our home. They are Oaklandish.

Read more: We Are Oaklandish