Elaine Brown, a former leader of the Black Panther Party, is founder and CEO of OAW. A social activist for over 50 years, Ms. Brown is author of A Taste of Power, her autobiography, slated for film production. She is also the author of The Condemnation of Little B, the story of Michael Lewis, known as “Little B,” who, in 1997 in Atlanta, was wrongfully convicted at 13-years old of a murder he did not commit, and sentenced to life in prison. Ms. Brown supported Michael for all of his incarceration; and, in September 2023, Michael was released on parole. He is now part of the team building OAW’s neighborhood market. Ms. Brown is a songwriter-singer, whose 1972 album, Until We’re Free, recorded on Motown’s classic Black Forum label, was recently re-issued. Ms. Brown’s papers are archived at Emory University.

Hyacinth C. Ahuruonye, managing principal, certified public accountant, and chief strategist, is the founder of HCA & Co. He is a highly respected business executive and consultant and has represented various corporate and non-corporate business entities, emerging and established entrepreneurs, corporate executives, non-profit community-based organizations, professional athletes, politicians, entertainers, high-profile and high net-worth individuals, and educators – all with the same dedication, passion, and commitment to meeting their needs and exceeding their expectations.

Dr. Mark Alexander, Epidemiologist. Dr. Alexander is committed to improving health outcomes of marginalized communities, his research focused on cardiovascular disease, geriatric epidemiology and child health. Dr. Alexander is a retired research scientist with the Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, and, Assistant Director of the Medical Effectiveness Research Center for Diverse Populations, University of California at San Francisco. He is the national Secretary of the 100 Black Men of America.

Deborah Matthews, Secretary. Ms. Matthews is a real estate broker in Berkeley who has overseen many of Berkeley’s housing and commercial projects as former Vice Chair of the Berkeley’s Planning Commission, Chair of the Zoning Adjustment Board, Chair of the Housing Commission.

Zack Wasserman is a retired Partner of the Wendel Rosen Black & Dean law firm, Oakland, and has provided pro bono legal consultation to OAW. During his decades of practice, Mr. Wasserman worked with private businesses and public agencies to negotiate and draft complex real estate and financial structures, including representing the Oakland A’s in negotiations with Alameda County and the City of Oakland regarding purchase of the Coliseum site. He is Chair of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission; Secretary, East Bay Economic Development Alliance; a member of the Bay Area Regional Collaborative; and, Chair Emeritus of the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.