Missed Oakland Digital’s Inspiration Awards 2012 Dec. 6th event? Here are some video highlights…

Oakland Digital (ODALC) is proud to present our 2nd annual Social Media for Small Business symposium! SMfSB is a one day, five-hour event that serves as a neutral educational and learning platform for local small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. SMfSB breaks social media down into easy-to-understand pieces, so attendees can make sense of and utilize digital tools and technology as a platform to grow their business.

Thanks to your support – the Oakland Digital (ODALC) team is deeply grateful for all we’ve been able to accomplish in 2011 due to our great friends, supporters and volunteers.

Through Inspiration Awards 2011, Oakland Digital recognizes and honors prominent local Bay Area pioneers who have made substantial contributions to the community at large through their innovation and dedication in their chosen fields of: 1) business, 2) artistic creativity, and 3) technology.

INSPIRE the Oakland community. Rouse young minds, uplift the city, and ensure that no one gets left behind in this time of technological and social transition. TRAIN young people and struggling small business owners to utilize the digital resources they need to compete in today’s workforce. Your gift will help fund ODALC’s digital media workshops and computer training courses. INNOVATE by engaging participants and taking a proactive role in community and economic development. ODALC opens up new channels of dialogue by inviting participants of all ages, lifestyles, and cultural backgrounds to interact with one another in a cooperative and constructive context.

Oakland Digital Arts & Literacy Center (ODALC) will hold the grand opening of their new digital co-working and Internet literacy facility in the Frank G. Mar building located at 1224 Harrison Street, on Saturday, May 29th, 2010 at 1PM. ODALC’s service to disadvantaged youth and struggling small business owners in the community empowers them with digital literacy and technology to achieve higher career goals.

The Oakland Digital Arts and Literacy Center (ODALC) is partnering with Whole Foods Market and the City of Oakland to reach out and invite the local community to participate in a collaborative billboard design. The contest will effectively launch “Inspire Oakland,” a digital media project that encourages interest in graphic design and information technologies through creative expression. The ultimate goal of this project is to promote a positive image of Oakland that unites and inspires its diverse population,while encouraging young talent to jumpstart their digital media careers.

CalCEF is a $30 million nonprofit venture capital fund formed in 2004 to accelerate the development of promising early-stage clean energy technologies. The Fund arises from the California electricity crisis and the ensuing bankruptcy settlement negotiated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). CalCEF dedicates its capital to entrepreneurs that are developing technology or products that could benefit the region, the state of California, and the clean energy transition broadly. To date, CalCEF has operated as a fund-of-funds in partnership with private investors, leveraging its funds in a broad pool of investable capital.

Oakland Digital Arts & Literacy Center features Dr. Ruth B. Love (former superintendent of schools in Oakland, Calif. and Chicago, Ill.) speaking about the importance of technology and young people. Love’s ability to lead is parallel to the mission and objective of the newly formed non-profit, Oakland Digital Arts & Literacy Center.

Founded in 1998, First Place for Youth was the first organization in Northern California to provide affordable housing and supportive services to former foster youth, and today is considered a national model for providing permanent housing for high risk youth. The agency works to ensure that all foster youth have the opportunity to experience a safe, supported transition from foster care. Through a housing program, an employment and academic enrichment program, counseling, youth community center, collaboration with other Bay Area agencies, and community education, First Place helps youth to gain the skills they need to live independently and succeed on their own.