As the year draws to a close, the Ella's Voice Team decided to look at some of the important stories, highlight some awesome Orgs, and throw some shine on the individuals that helped to shape Oakland in 2010. Here are numbers 6-10 (NOT listed in order of importance or inspiration).

6) Justice for Oscar Grant: The Movement
In 2010, the trial of Johannes Mehserle for the murder of Oscar Grant grabbed national news attention. Here in the Bay, we applaud a long list of heroes including Minister Keith Muhammad, Tony Coleman, ILWU, the New Years Day Movement, IamOscarGrant.org, ONYX, Remember Oscar Grant,General Assembly for Justice for Oscar Grant, and the LA Coalition for Justice for Oscar Grant, just to name a few. These individuals and organizations worked tirelessy to bring justice for Oscar Grant, his family, and the system. We acknowledge that justice in this case is complicated and that the fight is not yet over.  As the year ends, however, we can't help but celebrate the community and movement created in response to the tragedy know that the fight presses on in 2011.

7.) Oakland Blossoms in the Blogosphere
Everyplace on line we looked in 2010, the power of the Oakland blogging community was booming. Oakland is a complex city with complex issues that require explanation and analysis. While newsrooms got smaller and smaller, Oakland bloggers took to the web and broadcasted city council meetings, promoted unique local events, and gave the Town' inspiration and hope. To understand the greatness of Oakland blogging, you have to understand some of the players: Oakland Local, A better Oakland, Oakbook, Living In the O, 38th Notes, Oakland North, Oakland Focus are only the tip of the iceberg. We can't wait to see more in 2011 and feel honored to have Ella's Voice be in such good online company.

8) Oakland Love Runs Deep
If you build it, they will run. On of Oakland's proudest weekend's, the city hosted the first annual running festival- which was the first running event in our city in decades. More than 6500 runners participated in the historic event that brought people from all walks of love together to celebrate a healthy and vibrant Oakland. We can't wait for the 2nd annual event coming this March!

9) Communities Unite to Beat Texas Oil
While folks across the Bay watched a different California vs Texas show down, we were focused on a battle with much bigger implications for our State's health and future. In an election filled with ups and downs, the landslide defeat of Proposition 23 was a clear high point. Communities United against Prop 23 was a historic coalition of social justice and community-based organizations uniting to Stop the Dirty Energy Proposition by focusing on voters of color across the state. Communities United brought people of color to the front of the discussion and made sure that on Nov 2nd, Prop 23 was soundly defeated. And now with over 120 groups organized to fight for jobs and the environment, Communities United is just getting started.

10) City Slicker Farms Grows Food and Community
One of our local heroes had an incredible year in 2010. City Slicker Farms empowers West Oakland community members to meet the immediate and basic need for healthy organic food for by creating urban farms and backyard gardens. And boy oh boy do they do that! When City Slicker Farms was founded, there was nowhere in West Oakland to buy fresh, healthy food. The community’s health and well-being was suffering tremendously because of an absence of nutritious food coupled with pollution, poverty, and a lack of contact with nature. This year, City Slicker Farms was awarded a Prop 84 Grant of 4 Million Dollars to purchase land in West Oakland and build a farm. This is unbelievable news and we look forward to seeing that money being put to use!