Strong communities deserve strong community-based institutions. The Restore Oakland Building — co-owned by the Ella Baker Center (EBC) and the Restaurant Opportunities Center (ROC) — and Restore Oakland, Inc. — are key pieces of fabric in our community.

The Restore Oakland building is located in the heart of Fruitvale at 1419 34th Ave. Oakland, CA. Our community-owned space is home to:


Restore Oakland, the Building

Each partner brings their unique strengths and grassroots organizing power to address decades of state-sanctioned violence and systemic oppression in the East Bay. The Restore Oakland building provides space and opportunities for underrepresented individuals, including queer, immigrant, formerly incarcerated residents, BIPOC entrepreneurs, and restaurant workers to build staying power. Our accessible community spaces serve as an anchor in the neighborhood, empowering residents and the collective bases of each organization to work together to extend our impact. The Restore Oakland building offers:

  • Community Rooms: Affordable meeting spaces that can be rented by residents and community based organizations.
  • The Peace Room: A space dedicated to and designed to support restorative justice initiatives.
  • Kitchen and Restaurant: an evolving space that currently houses Reem’s, provides affordable meals, and hosts classes and events.

The Story of the Restore Oakland Building

The Restore Oakland Capital Campaign was launched in 2016 by the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights and the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United. In deep collaboration with our neighbors, EBC and ROC purchased the building, formerly known as Ritmo Latino, in the heart of the Fruitvale district. In 2017, we began working with Deanna Van Buren and Shelley Davis Roberts of Designing Justice + Designing Spaces (DJDS) to lead the architectural design. It was important for us to partner with a Black-led architectural firm who is invested in addressing the root causes of mass incarceration through design for peace-making. Construction on the Restore Oakland site began in 2018 and by fall of 2019 the Restore Oakland Building project was complete!

From pre-construction community listening sessions, to moving into our own permanent space, this revolutionary project was a huge lift! We owe it all to our partners, neighbors, and extended community for making it a reality. 


Restore Oakland, Inc., the nonprofit 

In 2018, EBC and ROC co-founded Restore Oakland Inc. to serve as the connective tissue between community members and organizational partners in our building. Restore Oakland Inc. is an independent 501(c)(3) organization that supports local residents and visitors in accessing services, programs, and community spaces that the Building and all of our partner organizations offer. It also leads Healing Justice and Restorative Economic programs.

Learn more about Restore Oakland, Inc: restoreoakland.org