Oakland Chamber Announces 2019 Annual Awards Winners

Oakland, CA – May 17, 2019 – The Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce has announced its 2019 Chamber Award recipients to be honored during the Chamber’s 114th annual Luncheon June 26th, 2019 at the Oakland Marriott Hotel. The Chamber’s annual meeting, the largest business gathering in the East Bay, celebrates the businesses, nonprofits, and community members who have collectively contributed to the betterment of “The Town 2019.”

Award categories and winners include:

• The Chamber’s “Deep Roots” award, recognizing longtime stewards of the local economy who have helped build the city’s foundation, has been conferred on AB&I Foundry.
• “Heart of Oakland,” given to a local organization or individual who exemplifies the city’s persistent spirit, has been bestowed on the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA).
• The Chamber also named Gilbert Pete, Business to School Coordinator, Oakland Unified School District, as 2019’s Leadership Oakland Alumnus, given to an outstanding past graduate of the Chamber’s Leadership Oakland program. Pete graduated the program in 2015.
• The “T. Gary Rogers Community Commitment Award,” given to individuals who over their lifetime have furthered Oakland values in business, community, and philanthropy has been awarded to Earl and Bonnie Hamlin for their tireless efforts, in many civic and business areas.
• The“Secret Sauce” award, presented by Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf to an organization or individual who contributes to the unquantifiable and unique ingredient to Oakland’s character, will be presented this year to Stephen and Ayesha Curry.

The “Oakland on the Map” award, which recognizes both new and long-time Oakland organizations or businesspeople who have been particularly effective at championing Oakland, will be awarded during the June 26th celebration.

Registration, “Oakland Ale Trail” networking reception, and a trip down “The Town’s” Memory Lane 11:00am – Noon; Lunch and awards ceremony, Noon-1:30pm. Individual tickets on sale now, oaklandchamber.com; $115 Chamber members/$125 non-members. Nonprofits who are members of the Chamber may purchase tickets for $90; $100 for non-member nonprofits. The event is title sponsored by Kaiser Permanente.

About the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce: Founded in 1905, the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce serves as the inclusive voice of business and commerce in one of the nation’s most progressive cities. As the largest, independent business organization in the East Bay, the Chamber represents the interests of businesses ranging from innovative start-ups to multi-national legacy corporations, serving to foster greater dialogue and understanding between all constituencies, strengthen the workforce, create and expand economic opportunities and development, and enhance the overall economic, civic, and cultural wellbeing of the City and the greater Oakland region.

More about AB&I Foundry: The company was founded as a small family-owned operation just after the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 and currently employs over 300 team members at their facility in East Oakland. Leadership and employees donate countless hours of support within their neighborhood and the greater Oakland community.

More about the Oakland Museum of California: The 300,000 square foot “Museum of us” celebrates the many facets of Oakland and California, using a progressive, multidisciplinary approach allowing visitors the opportunity to explore the factors that shape the state’s character and identity. OMCA is noted for its groundbreaking exhibitions, community discourse, and extensive outreach programs.

communications@oaklandchamber.com