We know that poverty disproportionately affects Black women and children in the US, which compounds disparities in maternal and child health. These disparities, an effect of systemic racism, are further exacerbated by social and economic stressors. The results of poverty, including lack of safe housing and access to healthy food, and the stress created by chronic financial strain, create a vicious cycle and lead to poor health outcomes.

Guaranteed minimum income (GMI) programs provide regular, unconditional cash payments to meet basic needs, improve financial well-being, and with it, food and housing security, mental health, and autonomy. GMI programs are so promising that California has launched the California Guaranteed Income (GI) Pilot Program to support major life transitions for those experiencing poverty, including pregnancy, aging out of foster care, and advanced age. Measuring the effectiveness of such programs could lead to program expansion. 

This is a promising development in the fight to end poverty, so I’m especially excited that our staff nominated The California Abundant Birth Project for RDA Consulting’s fourth annual Juneteenth donation.

As an organization headquartered in Oakland, CA, RDA is making a $500 donation to the Alameda/Contra Costa County division of the CA Abundant Birth Project, the first pregnancy guaranteed income program in the country. This program provides monthly unconditional income supplements to pregnant individuals whose pregnancy is at the highest risk of preterm birth. In May 2025, the Abundant Birth project enrolled 850 participants into the program. These participants will receive a monthly cash gift for 12-18 months, meaningfully addressing structural racism, reducing poverty, and improving Black birth outcomes and Black maternal health.  

The following organizations were also nominated by RDA staff this year:

West Oakland Mural Project (WOMP) hosts and curates a 2000-square-foot public art mural in West Oakland along with a museum that recognizes and honors the women of the Black Panther Party and the 65+ Community Survival Programs they created and managed. These form a foundation for teaching, community building, and healing through events and other programs. 

Oakland LGBTQ Community Center: Founded by two gay Black men and consistently including Black professionals in their leadership team, the Center is dedicated to enhancing and sustaining the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals, families and allies, by providing educational, social, and health related activities, programs and services, support, and resources to the LGBTQ+ community. 

California Black Power Network, a united ecosystem of Black grassroots organizations working together to change the lived conditions of Black Californians by dismantling systemic and anti-Black racism. The Network has a mission to ensure Black Californians have the resources, policies, supports, and living conditions needed to thrive!