For Immediate Release
Oakland, CA — September 25, 2025 — The Unity Council is proud to announce it has been awarded a transformative $2 million grant from Google to expand access to technology, education, and career readiness for Oakland’s diverse communities. Of the three cities selected—New York, Detroit, and Oakland—The Unity Council is the only Oakland-based organization to receive this award.
This pivotal investment comes at a critical time, as Oakland families continue to face barriers in accessing digital tools and resources. The Unity Council will use the funding to bridge the digital divide across generations, from children to seniors, by offering innovative educational programs, computer science pathways, and career readiness opportunities.
“This grant is a game-changer for our community,” said Chris Iglesias, CEO of The Unity Council. “By investing in technology access and education, we are creating pathways for our students, families, and seniors to thrive in the digital age. We are honored to partner with Google to ensure Oakland’s residents have the tools and skills needed to succeed. On behalf of the Fruitvale community, I would like to thank and commend Google for bringing CodeNext to Fruitvale over the past nine years, and we will miss their presence in the Fruitvale Transit Village.”
The Unity Council has long been dedicated to promoting social equity and enhancing quality of life by creating vibrant communities where everyone can work, learn, and thrive. With this new support, the organization will provide Oakland students with a supportive space to build creative projects, strengthen their tech skills, and pursue long-term educational and career goals in the technology sector.
The Unity Council shares Google’s passion for helping students and community members discover and explore the world of technology. With this investment, Oakland residents will be empowered to continue their computer science and digital learning journeys right here in their community.
Learn more about The Unity Council here at www.unitycouncil.org.
Media Contact:
Caheri Gutierrez
Director of Fund Development and Communications
The Unity Council
510-755-9551
cgutierrez@unitycouncil.org
