Oakland— East Oakland community and fundraisers hit a major fundraising milestone in their quest to raise $100 million to improve the health, safety, and well being of Black East Oakland residents.

KTVU interviews Selena Wilson, Executive Director of East Oakland Youth Development Center about the anonymous gift and the Rise East Plan.

The Black Cultural Zone, a strategic partner in the $10 million Rise East initiative credits their genesis to Eastside Arts Alliance. Rise East is a 10-year, privately funded initiative to help Black families thrive in a 40-square-block area of East Oakland.

Oakland has many problems, but the community-led initiative in Rise East is a reason to be hopeful for the city’s future. This ambitious 10-year plan is to revitalize all of Oakland by reviving one of its most neglected communities.

“Seeing the disparities in our area, our approach — to be on the ground — best served this population,” said Dr. Noha Aboeleta, the founder of Roots says. “ROOTS is a community-based response organization. Over the years we grew from two people to 200 full-time staff.”

Rise East, a $100 million philanthropic effort, will tackle longstanding systemic issues facing residents in a 40-square-block area.

Oakland Thrives is working to raise $50 million in local funding, which rise East organizers say will be matched by national philanthropic organization, bloom Meridian Partners.

East Oakland community leaders announced a major initiative to put $100 million back into the community.

OAKLAND -- It is one of the toughest neighborhoods in East Oakland, but some local residents are aiming to make a huge investment in the area and transform it for future generations.

Youth performers from Destiny Arts in Oakland were commissioned to write and produce a poem about East Oakland's Rise East 10 year plan.