1 APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
________________________
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. ______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMEMBER FIFE AND COUNCILMEMBER KAPLAN
RESOLUTION HONORING AND CELEBRATING THE LIFE, LEGACY,
AND INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF EDDIE RUDOLPH DILLARD
WHEREAS, Eddie Rudolph Dillard was born in 1947 in St. Louis, Missouri and began his life of service with U.S. Army; and
WHEREAS, after being honorably discharged from the Army , he started his journey toward higher education, earning an A.A. from Oakland’s Merritt College and in 1977, becoming one of only four Black Students to Graduate from the University of California, Berkeley, earning a B.A. in Economics; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dillard’s life experiences, love of community, quest for equit y, and tenaciousness contributed to his decades -long work to empower small, minority-owned businesses; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dillard served as the Northern California Delegate for the first ever White House Conference on Small Business Development in 1980 and he played a pivotal role in the City of Oakland's Office of Economic Development, helping to revitalize and advance Oakland's economic landscape; and
WHEREAS, in 1997 he established the Oakland Black Board of Trade and Commer ce and served as its President and CEO, creating opportunities for Black contractors, including aiding them in securing over $100 million in contracts; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dillard also helped to significantly increas e minority small business participation through his roles at the State Department of Transportation and on the BART Small Business Advisory Committee; and
2 WHEREAS, beyond his direct contributions, Mr. Dillard worked to educate and advocate for equity on how municipalities can be more inclusive of small, minority and Black-owned businesses in their contracting processes; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dillard has published many written pieces on various outlets and directly engaged with decision makers to advance inclusive business practices; and
WHEREAS, in 2022 the City of Oakland was considering waiving requirements for small, local business participation on contracts worth up tens of millions of dollars, and Mr. Dillard, along with a group of small business leaders, successfully advocated the City Council to ensure those contracts did not move forward without adequate small, minority business participation; and
WHEREAS, Eddie Rudolph Dillard’s life has been one of service, advocacy, and a persistence toward a more just and equitable City and Country —his contributions are immeasurable; and
WHEREAS, while he will be sorely missed, we are certain his fight for equity, inclusion, and opportunity for those who are often left out will continue through the countless individuals he has mentored, advised, led, supported, and educated; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the Oakland City Council herby honors and celebrates the life, legacy, and invaluable contributions of Eddie Rudolph Dillard.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - FIFE, GALLO, JENKINS, KALB, KAPLAN, RAMACHANDRAN, REID, AND
PRESIDENT FORTUNATO BAS
NOES –
ABSENT –
ABSTENTION –
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California