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APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
__________________________
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. ______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMEMBER WANG
RESOLUTION HONORING THE CREATORS OF ‘CO-FOUNDERS: THE
MUSICAL’ FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO OAKLAND’S
CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE, AND FOR
ADVANCING THE CITY’S VALUES OF INNOVATION, RACIAL
JUSTICE, AND COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT THROUGH THE
PERFORMING ARTS
WHEREAS, Oakland is a national leader in arts and culture, and has long served as a home and inspiration for generations of creative risk -takers, educators, and movement -builders who challenge the status quo and tell stories that matter; and WHEREAS, Co-Founders: The Musical was developed with deep ties to Oakland’s cultural ecosystem, blending humor, original music, and sharp critique into a bold new form of storytelling that reflects the complexities of modern entrepreneurship and equity; and WHEREAS, Co-Founders was first developed at Z Space in San Francisco and later presented at Oakland’s historic Flight Deck theater, where it connected with local audiences and garnered support for its dynamic portrayal of two women — a Black woman coder from Oakland and a privileged Ivy League dropout — navigating the challenges of startup culture, systemic bias, and personal ambition; and
WHEREAS, the musical draws on Oakland’s spirit of innovation, justice, and disruption, and has engaged local creatives, artists, and musicians in its evolution while fostering civic conversation around equity in tech, storytelling, and access to capital; and WHEREAS, the themes explored in Co-Founders — race, gender, class, power, and the tension between vision and exploitation — resonate with the lived experiences of many Oaklanders and underscore the city’s broader efforts to champion inclusive economic development and racial equity; and
WHEREAS, the City of Oakland celebrates cultural work that challenges assumptions, empowers communities, and builds bridges between disciplines — particularly art and social change — and recognizes the transformative power of theater to educate, provoke, and insp ire; now therefore, be it
2 RESOLVED, that the Oakland City Council hereby honors the creators of Co-Founders:
The Musical for their artistic excellence, civic imagination, and commitment to telling stories that center Oakland values and elevate underrepresented voices; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED , that the City of Oakland affirms its support for artists and cultural producers who promote racial justice, education, and innovation, and extends its deepest appreciation to the Co-Founders team for their contributions to Oakland’s creative and civic life.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - BROWN, FIFE, GALLO, HOUSTON, RAMACHANDRAN, UNGER, WANG, AND
PRESIDENT JENKINS
NOES –
ABSENT –
ABSTENTION –
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California
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