In Pursuit of Restorative Justice: Insights from Marginalized Businesses in Oakland, California

This research investigates the potential for achieving racial reconciliation in the United States through addressing systems of discrimination in historically marginalized communities. Using qualitative methods including focus groups and interviews, this study explores the impact on community economic viability of elevating Black and minoritized businesses to survive entrenched race-based discriminatory practices. Based on interviews with 21 Oakland manufacturing business owners, findings reveal that beyond the well-documented challenges facing marginalized businesses (access to capital, market, and education), additional needs exist including building community and ecosystem collaboration, building community and ecosystem trust, alleviating the “social vs. profit” strategy gap, and engendering community commitment. The study proposes methods for addressing these complex and interconnected needs as a first step toward racial reconciliation in affected communities.