Inside Oakland

Rowena Brown was sworn in as your At-Large Oakland City Councilmember in January of 2025. She is a proud East Bay local with deep roots in Oakland. She has a wide range of experience, serving previously as a State Legislative District Director, City of Oakland constituent services coordinator, workforce development coach, civics education teacher, and award-winning community organizer who graduated from Laney College, Mills College, and the University of California, Law San Francisco.

As a Black and queer woman who lost both of her parents by the age of 17, Rowena knows firsthand why Oaklanders need healthcare, safety, affordable housing, the right to a clean neighborhood, and why a thriving small business and local economy is essential for all.

That’s why Rowena has been leading efforts to address blight and illegal dumping, fix potholes, shut down drug hot spots, and secure Oakland’s fair share of State resources to fight human trafficking, reduce gun violence, and protect the air we all breathe.