“It takes a village to raise a child.”

-African proverb emphasizing the importance of a community's involvement in raising children.

Jack and Jill of America, Inc. (JJOA) is the premier African American family organization and a desired village for families of African ancestry. For the last 70 years, countless mothers in the Greater Oakland Bay Area have worked to bring the mission of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. to life, building a supportive local community for not only our children, but for all children. As a result, JJOA alumni have graduated and matriculated as change agents in medicine, science, entrepreneurship, politics, legal/civics, education, entertainment/athletics, and more. 

The Outstanding Oakland Bay Area Chapter (OBAC) of JJOA has the distinction of being the 70th chapter established nationally and the 4th chapter established in the Fabulous Far West Region. And since 1955, OBAC has supported JJOA national programs and projects, providing enriching experiences for children, and making contributions to our community. We host an annual fundraiser, which allows us to donate a portion of the funds to various local organizations that support families and children. Past recipients of our philanthropic support include The East Oakland Youth Development Center; March of Dimes; Elizabeth House; Hidden Genius Project; Girls Inc.; Oakland Reach; and Healthy Black Families, to name a few.

Today our chapter has grown to include 90 families (comprising 90 mothers, 79 fathers, and 152 children), who live, work, serve, and play in the Greater Oakland Bay Area. We remain committed to developing our children into future leaders through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving, and civic duty. 

On behalf of the entire Chapter Executive Board and all our members, I invite you to explore our website to learn more about OBAC. Also, feel free to reach out to us at info@jackandjillobac.org for more information.

In Service with Purpose, 

Maisha Gray-Diggs
President
Oakland Bay Area Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.