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Jaylen Brown and Jason Kidd’s $5 Billion Plans

On Aug. 9, in downtown Oakland at Oakstop, a co-working and event space, dozens of journalists and broadcasters convened to hear an historic announcement from NBA icon Jason Kidd and NBA All Star and Finals MVP Jaylen Brown. The duo told the world that they have joined forces to raise an ambitious $5 billion dollars to empower underserved and marginalized communities. The week prior, Brown set the goal in motion by creating the Boston XChange in preparation to do the same in the Bay Area as the Oakland XChange.

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NBA All Star and 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, Oakland XChange's founder Trevor Parham, Boston XChange board member Riz Shah, and NBA icon Jason Kidd at Oakstop in Oakland announcing the creation of XChange Oakland and a commitment to raise $5 billion dollars to empower marginalized communities across the nation. Courtesy of Oakland Xchange.
NBA All Star and 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, Oakland XChange's founder Trevor Parham, Boston XChange board member Riz Shah, and NBA icon Jason Kidd at Oakstop in Oakland announcing the creation of XChange Oakland and a commitment to raise $5 billion dollars to empower marginalized communities across the nation. Courtesy of Oakland Xchange.

By Carla Thomas

On Aug. 9, in downtown Oakland at Oakstop, a co-working and event space, dozens of journalists and broadcasters convened to hear an historic announcement from NBA icon Jason Kidd and NBA All Star and Finals MVP Jaylen Brown.

The duo told the world that they have joined forces to raise an ambitious $5 billion dollars to empower underserved and marginalized communities. The week prior, Brown set the goal in motion by creating the Boston XChange in preparation to do the same in the Bay Area as the Oakland XChange.

“True systemic change requires collaboration, shared vision, and collective impact. By working with community partners, thought leaders, and cultural influencers, our goal is to cultivate a powerful network of support and innovation,” shared Brown.

Through the new nonprofit XChange enterprises in Boston and Oakland and his sphere of influence, Brown has set his intentions in motion jumpstarting a path toward generational wealth and cultivating cultural innovation in underserved and underrepresented communities. Designed to provide opportunities at the intersection of business and culture, Brown says the XChange will use a place-based strategy to drive solutions for better cities, integrating real estate development, business education, technology, and cultural competency to foster economic growth.

Chapters in Boston (BXC) and Oakland (OXC) will serve as organizing hubs, utilizing commercial real estate to empower underserved communities.

Kidd says he was inspired by Brown’s concept and the two have committed millions of dollars from their own fortunes to kick off the venture. Kidd and Brown, both Oakland natives, see a bright future for their hometown.

“We welcome anyone that is willing to make a commitment to the future and health of the community and put it on a path toward generational sustainability,” said Kidd, during the press conference.

“The racial wealth gap is not limited to Boston — It’s a national issue, affecting Oakland and cities throughout the country, revealing how some groups are better positioned to make critical investments in their futures that benefit their families and communities,” said Kidd.

Kidd has also made significant philanthropic contributions to his hometown, such as funding the Willie Keyes Recreation Center in West Oakland.

The XChange will create and showcase scalable and repeatable models for shared real estate ownership and impact investments to facilitate asset building for sidelined community members that can be adopted across the country. They will engage professional athletes, business leaders, philanthropists, and influencers who are passionate about solving wealth inequality in the cities they love, using a replicable model that maximizes impact while uplifting existing organizations working to bridge the wealth gap.

“Using this strategy, The XChange presents an opportunity for individual cities to tailor the model to the unique needs and strengths of their communities, replicating and refining it for optimal impact,” said the Oakland XChange’s founder Trevor Parham.

“Place based strategies are important for unifying and revitalizing underserved communities and our lived experiences inform market insights and social solutions that help foster sustainable economic development. I’m proud of Oakstop’s track record for community-led social impact and our synergy with the Boston XChange.”

Boston XChange board member Riz Shah was also on hand along with local politicians, Caroll Fife, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), and Lateefah Simon, candidate for U.S Congress. They all shared their excitement for the new venture.

For more information visit:  www.oaklandxchange.org

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Oakland Post: Week of May 28 – June 30, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May 28 – June 3, 2025

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Oakland Post: Week of May 21 – 27, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May 21 – 27, 2025

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OPINION: Your Voice and Vote Impact the Quality of Your Health Care

One of the most dangerous developments we’re seeing now? Deep federal cuts are being proposed to Medicaid, the life-saving health insurance program that covers nearly 80 million lower-income individuals nationwide. That is approximately 15 million Californians and about 1 million of the state’s nearly 3 million Black Californians who are at risk of losing their healthcare. 

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Rhonda M. Smith.
Rhonda M. Smith.

By Rhonda M. Smith, Special to California Black Media Partners

Shortly after last year’s election, I hopped into a Lyft and struck up a conversation with the driver. As we talked, the topic inevitably turned to politics. He confidently told me that he didn’t vote — not because he supported Donald Trump, but because he didn’t like Kamala Harris’ résumé. When I asked what exactly he didn’t like, he couldn’t specifically articulate his dislike or point to anything specific. In his words, he “just didn’t like her résumé.”

That moment really hit hard for me. As a Black woman, I’ve lived through enough election cycles to recognize how often uncertainty, misinformation, or political apathy keep people from voting, especially Black voters whose voices are historically left out of the conversation and whose health, economic security, and opportunities are directly impacted by the individual elected to office, and the legislative branches and political parties that push forth their agenda.

That conversation with the Lyft driver reflects a troubling surge in fear-driven politics across our country. We’ve seen White House executive orders gut federal programs meant to help our most vulnerable populations and policies that systematically exclude or harm Black and underserved communities.

One of the most dangerous developments we’re seeing now? Deep federal cuts are being proposed to Medicaid, the life-saving health insurance program that covers nearly 80 million lower-income individuals nationwide. That is approximately 15 million Californians and about 1 million of the state’s nearly 3 million Black Californians who are at risk of losing their healthcare.

Medicaid, called Medi-Cal in California, doesn’t just cover care. It protects individuals and families from medical debt, keeps rural hospitals open, creates jobs, and helps our communities thrive. Simply put; Medicaid is a lifeline for 1 in 5 Black Americans. For many, it’s the only thing standing between them and a medical emergency they can’t afford, especially with the skyrocketing costs of health care. The proposed cuts mean up to 7.2 million Black Americans could lose their healthcare coverage, making it harder for them to receive timely, life-saving care. Cuts to Medicaid would also result in fewer prenatal visits, delayed cancer screenings, unfilled prescriptions, and closures of community clinics. When healthcare is inaccessible or unaffordable, it doesn’t just harm individuals, it weakens entire communities and widens inequities.

The reality is Black Americans already face disproportionately higher rates of poorer health outcomes. Our life expectancy is nearly five years shorter in comparison to White Americans. Black pregnant people are 3.6 times more likely to die during pregnancy or postpartum than their white counterparts.

These policies don’t happen in a vacuum. They are determined by who holds power and who shows up to vote. Showing up amplifies our voices. Taking action and exercising our right to vote is how we express our power.

I urge you to start today. Call your representatives, on both sides of the aisle, and demand they protect Medicaid (Medi-Cal), the Affordable Care Act (Covered CA), and access to food assistance programs, maternal health resources, mental health services, and protect our basic freedoms and human rights. Stay informed, talk to your neighbors and register to vote.

About the Author

Rhonda M. Smith is the Executive Director of the California Black Health Network, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to advancing health equity for all Black Californians.

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