Staff

Rashida Foster

CEO

Rashida Foster began her journey being trained by her mother at age 5 to sell merchandise at local flea markets, selling shoes at shoe parties (Shoes, Shoes, Shoes, Inc), and accompanied her aunt Margaret Gordon of The West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project (WOEIP) to community meetings, learning the values of the environmental and social justice movement. She went on to study African American politics and business. After earning multiple business certificates, she became a seasoned celebrity hairstylist and has operated a few businesses over a span of 20 years. She now devotes her free time to giving back to the community and catering to the senior citizens by volunteering at various homeless shelters and community centers. She has organized marches for various social justice issues & platforms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Janice Hunter

The Secretary

Office and Administrative Program Manager

 


A San Francisco Native and current 35-year resident of Oakland, CA. Was
introduced in 2016 to the fight for Health and Environmental Justice, while
volunteering at the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project and
shadowing Co-Directors Ms. Margaret Gordon and Brian Beveridge. In 2016
After attending the Environmental Justice (EJ) Coalition Conference, I began
working with Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice, managing the
administrative work; assisting with Youth Leadership Academies and helping
lead Bayview Hunters Point community campaign to reduce diesel emissions
from trucks and buses, in addition to working on AB617 and Disadvantage
Community Tribal Involvement Program (DACTIP). For over 31 years,
worked as a professional training manager in the Telecommunications
industry whose focus was on customer service supporting Business &
Consumer customers. This role included designing and facilitating training
within the US and internationally to a diverse population, including both virtual
and face-to-face audiences. Community involvement and leadership include
Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice; Community NETwork Bay
Area Chapter, Executive Board of Directors; Co-founder, African American
Women for Social Justice; Volunteer for West Oakland Environmental
Indicators Project; Environmental Justice Working Groups; Host Committee
Volunteer for Super Bowl 50.

 

Ms. Margaret Gordon

The Mentor

Co-founder and co-director of the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project (WOEIP)

A lifetime community activist who has been collaborating with neighborhood organizations, physicians, researchers, and public officials to ensure West Oakland residents enjoy a clean environment. Since 1994, through research, data collection, and analysis, a body of community-based participatory research has led to safer jobs, schools, and homes. Ms. Margaret’s expertise has earned her roles in a number of local and state advisory boards and steering committees, including the California Environmental Health Tracking Project’s Alameda County Pilot Project, the West Oakland Project Area Committee, and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s Community Air Risk Evaluation Program. Appointed by then-Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums to the Oakland Port Commission in 2007, she spent the next five years stridently promoting the interests of community health, workers’ health, and fiscal responsibility in Port operations. Since 2010, WOEIP has ventured into Citizen Science and technical engineering of air monitoring to gather evidence supporting the improvement of air quality, public health, and influencing public policy for emission reduction in targeted areas of the Port of Oakland and the three freeways surrounding West Oakland.  WOEIP is leading the West Oakland Community Action Plan in Emissions Reduction under the State of California, with the development of AB 617, along with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and selected consultants, by residents of West Oakland. Ms. Margaret Gordon is the mother of three adult sons, 17 grandchildren, and 1 great-granddaughter.  

 

Paulette Foster Chief

Financial Officer

Paulette started selling off refurbished shoes around California (Shoes, shoes, shoes, Inc). She donated shoes, clothing, and accessories to other organizations for single women with children. Before retiring 26years from the Social Security administration, working for the US government, she was also a front desk clerk and manager at a prominent San Francisco hotel. Putting to use her certificate in Culinary Arts, which she earned from Compton Community College in the early 1970s, she began selling food at the festivals, and she would employ her close friends and family to help out with the food booth. She trained her only daughter and other young girls in cooking skills and helped them start their own businesses. She presently volunteers at the North Richmond Community Center, Police Athletic League Worldwide Food Distribution of Richmond (P.A.L.), Community Village Incorporated of El Sobrante, West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project (WOEIP), and McGlothen Temple-Church of God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chris Hunter

Digital Literacy Navigator

Christopher Hunter is a dedicated community advocate whose work is rooted in compassion, cultural humility, and a deep commitment to uplifting Black and Brown families across Oakland. For more than seven years, Chris has provided hands-on support that mirrors the core values and responsibilities of a Community Advocate. His work centers on bridging both digital and health equity gaps, meeting residents where they are, and ensuring every person has access to the tools, information, and resources they need to thrive.
Chris has led culturally responsive digital literacy workshops that empower seniors, parents, and low-income families to confidently navigate technology, whether accessing telehealth, scheduling medical appointments, completing online applications, or using patient portals safely and independently. His approach is always relationship-driven; he spends time in neighborhoods building trust, listening deeply, and connecting community members to essential programs such as Medi-Cal, CalFresh, housing support, and wellness services.
Chris’s community roots run deep. His previous outreach work includes serving with Green Action for Health and Environmental Justice, the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project (WOEIP), and the East Voices of Oakland (EVOAK!) environmental justice team. He continues this legacy today as a Digital Literacy Facilitator for African American Women for Social Justice (AAW4SJ), supporting families through culturally grounded education and empowerment.
Across every role, Christopher Hunter is known as a trusted liaison, educator, and advocate, someone who shows up for the community with heart, humility, and the belief that digital inclusion, environmental justice, and wellness are essential rights for all residents of Oakland.