East Oakland
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​SuSu Lending Circle Program

The East Oakland SuSu Lending Circle Program, in partnership with Esusu, is a self-help tool connecting East Oakland residents of color, particularly Black low and middle income individuals who fall between 30-80% of the area medium income (AMI) and small business owners to collectively pool monetary resources for personal and group economic advancement. The program offers individuals a 0% interest savings loan combined with free monthly financial empowerment workshops and resources to expand participant financial awareness in personal budgeting, debt management, first time home ownership, and small business incubation. Typical monthly payments range between $50-$200 over 6-12 months. We encourage participants to save within our three savings tracks: business development, debt management, and a better quality of life. Using culturally relevant and traditional practices stemming from West Africa and the Caribbean, the SuSu program is also designed to establish a culturally safe and fun way to build trust in group economics.

What is SuSu?

Su - Su /‘soōsoō/ - is an informal means of collecting and saving money through a savings club or partnership. This means of saving money is a cultural tradition that is widely used in the Caribbean, West and East African territories, to name a few.

Join the 2021 program cohort and lending circles! 

Criteria (target audiences)

• Resident of color of East Oakland or greater Oakland
• Income falls between 30-80% of the area medium income 
• Interested in alleviating debt, increasing savings, raising your credit score

Next Steps and Deadlines

• ​Complete the program questionnaire by February 18, 2021
• Download the Esusu application and setup your account
• Attend the required virtual orientation on February 25, 2021 -- lending circle groups will be formed
• Groups begin lending end of February 

Missed the informational? View the presentation to learn more about the program and lending circles.

Thank you to our 2020 program sponsors!

Capitol One
Coalition of Black Excellence Impact Nonprofit Program
Cohn Charitable Fund / San Francisco Foundation

Road to Financial Freedom

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Keta Price of EOC talks with UC Berkeley School of Journalism's North Gate Radio about addressing decades of unfair lending practices against Black communities in Deep East Oakland and the East Oakland SuSu Lending Circle Program, our innovative lending circle helping the community grow. 

Listen