GGCA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) founded in the 1980s to help revitalize Golden Gate. Formerly known as the San Pablo Avenue – Golden Gate Improvement Association (SPAGGIA), our all-volunteer organization addresses the present and future needs of our underserved community.
Our members focus on creating safer streets, blight-free blocks, and community-driven improvements such as better lighting, well-designed medians, pedestrian/bike crossings, and the state-of-the-art Charles Porter Golden Gate Recreation Center.
Angela Gennino
Angela is GGCA President and lead on strategic planning, community outreach, and initiatives to make Golden Gate a greener neighborhood. agennino@gmail.com
Sylvia Young
Sylvia is GGCA’s Vice President and Coordinator for events and promoting Golden Gate businesses. She’s a third-generation Golden Gater who is a realtor, writer, and actress. sylvia@goldengateca.org
Cathy Leonard
Cathy is a leading advocate for public safety, police accountability, public policy, and neighborhood planning. Her consulting group, Oakland Neighborhoods for Equity (ONE), works with organizations throughout the City.
Kim Lucas
Kim is GGCA’s environmental health and code compliance expert. She’s an epidemiologist and researcher evaluating public health programs serving incarcerated people in California. klucas1111@gmail.com
Scott Owades
Scott is GGCA Treasurer and organizes neighbors on his block and throughout Golden Gate, hosts weekly trash cleanups along San Pablo Avenue, and leads our Block Leader program. You’ll find him reading the Golden Gate history books at the library and dreaming of how we can activate our local vacant lots. scottowades@gmail.com
Brandon Azevedo
Brandon is our Project Coordinator and digital platform lead. He has extensive community organizing, public policy, public health, and legislative experience at the national and local levels. bazevedo8@gmail.com