Mayor Lurie renews City’s commitment to programs connecting Black youth to employment opportunities

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today recommitted to two programs that for years have supported young Black San Franciscans access paid job training opportunities. As Mayor Lurie continues his work to revitalize the city’s economy, including supporting the Black community, these programs leverage partnerships with major employers in the city to help equip young people in underserved communities with the tools to find and succeed in good-paying jobs.

“San Francisco’s Black community is essential to a thriving city economy,” said Mayor Lurie. “We have many innovative companies creating economic opportunities right here in San Francisco. It is essential that we prepare the next generation of Black leaders to participate and thrive. These two initiatives help connect our young people to those opportunities so they can support themselves now and gain the experience to succeed in the future.”

“Investing in our young Black residents is investing in San Francisco’s future,” said Supervisor Shamann Walton. “Opportunities for All and Black 2 SF provide critical mentorship, resources, and hands-on experience to help our youth thrive. With San Francisco’s Black population declining from 13% in the 1970s to less than 5% today, these programs are vital to retaining and empowering Black youth while reaffirming the city’s commitment to its Black communities. Black 2 SF also aligns with the African American Reparations Advisory Committee’s recommendations, emphasizing the role of HBCUs in advancing educational and economic opportunities. I look forward to seeing these programs continue to uplift our community.”

Opportunities for All (OFA) is a transformative investment in youth and families. Launched in 2018 for youth and young adults between 13 and 24 years old who reside in or attend school in San Francisco. OFA provides economic mobility of across the life course. The program consists of paid internships with partner employers and community groups. The 2025 OFA intern application will go live on Monday, February 24, 2025, for the six-week internship program running from June 23 to August 1, 2025.

Black 2 San Francisco (B2SF) is a transformative initiative led by the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, designed to empower and uplift Black communities by fostering economic growth and professional development. This dynamic program will bring together 70 talented students—35 from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and 35 San Francisco residents actively involved in their college’s Black Student Unions—to create a unique, cross-cultural experience that bridges education, career-building, and community revitalization.

Participants in each program will gain valuable work experience through a six-week rotational internship program in both city government and private sector placement over the summer. In addition to internship experience, B2SF will offer weekly lectures covering essential topics such as community reinvestment strategies, financial literacy, and credit management—critical knowledge that will equip students with the tools to thrive during and after college. Ultimately, B2SF contributes to the revitalization of San Francisco’s economy while cultivating the next generation of leaders in tech, government, education, and beyond.

Partners who place interns include Bank of America, the University of San Francisco, the University of California San Francisco, the City and County of San Francisco, community-based organizations, and many other private sector partners.