what is your niche bay area mega center

A one-stop-shop nonprofit being developed in Oakland to serve the Bay's marginalized population in a mega way!

what is your niche bay area mega center

A one-stop-shop nonprofit being developed in Oakland to serve the Bay's marginalized population in a mega way!

why we founded bamc - a word from our founders

Each of us were raised in the hoods of Oakland, so we know what it’s like to grow up in poverty. We grew up disadvantaged, underprivileged, and under-resourced. We were raised by parents who often struggled to make ends meet. We grew up in dangerous neighborhoods – neighborhoods riddled with crime, drugs, and homelessness. We were considered at-risk or troubled teens. We have fallen short, made mistakes, experienced pain, suffering, hardship, and loss. We have been mistreated due to the color of our skin, and know what it is like to grow up in a society with systems in place designed for us to lose.

We are the marginalized, the under-represented, the forgotten about and the overlooked. We know what it is like to have hopes and dreams but lack resources, support, and opportunity. Our experience fuels our passion. We can relate to the plight of many people residing in Oakland. Their plight is our plight. Their predicament is our predicament. The people from the Bay are our people, and we want more for them.

Although we are three African American residents of Oakland, who are fully aware that in this society Black people have the shortest end of the stick; we don’t just want better for our people, we want an equitable solution for all people of color. We want programming that is unrestricted and all-inclusive - high quality programming that is delivered with love, kindness, and sincerity, by people who share our passion and desire to help those in need. Our passion, determination, and unstoppable drive is so strong that we were compelled to found the WHAT IS YOUR NICHE BAY AREA MEGA CENTER (BAMC).

We, the founders – Precious Ward, Cameron Shepherd, and Eric Jones – joined forces because we share a vision. We have a dream that one day ALL people will have access to everything they need to realize their full potential. We all have a unique purpose, a niche, a reason why we were created to live on earth today. Unfortunately, many people experience things in their lives that impede on their ability to realize their full potential - a death in the family, molestation, rape, substance abuse, peer pressure, neglect, a lack of support, systemic racism, family problems, mental health issues - things that hinders people from becoming the best version of themselves.

We founded the BAMC because we believe that every living being is entitled to the resources and supports they need to realize their full potential, regardless of the family they were born into, the environment they were raised in, or the lack of resources they have. We believe that greatness dwells in everyone. Some people just need additional love and support for that greatness to be realized. BAMC was founded to provide that additional love and support to anyone who needs it.

Our vision is to create a nonprofit unlike any nonprofit the Bay Area has seen. In fact, that is why we selected the WHAT IS YOUR NICHE BAY AREA MEGA CENTER for our name. Our name includes the rhetorical question “what is your niche,” because it denotes our purpose. The purpose of BAMC is to help people realize their purpose and tackle any barriers hindering them from realizing their full potential. We call ourselves a “mega center” because our goal is to help people in a mega way.

“Our Home”

By: Precious Ward

This is our home;

We must protect it.

This is our home;

We will not neglect it.

Because we are able,

It is our duty to help it.

We were raised in these streets,

We will not forsake them.

We are who we are,

Because we were raised in Oakland.

Our home is not perfect,

But we will forever adore it.

How can we turn our back

On the place that raised us?

We are children of God,

We can’t sit around and do nothing.

Our home is in dire need,

We will do something.

Our communities are riddled with poverty,

We’re declaring war on it.

Homelessness plagues our streets;

We will do our part to address it.

Countless youth are in need;

We will be there for them wholeheartedly.

And our people have the shortest end of the stick;

We will go hard for them.

The need in our home is vast;

We can’t save it alone.

The government isn’t fully able

To address the needs of our home on its own.

We will enlist the help of many, and

Collaborate with our fellow visionaries.

With God, all things are possible;

With Him on our side we shall have the victory!

Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream,

and so do we;

That everyone shall have everything they need,

To achieve their goals and succeed;

That all who needs help,

Will have access to the support they need;

That there will be mega centers in major cities throughout the country.

But this is our home,

So, we must start here.

This is our home, and

We are determined to do what we can to help it.

what is your niche bay area mega center

what is your niche bay area mega center

why we founded bamc - a word from our founders

help us help oakland and the bay! Donate today!

help us help oakland and the bay! Donate today!