A day after Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton held raucous rallies in San Francisco and San Jose, the former Secretary of State stopped by an Oakland-based Home of Chicken and Waffles for a quaint community meeting.
Friday’s discussion revolved around breaking barriers and increasing opportunity in Oakland. The former secretary of state, who has had a tough week following the release of a state department report on her emails, sat next to the city's mayor, Libby Schaaf, and restaurant owners for the sobering chat.
No one dined on the local spot's famous food, instead delving immediately into some key issues facing the Oakland community.
The conversation lingered on helping people of color start small businesses. Clinton also advocated for second-start programs, which help incarcerated men and women learn job-training and business skills.
"I think we need more of these programs," she said, referencing one that she claims has been successful in Reno, Nevada. She said philanthropists, businesses owners and politicians need to work together to come up with a solution to "increasing the breadth of knowledge and understanding" about job training programs.
Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders have been barnstorming through the Bay Area ahead of California's June 7 primary, making the East Bay ground zero in their efforts to get out the vote.
Both candidates have campaign offices in Oakland, where Clinton has appeared twice this month, and Sanders has recently held his characteristically huge rallies in Vallejo and the South Bay.
