Laurene Francois who alternates between her first name and her family name is an Oakland resident by way of Brooklyn, NY and Haiti. Francois‘ passion for grassroots fundraising is grounded in the steadfast belief that  people can collectively fund  their own liberation (and have legacies of doing so) and that mass wealth re-distribution will start when people can openly have conversations about money. Using popular education as a means to elevate the legacies of giving and resourcing in communities of color, she continues to work to make fundraising and finance literacy accessible and empowering to all. Laurene enjoys going out &lounging with friends, re-reading The Boondocks, biking and playing ping-pong.