Black Business Owners Week on We eXceL Daily with Guest Chaney Turner on Cannabis and Equity

Chaney Turner, an entrepreneur, organizer, and equity thought leader. Chaney is a queer Black woman whose preferred pronouns are they, them, and she. Born and bred in East Oakland, Calif., they have been an organizer for over twenty years, with a specific focus on Black and Brown communities who are often left out of the conversation. Chaney believes in accessibility, equity, and dedicated, transparent investment in the economic, social, and political lives of those most impacted by gentrification and state-sanctioned violence.

In 2016, Chaney founded Town Biz Oakland, a local cultural & social justice brand that provided safe space for the community. That same year they co-founded The People’s Dispensary in Oakland, where they lead cannabis policy & culture. For their work, Chaney is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including; East Bay Express Best of The Bay(2016), Oakland Rising Business of the Year (2017) & Oakland Indie Award “Ripple Effect” (2018). In 2020, Chaney founded Beyond Equity, an organization whose mission is to ensure equity in health, housing, and the still-developing cannabis industry.

Chaney’s work and leadership embody the belief that those most impacted by inequities should have the power to implement grounded, sustainable and community-driven solutions. Chaney currently serves as Commissioner at Large on the Oakland Cannabis Regulatory Commission.