San Francisco quietly revives controversial racial equity program under new mayor
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has quietly relaunched the Dream Keeper Initiative, a controversial program aimed at advancing racial equity for Black residents. The move revives an effort first introduced by former Mayor London Breed in 2021, following nationwide protests over George Floyd's death and calls to redirect police funding toward marginalised communities.
The original Dream Keeper Initiative began in 2021 with a $120 million budget. Funds supported a range of projects, from down-payment assistance for Black homebuyers to grants for Black trans organisations and efforts to recruit more Black educators. However, the program soon faced criticism over lax oversight, with reports of money spent on black-tie events, staff salary increases, and personal expenses rather than community benefits.
Lurie, who campaigned against Breed in 2024 and won amid allegations of corruption in her administration, has now reintroduced the scheme under the 'RFP 100' banner. This latest version allocates $36 million to organisations providing services like Afri-centric mental health care, African ancestry DNA testing, and free doula support for Black birthing people. Some initiatives also follow a Black feminist healing framework. Yet questions remain about transparency and legality. As of March 2026, no public records confirm how many RFP 100-funded groups have actually implemented Afrocentric approaches or detail their specific measures. A civil rights lawyer has also warned that the program's focus on serving Black residents exclusively could violate federal anti-discrimination laws, effectively acting as a form of soft reparations. Critics argue the renewed initiative continues a pattern of identity-based spending. The list of RFP 100 recipients includes grants for culturally affirming wellness programs, which some view as dubious uses of public funds.
The relaunched Dream Keeper Initiative will distribute $36 million to community organisations, with a clear focus on Black San Franciscans. While supporters claim it will address long-standing racial inequities, legal concerns and past mismanagement issues cast doubt on its future. The program's structure and funding decisions will likely face further scrutiny in the coming months.
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