The Office of Community Wealth Building (OCWB) in Richmond, Virginia, originated from the work of the Mayor’s Anti-Poverty Commission, which was officially launched by Mayor Dwight C. Jones administration in March 2011 with Order #2011‑3—to address systemic poverty through actionable strategies like workforce development, education pipelines, transit equity, and housing reform.

That commission, also known as the Maggie L. Walker Initiative for Expanding Opportunity and Fighting Poverty, which began in 2011, produced a final report two years later that outlined community-driven recommendations to support residents in achieving greater economic mobility and long-term stability.

One of the central recommendations was the creation of a city department dedicated to coordinating these efforts. In 2014, the City of Richmond launched the Office of Community Wealth Building, becoming the first municipality in the nation to establish such a department with a specific focus on increasing fair access to opportunities and resources. In 2015, the City Council established OCWB as a permanent city office.

The mission of the Office of Community Wealth Building is to drive solutions that improve the quality of life and expand pathways to prosperity for all Richmond residents, fostering a stronger, more unified city.

A thriving city where economic growth, community-rooted solutions, and generational advancement are accessible for all.