The Town Experience

At a Glance

Founder: Charlese Banks
Offers: Oakland-focused destination marketing and cultural event curation
Location: Oakland, California
Email: info@thetownexperience.com
Website: www.thetownexperience.com
Social: Instagram @thetownexperience | Facebook @thetownexperience

About

The Town Experience is a platform that highlights Oakland's cultural richness and vibrancy through marketing and event curation. Founder Charlese Banks created the platform when the Afrotech conference came to Oakland, developing activities to connect visitors with local experiences outside the conference. The business has since evolved to promote Oakland as a travel destination while highlighting local businesses, particularly Black and Brown-owned ones. Charlese, who describes herself as a "multipotentialite" with skills in brand development and event production, has built partnerships with companies like AirBnB and Visit Oakland to grow the business and showcase what makes Oakland unique.