Coco Noir Wine Shop & Bar

Coco Noir Wine Shop & Bar Where AI Meets Lifestyle ✨
Exploring AI, technology, travel, hospitality, wellness, culture, entrepreneurship & unforgettable experiences. coconoirwine.com

Inspiring curiosity through storytelling, innovation & authentic experiences. We are scheduled to open in the mid to late summer of 2022. You can shop our online wine shop at www.

COCO NOIR LABS: CONTRIBUTING TO OAKLAND’S AI COMMUNITYOakland Tech Week ended with a meaningful moment for CoCo Noir Lab...
10/05/2026

COCO NOIR LABS: CONTRIBUTING TO OAKLAND’S AI COMMUNITY

Oakland Tech Week ended with a meaningful moment for CoCo Noir Labs founder Alicia Kidd: joining fellow event hosts on stage at HiiiWAV Fest to receive recognition for helping bring the week’s programming to life.

Alicia participated in the planning committee and hosted “Women Building AI in Oakland: From Idea to App in One Day,” sponsored by Lovable.

The event reflected a growing focus at CoCo Noir Labs: help women gain practical experience with AI, connect with other builders, and see new possibilities for their ideas and businesses.

The closing celebration at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts brought that community spirit into a broader setting.

The evening included Mayor Barbara Lee, music from Kev Choice, hackathon awards, and performances from Soundtrack of Safety songwriting finalists. LaRussell spoke with Bosko Kante about independent artistry and technology. Red Lotus performed, and E-40 & The Soul Slappers delivered an unforgettable finish.

For CoCo Noir Labs, the week was also an opportunity to build relationships across public service, business, technology, and the arts.

Thank you to Oakland Tech Week, HiiiWAV, the City of Oakland, the Kapor community, Lovable, and every host, sponsor, and volunteer who contributed.

We’re proud to help expand who gets to participate in building with AI.

What would you like to see in a future CoCo Noir Labs workshop: AI for business, app building, or responsible AI in the workplace?

BUILDING COCO NOIR LABS THROUGH COMMUNITY IMPACTThe next chapter of CoCo Noir Labs is taking shape through hands-on work...
10/05/2026

BUILDING COCO NOIR LABS THROUGH COMMUNITY IMPACT

The next chapter of CoCo Noir Labs is taking shape through hands-on work, new partnerships, and conversations about where AI can help.

On October 3, founder Alicia Kidd participated in Oakland Tech Week’s 10X Hackathon at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts. The event brought participants together around housing, homelessness, and employment challenges from Alameda County and the City of Oakland.

Alicia joined three women she met that day to develop and pitch The HUB: Habitable Units, Built Together.

The team’s concept supported case managers coordinating permanent housing referrals. An AI-assisted connector would help search opportunities across participating departments, housing agencies, providers, and landlords, reducing the need to work through disconnected information.

Their design also addressed an essential governance requirement: protect existing referral priorities. An urgent request should not move someone ahead of a resident already appropriately waiting.

The HUB considered pathways for seniors, youth, and people affected by encampment closures, while acknowledging that a technology platform cannot independently solve insufficient housing supply.

Although the team did not receive a prize, the experience delivered valuable stakeholder feedback, new connections, and an opportunity to apply responsible-AI principles to a public-service workflow.

Thank you to Alicia’s teammates, fellow participants, judges, volunteers, Oakland Tech Week, and the County and City representatives.

CoCo Noir Labs is growing with a clear purpose: help organizations use AI thoughtfully and expand opportunities for women and underrepresented builders to participate.

Where does your organization face the most friction: finding information, coordinating services, or following up?

Oakland Tech Week continues to demonstrate what happens when technology + culture + community + capital are in the same ...
10/03/2026

Oakland Tech Week continues to demonstrate what happens when technology + culture + community + capital are in the same room.

Tonight’s conversations moved across two generations of the technology ecosystem.

First: Women Changemakers in Tech, with Amy Miller of Scientific Adventures for Girls and Nikki Parsons of Akamai Technologies.

The conversation explored early STEM exposure, representation, mentorship and what it takes to help girls see themselves as builders and technologists.

CoCo Noir Labs founder Alicia Kidd asked another question:

Are we introducing girls not only to careers in technology, but to entrepreneurship and ownership in technology and AI?

Later, former NBA player, entrepreneur and investor Baron Davis joined venture investor Erik Moore for a conversation spanning technology investing, the creator economy, culture, media and ownership.

Alicia’s question shifted from access to economics:

When creators and their communities generate cultural and economic value, what deal structures ensure they participate in the long-term ownership they help create?

The takeaway from the evening:

Access matters.
Representation matters.
Capital matters.
But ownership matters too.

From Oakland classrooms to venture capital and the creator economy, the next generation shouldn’t simply participate in technology.

They should have opportunities to build it, govern it and own it.

That’s a conversation CoCo Noir Media will continue covering.

In September, I attended an Oakland Metropolitan Chamber member event, “Investing in Talent: How Philanthropy and Techno...
10/02/2026

In September, I attended an Oakland Metropolitan Chamber member event, “Investing in Talent: How Philanthropy and Technology Can Build the Workforce of Tomorrow.”

One question stayed with me: How do we make sure the future of work is built with communities—not simply delivered to them?

The conversation highlighted the importance of connecting education and training to real jobs and career growth; protecting workers’ privacy as AI tools enter the workplace; and investing in foundational skills like literacy, communication, and critical thinking alongside AI literacy.

I was also struck by the emphasis on long-term, local collaboration. Oakland’s workforce strategy should reflect the strengths and needs of Oakland—not rely on a one-size-fits-all approach.

As I represent CoCo Noir Labs, I’m reflecting on how responsible AI governance can help turn these ideas into practice. Technology should serve people and expand opportunity.

I attended an Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce event to hear what’s happening in our city, and one topic kept br...
10/02/2026

I attended an Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce event to hear what’s happening in our city, and one topic kept bringing the conversation back to a bigger question: How can Oakland embrace AI while making sure the community benefits?

Chuck Baker, introduced at the event as Oakland’s Assistant City Administrator, spoke about AI as both an economic opportunity and a responsibility. Oakland is developing guidance for how city employees use AI and has piloted secure tools, with an emphasis on protecting city information rather than putting it into public systems.

The conversation also went beyond software. AI infrastructure—like data centers—can bring investment and jobs, but it can also raise real questions about electricity, water, noise, and environmental effects. The point was not simply “bring it in” or “keep it out.” It was to understand what’s being proposed, measure impacts, involve the community, and ask what local jobs and workforce opportunities could come with it.

I appreciated the focus on preparing people for change, too. The discussion emphasized reskilling workers to use AI as a tool—and recognizing the value of human creativity.

As a member of the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and founder of CoCo Noir Labs, I value being in rooms where these important questions are discussed. Chamber events help local businesses stay connected to the issues shaping our city and hear different perspectives firsthand.

What do you think Oakland should prioritize as AI grows: workforce preparation, environmental safeguards, local jobs, or all three?

Last month, I attended The Build: Black Business. Economic Power. Community. I went to connect, build relationships, and...
10/02/2026

Last month, I attended The Build: Black Business. Economic Power. Community. I went to connect, build relationships, and listen—and I left thinking about what it takes for our businesses and communities to thrive for generations.

The conversations touched on protecting community legacy, choosing to support Black businesses, building strong relationships, and getting the basics in place to pursue new opportunities. One message that stayed with me: preparation matters. Whether you’re pursuing contracts or growing your business, having your paperwork, plans, and partnerships in order can open doors.

At CoCo Noir Labs, I think about how those same questions of readiness and ownership apply as businesses adopt AI: What are we building? Who benefits? And how do we move forward responsibly?

Grateful for the conversations and connections. What does building lasting economic power look like to you?

What does it take for a small business to win a big contract? Preparation, relationships, and access to the right inform...
10/02/2026

What does it take for a small business to win a big contract? Preparation, relationships, and access to the right information.

I attended Small Business, Big Contract during Oakland Tech Week and heard from community organizations, public agencies, and corporate representatives about certifications, procurement pathways, and the importance of being ready before an opportunity appears.

A few useful examples from the conversation: California’s state contracting program includes goals for small businesses and disabled veteran business enterprises; EBMUD described a bid evaluation preference for eligible small businesses; and the Port of Oakland explained how its certified business database can help connect firms to opportunities. Speakers also discussed technology and AI readiness, along with the ongoing challenge of access to capital.

At CoCo Noir Labs, we help businesses, public sector organizations, and educational institutions navigate AI through implementation, integration, governance, and strategy.

Let’s keep sharing knowledge and building a stronger, more connected business community. What’s one resource or relationship that has helped your organization move forward?

What’s an idea you’ve had for years but haven’t had the chance to build?On Wednesday, roughly 30–40 women gathered for W...
10/02/2026

What’s an idea you’ve had for years but haven’t had the chance to build?

On Wednesday, roughly 30–40 women gathered for Women Build Oakland: From Idea to App in One Day. It was one of the first events for CoCo Noir Labs, hosted during Oakland Tech Week with Lovable as our building platform.

The women in the room came with all kinds of ideas: businesses they wanted to start, websites they’d imagined, and technology solutions to problems they knew firsthand. Some were entrepreneurs. Others brought experience from their work and communities. They spent the day learning, sharing, and creating a starting point they can continue to build on.

These photos show what I hope CoCo Noir Labs will keep making possible: a community where women can explore technology, turn their knowledge into something tangible, and help one another move forward.

This was our first buildathon, with more to come. 💜

If you had a day and a room full of support, what would you build? Tell us in the comments.

Join our community for future events: https://coco-noir-labs.kit.com/3e70e1cb13

09/29/2026

Oakland Tech Week: Help Support Women Build Oakland

Watch my video to learn about Wednesday’s buildathon with CoCo Noir Labs and Lovable. We’re bringing together fewer than 100 builders, and I’m looking for breakfast or lunch sponsors, event volunteers, demo judges, and prize donors. Prizes could include mentoring, technical assistance, services, or cash.

The event is September 30, 9 a.m.–6 p.m., at the Oakland Tribune Building. Even a partial contribution or introduction would help.

Can you support us? Please DM me today. Let’s build something great for Oakland.

The rooms I’m walking into these days look a little different—and that’s intentional.Yesterday I spent the day in Oaklan...
09/24/2026

The rooms I’m walking into these days look a little different—and that’s intentional.

Yesterday I spent the day in Oakland learning, connecting and continuing to build the next chapter of my entrepreneurial journey.

I started at the BOC Small Business Showcase at Caltrans District 4, where I connected with public agencies, transportation organizations, procurement professionals and prime contractors from across the Bay Area.

One lesson stood out: certification is only the beginning.

Small businesses also need relationships, an understanding of procurement, access to opportunities—and a clear explanation of the problems they can solve.

Later, I headed to Oakland City Hall for a discussion about the City’s Economic Development Action Plan.

I asked about an issue I’m particularly interested in:

How is Oakland approaching AI policy and responsible AI adoption?

Because cities aren’t simply going to need AI tools.

They’ll need strategies for governance, privacy, workforce training, organizational change and determining where AI can actually improve public services.

This is where my own background is starting to come together.

I’ve worked in government. I’ve trained employees and managed projects. I’ve navigated organizational change. I’ve built businesses.

Now I’m bringing those experiences into AI through CoCo Noir Labs.

I’m increasingly interested in helping municipalities and public agencies move from AI curiosity → responsible implementation.

And I want to do some of that work right here in Oakland and throughout the Bay Area.

We’re located in one of the world’s most influential technology ecosystems.

Being near the AI economy isn’t enough.

Our businesses, workers and public institutions should participate in it.

Yesterday wasn’t just networking.

It was relationship building. Market research. Listening. Learning. And positioning CoCo Noir Labs for what’s next.

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