Oakland is a city renowned for its diversity and deep roots in African American culture. Throughout Oakland's history there have been a number of pioneers and trailblazers who helped make this city as great as it is today. Oakland is also home to dozens of influential black-owned businesses to celebrate all year: from restaurants and fashion retailers to Oakland’s only black-owned adult store and ‘crystal botanica’.
This month we celebrate all of this a little extra, but Oakland's Black History is on display year-round.
History and Culture
Learn From Our History
Take a trip to the African American Museum & Library at Oakland. This venue is dedicated to the discovery, preservation, interpretation, and sharing of historical and cultural experiences of African Americans in California and the West. The library has an extensive archive, including 160 collections with diaries of prominent families, pioneers, churches, social and political organizations. The museum features a permanent exhibit on influential figures from Oakland, as well as temporary exhibits focused on the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Panthers.
Honor Our History
Opening February 8, the Oakland Museum of CA is adding an exhibit to the Gallery of California History about the Black Power movement. In response to the widely-popular 2016 exhibition All Power to the People: Black Panthers at 50, this new installation will illustrate the creative ways black anti-racist activists in California supported their communities and challenged the U.S. government.
Black Men in American Society
The Oakland Museum of California is also presenting the Question Bridge: Black Males exhibition. Immerse yourself in intimate videos—woven together and arranged to simulate face-to-face conversations between participants—among a diverse group of over 160 Black men across the United States. Encompassing themes of family, love, interracial relationships, community, education, and wisdom, Question Bridge: Black Males presents nuanced portraits of past, present, and future of Black men in American society.
Marvel at Champions
The Remember Them: Champions for Humanity Monument statue stands proudly in the Henry J. Kaiser Memorial Park, in downtown Oakland. This inspiring larger than life bronze sculpture depicts 25 culturally diverse role models who have made significant contributions toward global peace, freedom and human rights over the past 150 years. The Monument has been designed in four sections, cast in 60,000 pounds of bronze and will stand 31 feet high and 52 feet long. Some of the champions honored on the monument include; Maya Angelou, Mother Teresa, Rosa Parks, Frederick Douglass, Nelson Mandela, Malcolm X, Mary Ann Wright, Dr. Marcus Foster, and many more.
Food & Drink
We don't lack good soul-food in The Town. From classic BBQ to California-infused Southern cuisine your soul is sure to be fed. Make sure to hit up some or all of these spots before Black History Month ends in addition to supporting other Black-owned local businesses!
