The Oakland Voices 2016 correspondents had gathered in the East Bay Times newsroom before heading out to cover our local races, two city council races and three measures – strengthening protections for renters, establishing an citizens’ police review commission and instituting a tax on soda.

However, the excitement of covering their first election as community correspondents was having to compete with the growing nervousness about the returns from the presidential election. The numbers for Hillary Clinton were not coming in as everyone had expected.

“At least you guys will have a diversion,” I joked.

They set out to the various campaign celebrations and talked to candidates and supporters about the important issues facing Oakland. The disbelief about what was happening nationally was a palpable sentiment at each event, but  many of the correspondents reported that witnessing the community spirit, unity and dedication to social justice in their hometown was a welcome counter narrative.

See the stories they came back with, above.