Journalists from the Bay Area and beyond gathered for the fourth annual Bay Area Journalist Meet Up on Dec. 3.
A demographically diverse group of writers, spanning interests of health to media and carceral justice, engaged in food, drink, and conversation at one of West Oakland’s newest venues, the Prescott Market, situated just west of Mandela Parkway.
More than 60 local writers and community correspondents shared laughs, stories, and resources with each other.
Journalists Pendarvis Harshaw and Momo Chang organized the event. Oakland Voices and the Maynard Institute sponsored the meet and greet style convening.
Connecting journalists in the Town
The first ever meet-up came in 2022, in the aftermath of Coronavirus closures and shelter-in place protocols, according to Chang. She said the recurring meetup was conceived partially as a celebration of the return of in-person meet ups and to connect journalists that might meet at out of town journalism conventions, but don’t see each other locally.
“We travel to another city somewhere, and then suddenly see journalists we have known or worked with over the years, and we run into people who are working in the Bay Area,” Chang said, “but we never get to see one another face-to-face when we are at home.” Chang joined Oakland Voices in 2019 and served as co-director from 2021 to 2024.
Getting local journalists out their ‘silos’
Pendarvis Harshaw, Town native and KQED community engagement reporter, collaborated with Chang to make the first meet up happen, and has been dedicated to the project since.
While reconnecting with known peers is an important part of maintaining community, Harshaw said the meetup wasn’t meant to be a reunion. He facilitated a conversation-starter Bingo game, complete with prizes, to encourage journalists to meet one another for the first time, and step outside of what he called “silos.”
“I want you to meet the people who you don’t know,” Harshaw said. “This bingo gives people an opportunity to cross-interact.” That cross-interaction is the heart of the project, Harshaw said. He stressed the importance of attendees being able to learn new things from one another, build unique professional connections, and share resources.
“It’s about health, food, energy, safety. And then happiness,” Harshaw said. “It’s also about the smiles and expressions, but do people get something out of it that can help their professional career, or even their personal life?”
The event featured seasoned journalists, educators, and lecturers, as well as some people just emerging in the industry.
Attendees expressed appreciation and optimism for a future meet up.
More photos by Dante D. Jones
Kwajo is a second-generation Haitian living in Ghost Town. He was trained in the historical materialist analyses of the Black Panther Party, and delivers his writings through Pan-Afrikan and scientific socialist lenses. Kwajo is the head of a small, Oakland-based media house, The Black Male Journal, where he produces articles, reports, and short form video content centered on Black male wellness and justice advocacy.
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