Volunteers beautify East Oakland on MLK Day

MLK2026-HD-Mural-painting — A group of volunteers paint a mural at Brookfield Elementary School. Photo by Howard Dyckoff for Oakland Voices

Hundreds of volunteers gathered in Deep East Oakland on Jan. 19 for a day of service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

More than 150 volunteers of all ages planted flowers and painted a mural at Brookfield Elementary School, cleaned up in Sobrante Park and Columbian Gardens, and worked to restore the shoreline near the Oakland Airport.

Anne Lorenzo, originally from LA, planted flowers at Brookfield Elementary School. “There’s a lot going on in the world, and I wanted to unite with others, especially on a day representing someone who brought so many community members together,” she said. Photo by Howard Dyckoff for Oakland Voices

Honoring King’s legacy through service

Anne Lorenzo wanted to contribute with others. She planted flowers at Brookfield Elementary School.

“There’s a lot going on in the world, and I wanted to unite with others,” Lorenzo said, “especially on a day representing someone who brought so many community members together.”

Bevadine Cosey has participated in the day of service for several years. She brought granddaughter, Amaya Moore, to Brookfield Elementary School.

“It is rewarding because previously we were here planting the large trees,” Cosey said. “And to come back and see the growing trees is great and now I’m able to bring my granddaughter, Amaya.”

The MLK Day of Service dates back to 1994 and honors King’s legacy by asking people to use the King holiday to volunteer on projects that improve their communities.

Several community groups across the Town organized service projects, including the City of Oakland and the East Bay Regional Parks District (EBRPD). Higher Ground Neighborhood Development Corporation, Roots Community Health, and Lighthouse Community Public Schools organized the 16th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service in Deep East Oakland.

MLK Day of Service volunteers prepare to plant flowers at Brookfield Elementary School on Jan. 19. Photo by Howard Dyckoff for Oakland Voices

Anne Blackwell of Higher Ground organized volunteers for work at Brookfield Elementary School, the MLK Shoreline, and cleanup at sites around Lodestar HS and Sobrante Park.
Photo by Howard Dyckoff for Oakland Voices

‘Choose service, choose hope, choose each other’

Community leaders and elected officials joined the opening ceremony at Lodestar School on 105th, including At-Large City Councilmember Rowena Brown, Assemblymember Mia Bonta, and Congresswoman Lateefah Simon.

Khariyyah Shabazz, author of the 2025 book “Resilient Voices,” hosted the event. Amber Blackwell, CEO of Higher Ground Neighborhood Development Corporation, organized the volunteers at the different projects.Sites included the Brookfield Elementary Greenway, Sobrante Park, the MLK Shoreline, and San Leandro Creek.

Bonta remembered Dr. King as a “dangerous peacemaker” committed to justice and encouraged volunteers to be active beyond MLK and recommit to showing up for each other, even when it’s uncomfortable.

“When we choose service, we choose hope, and when we choose each other, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., not with just words, but actions,” Bonta said. “So let’s keep up the good fight to build a community in a world that Dr. King imagined one that is just, one that is inclusive and compassionate, not just from Deep East, but to the state capitol and to D.C.”

Congresswoman Lateefah Simon called on the crowd to continue the work of Dr. King and encouraged youth attending to go forth with pride and confidence. Photo by Howard Dyckoff for Oakland Voices

Last year, more than 3,700 volunteers across the city participated at 45 sites, according to the City of Oakland. Together, they removed more than 30 tons of trash.