Oakland fathers, caregivers, and children are invited to celebrate Father’s Day weekend at a free family event hosted by Dads Evoking Change on Saturday, June 20.
The annual “Baba & Me: A Father’s Day Celebration” will take place from noon to 2 p.m. at the Lakeview Library near Lake Merritt.
“Baba” means father in a number of languages, including Arabic, Swahili, and Yoruba.
Organizers expect about 100 fathers, caregivers and children to attend the drop-in event. In partnership with the Oakland Public Library, the event will feature activities designed to encourage family connection and play. Activities include martial arts and dance workshops with Destiny Arts Center, a photo collage station with Black Girls Code, chess lessons with the Oakland Black Men Chess League, and a guided play area hosted by Afro Play Oakland.
The event will also include Baba’s Reading Circle with the 81st Avenue Mobile Library, group games such as potato sack races and tug-of-war, a bounce house, and a closing stroller walk with Oakland Stroller Dads.
Lunch will be provided by Chef Rene Johnson of Blackberry Soul Fine Catering.
Founded in 2018, Dads Evoking Change is a father-led Oakland-based nonprofit that provides family support services, including co-parenting counseling, legal consultations, early literacy programming, parenting workshops and community advocacy. The organization focuses on supporting Black, Brown, and low-income fathers in the Bay Area.
Founder and Executive Director Kareem Chadly established the organization after the loss of his son.
“This day is about putting fathers at the center of family life, in public, in our own neighborhood,” Chadly said. “We’re gathering with our partners to celebrate the dads who show up, every day, for their kids.”
The Lakeview Library is located at 550 El Embarcadero, near Lake Merritt. The free event is supported by Kenneth Rainin Foundation, Akonadi Foundation, First 5 Alameda County and Kaiser Permanente. No RSVP is required.
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