January 3, 2026

Brandy Collins

About Brandy Collins

Brandy Collins is a writer and public services advocate born and raised in the Bay Area. She is a 2019-2020 cohort graduate from Oakland Voices, a blogger, and the funny one in numerous group chats. She is concerned with civic engagement and leadership development toward making public works more efficient for the people. Brandy is full of Scorpio magic and self-proclaimed Professional Aunty. Follow her on Twitter @msbrandycollins or Instagram @story_soul_collecter. You can also subscribe to her Substack: https://brandyc.substack.com/

Workers face rising costs, low wages, burnout

October 30, 2024 Brandy Collins

U.S. workers are feeling the pressure as every industry from tourism to musicians comes to terms with letting go of the middle class dream of yesteryear.

A Black woman stands on an outdoor stage with a microphone.

People’s Kitchen Collective documentary shares a pilgrimage in “Radical Hospitality”

July 22, 2024 Brandy Collins

On a warm afternoon in May at Little Bobby Hutton Park in West Oakland, People’s Kitchen Collective premiered its documentary, Earth Seed: A People’s Journey of Radical Hospitality. The film and community event was a culmination

Oakland’s Best Bookstores: A Guide to Unique Literary Havens and Community Spaces

July 2, 2024 Brandy Collins

Book Lovers Have Plenty of Oakland Shops to Choose From

a black and white photo of a Black father holding up his child

Black Fatherhood’s Bad Rap Needs to Change

June 10, 2024 Brandy Collins

Black fathers are overcoming stigmas and demonstrating their vital contributions to their children’s lives through community support, art, and activism.

five people sit in front of an indoor mural that says "knowledge is power"

Empowered Community Journalists Ready to Share Oakland’s Untold Stories

April 16, 2024 Brandy Collins

Meet the newest community correspondents making a difference in Oakland’s storytelling landscape.

A man sits inside a car and shows the camera a fried fish sandwich

TikTok Food Influencer Keith Lee Shows the Bay Love – But is it Enough?

January 11, 2024 Brandy Collins

Keith Lee’s visit to the Bay Area promises a surge of attention for local restaurants — but will it help restaurants in the long run?

a black and white photo of a storefront that says Everett & jones Bar-B-Q and a group of Black people dressed in 70s attire pose in front of it

Everett and Jones Barbeque Celebrates 50 years of Sauce, Stories, and Flavor

September 15, 2023 Brandy Collins

Shirley Everett-Dicko credits community, large family, and an Asian community connection for helping start the barbecue chain

A woman wearing a head wrap shows another woman a book

Black Cultural Zone’s “Uptown Market” Showcases Oakland’s Local Entrepreneurs

September 11, 2023 Brandy Collins

A partnership between Black Cultural Zone and Block, the new Uptown Market features Oakland vendors and wares.

a group of diverse journalists pose for photo

Maynard 200 Fellowship Kicks Off by Empowering its Fellows to Effect Change

July 24, 2023 Brandy Collins

In June, the Maynard 200 Fellowship kicked off with 49 fellows in attendance. Oakland Voices is a program of the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, and this year, co-director Momo Chang and alumna Brandy Collins

image of three young Black men on a panel speaking about technology

GHTech’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Series Closes with Uplifting Communities on Juneteenth

June 23, 2023 Brandy Collins

Monday, January 19 marked the day of freedom referred to as Juneteenth for enslaved Black people in Galveston, TX – two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. On this year’s Juneteenth, GHTech’s Historically Black

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