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June 4, 2023
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HomeBlack Voices in the Town

Black Voices in the Town

A Black man holds his infant son in the water with a blue pool noodle tied safely around the baby to keep him afloat
Black Voices in the Town

One Oaklander Reflects on His Journey to Becoming A West Oakland Swim Instructor

August 7, 2022 Leon Sykes 0

My journey to being a swim instructor was perhaps unexpected. When I was five, my parents put me in swim classes at Live Oak pool in Oakland. But I first joined a swim team around […]

An African American director with a beanie chats with a tall man in a white tank top and with an Afro
Arts & Culture

How One Local Filmmaker Debuted First Film and Comic Book During Pandemic

July 15, 2022 Brandy Collins 0

Love Conquers All, a comic book and movie co-written by filmmakers Janell Grace and Malik Glass, is a story about Kennedy, a man reconciling his issues with trauma and grief after the passing of his […]

A group of African American band members, including two women wearing white dresses.
Arts & Culture

“Ghetto Gospel” EP Release on 4/20 at Oakstop Will be Vibe Muzik’s Debut 

April 13, 2022 Brandy Collins 0

Transforming and evolving musically in times of strife has become a soothing balm for Mandala Msanii (Baylis), leading to the creation of Vibe Muzik’s new EP, Ghetto Gospel. When Oakland Voices first featured Msanii (as […]

A black women with braids wearing a grey sweater poses in front of large pieces of logs and wood
Arts & Culture

Binta Ayofemi is an Innovator Reclaiming Spaces for Black Art

April 4, 2022 Brandy Collins 2

Artist Binta Ayofemi bring Black joy and creativity to the art scene in Oakland and San Francisco. […]

An African American man with curly hair and glasses sits outside on a sunny day
Black Voices in the Town

African American Community Health in the Age of COVID

March 10, 2022 Eric Arnold 0

Dr. Saturu Ned on why the Black Panther Party survival programs of the past may be critical to the future of the African American community […]

Two African American women talk about what being outdoors meant for their health during the pandemic.
Black Voices in the Town

Two Black Outdoor Enthusiasts Share Experiences of ‘Making Space’ During a Pandemic

February 1, 2022 Iris Crawford 0

Two African American women talk about what being outdoors meant for their well-being during the pandemic. […]

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Latest News

  • An Asian American woman smiles at camera, in a collage photo with an African American woman
    Oakland Voices at Maynard 200: Co-Director Momo Chang and Alum Brandy Collins
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    Steph and Ayesha Curry’s Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation to Remodel Six Oakland Schoolyards
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    Oakland Voices Alum Meet with Award-winning Author and Illustrator Thi Bui
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    Hunger In The Face Of Hubris
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  • A canvas sign on a stick that says "strike for a fair contract"
    Oakland Teachers Union Called Off Strike; Regular School Resumes Tuesday
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  • An African American woman and Latina woman stand next to each other during a charity walk wearing purple t-shirts
    Talking with Oakland’s Lupus Warriors
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  • An elder African American woman with short hair and a dress smiles for camera inside a church with colorful windows
    Oakland’s Plymouth United Church is Promoting Jazz and Justice
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  • images of handmade posters stating "straight outta funding" and "help oakland teachers stay in oakland"
    OUSD Teachers On Strike Today
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    S.H.A.D.E Celebrates the Return of their Annual ‘Stop the P.I.M.P.’ Event for Oakland Youth
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  • An African American woman with curly hair holding red sunglasses speaks into a mic in front of a courthouse
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Alumni Updates

An Asian American woman smiles at camera, in a collage photo with an African American woman
News

Oakland Voices at Maynard 200: Co-Director Momo Chang and Alum Brandy Collins

Oakland Voices is excited to announce that two of our members will join the Maynard 200 Fellowship. Oakland Voices is a program of The Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, a nonprofit dedicated to [...]
  • Oakland Voices Alumni Spotlight: Debora Gordon

  • Oakland Voices Alumni Spotlight: Iris M. Crawford

  • Oakland Voices Alumni Spotlight: Ayodele Nzinga

  • Oakland Voices at Maynard 200: Co-Director Rasheed Shabazz and Alumnus Tony Daquipa

an overhead view of a woman's hands typing on a laptop
Education

Laney College and Hack the Hood Year-Long Program Comes with $400 Monthly Stipend

April 26, 2023 0

Students who want to get an education in the STEM field can apply and enroll now in Drive: Laney, a program between Laney College and Oakland-based Hack the Hood. Students who complete the 12 month […]

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History and Mission

Leon Sykes is an Oakland educator and swim instructor. Leon’s favorite pools in Oakland are DeFremery and, when it’s open, the pool at McClymonds High School. Twitter: @DNas and Instagram: @DNastee
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