Black Voices in the Town Archives

‘Black Tulip’: Action, culture shift in Oakland necessary for Black women’s safety

October 14, 2024 Kristal Raheem

Black Tulip’s Cultural Week of Action featured art installations, street outreach, and letter writing to mobilize against disproportionate violence against Black women and girls. Community members are encouraged to support a City Council resolution to protect Black women.

Image of the Alameda County Courthouse by photographer Thomas Hawk with the works, "Alameda County establishes Reparations Commission."

Alameda County’s new Reparations Commission already behind schedule

September 12, 2023 Rasheed Shabazz

Alameda County established a Reparations Commission in March to address racial inequalities for African Americans. The Board of Supervisors has not appointed all 15 commissioners, nor set its first meeting date.

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

One Oaklander reflects on his journey becoming a West Oakland swim instructor

August 7, 2022 Leon Sykes

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

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

July 15, 2022 Brandy Collins

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.

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

April 13, 2022 Brandy Collins

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

Binta Ayofemi is an Innovator Reclaiming Spaces for Black Art

April 4, 2022 Brandy Collins

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

African American Community Health in the Age of COVID

March 10, 2022 Eric Arnold

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.

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

February 1, 2022 Iris Crawford

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