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March 26, 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 […]

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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Alumni Updates

Banner with one side that says "Oakland Voices Alumni Spotlight: Debora Gordon" and a photo of a woman wearing glasses with grey hair and bangs on the right
Oakland Voices Alumni Update

Oakland Voices Alumni Spotlight: Debora Gordon

Oakland Voices has trained dozens of community journalists over the years. We caught up with one of our alumna, Debora Gordon. In our last update about Gordon, we mentioned that she published a children’s book. As [...]
  • Oakland Voices Alumni Spotlight: Iris M. Crawford

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

  • Oakland Voices Alumna Ayodele Nzinga Featured in ‘The New Yorker’ Film “The Game God(S)”

A group of basketball players surround a coach in an indoor game
Education

The Town’s Top High School Hoops Teams Shine on Historic Night for Oakland Tech

January 25, 2023 3

It was an incredible night for the Oakland Tech family. The culmination of “Swish Week” at the North Oakland public school last Friday night was historic and celebratory. With new paint on the gym walls, […]

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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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