poetry Archives - Oakland Voices

Two girls in El Salvador stand in front of a clothing line

Mothers Day is Every Day – A Poem

May 8, 2024 Hannah Moore

Hannah Moore’s poem celebrates and captures the complexities and ongoing journey of motherhood.

A collage of diverse Oakland writers, and a book cover titled THE TOWN

‘The Town’ Anthology Highlights 65 Poets from Oakland

November 27, 2023 Momo Chang

A unique cultural work that is a collection of poems from 65 Oakland poets

Two African American women hug next to each other and smile for a photo

S.H.A.D.E Celebrates the Return of their Annual ‘Stop the P.I.M.P.’ Event for Oakland Youth

May 3, 2023 Kristal Raheem

On Friday, April 28, 2023, Oakland-based organization S.H.A.D.E (Survivors Healing, Advising and Dedicated to Empowerment) hosted their 11th Annual Stop the P.I.M.P (Prostituting Innocent Minors for Profit) event. The event is a youth open mic

BlacArted: Love Letter to Bay Area Poetry During National Poetry Month

April 21, 2023 Ayodele Nzinga

Editor’s Note: Oakland Voices is launching a column written by our alum and the City of Oakland’s first Poet Laureate, Ayodele Nzinga. BlacArted is a front-row view into the maze-like mind of a multi-hyphenated artist

An African American woman wearing a black hat and shades and red shirt and black jacket stands in front of a colorful mural that says "we got us"

Oakland Voices Alumni Spotlight: Ayodele Nzinga

November 14, 2022 Oakland Voices

Oakland Voices has trained dozens of community journalists over the years. We caught up with one of our alumna, Ayodele Nzinga. The 24th season of the Lower Bottom Playaz, Inc, Oakland’s oldest North American African

An African American woman with braids smiles for camera

Oakland Voices Alumna Ayodele Nzinga is City’s First Poet Laureate

June 10, 2021 Momo Chang

The City of Oakland’s Cultural Affairs Division announced today our first poet laureate: Ayodele Nzinga. Ayodele was a part of the 2019-2020 Oakland Voices cohort. She is a playwright, poet, and community advocate. She will

a man puts his head down on the ground in a black and white photo

Oakland’s Nomadic Press Founder J.K. Fowler on Pandemic, Poetry, and Publishing

May 25, 2021 Aqueila M. Lewis-Ross

For the past year, due to COVID-19 pandemic mandates, businesses and live events were closed to the public. Some local businesses like Nomadic Press, led by Executive Director, Founder, and Oakland Arts & Cultural Affairs

A group of Black and African American people standing near keyboard and other instruments in a band.

Poetry & Music at “Fluid” Open Mic by AnyXMeans

March 23, 2021 Brandy Collins

An online open mic for musicians and poets, paired with a live band, provides a safe space for artists.

A flyer image promoting "Stories of Solidarity"

Watch “Stories of Solidarity: API and Black Artists in Oakland Unite”

March 2, 2021 Momo Chang

Last week, the Oakland Cultural Affairs Commission, along with City Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas’ office, organized a virtual town hall and concert featuring Asian and Pacific Islander and Black artists in Oakland. The event

Scrabble tiles against a white background that say "Speak Truth"

2021’s Wednesdays: Georgia’s win, Black women organizers, and Poetry

January 21, 2021 Iris Crawford

“[Organizing] is something people dedicate hours of their lives to training to do, and then more importantly, leaders sacrifice their lives to doing it right.” – Cat Brooks