Talk of the Town Archives - Oakland Voices

Talk of the Town: Dad perspectives at the Fatherhood Summit

October 13, 2025 Rasheed Shabazz

Rasheed Shabazz talked with other fathers at the Alameda County Fatherhood Summit.

Talk of the Town: How would you describe Oakland to someone who has never been here?

September 13, 2024 Moamer Rafe

Moamer Rafe asked Oakland residents to describe Oakland.

Talk of the Town: Have you noticed any differences since the fast food minimum wage increase?

August 19, 2024 Yasamin Hatefi

Yasamin Hatefi asked, Oakland residents if they’ve noticed any difference since the fast food minimum wage increased to $20 an hour.

Talk of the Town: When you hear the word ‘Oakland’, what comes to mind?

August 16, 2024 Marian Johnson

Former Russell City resident, Marian Johnson asked members of her family: What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘Oakland’?

Talk of the Town: How has the cultural diversity of Oakland influenced your personal experiences or identity?

August 14, 2024 Kevin Butler

How has the cultural diversity of Oakland influenced your personal experiences or identity?

Talk of the Town: What does happiness mean to you?

August 12, 2024 Sydney Lester

Sydney Lester asked Oakland residents, “What makes you happy? And how do you find happiness in today’s climate?”

Talk of the Town: What are three reasons you live in Oakland?

August 9, 2024 Alma Collins Dumas

Oakland has a reputation as being dangerous. Life in the Town can be frightening and chaotic sometimes, which begs the questions: why do people live in Oakland? I asked people, “What are three reasons you

Talk of the Town: Is Oakland a political place?

August 7, 2024 Kwajo Opoku Ware

Over the last several generations, one of the few constants in Oakland has been change. Changing neighborhoods, changing costs of living, and changes to Oaklanders’ relationship with politics have rendered the landscape all but unrecognizable

Talk of the Town: How do you imagine West Oakland looked before the BART Station and the Post Office were built?

August 5, 2024 Nikia Durgin

Nikia Durgan asked West Oakland residents in the Lower Bottoms to imagine what West Oakland looked like before BART and the Post Office.

Talk of the Town: What’s your favorite taco truck in Oakland?

February 26, 2024 Randi Cross

What’s your favorite taco truck in Oakland?