West Oakland Archives - Page 2 of 3

a window front with black, red, and green and words BAMBDCDC

BlacArted: Space is the Place

August 10, 2023 Ayodele Nzinga

Editor’s Note: BlacArted is a front-row view into the maze-like mind of a multi-hyphenated artist pondering on art and the nature of reality as it intersects the creative and the imagined. On a balmy Friday

A Black man sits next to a barbecue smoker wearing an apron

Oakland Chef Matt Horn Wants to Help Train Next Generation of Pittmasters

October 3, 2022 Momo Chang

James Beard-nominated Oakland chef Matt Horn, whose popular barbecue spot in West Oakland often draws lines and who opened Kowbird earlier this year, is launching The Academy of Smoke, a program for Bay Area children

a close up of a scoreboard that says "McClymonds Warriors" in orange type. A field lamp post is shining at dusk next to it

The Spirit of Bill Russell Kicks Off McClymonds’ New Season

September 6, 2022 Bill Joyce

In the fading sunlight just before the kick-off for football’s season opener at the “School of Champions,” McClymonds High School paid tribute to the greatest Warrior of all, basketball immortal and social justice activist Bill

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 woman dances joyfully against an overcast backdrop and in the rain

Sculptor Dana King alongside Fredrika Newton Unveils Dr. Huey P. Newton’s Bust in West Oakland

October 25, 2021 Brandy Collins

The rain didn’t dampen Sunday’s celebration for the unveiling of the bronze bust in honor of Dr. Huey P. Newton, co-founder and leader of the Black Panther Party. “The rain is very symbolic of the

Three Black folks stand against a bright orange background with arms round each other

Oakland Black Pride Director Olaywa Austin on Returning Pride to its Very Black and Very Queer Roots’

June 15, 2021 Brandy Collins

While San Francisco Pride events start June 11, and will be different from Oakland Pride, which occurs September 11-12, Oakland Black Pride is organizing its own events. This includes Zoom panels that provide community-centered discussions,

An image of a Victorian home painted with baby blue and images of powerful Black women from the Black Panther Party painted on the outside of the house in West Oakland.

New West Oakland Mural Celebrates Black Joy and Women of Black Panther Party

February 28, 2021 Oakland Voices

“This is something people do not know. The history books do not carry us.” – Ericka Huggins

A firefighter is holding a glass container of hand sanitizer. In the back is a bright red firetruck that says "Oakland Fire Dept."

West Oakland Distillery Wright & Brown is Keeping It Clean By Producing Hand Sanitizer for First Responders

April 6, 2020 Iris Crawford

Wright & Brown Distilling Co. has been in West Oakland for five years, making award-winning bourbon, rye whiskey, rum, and single malt. Each one of their bottles are made onsite, starting with a 250 gallon

McClymonds, Where Do We Go From Here?

March 17, 2020 Ayodele Nzinga

Oakland and Alameda County officials are measuring levels of vaporized trichlorethylene (TCE) at McClymonds High School.

McClymonds High parents express concern for students health, education following campus closure

February 26, 2020 Ayodele Nzinga

Following the closure of McClymonds High School due to potentially contaminated water, parents are concerned about the health of their children and the closure will have on their students.