Topic: Community
Murals are a powerful tool for storytelling. Not only do they bring color and intrigue to the urban landscape, these large-scale paintings have helped build community and raise social awareness in Oakland for years.
Like many cities across the U.S., Oakland has a long history with environmental justice, the idea that environmental benefits and burdens should be shared fairly among all people. Over the years, the city has taken steps to become more sustainable, seeking to adopt a holistic approach toward achieving climate equity.
Founded in the 1850s, Oakland Chinatown is one of the oldest Chinatowns in the U.S. Discover the resilient history behind this East Bay gem, which remains a key cultural and economic center today.
Once known as the “Harlem of the West,” West Oakland’s Seventh Street harbored a vibrant Black music and commercial scene. While the neighborhood is still recovering from the impacts of post-war urbanization, it has begun to bounce back, turning to local blues and jazz artists to revive the sounds of a long-forgotten era.
Oakland is known for hosting many vibrant festivals, but few can match the continued popularity of Oakland First Fridays, which celebrate the city's vibrant community and culture.
There are an estimated 700 unhoused, “transition-aged youth” between the ages of 18–24 who live in Alameda County. Youth Spirit Artworks (YSA) is a Berkeley-based non-profit organization that has taken groundbreaking steps to help these individuals as they enter adulthood.
With summer well underway, bringing with it a plethora of fresh fruits and vegetables in season, read on for some recipes to reduce food waste—including crunchy veggie chips, leftover fruit crumble, Persian tahdig, and more!
While neighborhoods are not static, maintaining an area’s historical and cultural character can help create a sense of place. Such is the case with the California Hotel in West Oakland–recent renovations have maintained the building’s historic exterior while giving it a new role in its community.
Clothing is a way for many to express their identity, whether that be a cultural influence, favorite sports team, or lifestyle choice. Oaklandish, the Oakland-based clothing brand, has become a way for residents and visitors to represent their connection to the city.
In San Giovanni a Teduccio, a coastal suburb in Naples, a new people-driven project has become Italy’s first renewable “solidarity energy community.”