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Black Joy Parade Draws 14,000 to Downtown Oakland

Published

8 years ago

March 2, 2018

With heads wrapped in African print cloth, young dancers boogie down Broadway. Photo by Yvette Maria Aldama.

What if you hold a parade and nobody comes?
That was Black Joy Parade founder Elisha Greenwell’s biggest fear on Feb. 25 as 50 contingents comprised of 1,500 people gathered by the Malonga Center at 14th and Alice in downtown Oakland.

With a team of 30 who worked for over six months to get sponsors, publicity, entertainment and black vendors of food, crafts, art and information, the only thing out of their hands was the crowd.

The Black Cowboys in front, the revelers rode, walked, strutted, danced and ‘floated’ up 14th street, while Greenwell held her breath as the parade turned the corner onto Broadway…
And then she heard the cheers and whoops of the welcoming crowd and let out a breath of relief.

A week after ‘The Black Panther’ movie was released, Oakland had a black blockbuster of its own when 14,000 people, mostly Black, came in all of their glory and stayed for hours at the parade end at 20th Street. From the elderly to little girls, the ladies came out with gleaming nails and hair locked up, weaved down, wrapped in cloth, and perfectly coiffed.

Often sporting some semblance of African garb, they greeted each other with radiant smiles and sincere hugs. The men were just as well turned out, groomed and strolling, swagger restrained to just the right setting of coolness.

For Yvette Aldama, the crowd itself was her favorite part of the event. “We were greeting each other by saying ‘Happy Black Joy Day,’ and people responded ‘Happy Black Joy Day to you.’”

Vendor Marisol Catchings of ‘Azteca Negra’ productions almost didn’t make it to the event.

“I was tired that morning and I didn’t feel like going.” While setting up she started to get excited and once the crowd got there she forgot all about her tiredness. Catchings, who sells headwraps, earrings and other accessories was was busy all day teaching people how to wrap their heads and nearly sold out of her crafts. “I forgot I was tired until I was at home and fell into bed.”

Joya Brandon, a member of the Black Teachers Project, knew the group had done the right thing when educators on the sidelines, current and retired, started joining the parade.

“We came out because we wanted people to see that there are still black teachers in Oakland.”

The group, which originated in New York has chapters across the nation dedicated to stemming the exodus of black teachers who have a high rate of burnout.

Also key for Brandon was the opportunity to set up collaborations with other black organizations, in her case, Kelly Carlisle’s Acta Non Verba healthy food and the Black Girl Project.

Greenwell was also especially proud of similar connections for commerce. “It was Black Business Day, too. People did so well. The food vendors practically sold out.”

In the kid-free zone, “Hennessey came through in a nice way,” Greenwell said. “And, at an event with 14,000 people where liquor was sold there were zero arrests and zero injuries. That’s rare.”

Aware that trauma may preclude Black Joy, organizers brought in The Healing Collective and Healing for Black Lives to provide massage, Reiki healings and a relaxation and rest area at the Healing Village. Reshawn ‘Bushmama’ Goods signed up to do energy cleansings and simple divination. Each session takes 20-30 minutes and she was fully booked the whole day. “All my clients said they were really glad they came.”

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf was present and Councilwoman Lynette Gibson-McElhenney gave the Black Joy Parade a proclamation, but Greenwell, who has been asked to bring Black Joy parades to Los Angeles, Portland, Ore., Memphis and Birmingham, gave all the praise to Oakland itself.

“Oakland should take a bow. I didn’t do it. We did it.”

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Oakland Post: Week of December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

Published

5 days ago

January 2, 2026

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Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

1 week ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.

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First 5 Alameda County Distributes Over $8 Million in First Wave of Critical Relief Funds for Historically Underpaid Caregivers

“Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers are lifelines for so many children and families in Alameda County,” said Kristin Spanos, CEO, First 5 Alameda County. “Yet, they often go unrecognized and undercompensated for their labor and ability to give individualized, culturally connected care. At First 5, we support the conditions that allow families to thrive, and getting this money into the hands of these caregivers and families at a time of heightened financial stress for parents is part of that commitment.”

Published

1 week ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Costco. Courtesy image.

Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers Can Now Opt Into $4,000 Grants to Help Bolster Economic Stability and Strengthen Early Learning Experiences

By Post Staff

Today, First 5 Alameda County announced the distribution of $4,000 relief grants to more than 2,000 Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers, totaling over $8 million in the first round of funding. Over the full course of the funding initiative, First 5 Alameda County anticipates supporting over 3,000 FFN caregivers, who collectively care for an estimated 5,200 children across Alameda County. These grants are only a portion of the estimated $190 million being invested into expanding our early childcare system through direct caregiver relief to upcoming facilities, shelter, and long-term sustainability investments for providers fromMeasure C in its first year. This investment builds on the early rollout of Measure C and reflects a comprehensive, system-wide strategy to strengthen Alameda County’s early childhood ecosystem so families can rely on sustainable, accessible care,

These important caregivers provide child care in Alameda County to their relatives, friends, and neighbors. While public benefits continue to decrease for families, and inflation and the cost of living continue to rise, these grants provide direct economic support for FFN caregivers, whose wages have historically been very low or nonexistent, and very few of whom receive benefits. As families continue to face growing financial pressures, especially during the winter and holiday season, these grants will help these caregivers with living expenses such as rent, utilities, supplies, and food.

The funding for these relief grants comes from Measure C, a local voter-approved sales tax in Alameda County that invests in young children, their families, communities, providers, and caregivers. Within the first year of First 5’s 5-Year Plan for Measure C, in addition to the relief grants to informal FFN caregivers, other significant investments will benefit licensed child care providers. These investments include over $40 million in Early Care and Education (ECE) Emergency Grants, which have already flowed to nearly 800 center-based and family child care providers. As part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, preparations are also underway to distribute facilities grants early next year for child care providers who need to make urgent repairs or improvements, and to launch the Emergency Revolving Fund in Spring 2026 to support licensed child care providers in Alameda County who are at risk of closure.

The FFN Relief Grants recognize and support the essential work that an estimated 3,000 FFN caregivers provide to 5,200 children in Alameda County. There is still an opportunity to receive funds for FFN caregivers who have not yet received them.

In partnership with First 5 Alameda County, Child Care Payment Agencies play a critical role in identifying eligible caregivers and leading coordinated outreach efforts to ensure FFN caregivers are informed of and able to access these relief funds.FFN caregivers are eligible for the grant if they receive a child care payment from an Alameda County Child Care Payment Agency, 4Cs of Alameda County, BANANAS, Hively, and Davis Street, and are currently caring for a child 12 years old or younger in Alameda County. Additionally, FFN caregivers who provided care for a child 12 years or younger at any time since April 1, 2025, but are no longer doing so, are also eligible for the funds. Eligible caregivers are being contacted by their Child Care Payment Agency on a rolling basis, beginning with those who provided care between April and July 2025.

“This money is coming to me at a critical time of heightened economic strain,” said Jill Morton, a caregiver in Oakland, California. “Since I am a non-licensed childcare provider, I didn’t think I was eligible for this financial support. I was relieved that this money can help pay my rent, purchase learning materials for the children as well as enhance childcare, buy groceries and take care of grandchildren.”

Eligible FFN caregivers who provided care at any time between April 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025, who haven’t yet opted into the process, are encouraged to check their mail and email for an eligibility letter. Those who have cared for a child after this period should expect to receive communications from their child care payment agency in the coming months. FFN caregivers with questions may also contact the agency they work with to receive child care payments, or the First 5 Alameda help desk, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, at 510-227-6964. The help desk will be closed 12/25/25 – 1/1/26. Additional grant payments will be made on a rolling basis as opt-ins are received by the four child care payment agencies in Alameda County.

Beginning in the second year of Measure C implementation, FFN caregivers who care for a child from birth to age five and receive an Alameda County subsidized voucher will get an additional $500 per month. This amounts to an annual increase of about $6,000 per child receiving a subsidy. Together with more Measure C funding expected to flow back into the community as part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, investments will continue to become available in the coming year for addressing the needs of childcare providers in Alameda County.

About First 5 Alameda County

First 5 Alameda County builds the local childhood systems and supports needed to ensure our county’s youngest children are safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and life.

Our Mission

In partnership with the community, we support a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves the lives of children from birth to age five and their families.

Our Vision

Every child in Alameda County will have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential.

Learn more at www.first5alameda.org.