City Government

Oakland Releases First Cultural Plan in 30 Years

Published

6 years ago

September 17, 2018

This week, the City of Oakland released a new Cultural Plan, its first in thirty years. Titled “Belonging in Oakland: A Cultural Development Plan,” the document provides a roadmap to support and lift up the role of culture in building a just and equitable city – so that every Oaklander in every neighborhood has access to cultural amenities. The Plan was adopted by the City Council after a robust community engagement process. The final Plan is now available on the City’s website at www.oaklandca.gov/resources/cultural-plan.

The tagline for the Plan “Equity is the Driving Force, Culture is the Frame, and Belonging is the Goal” indicates how the plan was developed and suggests the foundation needed to strengthen Oakland’s cultural ecosystem and the city. The Plan offers up a new lens for supporting culture in Oakland, recognizing that an alignment of culture and equity is required for Oaklanders to realize their potential – and offers specific strategies for getting there.

“The Cultural Development Plan illustrates the vibrant and diverse ways our city understands itself as a community of creativity and care – and how we envision the path forward to maintain our unique identity,” said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. “It gives voice to the idea that we all belong to each other as Oaklanders, and affirms that our civic well-being is deeply rooted in Oakland’s long-term artistic and cultural health. It is a wonderful achievement.”

Building on the Plan and its vision, the City’s Cultural Affairs unit will launch two new initiatives in 2019:

1.) The “Neighborhood Voice: Belonging in Oakland” grant program will support art-based civic engagement projects throughout the city that will enliven a healthy, just and vibrant civil society.

2.) An Artist-In-Residence (AIR) program in City government designed to bring new approaches to civic challenges and service delivery by engaging Oaklanders in unique ways, advancing the missions of various City departments and benefitting neighborhoods.

“For the last 18 months, we have listened to and learned from Oaklanders about their concerns, hopes and priorities and what they value about the cultural vitality of this city,” said Roberto Bedoya, the City’s Cultural Affairs Manager. “I am thankful to the hundreds of Oaklanders who shared their passion, insights and desires with the Cultural Planning team. Their thoughtful comments have illuminated the pathways that will advance the cultural life of Oakland and inform the future work of the Cultural Affairs Division.”

Launched in April 2017, development of the Cultural Development Plan included a research and discovery phase as well as robust community engagement with a series of 14 meetings throughout Oakland, about 450 responses to an online survey, the creation of a draft cultural asset map and two community meetings to garner comments on the initial draft document which informed the final plan adopted by City Council.

Oaklanders made it clear that they value the role culture plays in our city and in their communities with 91% of people surveyed responding “Essential” or “Very Important” to the question: “How important are arts and cultural activities to your life?” While one would expect artists, makers and arts professionals to respond with those answers, it’s significant to note that 50% of the respondents said that they were not professionally involved in the arts.

The Plan comes at a moment when two feature films (“Sorry to Bother You” and “Blindspotting”) by native Oaklanders and a national bestseller (“There There”) also by an Oakland native are bringing attention and acclaim to our city’s unique culture and the phenomenal works of artistic expression originating here. Further national exposure of our dynamic cultural scene will come as Oakland hosts the 2018 Grantmakers in the Arts Conference in late October.

The Plan was prepared by the City’s Cultural Affairs Division and a team of local planning experts, using an equity lens in engaging the community and researching best practices to create a cultural development plan that recognizes and embraces the diversity of Oakland. The team was led by Vanessa Whang, an independent consultant with over 30 years of non-profit arts/culture/philanthropy experience at the local, state and national levels and included Communities in Collaboration | Comunidades en Colaboración, a community engagement consultancy led by Susana Morales. Data research was provided by Alex Werth, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Geography at UC Berkeley focusing on the regulation of expressive culture.

A celebration of the Cultural Plan and the City’s most recent round of cultural funding grants to local artist and arts organization will be held in early October.

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Activism

City of Oakland Celebrates Reopening of Main Library

“Libraries are such critical facilities for all Oaklanders, whether it’s children coming to story-time, adults reading the newspapers or borrowing the latest novels, and people engaging with a range of services and programs that the library hosts,” said Council President and District 2 Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas. “Such library services and programs are only possible when the facility’s electricity, heating, roof, and lighting are fixed and running efficiently. I’m proud to join this re-opening of our Main Public Library.”

Published

23 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Left to Right- Jamie Turbak, Director of Library Services, LaTonda Simmons, Assistant City Administrator, Nikki Bas, President Oakland City Council, Shen Thao, Mayor of Oakland, Carroll Fife, Oakland City Councilmember District 3, Harold Duffey, Assistant City Administrator, Sean Maher, Projects Coordinator. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

The branch had been closed since May for critical infrastructure upgrades

Special to the Post

The City of Oakland leadership and community partners gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Main Library after completion of critical infrastructure upgrades to enhance the library’s facilities and provide a better experience for patrons.

Renovations include new roof installation, skylight repair, critical electrical system upgrades, new boiler control system installation, auditorium heating and cooling system installation, and improvements to lighting, flooring and ceilings throughout the building.

“This is truly something to celebrate, the reopening of our wonderful Main Library! I congratulate the staff and our partners for this important project to make the Main Library a more comfortable place for everyone for years to come, said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “Thank you to Oakland voters and the California State Library for making these crucial improvements possible.”

“Public libraries are a wonderful resource for our residents, offering a safe space for learning and being,” said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife. “It is critical to improve and modernize our libraries so more members of our community can utilize and enjoy them. I’m excited that the necessary renovations to the Main Library have been completed successfully and thank everyone involved, particularly the City team, who helped secured the necessary grant funds for this work.”

“I am proud of the City staff and project partners who kept this important project on schedule and under budget,” said Assistant City Administrator G. Harold Duffey. “The library is an incredibly important resource for our community members, and this project is an investment into the library’s future.”

“December 2nd was a momentous occasion for Oakland Public Library as we proudly reopened the doors of the Main Library following extensive infrastructure repairs,” said Director of Library Services Jamie Turbak. “Closing the Main Library for six months was no easy decision, as it serves as the central hub for our library system and is truly the heart of Oakland. Yet, this renovation was essential, representing more than just physical upgrades—it reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone.”

The City Administrator Jestin Johnson also attended the press conference and signalled his support for the completion of the record-setting completion of the renovations. Gay Plair Cobb, a newly appointed Library Commissioner said the Library represents the soul and brains of our community.

The Oakland Public Library secured funding for these crititcal repairs through a variety of sources. The California State Library’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program awarded the Main Branch $4.2 million. To comply with the grant terms, the City of Oakland provided matching funds through Measures KK, as approved by the Oakland City Council in October 2023.

The Main Library will host an Open House to celebrate the reopening on February 22, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About the Oakland Public Library

The Oakland Public Library is a part of the City of Oakland in California and has been in existence since 1878. Locations include 16 neighborhood branches, a Main Library, a Second Start Adult Literacy Program, the Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect, and grow. Oaklandlibrary.org

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Activism

BWOPA Honors Black Leadership and Legacy at 2024 Ella Hill Hutch Awards Dinner

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills. At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

L-R: BWOPA State Executive Director LaNiece Jones; State Asm. Mia Bonta; BWOPA 2024 Man of The Year/Urban League SFBA CEO Ken Maxey; BWOPA State President Hon. Dezie Woods-Jones; State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas; Rowena Brown, Oakland Councilmember At-Large, Elect; BWOPA State Regional Director Vashone Huff. Courtesy photo.

By Oakland Post Staff

Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) is a statewide non-profit advocacy and membership organization committed to solving problems affecting Black Californians.

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills.

At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

The evening was hosted by Dr. Shawna Charles, founder of The Charles Communications Group (CCG) headquartered in Los Angeles. Charles served as mistress of ceremonies.

With a track record of elevating voices and empowering communities, Charles’ leadership and insight brought a certain dynamism to the celebration.

“Each year, this event not only celebrates the enduring legacy of our beloved BWOPA founding member, Ella Hill Hutch, but also reaffirms and amplifies our unwavering commitment to building and sustaining Black political power across California,” said Dezie Woods-Jones, BWOPA founding member and State president.

“Ella Hill Hutch’s trailblazing leadership continues to inspire us as we forge ahead, empowering Black women to lead, advocate, and shape a more equitable future for all,” added Woods-Jones.

This year’s event introduced the DWJ Rising Star Award, honoring young leaders like Solano County Board Supervisors-elect Cassandra James, Danielle Motley-Lewis, Naomi Waters and newly elected State Assemblymember elect Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton).

According to organizers, the awardees all exemplify “the next generation of changemakers.”

Other awardees included:

Lifetime Achievement Awardees: Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) and Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson
Man of the Year: Kenneth Maxey, CEO of the Greater SF Bay Area Urban League
President’s Corporate Award: Yvette Radford, Kaiser Permanente
In the Spirit of Ella State and Chapter Awards: Dr. Carolyn Greene, Dr. Marcella K. Smith, Dr. Carolyn Drake, Tinisch Hollins, Jackie Jones, Gloria Burgess Johnson, Tamika L’Ecluse, Ellen Nash, Betty Reid Soskin, and Ay’Anna Moody.

BWOPA also celebrated local champions across its chapters, including leaders in voter education, healthcare, criminal justice reform, and community advocacy.

In a statement, BWOPA said, “Honoring Ella Hill Hutch’s legacy, BWOPA recognizes her pioneering efforts as the first Black woman elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Her tireless work amplifying underrepresented voices continues to inspire BWOPA’s mission to build Black political power across California.”

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to our members, partners and allies who believe in BWOPA’s vision to invest in building power for Black women’s leadership,” said LaNiece Jones, BWOPA State executive director. “Your support ensures that Black women have a voice at decision-making tables locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally, advancing diversity and equity in leadership spaces.”