Amplifying
East Oakland
Voices
EVOAK! RECLAIMING OUR WORTH!
EVOAK! RECLAIMING OUR WORTH!
EVOAK! RECLAIMING OUR WORTH!
Our Vision
EVOAK!: Reclaiming Our Worth! is a transformative research initiative dedicated to defining and celebrating Black culture in East Oakland. Funded by the Wallace Foundation, our mission is to leverage cultural assets as powerful tools for community development and placekeeping.
Our Approach
Through collaboration with local partners, we engage community members via surveys, focus groups, and interviews, ensuring their voices guide our research.
Partners
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EVOAK!– leading community-based organizing and cultural preservation.
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Mills College at Northeastern University professors Dr. Mario Hernandez and Dr. NNeka Allen-Harrison– contributing research oversight, data collection, and community-engaged research support.
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Black Cultural Zone – bringing in the vision and resources of a strong East Oakland community network.
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LIFTT Inc. – lending support by transforming focus groups, interviews, and survey data into digital archives, maps, and cultural briefs that help residents advocate for their future.
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Creative Development Partners is an innovative BIPOC-founded real estate development company focused on building community wealth across all asset classes.
Roots & Renaissance- A Visual podcast
Roots & Renaissance- A Visual podcast
Roots & Renaissance Episode 1
Roots & Renaissance Episode 2
Roots & Renaissance Episode 3
Centering East Oakland Black Voices
Listen to
Lawrence "Manifest" Gantt
share his perspective on Black East Oakland culture
Claytoven Richardson
Listen to the Grammy nominated Sobrante Park native talk about why he gives back
Our Impact
Together, these partners are working to build tools that preserve Black culture, strengthen belonging, and influence planning and development decisions in East Oakland.
Culture. Stories. Community.
Join Us in Shaping East Oakland’s Future
East Oakland! We would love to hear from you.
Contact us if you would like to be interviewed or participate in a focus group. You can also organize your own focus group of friends and family.
Culture
Our project focuses on preserving Black culture by highlighting East Oakland's narratives and histories.
Community
We are dedicated to fostering safe spaces for dialogue and expression that reflect the diverse experiences of Black residents in East Oakland, enhancing community belonging and celebrating Black culture.
Research
Our research aims to uncover vital cultural assets and strategies for effectively utilizing them, guiding development efforts that align with the community's needs and aspirations.
