Oakland elected officials celebrated the centennial of Black History Month with a bash at the newly reopened Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts on Thursday evening. Many of the attendees dressed in colorful patterned African textiles. Attendees enjoyed soul food by local chefs, and wine by African American vintners.
What was then called “Negro History Week” was created in 1926 by American historian, author, and journalist Carter G. Woodson. That celebration evolved into what is now known as Black History Month, which was first recognized by President Gerald Ford in 1976.
The event, called “Black History in Motion: Culture, Community & the Future We Build,” was hosted by City Council President Kevin Jenkins and Oakland’s three other Black councilmembers — District 3’s Carrol Fife, District 7’s Ken Houston, and at-large council member Rowena Brown, who each gave remarks and presented awards to Black artists.
Never miss a story. Sign up for The Oaklandside’s free daily newsletter.
Spoken word artist RyanNicole, Oakland singer and “America’s Got Talent” top 10 finalist Dee Dee Simon, cultural ambassador Queen Iminah, and DJ Yaddos were among the night’s performers. Oscar Grant’s mother, Wanda Johnson, was on-site selling and signing copies of her 2024 book “From Tragedy To Triumph: Life After Loss,” about losing her son to police violence.
The night’s honorees included David Roach, founder of the Oakland International Film Fest. Also, filmmaking duo Derrick Williams and Adriane Hopper Williams. They are best known for their 2025 film, “Sarah’s Oil,” based on the true story of eleven year old Sarah Rector who became the country’s first Black child millionaires in 1913 after being granted 160 acres of what was deemed useless land and ended up having oil.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee was also in attendance.
The event was backed by an array of organizations, including some companies that have had business with the city, such as Becker Boards, which last year won a city contract to place billboards across Oakland. Foster Interstate, a competitor, is also listed as a sponsor. Airbnb, which lobbied councilmembers last year on potential short-term rental regulations for Oakland, contributed, as did Marina Security Services, a company that bid last year on a lucrative contract to guard City Hall, and the Kos Read Group, a lobbying firm that represents Becker and Marina.
“It’s important for us here in Oakland to remember and work in concert with our allies, making sure that the Black community is included in every single aspect of city government,” Mayor Barbara Lee told the crowd. “We have to do the work of justice, of freedom and inclusion here, right here in our beautiful city.”
Photographer Estefany Gonzalez was on site to capture it all for The Oaklandside.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee made the rounds at the event. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Queen Iminah performs during Oakland’s Centennial Black History Month celebration. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
City council president Kevin Jenkins speaks during the centennial celebration, which he co-hosted with other councilmembers. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
“For the first time in history, we have four Black councilmembers. We have a Black mayor, a Black city administrator. We are represented in Oakland, but we need to do more. I want to make sure that you guys are on the front lines aspiring to make a more equitable Oakland for Black folks.”
District 6 councilmember and city council president, Kevin Jenkins
Wanda Johnson, Oscar Grant’s mother was on-site to sign copies of her book “From Tragedy to Triumph.” Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Marla Gee wears a custom made dress for the event. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
District 3 councilmember Carroll Fife (middle), an event co-host, with Nola Turnage (left) presented David Roach, the founder of the Oakland International Film Fest, with an award at the event. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
“Black Oakland is in a serious situation right now. The percentage of the Black population is consistently decreasing in Oakland. You have to demand what you want to see in this particular time, because we don’t know how long it’s going to last, and we need to be unapologetic about these demands, because there was a time where we couldn’t lift our voices and have them be heard in the way that they are heard today. And we’re able to do that because of the legacy and the history and the shoulders on which we stand.”
District 3 councilmember Carroll Fife
Oakland singer Dee Dee Simon performs the Black National Anthem. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Candi Martinez wears bold and artisanal accessories. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
At-large councilmember Rowena Brown, an event co-host, speaks during Oakland’s centennial Black History Month celebration. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
“It is such a joy to be here with all of you tonight as we celebrate 100 years of Black History, and more importantly, the living legacy that is right here in the Town. What I see every day is that Black history isn’t just something that we commemorate, it’s something that we experience. It’s in our neighborhoods, and it’s in our small businesses.”
At-large councilmember Rowena Brown
Oakland spoken word artist RyanNicole recites a poem to commemorate the centennial celebration of Black History Month. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Yovanda Dixon and her husband Shawn Dixon dress in “African swag,” as the event’s invite suggested. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
District 7 councilmember Ken Houston, an event co-host, addresses the crowd. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
“My mom is Black and my father is Latino. I touch both worlds. This city right now is built on both of those. Oakland is celebrating the 100th year, but also we celebrate the history in Oakland.”
District 7 councilmember Ken Houston
O’Lanre Owoborode wears a custom made attire to celebrate Black History Month’s centennial celebration in Oakland.Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Around 300 peopke were in attendance at the centennial celebration at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts. Credit: Esefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Your gift fuels our journalism.
Everyone deserves to have someone looking out for them, including you. That’s why we made it our job. When you give to The Oaklandside, you’re defending facts, funding truth-seekers and keeping Oakland informed.
Help us keep our news free with a donation today.
“*” indicates required fields