Correction: Aries Jordan Summary of Black Arts Movement Business District Town Hall Meeting

 Black Arts Movement Business District Town Hall Meeting

by Aries Jordan

On Friday, May 13,   Black artists, cultural workers and business owners gathered at the Eastside Arts Alliance for the Black Art Movement Business District Town Hall Meeting..  The organizations represented included Kiss My Black Arts Collective, Cal Shakespeare, Lower Bottom Playaz, Joyce Gordon Gallery, Reginas Door, 8 Ft Tall, Cat Brooks of Anti Police-Terror Project, 57th Street Collective and Uptown Makers Collective. Also present was Attorney Amira Jackmon.

The five pillars of  B.A.M.B.D were introduced and expanded upon by participants:

1. Housing

2. Commerce

3. Equity for artists

4. Proliferation and dissemination of intellectual capital

5. Increased access to services

There was a great deal of excitement about partaking in the  building of a community driven Black Cultural Zone and Black Arts Movement Business District. A plethora of ideas were generated under the five pillars to benefit the marginalized ethnic communities  and Oakland at large. Community members engaged in productive exchange about what is necessary in building a cultural district and what skills they are willing to contribute. Several key people have been identified who have the necessary skills to  implement the next steps of Black Arts Movement Business District.  

Community members voiced concern about city officials and individuals making proprietary decisions about the Black Arts movement District without community  input. 

Recently, a couple of banners were put up in the heart of the district (14th and Franklin Streets) featuring photos of local Black Artist stating “ I love craft” with no mention  of the Black Arts Movement Business District. We have kindly requested the Red, Black and Green flag as the primary banner but our request has been ignored along with our desire for arts and craft vendors in the corridor to inspire entrepreneurship.

One project in the BAMBD  is the parking lot at 14th and Alice. According to Eric Arnold, "The lot has been scheduled on the Planning Commission calendar for June 1, and requested letters of support for community benefits, BAMBD, and the Malonga Center to be submitted to the Commission prior to the meeting. There was  a community meeting about this project a few months ago (which was covered in the East Bay Express --- the article is here), and the developer is having a meeting with stakeholders on Thursday, May 19. The process for development projects is that they go through the Planning Commission process before being sent to the full Council."

The Town Hall concluded with participants pledging to synthesize efforts to fight displacement  and write letters of  support for the Black Arts Movement District.  The next BAMBD Town Hall Meeting is scheduled for June 16th at Eastside Alliance 3-6pm.