BLACK PANTHER PARTY EVENT, 2018
Participants sharing memories and experiences of how the Black Panther Party impacted their lives. These stories will build out Commons Archive, a collection of annotations and memory snapshots.
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Sidewalk Stories Printmaking Workshop
Golden Gate Branch Library, 3-4:30p
No experience necessary. A free hands-on ‘sunprints’ workshop with master Kala Art Institute printer Emily Gui. Teens and adults welcome.
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Friday, April 29, 2016
Open House as part of the Open Engagement conference
Kala Art Institute, 1-4p
An information session for an annual artist-led conference about community engaged art.
COMMONS ARCHIVE @ THE LIBRARY
Photo installation in the library’s entrance honors the legacy of the Lasartemays’ pioneering work in preserving Bay Area African American history.
COMMONS ARCHIVE @ THE LIBRARY
The Commons Archive research table, made from re-used library furniture, represents the map of the library’s neighborhood.
COMMONS ARCHIVE RESEARCH SESSION, 2017
Unearthing the contents of the Friends of the Golden Gate Library file cabinet, which has been locked for at least 17 years.
NEIGHBORHOOD MEMORY COLLECTION, 2018
At the Golden Gate Library, a new family to the area describes how to generate a sense of belonging.
NEIGHBORHOOD MEMORY COLLECTION, 2018
Gathering memories at St. Columba, Oakland's oldest African American Catholic church, in the neighborhood since the 1800s. Many who used to live here still return every Sunday for Mass.
NEIGHBORHOOD MEMORY COLLECTION, 2018
A neighbor who comes to the weekly Self-Help Hunger program gatherings, writing her praises of Aunti Frances' beneficial work.
Saturday, February 10, 2018
Black Panther Party Exhibit and Discussion
Golden Gate Branch Library, 2-5p
A pop-up exhibit, film screening and panel discussion of the incredibly influential Black Panther Party (BPP). Organized by Billy X Jennings, BPP Historian and director of the BPP archives of It's About Time.
BLACK PANTHER PARTY EVENT, 2018
A standing-room only crowd packed the library, drawing people from the neighborhood and as far as Fresno. The diverse audience soaked in BPP messages that still ring true today: A Right Not to Be Hungry; A Right to Your History; Change a Mean-Spirited System.
BLACK PANTHER PARTY EVENT, 2018
Billy X Jennings, historian and director of the Black Panther Party Archives, It's About Time, shared first hand-memories from his Panther experiences. He explained that many beneficial social programs, such as free school lunches, are a legacy of the BPP.
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Oakland Wiki Story Share
Kala Art Institute, 1-2:30p
Your Voice, Your History! Come share your neighborhood memories. The Oakland Wiki, a team dedicated to creating a shared history website, will teach you how to use their online tools.
Saturday, June 17, 2017
Sidewalk Stories Printmaking Workshop
Golden Gate Branch Library, 3-4:30p
No experience necessary. A free hands-on block prints workshop with master Kala Art Institute printer Mary Marsh. Teens and adults welcome.
January 19 – March 25, 2017
Commons Archive: The Lasartemays
A research space dedicated to unpacking the personal collection of the pioneers Eugene and Ruth Lasartemay, who spearheaded the development of the Bay Area’s first archive of African Americans in the region. Weekly research sessions included meetings with the Lasartemay’s family, community members and local historians.
Thursday, June 1 12–2p
Saturday, June 3 10a–12p
Tuesday, June 6 6–8p
Thursday, June 8 12–2p
Tuesday, June 13 6–8p
Research Sessions
marksearch will scan your old snapshots, scrapbooks, and record your stories so that your histories are preserved and shared with the community. Let future generations know what it is like to live in this neighborhood.
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
National Night Out, 6-8p
Joining with neighborhood groups to celebrate community.
COMMONS ARCHIVE @ THE LIBRARY
The Commons Archive flag flies high in front of the Golden Gate Library. Neighbors’ writing defines the logo.
NEIGHBOR STORIES, 2017
Neighbors share memories at the Commons Archive Block Party and several skill-sharing printmaking workshops.
GOLDEN GATE SPIRIT NEIGHBORHOOD WALK, 2017
Touring the more than 30 houses of worship in the Golden Gate, walkers visited St Columba, one of the oldest African American Catholic churches in the Bay Area.
GOLDEN GATE SPIRIT NEIGHBORHOOD WALK, 2017
Dr. Martha Taylor, scholar, historian and pastor, shares her research from her book 'From Labor to Reward' about the role of churches in the African American community.
COMMONS ARCHIVE RESEARCH SESSION, 2017
A neighbor shares stories from the original owner of her house, who told her about his memories of cattle being herded on the streets as they were headed into the slaughter house.
COMMONS ARCHIVE BLOCK PARTY, 2017
Celebrating the neighborhood with ‘Back In Session’, a local Golden Gate band that has been performing together for years.
SIDEWALK STORIES, 2017
A hands-on workshop for neighbors to meet one another and learn printmaking techniques that will be used for Commons Archive.
NEIGHBORHOOD MEMORY COLLECTION, 2018
Gathering Memories at PLACE for Sustainable Living's 7th anniversary celebration. An urban garden and eco village, PLACE fosters resiliency in the community through workshops, special events, and partnerships.
NEIGHBORHOOD MEMORY COLLECTION, 2018
Aunti Frances, a Black Panther member, provides delicious free meals on Tuesday afternoons at Driver Plaza. She creates an oasis for the community, a place to relax and nurture.
NEIGHBORHOOD MEMORY COLLECTION, 2018
Gathering memories at St. Columba, Oakland's oldest African American Catholic church, in the neighborhood since the 1800s. Many who used to live here still return every Sunday for Mass.
Saturday, June 16, 2018
Swap-O-Rama
Golden Gate Branch Library, 2-5p
Come to the world's largest volunteer produced clothing swap and DIY sewing workshop. Typically held at PLACE for Sustainable Living, it’s coming to Golden Gate for the month of June! Learn how to extend the usefulness of your textile goods by repurposing, upcycling or just plain ol' repairing.
COMMONS ARCHIVE RESEARCH SESSION, 2017
Learning about a neighbor's research into her home's previous owner; during renovation, they found articles embedded in the walls and text carvings in the attic.
COMMONS ARCHIVE BLOCK PARTY, 2017
The library’s first ever block party drew hundreds and included community organization info tables, hands-on art, story sharing, music and free food!
BLACK PANTHER PARTY EVENT, 2018
Gayle Asali Dickson, Black Panther newspaper artist (1972 -1974), emphasized the BPP’s mission was 'survival pending revolution': to feed people, register them to vote, make sure that seniors had safe routes when paying their bills.
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Black History Month Read-In
Kala Art Institute Gallery, 3-4:30p
Let’s come together to read, share inspiration, empowerment, and community. Please bring a selection from your favorite poem, speech or book authored by an African American. With the Golden Gate Library.
Saturday, June 10, 2017
Golden Gate Spirit Neighborhood Walk with Oakland Urban Paths
Golden Gate Branch Library, 10a-12:30p
A walking discussion co-led by members of the community about the role of religious centers in the neighborhood.
Starts at St. Columba Church (San Pablo & Alcatraz) and ends at the Golden Gate Library.
Saturday, May 27, 2017
Block Party at the Golden Gate Library
Golden Gate Branch Library, 1-4p
Celebrate the community, meet neighbors, and learn how to get involved with Commons Archive!
Come early for delicious free BBQ provided by grill-master Mark Lasartemay, grandson of the pioneers of the East Bay Negro Historical Society. Hands-on demos by Kala print-makers, games for kids, musical performances and neighborhood information.
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Love Our Neighborhood Day, 11a-4p
Meeting neighbors at an annual event that closes down 12 blocks of San Pablo Avenue for walking and biking.
SIDEWALK STORIES, 2017
A hands-on workshop for neighbors to meet one another and learn printmaking techniques that will be used for Commons Archive.
COMMONS ARCHIVE RESEARCH SESSION, 2017
A neighbor, who has lived in the community for over 7 decades, brought in her personal family photos, spanning 5 generations, for scanning.
COMMONS ARCHIVE BLOCK PARTY, 2017
Mark Lasartemay’s legendary BBQ chicken and ribs fed hundreds of happy neighbors.
NEIGHBORHOOD MEMORY COLLECTION, 2018
At the Emeryville Senior Center, a long-time neighbor reflects on his experiences at Old Merrit College in the late 1960s, the birth-place of the Black Panther Party.
NEIGHBORHOOD MEMORY COLLECTION, 2018
Sharing memories at the Golden Gate Library: some favorite sounds include the hum of the trains and kids playing basketball. Others are conflicted about neighborhood changes and how to share the past.
NEIGHBORHOOD MEMORY COLLECTION, 2018
Five memory collection boxes, crafted from repurposed library furniture, are at neighborhood locations during the spring and summer. We invite neighbors to share their experiences for the archive.
Black Panther Party History: A Conversation with Saturu Ned
How can the Panthers' revolutionary message inform today's community organizers and activists?
In honor of Black History Month, join us for a deep listening session with Saturu Ned - Educator, Community Architect, and a former member of the original Black Panther Party.
Saturday, Feb 9 2-4pm
Golden Gate Library, 5606 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland
Golden Gate Library Centennial
Commons Archive organized a huge celebration to honor the library’s first one hundred years of service to the community! From babies to nonagenarians and everyone in between, hundreds of neighbors joined the festivities. There was something for everyone, including performances by community bands, hands-on activities with local organizations, story sharing and delicious food from Golden Gate venues.
Take a look at the celebration.
Want to see more photos of the fun day? Thanks to the library volunteers who took these awesome photos...look here, here and here!
Golden Gate Stories
Commons Archive was recently featured on local radio station KPFA and interviewed by Liam O’Donoghue creator of the local history podcast East Bay Yesterday.
Hear neighbor voices about community change in North Oakland.
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