Sharing joy knits community. As Black Panther Party member and Commons Archive partner Saturu Ned said, “There is power in neighbors coming to know each other.” Celebrating together is a great way to get to know neighbors.

We introduced Commons Archive to its new home at North Oakland’s Golden Gate Library by resuscitating a long ago tradition: a neighborhood block party! Commons Archive was born through a special Print Public fellowship through Berkeley’s Kala Art Institute. With library staff, we organized this celebration to set the tone for Commons Archive as it moved from the Kala Art Institute’s gallery. As a longstanding community anchor, the Golden Gate Branch Library has mirrored the changes in the neighborhood---serving hundreds of thousands of neighbors since opening its doors in 1918. The Commons Archive flag, made up of neighbors' handwriting, was installed on an unused pole on the library’s front lawn.

We welcomed neighbors to Commons Archive with an intergenerational neighborhood band, local food, and fun hands-on activities for all ages. ‘Back In Session’ has been performing at community events for several years and includes longtime and newer neighbors sharing their voices and talents. Kala’s master printmakers led hands-on workshops for neighbors to meet one another while creating prints about their immediate surroundings. And community organizations like PLACE for Sustainable Living and the Charles Porter Golden Gate Recreation Center inspired neighbors to dream and play together.

Bringing Neighbors together

We welcomed neighbors to Commons Archive with an intergenerational neighborhood band, local food, and fun hands-on activities for all ages. ‘Back In Session’ has been performing at community events for several years and includes longtime and newer neighbors sharing their voices and talents. Kala’s master printmakers led hands-on workshops for neighbors to meet one another while creating prints about their immediate surroundings. And community organizations like PLACE for Sustainable Living and the Charles Porter Golden Gate Recreation Center inspired neighbors to dream and play together.

Mark Lasartemay, grandson of pioneering Bay Area African American historians, grilled up his signature barbeque!  In the 1940s, The Lasartemays and neighbors formed the East Bay Negro Historical Society. They were committed to educating their children since schools did not teach African American history. Their accessible North Oakland storefront museums, including one at the Golden Gate Library, led to the creation of downtown Oakland’s African American Museum and Library. We installed photos from the Lasartemay family archives in the library’s entrance to honor their tremendous achievements. 

We started the process of uplifting neighbors as the creators of local history. Tables became centers of conversation and exchange. Neighbors were invited to write their stories in response to these prompts:

• What is your strongest neighborhood memory?

• What is your history?

• What do you miss from the neighborhood?

Stories don’t need to be monumental to be meaningful.

As North Oakland continues to grow and change, Commons Archive has been gathering neighbors’ memories to preserve the area’s many histories. The block party’s casual vibe sparked new connections among community-based organizations, neighborhood groups, and residents. Nurturing healthy communication in good times makes coming together during challenging times easier.