Greetings all,
I
hope that you are well and we appreciate your attendance at BAMBD town
Hall. Below is summary of our time together . Also if you were one of
the people Dr. Ayodele said she needs to speak with, reply to email
listing with specific skill set and availability to connect via phone or
in person over the next two week. At the end of the summary are
helpful links to learn more about B.A.M.B.D. The next Town hall is
scheduled 6/16/16 3-6 pm @ East Arts Alliance. Please share with your
network! Below are next steps before we meet again.
1)
Write a letter of support on behalf of yourself or
organizations/collectives in support of Black Arts Business District
(down town Oakland and Black Cultural Zone in east Oakland.
2) Join Black Arts Movement and Business district facebook group
3) Write Letter of Support for Community benefits for the development of 14th
and Alice parking lot which is scheduled on the Planning Commission
calendar for June 1 (whom to send it to will be coming in the following
days)
4) Register your Business to B.A.O.B.O.B: Bay Area Organization of Black-Owned Businesses
B.A.M..B. D TOWN HALL NOTES 5/13
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, BAOBOB - Bay Area Organization of Black
Owned Businesses,Betty Ono Gallery Lower Bottom Playaz, Joyce Gordon
Gallery, Reginas Door, 8 Ft Tall, Support Malonga Coalition, Cat Brooks
of Anti Police-Terror Project, 57th Street Collective and Uptown Makers
Collective. Also present was various Black Culture workers and Artist.
The five pillars of B.A.M.B.D were introduced and expanded upon by participants:
Housing
Commerce
Equity for artists
Proliferation and dissemination of intellectual capital
Increased access to services
Commerce
Equity for artists
Proliferation and dissemination of intellectual capital
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.
In
prior meetings the Red, Black and Green flag was requested as the
primary banner along with arts and craft vendors in the corridor to
inspire entrepreneurship.Other concerns were projects and developments
approved prior to the establishment of district that does not
incorporate community benefits.
One
project in the BAMBD is the parking lot at 14th and Alice. According to
Eric Arnold, "The lot on 14th and Alice 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 http://www.eastbayexpress.com/…/plans-unveiled-for-384-new-…
The
town hall concluded with participants pledging to synthesize efforts to
fight displacement and write letters of support for the Black Arts
Movement District. Letters of support can be sent to BAMBDistrict@gmail.com. The next BAMBD Town Hall Meeting is scheduled for June 16th at Eastside Alliance 3-6pm.
Eastside Arts Alliance is located at 23rd and International, Oakland.
Helpful links to lear more about B.A.M.B.D
B.A.M.B.Historical sites within B.A.M.B.D corridor 14th street:
Post Article: legislation:https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/350bayarea/pages/2409/attachments/original/1452281545/01-06-16_Oakland_Post.pdf?1452281545Oakland
East Bay Express:
Black Bird Press:
http://blackbirdpressnews.blogspot.com/search?q=Black+arts+movement+business+district
No comments:
Post a Comment