BAMBD will celebrate JANTEENTH, 2017, one year after the City of Oakland established the district, but nobody knows the trouble BAMBD has seen!

 JANTEENTH,  2017

Cover of The Movement, JANTEENTH issue (January 19, 2017)
Maestro Michael Morgan, Oakland Symphony Orchestra
BAMBD Art by James Gayles

Because of political sloth, North American Africans in Oakland are just now hearing they have a Black Arts Movement Business District along the 14th Street corridor, downtown Oakland. The district was officially declared by the Oakland City Council almost one year ago, January 19, 2916, but few people know about it and BAMBD has received no support from the City; no funds have been allocated, no technical support has been given, no media blitz, no celebration, no banners, no vendors on the street.

From time to time we hear tales from the eloquent politician representing our district. We heard she was giving technical support to the Uptown District where the hipsters congregate. We wonder what rite of passage informed her she should totally neglect the BAMBD to assist another district?

Juneteenth happened because the whites in Texas wanted to continue slavery. We hope our eloquent politician doesn't feel the same, but there is a history of Black slave masters who resisted emancipation.

In spite of sloth, Janteenth will be celebrated on January 19, 2017. We will have a Marcus Garvey syle parade along the 14th Street corridor with vendors, music and speakers in Oscar Grant Plaza.

If you are willing to participate  and/or support BAMBD's JANTEENTH Celebration, email: bambdistrict@gmail.com