BAMBD calls for volunteers

Dear Community:

If you have time to volunteer with the Black Arts Movement Business District, please connect with BAMBD organizer Marvin X: 510-200-4164; email: jmarvinx@yahoo.com. If you need more information, check out the archives of the Oakland Post News Group.org and/or www.blackbirdpressnews.blogspot.com.

We need people with skills in high tech, marketing, communication, advertising, promotion, producing, editing, sales, fund raising, strategic planning, grant writing, finance, vending, archiving, etc. We're also looking for poets, actors, spoken word artists, musicians, visual artists, architects, builders, etc.

If you have any of the above skills and wish to volunteer your time, please send your resume to: jmarvinx@yahoo.com. We will connect with you ASAP.

FYI, the BAMBD is a do for self project. We want to be economically independent at the earliest possible date, not reliant upon government and/or corporate funding. Due to bureaucratic delays and unreliable budgets, we can’t expect government agencies to deliver all our needs. We must organize ourselves and help ourselves. We realize time is of the essence as land and properties in the BAMBD area are rapidly becoming in short supply and yet with every passing minute vital resources such as jobs, housing, performance space, business space is fading into the sunset, not only in the BAMBD but throughout the City.

 Marvin X and Mayor Libby Schaaf. We appreciate the Mayor, but we must do for self! photo 
Troy Williams, Post News Group

City officials seem caught up in the bureaucratic process and will be hard pressed to deliver the people's needs, although they are responding with abundant resources for developers and those entering the City to gentrify neighborhoods, which means that we should work closely with the newly formed Department of Race and Equity. 

Those who want to see the BAMBD as a thriving cultural and business district must give generously of their talent, time and resources. The time is now!

Left to right: Poet Aries Jordan, Gerry Garzon, Director, Oakland Public Library, BAMBD Planner, Marvin X; Mr. Garzon's assistant, Post News Group Publisher, Paul Cobb, BAMBD Media Specialist, Adam Turner

On the positive, today the BAMBD planners met with Gerry Garzon, Director of the Oakland Public Library. We established a partnership that will allow us to make use of library facilities, establish permanent exhibits, digitize BAMBD archives,discuss acquisition of said archives by the OPL and make the African American Museum/Library more accessible to the public.  

Sincerely,
Marvin X,
BAMBD Planner 
2/8/16

Council President Lynette McElhaney, Marvin X, Duane Deterville; Middle row: Gerry Garzon (Oakland Public Library), Tureeda Mikell, Jaenal Peterson, Aries Jordan, David McKelvey, Eric Murphy (Joyce Gordon Gallery); Back row: Eric Arnold, Kwesi Wilkerson, Charles Johnson, Alicia Parker (Oakland Planning Department), Shomari Carter (Supervisor Keith Carson's Office). Far right: Elder Paul Cobb, Publisher, Oakland Post News Group. 

Black artists gather at Frank Ogawa/Oscar Grant Plaza in front of Oakland City Hall, prior to full City Council vote that established the Black Arts Movement Business District, January 19, 2016. Front: Khalid Waajid; Amir Aziz, Duane Deterville, Judy Juanita, Eric Arnold, Tureada Mikell, Marvin X, Tarika Lewis, DeMar-con Gipson, Blystk Kmba, Crsna Cox, Jaenal Peterson, Jahaninh Omi Bahari, Janeah Taylor, Yancie Taylor, Tracy Mitchell, Ron Linzie, Dennis X, Wanda Ravernell

photo Adam Turner

Black Bird Press News & Review: Marvin X- "Black History is World History" (poem written in the 80's)@Fr...

Black Bird Press News & Review: Marvin X- "Black History is World History" (poem written in the 80's)@Fr...

Black Bird Press News & Review: Marvin X- "Black History is World History" (poem written in the 80's)@Fr...

Black Bird Press News & Review: Marvin X- "Black History is World History" (poem written in the 80's)@Fr...

BAMBD supports rally for Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts

• Thursday 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

• The Malonga Casquelourd Center for The Arts 1428 Alice St, Oakland, California 94612

In solidarity with artists from the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, Community Rejuvenation Project, the Chinatown Coalition, local residents and businesses — have launched a petition to Maria Poncel of Bay Development to demand mitigation and community givebacks from the 16-story market-rate housing development of the parking lot at 250 14th Street.

On February 3rd, the Planning Commission gave away millions of dollars in value to Bay Development, without ensuring the community's needs were met and mitigating negative impacts on the Malonga Center and the covering up of the community mural above uplifting Oakland's artists and history.

A rally will be held on Thursday, February 11, beginning at 11:30 AM at the parking lot at 14th and Alice and marching to City Hall (you can meet us there at 12pm for a brief rally) to file the appeal, and to demand that Mayor Libby Schaaf and City Council overturn the decision until the community's demands are met:

1) Finance or fundraise 100% of replacement mural costs.

2) Dedicate the ground floor of the parking garage to Malonga Arts Center staff and patrons, to support the continued flourishing of this city treasure at the heart of the newly designated Black Arts Movement Cultural and Business District.

3) Make at least 15-28% of the units affordable to families earning less than $64,000, as the Lake Merritt Specific Plan calls for. That means setting rent at $1,600 or below for at least 18 of the 126 units.

In addition, the community has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise the funds to appeal the Oakland Planning Commission’s approval of the development: https://www.gofundme.com/xyn67r9t

Sign & share the petition: https://www.change.org/p/bay-development-build-real-community-benefits

We are also demanding that Mayor Schaaf and City Administrator Sabrina Landreth fire the Planning Director Rachel Flynn (who denies there is a housing crisis in Oakland & is fast-tracking gentrification) and reform the Planning Department by replacing planning staff and Planning Commissioners with people who care more about residents than developers.

Please join us and invite your friends.
The bigger the signs the better, and bring your instruments to make some noise!

#KeepOaklandCreative #HousingJustice

 

 

THE AFRICAN MOORS IN SPAIN

BBC's "Islamic History of Europe" and "Science and Islam"

BBC's  "Islamic History of Europe" and "Science and Islam" by Heather Gray In addition to the excellent documentary "When the Moors (Muslims) Ruled in Europe" I  recently shared (see note below from reader), there are other exemplary contemporary productions about Islam by the BBC and they are the following: the "Islamic History of Europe" that offers an intellectual history of Islamic contributions in Europe; and the three part series "Science and Islam". They are well worth watching and are posted below: Islamic History of Europe BBC Science and Islam 1 - The Language of Science BBC Science and Islam 2 - The Empire of Reason BBC Science and Islam 3 - Discovering The Great Works of Islamic Astronomers Note from a reader that is much appreciated A reader kindly sent an email and I thank him for the correction and additional information about "Bettany" Hughes who produced the video "When the Moors Ruled in Europe". He makes reference to a message he found when going to this link on YouTube:  "video contains content from Channel 4 (in Britain), who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds". I, however, received no such note on YouTube and found that 753,043 have watched the video. Nevertheless, I do find this notification about copyright on many other videos on YouTube and of necessity I am, of course, attentive to the issue. If any others of you did find such a note about the Bettany Hughes video please let me know. Also, this film can be found in other places such as, for one, Top Documentary Films. He also kindly sent further explanation about  copyright issues and that "there has always been incompatibility between the UK and the USA, for as long as I can remember, back to the mid-1960s." Regarding Bettany Hughes, he offers the following additional information: Hello, Heather "Brittany Hughes" is in fact BETTANY. Her own Page is: http://www.bettanyhughes.co.uk/ There is good information at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bettany_Hughes from which you will see that she is a prolific and highly regarded writer and broadcaster. Another note from a reader: I am somewhat familiar with the history of the Muslim presence in Europe and also somewhat astonished by how it has been ignored by the American and perhaps also the Europeans. Their access to the Muslim libraries was the basis of the Renaissance and also the "discovery of the New World".  Thanks for sharing!

The Third Crusade: Saladin & Richard the Lionheart Documentary

Black Bird Press News & Review: Film Screening: Black Panthers, Vanguard of the Revolution

Black Bird Press News & Review: Film Screening: Black Panthers, Vanguard of the Revolution

When the Moors (Muslims) Ruled Europe: Documentary (full)

Black History: Marvin X's Great Grandfather, 99, died in Madera, CA, 1941

Former Negro Slave Dies on Madera Ranch
 Fresno Bee, Tuesday, December 16, 1941

 

 

Ephraim Murrill, 99, who lived the first twenty years of his life as a Negro slave in North Carolina, died yesterday in his home on a Madera district ranch. Murrill, who was highly respected by both whites and Negroes in the community, recalled having seen Abraham Lincoln when the great emancipator was campaigning for his first term as president.

Surviving him are one daughter, Mrs. J. H. Hall, Madera; a son, John Murrill (Marvin's grandfather),  nine grand children and three great grandchildren. He would be 100 years old had he lived until next February 13. One of his brothers lived to the age of 116.

Funeral services will be hold tomorrow afternoon in the Jay Parlors and burial will be in Arbor Vitae Cemetary.
------------ --------- --------

Epharaim Murrill is the maternal great grandfather of poet Marvin X. His mother, Marian Murrill Jackmon, was born in Fowler, about thirty miles south of Madera. Marvin X was born there as well, May 29, 1944.

Marvin's parents, Owendell Jackmon and Marian Murrill Jackmon published the first black newspaper in the central valley, the Fresno Voice. They were also real estate brokers who sold many blacks their first home after WWII. Marvin's earliest memories are selling his parents newspaper on F and Fresno Street, a block or two from his parent's newspaper and real estate office.


The Jackmons later moved to Oakland and became florists on 7th Street. Mr. Jackmon was prominent in West Oakland's political and social life. He was a member of the Men of Tomorrow, the Elks Lodge and the American Legion. He was a member of Downs Memorial Methodist Church, where Rev. Cecil Williams of San Francisco's Glide Church did his internship.

Mrs. Jackmon became a Christian Scientist, follower of Mary Baker Eddy. Marvin grew up with no medicine cabinet in the house of his mother because Christian Scientists don't believe in medicine, one must simply know "the truth" and truth will set you free of all dis-ease. Growing up "knowing the truth", Marvin was mystified when he taught white students on the university level and discovered they had no concept of truth and were thus consumed with lies!

The Jackmons separated and Mrs. Jackmon returned to Fresno with her six children and opened a real estate business. Marvin attended Lowell Jr. High in West Oakland, but graduated from high school in Fresno. He returned to Oakland to attend Merritt College and was on the basketball team. At Merritt he also met Huey Newton and Bobby Seale, fellow students who came into revolutionary consciousness during independent study sessions. There was no Black Studies, although Merritt established one of  the first Black Studies programs after student protests, led by the Black Students Union, aka, Soul Students Advisory Council, headed by Virtual Murrell, now a lobbyist. Virtual and Bobby Seale recall when Marvin X performed his first play Flowers for the Trashman at Merritt, the student movement exploded.

In 1969, Marvin X became the most controversial black in Fresno history when he defied Governor Ronald Reagan by continuing to teach at Fresno State University, even though the Gov. ordered the college/now university to remove him by any means necessary, especially since he had refused to fight in Vietnam.




Parents of Marvin X, Marian M. Jackmon and Owendell Jackmon, I at the World Peace Conference in San Francisco, 1945, which led to the United Nations. His mother was a Race woman, his father a Race man, meaning they were Black nationalists, down for their people in the Marcus Garvey manner. Marvin X learned to do for self long before he joined the Nation of Islam, 1967.

Now organizing the Black Arts Movement Business District, Marvin grew up on Oakland's Black cultural and business district, 7th Street, similar to San Francisco's Fillmore and New York's Harlem.

Black Bird Press News & Review: Marvin X poem for the Living Dead

Black Bird Press News & Review: Marvin X poem for the Living Dead

BAMBD planner Marvin X meets Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf at opening of Marshawn Lynch's Beast Mode store in Old Oakland District

Black Arts Movement Business District planner and BAM co-founder Marvin X and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf at the opening of NFL player Marshawn Lynch's Beast Mode store in the Old Oakland District--well, Marvin says Marshawn's store will be listed as part of the BAMBD.
photo Troy Williams

NFL running back Marshawn Lynch graduated from Oakland Tech High School. Mayor Libby Schaaf thanked him for giving back to Oakland with his Beast Mode store. Marshawn and his partners, Tom Henderson and Samuel Taylor, are in the development stage of launching its collaborative brand of performance athletic footwear and apparel. The Beast Mode is located in Old Oakland at 811 Broadway, between 8th and 9th Street.

NFL running back  Marshawn Lynch and BAMBD Master poet/organizer Marvin X

photo Troy Williams

Marvin and the BAMBD planners intend to meet with the Mayor on the BAMBD plans, outlined in the Feb. 3-9, issue of the Oakland Post Newspaper:

1) Land placed in a trust not subject to gentrification and developers; 

2) The city’s Race and Equity Department to help stop displacement and ongoing evictions, including the Oakland Post News Group and the Betti Ono Gallery;

3) Displaying the BAMBD flag throughout the corridor;

 
4) An immediate moratorium on rent hikes and evictions in the BAMBD corridor; 

5) The city to immediately permit members of the BAMBD to vend along the corridor as a sign of entrepreneurship; 

6) The BAMBD must have housing, not only for artists but workers, elderly and the marginalized. Those SRO hotels in the downtown area should be acquired with BAMBD residents awarded Life Estate titles--this would end homelessness overnight; and 
 
7) A $1 billion dollar trust fund so we can acquire and secure the necessary land and properties for the BAMBD and provide loans to business persons in the district. 

BAMBD planners will invite the Mayor on a Black History walking tour of the BAMBD with City of Oakland Tour Coordinator Annalee Allen. The tour will be held from 10a.m. to 11:30a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17. If you would like to join the tour, please call 510-238-3234 or email Annalee Allen at aallen@oaklandnet.com.



Members of the Black Arts Movement Business District planning committee and media team.
Left to right: Amir C. Clark, Aries Jordan and son Legend, Robert Arnold, Marvin X, Dr. Ayodele Nzinga, Eric Arnold, Ken Johnson, Maiya Newsome-Edgerly, Adam Turner.
photo Amir Aziz Clark 

 Businessman Geoffery Pete, Post News Group journalist Troy Williams and BAMBD planner Marvin X

Geoffery Pete, owner of Geoffery's Inner Circle at 14th and Franklin, a key venue in the BAMBD

After meeting the Mayor at Marshawn's, later in the afternoon, Marvin and Paul Cobb informed Geoffery Pete, owner of Geoffery's Inner Circle, that his venue will be an essential part of facilities BAMBD will utilize for meetings and performance space. Paul reminded Mr. Pete that the City of Oakland spent millions renovating the Fox Theatre, so with his venue a key spot in the BAMBD, we will discuss with Mayor Schaaf how to get his building renovated so it can be a critical venue in the District, along with the African American Library/Museum, where BAMBD plans to have office space. They will meet with the head of the Oakland Public Library next week, Mr. Gerry Garzon.

On Saturday, the peripatetic, indefatigable  Marvin X will participate in a visioning session at the Flight Deck, one of the theatre venues in the BAMBD, presently home of the Lower Bottom Playaz, founded by Dr. Ayodele Nzinga, Marvin X's star student when he taught in the theatre department, Laney College, 1981. Dr. Nzinga recently completed the ten play cycle of plays by August Wilson. She is the only director and producer of the ten play cycle in chronological order.

 

The Future of the Arts in Downtown Oakland: A Creative Visioning Session

Oakland is changing. We all know it. Buildings are going up, businesses are opening,

new people are moving in, and some folks who have been here for a long time are getting

pushed out. There’s a sense of opportunity and a sense of fear. Who will get a share of

the new prosperity? In Oakland, like in so many urban areas, artists have been central in

making the place desirable - so often, people mention diversity and arts & culture when

they say what they love Oakland. But as new money comes in and rents rise, artists and

arts organizations are often some of the first to be displaced. At this moment when so

much is changing for Oakland, and when the city is creating a new Downtown Specific

Plan, how can we make sure that the arts remain at the center of public life in Oakland,

and that they continue to grow and thrive in ways that are equitable and rooted in

Oakland’s rich culture and history?

As the opener to The Flight Deck’s annual Accelerator event on February 6th, we are

inviting our guests to join in a visioning session on the future of the arts in Downtown

Oakland. Experts in various fields will provide context and give their perspective on

these issues, and then participants will work in groups to creatively develop a vision for

placing the arts at the center of public life in Downtown Oakland’s changing landscape.

The process will marry elements of ensemble theater techniques and urban planning

design charettes. This session will serve as a pilot - an experiment in process that could

be duplicated in other contexts if it is effective.

Time: 5-6pm

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Panelist Arrival time: 4:30 pm

Facilitator: Anna Shneiderman, Executive Director, Ragged Wing Ensemble & The Flight

Deck

Host: Lina Buffington, Interim ED of Missey, Board Vice President, Ragged Wing

Ensemble & The Flight Deck

Panelists:

 Council President Lynette McElhaney

 Alicia Parker, Planning Department

 Robert Ogilvie, Executive Director, SPUR Oakland

 Lindsay Krumbein, Executive Artistic Director, Gritty City Repertory Youth

Theatre

 Marvin X, Organizer of the Black Arts Movement and Business District

Oakland Post Newspaper: Leaders Strive to Make Black Arts Business District a Reality

Leaders Strive to Make Black Arts Business District a Reality 



Members of the Black Arts Movement Business District planning committee and media team.
Left to right: Amir C. Clark, Aries Jordan and son Legend, Robert Arnold, Marvin X, Dr. Ayodele Nzinga, Eric Arnold, Ken Johnson, Maiya Newsome-Edgerly, Adam Turner.
photo Amir Aziz Clark

postnewsgroup.com 

By Marvin X Jackmon 
Co-founder of BAMBD


Leaders of the Black Arts Movement Business District (BAMBD) along the 14th Street corridor want:
1) Land placed in a trust not subject to gentrification and developers; 

2) The city’s Race and Equity Department to help stop displacement and ongoing evictions, including the Oakland Post News Group and the Betti Ono Gallery;

3) Displaying the BAMBD flag throughout the corridor;
 
4) An immediate moratorium on rent hikes and evictions in the BAMBD corridor; 

5) The city to immediately permit members of the BAMBD to vend along the corridor as a sign of entrepreneurship; 

6) The BAMBD must have housing, not only for artists but workers, elderly and the marginalized. Those SRO hotels in the downtown area should be acquired with BAMBD residents awarded Life Estate titles--this would end homelessness overnight; and 
 

7) A $1 billion dollar trust fund so we can acquire and secure the necessary land and properties for the BAMBD and provide loans to business persons in the district.

Former San Francisco Mayor Joe Alioto publicly apologized for destroying the economic and cultural vitality of the Fillmore District. No one has apologized for dismantling West Oakland. But we need more than an apology. We are in a space emergency not only in the BAMBD but throughout Oakland. In Oakland’s “hot” property market, the BAMBD needs equity, or the district will exist in name only.

Like piranhas, the high tech firms and globalists are devouring potential BAMBD land and

properties. Perhaps we need to re-gentrify the BAMBD corridor. Presently, there are few Black owned businesses in the district although at this week’s Oakland Downtown Plan meeting at the Malonga Casquelourd Center, people were directed to the Small Business Department for loans. 

The BAMBD planners will meet again on Monday, February 8, 10A.M., at the Post News Group office, 405 14th Street, Suite 1215, Oakland. For information call 510-200-4154.

Black Bird Press News & Review: Marvin X: My life in the global village--notes of an artistic freedom fighter

Black Bird Press News & Review: Marvin X: My life in the global village--notes of an artistic freedom fighter: Part One

When we were Negroes

 photo Harrison Chastang

When we were Negroes
life was beautiful
in the hood
we was family then
we all was kin
looked out for each other
loved yo brother sista
when we were Negroes
had hotels restaurants
night clubs cafes
own drinkin water
swimming pools
mountain retreats
no white man rights
til civil rights
Sun Ra said civil rites
Sonny said you get them
at the cemetery
freedom and rites
when you dead
total freedom forever
and rites
Church rites
Masonic rites
Legionnaire rites
gang rites
when we were Negroes
now we black
ain't got shit
Black president
ain't shit
let two Negroes out prison
left 2.4 million down in the dungeon
Black President
most powerful man in the world
can't stop killing in his hometown
if he can't stop it can't nobody
cept maybe the Negro
call him forth
the Mighty Negro
Go back Black
to Negroland
Not Africa
where everybody lived together
in the projects
family
we all kin
neighbors whupped you ass and mama too
when you got home
cause you was wrong
no adults scared of youth
whup Dante's ass
disrespectful impudent
now you Black
scared of yo kids
scared to go to store at night
yo kids run the hood
terrify the hood
no Elders speak
scared to death
But we Black now
post Black even
multicultural
yeah
on the bottom of the ladder
don't bring nothing to the table
yeah Paradise say they love everything about you
but you!
Nigguh is a billion dollar word
now the Nigguh don't want to say Nigguh
Asians Nigguhs whites Nigguhs Mexicans Nigguhs
Gay/Lesbian Nigguhs
but Nigguhs say don't say Nigguh
say the N word
the N word ain't no billion dollar word
Nigguh is the word
Nigguh scared to say Nigguh
he so Black he so African
Nigguh ain't shit
Ask the African is the Nigguh shit
Ask the Jamaican
Ask the Arab
they pimp the hood
dress like Nigguhs talk like Nigguhs walk like Nigguhs
fuck like Nigguhs
they love everything bout Nigguhs cept Nigguhs!
So let's be Negroes when we were family kin
What's up family?
What's up kinfolks?
What's up Bloods?
Can't speak to these Blacks, these African Americans
you say high hey what's up, dog
silence
Nigguh on cell phone talkin bout where you at where you at
he ain't nowhere and she ain't nowhere
lost and turned out on the way to grandmother's house!
Call me Negro from Negroland
Nigguh for life even
from the Nigguh tribe
But I like when the Blacks say, when the North American Africans say
I appreciate you
I appreciate you
I appreciate you
now this is Black is Beautiful
three little words
I appreciate you
sounds so nice
so much love
I can be Black with that line
I'll give up Negro with that line
I'll be Black, African even
with that line
I appreciate you, Brother
I appreciate you, Sister
I appreciate you, Mama
I appreciate you, Daddy
I appreciate you, Queen and King
Whatchusay?

Black History and the Emancipation of the Black Arts Movement Business District

 

We are joyful the Oakland City Council has declared the Black Arts Movement Business District along the 14th Street corridor, but just as African people were freed from the American Slave System in 1863, the declaration of the BAMBD is so far a hollow exercise. We need land placed in a trust for the people and their heirs so BAMBD space and properties are secure now and into the future, not subject to gentrification and developers as has happened in cultural and economic districts from the Bay Area to Harlem, New York. Although the Race and Equity Committee has declared its intention to stop displacement, people are being displaced as we write, not only in the BAMBD, e.g., The Oakland Post News Group is being forced out, along with the Betti Ono Gallery, with other evictions throughout the downtown area and across the City.

We have called for the display of our National flag throughout the BAMBD, a symbolic gesture but necessary so people can see an immediate sign they have a sacred space in the downtown area, similar to that of Euro-Americans, Korean Americans, Chinese and Latino/Latina Americans. We say the Red, Black and Green should be displayed immediately, especially before banners are decided in a contest that may take some time.

There should be an immediate moratorium on rent hikes and evictions in the BAMBD corridor. Otherwise, there shall be no land or buildings available for the BAMBD. At the present rate of acquisitions by developers, along with the shrinking vacancy rate of City owned properties that should be available to BAMBD, there will be scarce space in the immediate future. Does the business community care about some or all of the citizens? Obviously, those who gentrify our neighborhoods only care about occupying space, much like those who came to usurp the Native Americans. Yes, they came with smiles and forked tongues, but after that first Thanksgiving, it wasn't long before genocide was full blown. Gentrification has been described as genocide, the destruction of a people.

What else can we call the situation we are now facing, displaced and virtual refugees, seeking shelter under freeway overpasses and towns far away in the Central Valley.

Shall we call for five properties and a mule? For sure, upon emancipation, there was land available but we are yet to receive the five acres and a mule! We heard there was discussion in the downtown area that the North American Africans wanted reparations. We're not calling for reparations, but what's wrong with reparations? Do you want 100% of everything? We don't want everything, just equity!

Former San Francisco Mayor Joe Alioto publicly apologized for destroying the economic and cultural vitality of the Fillmore District. No one has apologized for dismantling West Oakland. But we need more than apology. We are in a space emergency not only in the BAMBD but throughout Oakland. In Oakland's "hot" property market, the BAMBD needs equity or the district will be in name only. Like Piranhas, the high tech firms and globalists are devouring potential BAMBD land and properties. Perhaps we need to re-gentrify the BAMBD corridor. This is the reason we're calling for a billion dollar trust fund so we can acquire and secure the necessary land and properties for the BAMBD, even if we must offer property owners deals they can't refuse so we can reclaim the spaces. .

Presently there are few Black owned businesses in the district although at the Oakland Downtown Plan meeting at the Malonga Center, people were directed to the Small Business Department for loans. 

As in other cultural and economic districts such as Chinatown, housing is a critical element. The BAMBD must have housing not only for artists but workers, elderly and the marginalized. Those SRO hotels in the downtown area should be acquired with BAMBD residents given the Life Estate that would end homelessness overnight.

We urge the City to immediately permit members of the BAMBD to vend along the corridor as a sign of entrepreneurship and economic vitality. Again, let the people know something is happening to signal hope in a time of hopelessness and despair among the North American African population. Joblessness and homelessness has caused great mental stress throughout the community. BAMBD can, should and must reverse this feeling of dread. We want our people to be inspired and motivated to secure their fair share of the American dream! 

--Marvin X

2/4/16

BAMBD Planner

Black artists gather at Frank Ogawa/Oscar Grant Plaza in front of Oakland City Hall, prior to City Council vote that established the Black Arts Movement Business District, January 12, 2016.

Front: Khalid Waajid; Amir Aziz, Duane Deterville, Judy Juanita, Eric Arnold, Tureada Mikell, Marvin X, Tarika Lewis, DeMar-con Gipson, Blystk Kmba, Crsna Cox, Jaenal Peterson, Jahaninh Omi Bahari, Janeah Taylor, Yancie Taylor, Tracy Mitchell, Ron Linzie, Dennis X, Wanda Ravernell
photo Adam Turner

Hello all:

I want to appreciate all of the culture keepers for supporting this effort and expanding upon this concept.  I cannot tell you how gratified I am that what I once believed to be a personal idea was actually me tapping into the wellspring of passion and love for this concept that long predates my arrival on the council.  I am humbled.  Spirit is all-knowing and all-wise and I am truly honored to be in a position to help fulfill - or at least facilitate - the fulfillment of this community desire.

While I appreciate everyone's contributions, I want to extend a very special note of thanks to Joyce Gordon (an absolute gem), Duane Deterville (whose cogent presentation helped me see the importance and power of linking this effort to historic and global movements), Paul Cobb (whose deep knowledge of people and place fully expanded my appreciation of the corridor) and Marvin X, who, without doubt, has been the most vocal proponent for the celebration of the Black Arts movement and the claiming of a space to honor the contributions of Black artists.  I also want to thank the business owners Craig, Geoffrey, Oscar, Corey and Veronica and city staff for their insight and support.

This is just the first step.  We have a lot more work to do.  Looking forward to expanding the team and finding ways to fund the vision.

With deep Oakland-love, Lynette


Council President Lynette McElhaney, Marvin X, Duane Deterville; Middle row: Gerry Garzon (Oakland Public Library), Tureeda Mikell, Jaenal Peterson, Aries Jordan, David McKelvey, Eric Murphy (Joyce Gordon Gallery); Back row: Eric Arnold, Kwesi Wilkerson, Charles Johnson, Alicia Parker (Oakland Planning Department), Shomari Carter (Supervisor Keith Carson's Office). Far right: Elder Paul Cobb, Publisher, Oakland Post News Group. 

Members of the BAMBD planning committee and media team

Members of the Black Arts Movement Business District planning committee and media team.
Left to right: Amir C. Clark, Aries Jordan and son Legend, Robert Arnold, Marvin X, Dr. Ayodele Nzinga, Eric Arnold, Ken Johnson, Maiya Newsome-Edgerly, Adam Turner.
photo Amir Aziz Clark

The group discussed organizational structure, community relations, the land trust to solidify
space in the 14th Street Corridor, the BAMBD/City of Oakland relationship with the goal of independence and sovereignty;established a 12 month time-line of activities, grant funding, self sufficiency, etc.

The media team inventoried their resources, contacts, planned publications, digital and print; including a newsletter, newspaper, magazine in partnership with the Post News Group; securing advertisement from businesses in the BAMBD. The BAMBD planners will meet again on Monday, February 8, 10A.M., at the Post News Group office, 405 14th Street, Suite 1215, Oakland.

Are you ready for the Wild Crazy Ride of the Marvin X Experience? BAM! BAM!

Marvin X at University of Chicago Conference for Black Arts Movement Master Musician Sun Ra's 101st Earthday

Marvin X and Master Musician Sun Ra at Marvin's Black Educational Theatre, San Francisco, CA 1972. Sun Ra arranged the musical version of Marvin's Flowers for the Trashman, retitled Take Care of Business. Both also lectured at the University of California, Berkeley in Black Studies, 1971-72.

 

The Black Arts Movement Poet's Choir and Arkestra at the University of California, Merced

50th Anniversary celebration of the Black Arts Movement, 2014, produced by Kim McMillan

and Marvin X.

 BAM poet Marvin X with his Poet's Choir and Arkestra, featuring David Murray and Earle Davis, all three were associated with San Ra. This performance is from Oakland's Malcolm X Jazz/Art Festival, 2014

photo Adam Turner

 

BAM Poet's Choir and Arkestra at Malcolm X Jazz Festival, 2014

Adam Turner photo collage

Marvin X reading, accompanied by his favorite musician, violinist Tarika Lewis

Marvin X poem for the Living Dead

The Living Dead

I look into my people's eyes
see the hollowness within
I wonder where their spirit went
the hope of yesterday
the zombie stares
he walks away
why have we come to this
why is that stare so far away?
for sure the end is near.

Love has turned to hate these days
there is no love in those eyes
no memory of the men and women
who suffered fought and died

O, dead too lazy to die
O dead that hope passed by
what will come of you
but did not Lazarus come alive?
Come alive then, O living dead.
Come alive
you blind to tomorrow's light
come alive
the spirit of our saints command you, Rise!
Strike the blindness from your eyes.

--Marvin X
from Liberation Poems for North American Africans, Marvin X, Al Kitab Sudan Press (Black Bird Press), 1983.

Are Oakland Black Artists Brain Dead?

For the last few months, I've been working on the Black Arts Movement Business District, but I have yet to hear from those Black artists who claim they are the new generation of artistic freedom fighters. Are they indeed the new generation of artistic freedom fighters, who were passed the baton from their elders? If so, why are they laying in the cut rather than on the front of the line representing themselves as the next generation of warriors? Somebody hep me! My favorite story teller Shirley Ceaser says, "Step to the front of the line. You been in the back of the line too long!"

Ole' Prophet Nat Turner

Prophet Nat Turner plotting his revolt to freedom. Holy Jesus told him it was the right thing to do

Oakland Black Artists where are you in the liberation struggle, oh, you free in the sea of nothingness, do yo own thang, gender freedom, artistic freedom, yet you are in peril in your freedom suite, the reason why BAM Master Sun Ra said fuck freedom. Oakland's Pointer Sister's sang Free Me From My Freedom! Sun Ra said all those who talked about freedom are dead, Jesus, MLK, Malcolm X, JFK, RFK, dead. He said, Marvin, stop teaching that freedom, justice and equality and teach discipline, that's what I teach my musicians: discipline.--Sun Ra

 BAM icons Marvin X and his associate and Master Teacher Sun Ra

Sun Ra is the mythological and ritual master of the Black Arts Movement

not to mention his philosophical and linguistic concerns

Black Arts Movement Masters Marvin X and Sun Ra, outside Marvin's Black Educational Theatre, on O'farrel between Fillmore and Webster, San Francisco. While both taught in Black Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, they worked off campus at Marvin's theatre in San Francisco, producing a fifty cast musical verson of Marvin's  BAM classic Flowers for the Trashman, retitled Take Care of Business