LETS CELEBRATE LGBTQ+ WELLNESS + REPAINT THE ALL BLACK LIVES LGBTQ+ MURAL for OAKLAND PRIDE!

Join us Sat. Sept 3rd 8:30-10:30am PST to celebrate Oakland Pride by repainting the iconic 2020 EQUITY RAINBOW mural uplifting the lives of Black LGBTQIA+ people!

Sat. Sept 3rd 8:30-10:30am PST - We welcome you to join us as we refresh the BLACK QUEER + TRANS LIVES MATTER / OAKLAND PRIDE MURAL at THE LAKE MERRITT GARDEN CENTER (in front of the word "ALL") in Oakland! 

No previous skills are required. ALL BEINGS are invited to join the project - which includes the mural and a pledge (Read, sign + share the mural’s message: https://bit.ly/ALLBLMMuralSolidarityStatement). It is a project - conceived by Black and Indigenous Queer Trans Nonbinary artists - that sends a message of hope and resilience to all - especially the most marginalized among us.

This art-in-action continues Oakland's legacy as one of the nation's most recognized communities for progressive actions, protests, and effective resistance to white supremacy, bi/trans/homophobia, ableism, and misogyny.

WHAT TO BRING:

Volunteers are asked to bring “mess-friendly clothing and shoes”, gloves and masks (we will also have some optional PPE available). We welcome you to bring paint rollers if you have them. We also will provide paint, painting supplies, and guidance. Donations to support the mural supplies are appreciated.

HOW TO SUPPORT:

Read, sign and share the mural’s message: https://bit.ly/ALLBLMMuralSolidarityStatement Join us every September during Oakland Pride to refresh the mural with a lovely coat of paint. Donate to our paint and painting materials drive (either by donating funds and/or bringing rollers, trays, drop cloths, buckets, and gallons of water).

THANK YOU + PLEASE SHARE THE LINK BELOW TO THIS SIGN-UP SHEET WITH YOUR FRIENDS + FAMILY. To ensure that we have enough paint rollers - please have each person - even children - fill out their own!

SIGN UP LINK: https://www.queerartscenter.com/calendar

OURSTORY: 

THE ABLM OAKLAND PRIDE (EQUITY RAINBOW) MURAL + A MESSAGE OF HOPE/RESILIENCE:

In June 2020, a summer of societal disjoint and community disconnect, the lives of all Black folks - especially marginalized Black folks were further devalued as the reality of a new global pandemic unfurled. For many of us, the pandemic is one of many ills and oppressions that we already face. Our community was more disproportionately impacted by COVID19 than most others.

As more people sought ways to vent their despair - abuse targeting our community increased. Violence (racist, trans/homo/biphobic in particular) was openly denied and overlooked even more. We are the most at-risk population and yet, we were being rendered voiceless and invisible. We had to do something.

Kin Folkz (The Queer Healing Arts Center) envisioned a mural and crafted a pledge to bring attention to the plight of any being who lives the experiences of any of the identities Black, Trans, Queer, NonBinary, Woman, Disabled, or Imprisoned - especially those of us who experience it all as intersecting truths. Kin sought out other groups to partner with and make the mural and the pledge a reality.

Kin Folkz (The Queer Healing Arts Center) designed the mural with Nkosi Smith and partnered with Janetta Johnson (TGIJP), Guerrilla Davis (We Are The Ones), Endeavors and 13 other Black + Indigenous QT artists (listed below), to lay down the massive stencil and over 250 community members came to fill it in - the mural was finally brought to life.

As the largest + longest (7 blocks long) mural in Oakland, to date, the mural has attracted attention worldwide. It was recently included in the city's 100th Anniversary video celebrating Lake Merritt. The affirming pledge to engage mindful practices and take action to protect marginalized beings has been signed by individuals and organizations across the globe.

THE ARTISTS

Imani Smith (graphic designer)

Nkosi Smith (graphic designer)

Aala Oni

Aika Eden

Bash

Derrick Bell

Fiera Ferrari

Guerrilla Davis

Kahalla

Kin Folkz (lead designer)

Olivia Ramos

Queen Sen Sen

Sasha Kelley

Vee Vee

Violet Batista

Janetta Johnson