Greetings,
On the heels of Juneteenth, summer is officially here. Before we share news on staffing, partners, and programs, OPC Board President Rev. Dr. Monica Joy Cross shares a statement on Juneteenth, freedom, and the fight for voting rights:
Juneteenth stands as both a celebration and a call to conscience. On June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas finally learned of their freedom. Today, Juneteenth reminds us that freedom delayed is freedom denied, and that the struggle for justice did not end with emancipation. Across the nation, Black communities transformed Juneteenth into a living testimony of resilience, culture, faith, and collective hope for a more just society.
Yet the promise of freedom was quickly challenged by systems designed to suppress Black political and economic power. Following Reconstruction, poll taxes, literacy tests, violence, and intimidation were used to prevent African Americans from exercising the right to vote. The long struggle for voting rights became one of the central movements of the Civil Rights era, culminating in the passage of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965. That victory was achieved through the sacrifice of organizers, clergy, students, laborers, and ordinary citizens who believed democracy must include everyone.
Today, the fight for voting rights continues. Across the country, communities are facing renewed efforts to limit access to the ballot through voter roll purges, restrictive voting laws, reduced polling access, and disinformation campaigns. These modern barriers disproportionately impact poor people, communities of color, elders, people with disabilities, and young voters. Juneteenth calls us not only to remember history, but to recognize how the unfinished work of freedom still shapes our present reality.
At the Oakland Peace Center, Juneteenth is an opportunity to recommit ourselves to justice, civic engagement, and beloved community. Honoring Juneteenth means protecting the right of every person to participate fully in our democracy. It means educating our communities about the power of voting, advocating for equitable policies, and standing in solidarity with those whose voices are too often marginalized. As we celebrate liberation, we also renew our commitment to building a society where freedom, dignity, and democracy are truly accessible to all.
- Rev. Dr. Monica Joy Cross Board President, Oakland Peace Center |
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Welcome Wood Street Commons to OPC |
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| We welcomed Wood Street Commons to OPC this spring! Now located at OPC, Wood Street Commons supports mutual aid among unhoused people and advocates for housing solutions informed by those with lived-experience of being unhoused. They regularly distribute food and clothing and host community meals.
Wood Street Commons began as a response to systemic displacement and deepening housing crises in Oakland. Formed by unhoused residents and allies, they’ve built a strong, interdependent community on the principles of mutual aid, dignity, and collective care. Despite facing fires, evictions, and ongoing city-led displacement, they continue to create pathways toward long-term stability and liberation.
They provide mutual aid to unhoused communities, and do advocacy to help our unhoused relatives have a better quality of life. They envision a future where unhoused people are decision-makers in the solutions that affect them — with access to safe shelter, wellness, and power.
We're excited to partner with Wood Street Commons! They've already brought great energy and some "TLC" to the space. |
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New On-site Property Manager |
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To better steward space at Oakland Peace Center, we've hired Sky Nebula (they/them) as our new on-site Property Manager!
Sky brings over 20 years of experience as a community builder to Oakland Peace Center. Much of their work has centered LGBTQ+ community and spirituality through work including two-spirit ceremonies, sweat lodges, and gatherings with the radical faerie community. Sky also brings over 15 years of experience working with queer youth through time at drop-in and community centers like Lambert House and Orbit Youth Space. As a connector and community steward, Sky has brought folks together from different spiritual backgrounds to host radical self-care events for youth and activists. As Property Manager, Sky will facilitate community access to space at OPC and help building operations run smoothly. Welcome to the team, Sky! |
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Community Resilience Garden |
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| | Thanks to a partnership with the East Bay Permaculture Guild and Wood Street Commons, we've revitalized the edible garden at Oakland Peace Center. At a time when funding is cut to essential programs like SNAP and financial strains increase, we are glad to partner with folks in the community to provide free, nutritious food. All are welcome to stop by and harvest anything from the garden.
With volunteer support and donations from Grand Lake Ace Garden Center and Urban Ore, we're currently growing: kale, arugula, green beans, peas, chard, tomatoes, squash, corn, potatoes, strawberries, sage, and mint. If you're interested in getting your hands in the dirt while connecting with folks, stay tuned for the next monthly garden workparty. Our tentative date is July 20th from 10am-1pm.
The East Bay Permaculture Guild is a volunteer-led community group bringing together everyone interested in permaculture –from the “permie-curious” to recent graduates of permaculture design courses to longtime professional designers. They host meetings and other opportunities to build relationships, share resources, collaborate on projects and educate each other to catalyze a vibrant regenerative movement rooted in permaculture principles. Join their monthly meeting/potluck on the second Monday of each month from 6:00-8:30pm at OPC.
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In partnership with Project Niner, Oakland Peace Center is hosting weekly Write-In's. This program provides a peaceful place for writers to work along side one another and build community. Whether or not you become the next Baldwin, your perspective and stories matter.
OPC values artistic expression as a healing practice and welcomes the sharing of different perspectives. Join us at an upcoming Write-In for dedicated space to put pen to paper or tap on keys.
Janine Kovac of Project Niner is an award-winning author writing about human trafficking, sexual violence, and the cognitive science of motherhood. Her work is a fiscally sponsored project of Fractured Atlas. |
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| As part of our work to increase capacity for peace, Oakland Peace Center offers office and event space well below-market rates. Help us share this space!
If you know of nonprofits or community organizers that need affordable office or event space, please spread the word that Oakland Peace Center would be happy to host. OPC has event spaces for gatherings such as: team retreats, community trainings, art practices or performances, and meetings small or large. Nonprofit office space is also available on a month-to-month basis. Free on-site parking as well as event and office furniture are available.
We operate Oakland Peace Center to provide Oakland’s diverse communities and network of nonprofits with physical space to connect, reflect, and plan various pathways to peace together under one roof. Click here to request space at OPC. |
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Peace begins with You. Violence, hate, and injustice end with Us. |
Oakland Peace Center provides space, collaborative events, and capacity-building programs for a network of community-based, BIPOC-led organizations that amplify peace in the Bay Area through the arts, mental health and spiritual practices, (youth) leadership development, and community organizing to reduce injustices resulting from hate, violence, and capitalism.
By donating to Oakland Peace Center, you support a network of artists, activists, cultural workers, educators, and nonprofits collaborating to bring about a city of hope, justice, and compassion. |
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