Photos: A new annual block party kicks off in deep East Oakland
The first-ever East Oakland Futures Fest took place over Juneteenth weekend, a celebration of culture and neighborhood featuring scraper bikes, food vendors, art, and live music performances.
Over the Juneteenth weekend, 90th Avenue in East Oakland hosted the first annual East Oakland Futures Fest, an afro-futurist-themed block party with food, art, and music performances.
A portion of the avenue was commemorated by the city as “Scraperbike Way,” and a new sign was unveiled to mark the designation. The nearly mile-long section of road and bike path, stretching between MacArthur and International boulevards, was designed by OakDOT in collaboration with the Scraper Bike Team in 2019 and completed in 2020. Councilmember Treva Reid (D7) made an appearance and spoke at the event, highlighting the group’s community work and efforts of culture-keeping in this part of East Oakland.
Brytanee Brown, one of the lead organizers and founder of Emergent Labs, also spoke at the event.
“This orange paint that you’re on—this is Scraperbike Way,” she said. “We wanted to make sure that after we finished painting the street, the community could come out and see it in its full glory. We were very intentional about not having this in downtown Oakland,” she added. “This is deep East Oakland—and we need a block party in deep east Oakland.”
Brytanee Brown, a lead organizer for the festival, speaks to the crowd while on stage with partners and collaborators. Credit: Amir AzizNew “Scraper Bike Way” signs were added to 90th Avenue. Credit: Amir Aziz
City Councilmember Treva Reid (D7) and Tyrone “Champ” Stevenson of the Scraper Bike Team speak to the crowd about the festival and the bike path commemoration. Credit: Amir Aziz
City Councilmember Treva Reid, Tyrone “Champ” Stevenson of Scraper Bike Team, and Mateo Ramirez-Mercado, a representative for Reid’s office. Credit: Amir AzizMembers of Acta Non Verba’s Youth Urban Farm Project gave away free fresh produce to attendees. Credit: Amir AzizAaron De La Cerda of Acta Non Verba demonstrates a seed propagation process using clay. Credit: Amir AzizGanja Yoga instructor Lady Namastizzle leads meditative yoga at the festival. Credit: Amir AzizTurfing dance crew Turf Feinz made an appearance at the festival. Credit: Amir AzizDancers and members of Turf Feinz performing at the festival Credit: Amir AzizTyrone “Champ” Stevenson of Scraper Bike Team rides a long 90th Avenue on his scraper bike. Credit: Amir AzizThe Scraper Bike Team poses for a photo with food vendor Norman Ford. Credit: Amir AzizLocal community members, artists, teachers, attend the festival in East Oakland. Credit: Amir AzizDJ Shellheart plays a set. Credit: Amir AzizDJ Swang poses for a photo during a set with Kenneth Munson. Credit: Amir AzizOakland singer Two14 performs. Credit: Amir AzizAfricaOakland brand owner Josephine Ayankoya (center) poses for a photo with festival attendees. Credit: Amir AzizChef Beatrice with Peach Cobbler Nacho’s. Credit: Amir AzizVendors lined both sides of 90th Avenue with food, gifts, clothing, art and more. Credit: Amir AzizReps from the Oakland Fire Department and city talked with festival attendees about community emergency response and how to get involved. Credit: Amir AzizA festival attendee learns about the San Leandro creek greenway trail project. Credit: Amir AzizArtist Zoe Boston offered free face-painting to festival goers. Credit: Amir AzizFestival attendees pass by the face painting booth on their way through the event with flowers in hand. Credit: Amir AzizA painted wall with the names of recently departed community members was as a photo backdrop for attendees. Credit: Amir AzizScraperbike Way on 90th Avenue was painted in 2019 and finished in 2020. Credit: Amir AzizOakland-based artist Timothy B. paints under the shade of trees. Credit: Amir AzizArtist Creative Shields works on a painting during the festival. He also has books has books for sale. Credit: Amir AzizThe Scraper Bikeway is a nearly mile-long section of road and bike path, stretching between MacArthur and International boulevards along 90th Avenue in deep east Oakland.
Amir Aziz is a photographer and videographer from Oakland, California. Using photography as his primary medium, Amir documents life and times in his community and the rapid changes in his environment. He's covered music events and social justice movements in the U.S. and abroad for local and international publications. Before shelter-in-place, he traveled to over 10 countries producing multimedia projects juxtaposing the experiences of locals elsewhere to those in his hometown of Oakland. Amir hopes to continue to bridge the gap between African diaspora communities and oppressed groups in the world through multimedia storytelling.
