Our June 23 event features local celebrity chef Tu David Phu, Dreamer and restaurateur Reyna Maldonado, and Homies Empowerment co-founder and community activist César Cruz.
Author Archives: Jacob Simas
Jacob Simas is Managing Editor of The Oaklandside. He joined us from Univision, where he led social-impact initiatives and established the Rise Up: Be Heard journalism training program for young people and community organizers in underserved areas of California. He was a senior editor and director of youth and community media at New America Media, where he led a community news network that amplified student and youth reporting in California news deserts. Simas has lived in Oakland for the past decade with his wife and two children, who attend Oakland public schools. He is an advisory board member for Youth Beat and a former volunteer host and producer with KPFA.
Posted inArts & Community
Oakland Roots to start a women’s soccer team
The new team, ‘Oakland Soul,’ will make its debut in 2023.
Posted inArts & Community
This week in Oakland: Planting at Arroyo-Viejo, Earth Day at Jack London Square
Other events include: a live reading by Harold Green III, hiking the Stream Trail at Redwood Regional, and School of the Arts Jazz Night at Yoshi’s
Posted inArts & Community
This week in Oakland: MLK Shoreline, Knowland Park, boating on Lake Merritt
Oakland schools are on spring break, so we’re recommending a few outdoor activities for the family. Plus: an Oakland A’s opening day watch party, and flamenco at Duende.
Posted inArts & Community
‘Culture Makers’ will celebrate the people who make Oakland unique
The Oaklandside is launching a quarterly event series featuring lively discussions, colorful performances, and flavorful local eats. We’ll debut at the New Parkway Theater on March 24.
Posted inHow We Work
The Oaklandside wins 3 awards for excellence in journalism
The Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists recognized our newsroom in their investigative, commentary, and web-design categories.
Posted inHow We Work
The Oaklandside honored with 2021 local news awards
The Institute for Nonprofit News honored us with their “Game Changer” award and three honorable mentions. Our newsroom also won a LION award for “Best Coronavirus Coverage.” Here’s a look back at our stories, initiatives, and people being recognized.
Posted inHow We Work
The Oaklandside welcomes 2 new reporters: David DeBolt and Jose Fermoso
Award-winning Bay Area journalist DeBolt will report on City Hall and policing, while Fermoso joins the newsroom on a Knight-Wallace Fellowship to examine the reasons for Oakland’s unsafe streets.
Posted inHealth & Environment
Watch: Oakland community leaders weigh in on rising gun violence
The Oaklandside recorded conversations with five local organizers who’ve been directly impacted by violence to better understand why it’s happening, and what can be done to prevent it.
Posted inOaklandside
Cómo reportamos sobre la vida de Mario González
Nuestra sala de redacción se esfuerza por informar responsablemente y con mucho cuidado sobre la vida de aquellas personas afectadas por violencia. Queríamos compartir más sobre nuestro enfoque de esta historia.
Posted inHow We Work
How we reported on the life of Mario Gonzalez
Striving to report responsibly on the lives of people impacted by violence requires great care. We wanted to share more on our approach to this story.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
‘We still have so much work to do’: East Oakland residents gather to process the Chauvin verdict
We asked community members at a sunset healing circle at Liberation Park to share their feelings about the murder conviction of the Minneapolis officer who killed George Floyd.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
A win for local journalism: Judge says Oakland Police Department must comply with Public Records Act
The ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed by two journalists, including The Oaklandside’s news editor, Darwin BondGraham.
Posted inEducation Equity
‘Larger than life’: Mr. Brooks was more than a teacher to students and colleagues at Oakland Tech
When Wayne Brooks passed away on March 19, he left with a 50-year legacy as a student and beloved educator at the North Oakland high school.
Posted inHealth & Environment
More Oaklanders left sick and in the dark as COVID surges and county says it can’t keep up
After Maria González got sick, she expected a follow-up call from county health workers. Why didn’t it come?
Posted inArts & Community
Radio B’alam is ready to serve Oakland’s immigrant Mam community
The online radio station will feature local news, music, and community conversations, all in the indigenous Mam language.
Posted inArts & Community
Holiday shopping? The Black Cultural Zone’s outdoor market is open for business this Sunday
This month’s holiday-themed Akoma market will feature local farmers, food vendors, artists, and retailers selling their wares in a festive—and COVID-safe—environment.
Posted inHealth & Environment
Peace parade planned for Sunday in Oakland neighborhoods suffering from gun violence
The walk in East Oakland will launch a yearlong violence reduction initiative and call for a citywide truce in the wake of surging violence.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
These Oakland civic groups are finding new ways to mobilize voters during the pandemic
Voter registration efforts have focused on East and West Oakland, where voter turnout has been lowest.
Posted inHow We Work
Work with us to ‘Amplify Oakland’ through first-person storytelling
In the coming months, we’ll be sharing the mic with more Oaklanders who have important stories about life in our city. This is how we’re planning to do it, and why.