Celebrating Black History Month and Our Own Black History Right Here in Oakland
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Celebrating Black History Month and Our Own Black History Right Here in Oakland
Celebrating Black History Month and Our Own Black History Right Here in Oakland
Celebrating Black History Month and Our Own Black History Right Here in Oakland
Here in Black History Month, we take this time to honor the profound legacy, contributions, and resilience of Black leaders, educators, artists, and changemakers who have shaped Oakland, the Bay Area, and beyond. Black history is part of the fabric of our city—it is not confined to a single month but lives in the past, present, and future of our communities.
Here in Oakland, Black history is being made every day. From the historic leadership of the Black Panther Party, to the cultural and artistic contributions of Bay Area icons like Maya Angelou, Zendaya, and Ryan Coogler, our community continues to shape the national landscape. And we see that same spirit in our students, who are the future of Black excellence, innovation, and leadership.
This week, McClymonds High School is honoring one of our own—a sports and civil rights icon—by renaming its newly renovated gym after NBA Hall of Famer Bill Russell. His legacy extends far beyond the basketball court. As a champion for racial justice, an advocate for education, and a leader who stood firm in the face of adversity, Russell embodies the spirit of resilience and determination that defines Oakland.
Black history is not just something we reflect on—it’s something we create together. Across our district, students, educators, families, and community partners are celebrating and uplifting Black voices, culture, and achievements. I want to recognize the dedication of our teachers, school leaders, staff, and partners who work every day to ensure our students see themselves reflected in their education and have every opportunity to thrive.
We are also grateful for the many individuals and organizations who help bring Black history to life in our schools. From the celebratory and commemorative events hosted by our schools to the Oakland Public Education Fund’s African American Literature Read-In Week, where volunteers share powerful stories with our students, it is inspiring to see our community come together to honor and build upon the legacy of Black excellence.
As we celebrate, we also look ahead. This year’s Black History Month booklist, curated by The Blackest Book Club, is centered on the theme “Imagine a Brighter Future.” We encourage you to explore these powerful stories and consider what it means to build a future where Black voices, dreams, and achievements continue to thrive in Oakland and beyond.
I invite you all to join us in lifting up and honoring the Black excellence that surrounds us, not just this month, but every day.
In community,
Kyla Johnson-Trammell
Superintendant
February 2025 is the 99th iteration of Black History Month, which began as Negro History Week, founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926. Black History Month honors the wealth and impact of African American history, heritage, and culture in Oakland, the United States, and the world. Black History Month is a time of revitalization, revival, and empowerment to remind us to continue learning, teaching, and sharing Black contributions, culture, and history from Black History Month, which we want everyone to celebrate all year long.
We invite our community to honor the diversity of Oakland by learning more about the experiences and cultures of our community. This year, OUSD is celebrating and elevating Black History Month with the theme UBUNTU "TOGETHER WE RISE & THRIVE IN 2025".
Ubuntu - I Am Because We Are
Ubuntu, an African philosophy, embodies interconnectedness, compassion, and communal harmony. It emphasizes the idea that "I am because we are," advocating for a shared humanity where individuals thrive through mutual support and respect.
The word "ubuntu" comes from the Zulu proverb Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu, which means "a person is a person through other people". The word is also found in other Bantu languages, such as Xhosa, and in other sub-Saharan languages.
Nelson Mandela believed that it was the key to building a more just and equitable society. In his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, he wrote, “Ubuntu is the essence of being human.” "Ubuntu" can be roughly translated as "humanity to others" or "I am because we are." The core interpretation of the word is humanity rooted in kindness. The concept of "ubuntu" has been passed down through oral tradition throughout Africa for generations. The concept was popularized in the 1950s in the writings of Jordan Kush Ngubane. In the 1970s, "ubuntu" began to be described as a type of "African humanism."
Ubuntu can be applied to cultivate all youth into leaders who are compassionate, community-oriented, and committed to the holistic development of their schools and greater community. Ubuntu promotes the idea that our well-being is intrinsically linked to the well-being of others. The practice encourages individuals to prioritize communal values over individualistic pursuits, thereby fostering environments where mutual respect and cooperation thrive. UBUNTU: Together, we rise and thrive in 2025. ASE!
The Office of Equity's African American Female Excellence (AAFE) and African American Male Achievement (AAMA) programs, and schools throughout OUSD are celebrating Black History Month and raising awareness of African American historical legacy throughout the diaspora with a diverse array of African American-themed events, activities, calls to action, and opportunities to amplify student, family, and staff voices from OUSD’s African American community.
Oakland 2025 Black History Month Community Events
Oakland Education Fund Annual African American Read-In Week
February 10 - 14, 2025
Celebrate Black History as a guest reader for African-American Read-In Week at one of our elementary schools. The Oakland Education Fund will provide the books and share tips before the event.
HBCU Classic at the Oakland Arena
Morehouse College vs. Tuskegee University
February 15, 2025 at 2:00pm
Oakland Arena (7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA 94621)
8th Annual Black Joy Parade
Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 12:30pm
Downtown Oakland
Black Joy Parade is a hyper-positive non-profit based in Oakland, CA that celebrates the Black experience and community's contribution to history and culture with its signature parade and celebration, partnerships and events.
The African American Experience: Through the Arts
Friday, February 28, 2025
Three shows: 10:15 AM, 12:25 PM or 2:00 PM (choose one)
Castlemont High School (8601 MacArthur Blvd.)
Join Oakland Performing Arts Intensive (OPAI) as we journey through the African American experience, and take you along a timeline beginning in West Africa, and ending in present day USA. This assembly is curated for OUSD students, staff, and the community, in partnership with OUSD performing arts educators. Everyone is welcome!
MLK Oratorical Festival
Final Showcase: March 2, 2025
Oakland’s legendary Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical Festival has been one of the most popular district-wide events in Oakland for over forty years! Come out to celebrate our performers.