Cal Humanities

"The understanding of a culture comes from hearing the language, tasting the food, seeing personal interactions, experiencing the traditions, and so much more in context."

— Elizabeth Laval & Candice Pendergrass, Sikh Youth Public History Project

"The understanding of a culture comes from hearing the language, tasting the food, seeing personal interactions, experiencing the traditions, and so much more when it is in context."

— Elizabeth Laval & Candice Pendergrass, Sikh Youth Public History Project

Help Us Celebrate An Iconic Oakland Landmark!

Swan’s Market Centennial Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, July 22nd
Panel Discussion and Writing Workshop
at California Humanities
538 9th Street, Second Floor of Swan’s Market in Oakland
 

Old Swan’s Market

Tucked away from the bustle of downtown Oakland and vibrancy of Chinatown, you’ll find the white tile of Swan’s Market glistening in Old Oakland. Historically known as Housewives Market, Swan’s Market has been a place of commerce and gathering for community members and small business owners since 1917. It is and has been so much more than an average market with an assortment of vendors. Once the subject of Dorothea Lange’s documentary photographs and the sight of notable events such as the Civil Rights Movement “Don’t Buy Where You Can’t Work” campaign, the walls of Swan’s are alive with history.

California Humanities moved its Northern California office to Swan’s Market in summer 2015 – an appropriate location for an organization that is passionate about history and values community gathering and learning. On July 22nd California Humanities, neighboring businesses, and The East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) are joining forces to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Swan’s Market. As part of the neighborhood Open House, we’ve organized a two part event about neighborhood and storytelling. We hope to see you there!

Panel Discussion: What makes a neighborhood?
Local community members and leaders will discuss the changes our neighborhoods face and how community members can respond to those changes with integrity and respect for the history of a place.

This conversation features:

Mayor Libby Schaaf of the City of Oakland
Kimberly Mayfield, Associate Professor and Chair of Education at Holy Names College
Gayle (Asali) Dickson©, artist and member of the Black Panther Party from 1970-1976. Moderated by Jeremy Liu, Senior Fellow for Arts Culture and Equitable Development
at PolicyLink.

This event is free and open to the public.
Space is limited so please register HERE.
1:00 – 2:15 PM

Writing Workshop: Where I Come From
Have you ever wanted to record a meaningful memory on paper? Here’s your chance to learn how to craft your own flash memoir! Bay Area-based writer, editor, and experienced writing coach, Frances Lefkowitz, will lead a 2 hour workshop in our office.

Lefkowitz is known for her ingenuity and enthusiasm in bringing out the best of both beginning and advanced writers. She is the author of To Have Not, a memoir of growing up poor, white, and female in 1970s San Francisco. She is also the founder and director of the Community Memoir Project, which brings memoir-writing workshops to public libraries.

All levels of writers are welcome.
Writing materials will be provided.
Ages 14+ recommended.

This event is free and open to the public.
Space is limited so please register HERE
3:00 – 5:00 PM

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