Mellon Foundation Updates

Hello Spring!

We wanted to take a moment to update you on the incredible activities that we, Moms 4 Housing, have been involved in. With the support of the Mellon Foundation, we have been collaborating with UC Berkeley, primarily with Dr. Brandi Summers head of the Geography department, and a group of passionate undergraduate and graduate students, on a project called the “Archive of Urban Futures.”

This project is focused on addressing questions related to the right to place, memory, erasure, and community value, and aims to create a collection of materials, including documents, images, recordings, and maps, that reflect Oakland’s past, present, and future. We have also been organizing community-based workshops on the history and politics of eminent domain, as well as our upcoming workshop  “Manifesting a Future for Black Oakland”. These activities have been a powerful way to engage with our community and explore the rich history of Oakland’s urban landscape.

Moreover, we have been working on creating political “power maps” of housing justice organizations, organizing an oral history summer institute, offering speculative walking tours, and putting together an art exhibition. These projects are part of the larger goal of creating an archive of Oakland’s urban futures, organized around three themes: “The Afterlife of Urban Renewal,” “The Living Archive,” and “Reclaim and Remain.”

By coming together as a community, we are able to explore the potential of urban spaces to shape our collective future in a way that is just, equitable, and sustainable. We hope that you will consider joining us for one or all of the upcoming events. 

Please stay tuned to our social media channels for updates.

Thank you for your continued support and belief in our work. Together, we can create a brighter future for Oakland and beyond.