This Thursday, October 20, the City of Oakland celebrates the first annual “Love Life Day,” a free event honoring those who are uplifting love and helping prevent violence in our communities.
Hosted by Oakland Cultural Strategist Kev Choice, the event will feature performances by:
- Mistah F.A.B.
- Kev Choice Ensemble
- Karega Bailey of Sol Development
- Loove Moore
- Oakland’s Poet Laureate, Ayodele Nzinga
- DJ Red Corvette
- The City's own Roberto Bedoya, Cultural Affairs Manager
Join Oakland’s artist community, neighbors, City staff, and visionaries for an uplifting gathering of love, with free food, music, and art.
Event Details:
When: Thursday, October 20 from 5 – 7 pm
Where: Frank H. Ogawa Plaza Amphitheater
In April 2016, the City of Oakland adopted an official city motto in memory of 16-year old Lo'Eshe Lacy. Lo'Eshe in Nigerian Igbo means "love life," a rallying cry to embody Oakland love.
For more information: https://www.oaklandca.gov/events/oaklandlovelife-day
#oaklandlovelife
Special “Keys to the City” Presentation
In addition to the entertainment, Mayor Libby Schaaf will be presenting keys to the City honoring four Oaklanders who have made an enormous, positive difference in Oakland over many years. “By attaining a Key to the City,” Mayor Schaaf wrote to the recipients, “you are formally acclaimed as a longtime Oakland resident whose achievements are known beyond Oakland and have helped put Oakland “on the map;” whose work has fostered a greater sense of belonging in Oakland; who gives back to Oakland through community service; and whose work exemplifies Oakland values and our unique ethos or “secret sauce.”
On Love Life Day, Mayor Schaaf will present Keys to the City to:
Mistah F.A.B.—American rapper, songwriter, entrepreneur, community organizer and activist. Organizes annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaways, backpack and school supply drives, holiday toys event and various charitable events benefiting cancer patients and domestic violence survivors.
Bishop Yvette A. Flunder—Founded Ark of Refuge, Inc., which provides housing, direct services, education and training for persons affected by HIV/AIDS in the Bay Area, throughout the USA and in three countries in Africa – starting at a time when HIV/AIDS was still heavily stigmatized.
Marilyn Washington Harris—Following the tragic murder of her 18-year-old son, founded the Khadafy Washington Foundation for Non-violence, which supports many efforts to prevent violence and support Oakland families who have lost a loved one to homicide.
Russell Jeung—Co-founded Stop AAPI Hate, helping to raise awareness of how racialized rhetoric around the novel coronavirus’s origins has uniquely targeted people of Asian descent while fueling a new generation of intersectional activism.