Oaklanders Say ‘We Still Here’ With a 510 Day Rally and Free Concert

For the past nine years on May 10, Oaklanders born and raised in the Town have been celebrating 510 Day with the rallying cry of “We Still Here.” Part party, part protest, 510 Day brings together artists and activists to uplift local culture and strategize about strengthening Black, brown and working class communities in the face of gentrification.

Hosted by rapper, poet, thespian (and co-host of the KQED-produced vodcast What’s Pimpin’?) RyanNicole and community advocate Kenzie Smith, festivities kick off at 1 p.m. at Lake Merritt with an artist vendor marketplace on Lakeshore and Grand Avenues. DJ Infinxte Soul will spin to get the vibe right; at 3:30 p.m., young people are invited to make their voices heard in a youth rally and march that takes off on Lakeshore, across from the Cleveland Cascade stairs. At 4 p.m., unhoused Oaklanders will take the mic and share their experiences.

Starting promptly at 5:10 p.m. at the pillars of the Pergola, the evening will continue on the We Still Here main stage with performances from Oakland Poet Laureate Ayodele Nzinga, hip-hop artists Raw G, Champ Green and Loove Moore, youth org 67 Sueños and others. A second Black Market Stage will feature additional performances from Felonious Music Group.

Mistah F.A.B.’s Dope Era Whips car club will post up across from the We Still Here stage. Performances continue until 8 p.m. Afterwards, Black, the Bay’s “mother of DJs,” will close out the evening with a Days Like This dance party, in homage to the free dance music gathering at the lake.

510 Day is sponsored by The Village, a grassroots organization supporting unhoused people; Communities United for Restorative Justice and Young Women’s Freedom Center (which both fight mass incarceration and support system-impacted youth); and other community groups.

510 Day is free to attend on May 10, 1–10 p.m. For the full schedule and updates, check the @510Day Instagram.