Hop on the bus! Explore the BLAC Map in real life.
In partnership with MOAD’s Nexus: SF/Bay Area Black Art Week, The BLAC Map Tour is a guided field trip visiting the creative spaces stewarded by BLACspace Cooperative members, keeping Oakland’s Black arts and culture ecosystem alive. Meet the artists and cultural workers behind each space, while experiencing art, film, music, movement, and culture along the way.
Your ticket includes:
Guided bus transportation throughout the tour
Visits to MOAD, Minnesota Street Project, The Barn, B-Love’s Guest House, Koo Labs Production & Design Center, BAM House, and BlaQyard with experiences led by Artist As First Responder, Black Arts Movement Business District Community Development Corporation (BAMBD CDC), East Bay Permanent Real Estate Cooperative (EBPREC), Just BE Community, Kingmakers of Oakland, Omnira Institute, 7000COILS, and more.
Photography and art exhibitions
Film screenings
Traditional ancestral ceremony
Somatic activation
Opportunities to meet BLACspace members and local culture-keepers
Beverages and snacks
Dinner at our final stop, The BLAC Map Party!
Meet us at MoAD SF on Friday, October 2nd, 2026 at 11:30 AM. We will gather at the front entrance - 685 Mission St, SF 94105. Bus departs at 12 PM sharp!
Why we’re doing it
Arts funding is shrinking, cultural spaces are disappearing, and Black arts organizations are being asked to do more with less. BLACspace is working to change that by connecting our ecosystem to the relationships, knowledge, resources, and capital needed to remain rooted for the long haul.
This tour is an expression of our love for the people, places, and cultural work that make the Bay what it is. Come see what we’re building and why it deserves to remain rooted.
Hop on our bus and visit a selection of BLACspace member spaces: studios, cultural hubs, creative spaces, small businesses, and places shaping Oakland’s arts and culture economy.
Within the tour participants will be joining our guides to experience studio visits, photography exhibitions, film screenings, somatic activations, live music and performances.
Some of our tour locations include Minnesota Street Project, B-Love Guest House, Koo Labs Production & Design Studio, BAM House & BlaQyard. These locations will be activated by arts and culture anchors including Artist as First Responders, BAMBD CDC, EBPREC, Just BE, Kingmakers of Oakland, Omnira Institute,7000 Coils & more.
The BLAC Map Tour begins in San Francisco outside of MOAD as our meet up location & ends at BLAQYARD in Oakland’s Fruitvale District. The guided tour includes transportation (from the meet up location, to all tour destinations including the final stop), beverages, snacks and dinner.
Registration Closes Sept 18th
Tour Schedule
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We have free tickets for those that are interested in checking out the amazing exhibitions at the Museum of African Diaspora. This stop is optional & a great add for those that want to dive into the MOAD’s latest exhibition.
Museum of African Diaspora, 685 Mission St, San Francisco, CA
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We know our people, we encourage everyone to arrive at 11:30 to give yourself some time to get settled, set a coffee, maybe take a call and get your dibs on the bus seat.
Museum of African Diaspora, 685 Mission St, San Francisco, CA
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Join Artist As First Responder for a midday/First Friday OPEN STUDIO and Artist Talk featuring independent curator Ashara Ekundayo and the former Black Panther Party Minister of Culture Baba Emory Douglas.
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Meet the powerhouse team of EBPREC developing 7th Street Museum & West Oakland’s historic 7th Street Corridor.
The Barn : 1726 7th Street, Oakland, California -
As a part of BLACspace Cooperative's BLAC Map Tour, B-Love’s Guest House is inviting the community to experience the photographic artworks of Traci Bartlow accompanied by a somatic activation facilitated by Just BE.
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Visit Kingmarkers Open Studio to view Youth Arts created within their dynamic creative production programs. While also viewing an excerpt of Betti Ono Foundation latest documentary “Art & Everyday People : The Story of the Betti Ono Foundation”.
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Facilitated a conversation among Black Women in Theater on the Importance of the Black female voice in shaping the field. Artists ayodele nzinga, founder of Lower Bottom Playaz, Inc and Rainin Theater Fellow; Margo Hall, Lorraine Hansberry and Rainin Theater Fellow; Cat Brooks, Creative Power Award Fellow, and invited guests discuss theater-making, craft, and the future of the field.
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Once we arrive to BlaQyard we will all share a meal to gather and nourish ourselves at the last stop of the tour. We encourage everyone to stay with us through the night to the BLAC Map Party 5-8PM. If you are unable to stay, we still encourage you to explore BlaQyard and see the art installation “ Death Gives Love Meaning” by 7000COILS & Tiffani Marie.
BlaQyard, Fruitvale District, Oakland (address given after RSVP) -
A lush celebration of the people, places, and ideas shaping Black arts and culture in Oakland and beyond. The forest is growing. Come Celebrate. Come for the music and art. Stay for the company.Meet the BLAC ecosystem.
The BLAC Map Party features an opening ceremony by Omnira Institute. The organization proudly features a vibrant choir, Awon Ohun Omnira. This choir showcases an eclectic repertoire that honors its roots. It includes powerful chants sung in the Yoruba language and soul-stirring songs from the African American tradition known as the Ring Shout.On view “ Death Gives Love Meaning” by 7000COILS & Tiffani Marie.
Death Gives Love Meaning is a multi-modal exhibition centered on Joshua Tree, a short film following two Black, queer, femme lovers navigating an intentional, loving ending.
Our featured DJ Shino Smokes
BlaQyard, Fruitvale District, Oakland (address given after RSVP)