BLAC
Liberation and Cooperativism
BLACSspace is a dedicated cooperative that supports the flourishing of Black arts and culture organizations in Oakland.
unity
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
mutual aid
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
storytelling
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
BLAC_______________________
Black Liberation and Cooperativism
BlacSpace Cooperative is a hub for a thriving Black arts and culture ecosystem in Oakland.
We connect and sustain a member network of Black-led spaces through mutual aid, infrastructure support, and amplifying stories.
By holding space to heal and build shared power, we strengthen our roots.
unity
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
mutual aid
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
storytelling
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
“We are here to say that we want to stay in Oakland. We deserve to stay in Oakland. We want to make it as a Black presence”
– Carolyn Johnson, BlacSspace Co-Founder
Join a dedicated cooperative supporting Black arts and culture organizations in Oakland to thrive. →
Radical Ecosystem / Institution-building People
—
We believe in the transformative power of radical institution building. In a world where systemic change is essential, our cooperative stands as a beacon of empowerment and self-determination. By fostering a community-driven approach to building institutions, we aim to reshape the narrative, providing spaces where Black voices, perspectives, and leadership flourish.
Mutual Aid
—
We recognize that collective strength is the key to shaping our destinies. By connecting Black-led organizations through mutual support, we amplify our capacity for change, resilience, and community-driven empowerment. Together, we navigate challenges, share resources, and forge a path toward a future where self-determination is not just a goal but a lived reality, fueled by the unyielding power of mutual aid and collaborative solidarity.
Funding
—
We understand that building long-term sustainability for Black arts and culture requires financial support. By raising the funds necessary to grow, we empower Black-led cultural organizations to secure their future. Our cooperative fundraising efforts are rooted in community solidarity, allowing us to harness collective resources to support infrastructure, mutual aid, and cultural permanence. We invite donors and community members to join us in this mission, as every contribution helps us grow stronger, ensuring that Oakland’s Black arts ecosystem thrives.
Storytelling
—
Rooted in solidarity, we weave narratives that not only reflect the richness of our experiences but also serve as a catalyst for positive change. Through authenticity and expressions of Black Joy, we amplify the voices and experiences of our members, fostering a tapestry of narratives that reflect the depth and resilience of our experiences. Through the art of storytelling, we explore the unique journeys, triumphs, and experiences of leaders navigating the day-to-day realities of acquiring real estate through a cooperative lens. We believe that we must document and tell our own stories of strength, and creativity, as a tool of liberation and knowledge transfer to the wider cultural arts ecosystem.
Space
—
We are committed to securing permanent, Black-owned spaces in Oakland that reflect the deep cultural legacy of our community. By working collaboratively to rent and acquire real estate, we’re building a future where Black-led cultural enterprises have a stable foundation to thrive. Our vision extends beyond just property ownership—it’s about ensuring that Black arts and culture have a lasting home in the city, one that is protected from displacement and gentrification. Through cooperative ownership, we’re forging spaces where creativity, empowerment, and community flourish for generations to come.
Radical Ecosystem / Institution-building People
—
We believe in the transformative power of radical institution building. In a world where systemic change is essential, our cooperative stands as a beacon of empowerment and self-determination. By fostering a community-driven approach to building institutions, we aim to reshape the narrative, providing spaces where Black voices, perspectives, and leadership flourish.
Mutual Aid
—
We recognize that collective strength is the key to shaping our destinies. By connecting Black-led organizations through mutual support, we amplify our capacity for change, resilience, and community-driven empowerment. Together, we navigate challenges, share resources, and forge a path toward a future where self-determination is not just a goal but a lived reality, fueled by the unyielding power of mutual aid and collaborative solidarity.
Funding
—
We understand that building long-term sustainability for Black arts and culture requires financial support. By raising the funds necessary to grow, we empower Black-led cultural organizations to secure their future. Our cooperative fundraising efforts are rooted in community solidarity, allowing us to harness collective resources to support infrastructure, mutual aid, and cultural permanence. We invite donors and community members to join us in this mission, as every contribution helps us grow stronger, ensuring that Oakland’s Black arts ecosystem thrives.
Storytelling
—
Rooted in solidarity, we weave narratives that not only reflect the richness of our experiences but also serve as a catalyst for positive change. Through authenticity and expressions of Black Joy, we amplify the voices and experiences of our members, fostering a tapestry of narratives that reflect the depth and resilience of our experiences. Through the art of storytelling, we explore the unique journeys, triumphs, and experiences of leaders navigating the day-to-day realities of acquiring real estate through a cooperative lens. We believe that we must document and tell our own stories of strength, and creativity, as a tool of liberation and knowledge transfer to the wider cultural arts ecosystem.
Space
—
We are committed to securing permanent, Black-owned spaces in Oakland that reflect the deep cultural legacy of our community. By working collaboratively to rent and acquire real estate, we’re building a future where Black-led cultural enterprises have a stable foundation to thrive. Our vision extends beyond just property ownership—it’s about ensuring that Black arts and culture have a lasting home in the city, one that is protected from displacement and gentrification. Through cooperative ownership, we’re forging spaces where creativity, empowerment, and community flourish for generations to come.
They invited a circle of leaders with deep roots in the community. From this fertile ground, 4 stewards emerged committed to nurturing a thriving ecosystem in Oakland, BLACSspace Cooperative: Dr. Ayodele Nzinga Noni Session Carolyn “CJ” Johnson, and Anyka Howard.
BLACSspace is rooted in Cultural Reforestation, restoring what systemic inequities have depleted and nurturing shared power to build a foundation for Black-led legacies. With every collaboration, every act of mutual aid, and every story amplified, BLACSspace strengthens its roots, ensuring a flourishing future for Black arts and culture in Oakland.
This vision became BLACSspace Cooperative, a dedicated hub for Oakland’s Black arts and culture ecosystem. By offering community-centered consulting and coaching, BLACSspace helps Black-led organizations achieve their unique goals while fostering connection and mutual support. Acting as the mycelium of this vibrant network, BLACSspace Cooperative provides infrastructure, amplifies stories, and holds space for collective healing.
BLACSspace embodies the spirit of cultural reforestation. It’s about reclaiming local expertise, enriching the soil of social capital, and laying the groundwork for Black-led legacies rooted in Black-owned land. Each organization in the Cooperative serves as a vital canopy, sheltering and nourishing the larger landscape, while together they reimagine and regenerate spaces where Black culture can flourish for generations to come.
1. “Free Huey Rally Bobby Hutton Park, Aug 25, 1968” photo by RMBaruch;
2. “2024 Malcolm X Jazz Fest Eastside” photo by Joyce Xi. Courtesy of CARP / Community Archival Resource Project at EastSide Arts Alliance
Anyka Howard
BlacSpace Cultural Arts Steward
Anyka is an Oakland native, a mother, artist/activist, strategist, and entrepreneur. Since founding the award-winning Betti Ono Gallery in 2010, she has produced more than 60 exhibitions and programs. Anyka has held significant roles at the Oakland Museum and The San Francisco Foundation, and co-founded the Oakland Creative Neighborhoods Coalition. She designs art, enterprise, and social impact strategy to leverage creative capital, cultural products, and networks for good.
Learn More: bettiono.com
Sadé Shakur
Admin & Infrastructure Lead
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Shaina Simmons
Storytelling Lead
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Learn More: Shapeshiftyourlife.com
Zakiya Harris
BlacSpace Governance Steward
Zakiya Harris aka Sh8peshifter is a dynamic futurist, educator, and entrepreneur whose work seamlessly merges creativity, spirituality, and social impact. Hailing from Oakland, CA, this thought leader and polymath has left a lasting mark on the creative landscape. The author of Sh8peshift Your Life: a creatives guide to personal transformation, Zakiya is a sought after creative coach and founder of Sh8peshift Society Collective, a thriving community that offers Masterclasses, Sound Healing and Wellness Modalities to purpose-driven creatives across the globe. Currently, she serves as the Lead Steward of BlacSpace Cooperative, a capacity building organization for Black Led Cultural Arts Anchors in Oakland and is a Senior Strategist for Edutainment for Equity. Awards and recognitions include the Ella Baker Center Future Leaders Award, Brioxy Fellow and YBCA 100.
Learn More: Shapeshiftyourlife.com
Carolyn Johnson
BLACspace Real Estate Steward
CJ is an Oakland native and is the CEO of the Black Cultural Zone. She has thirty years of experience in entrepreneurship, business management, non-profit operations, finance, and commercial real estate. CJ has completed over $250 million in investment sales transactions and has leased hundreds of spaces. Most recently, she was the Director of Commercial Real Estate at a leading Bay Area affordable housing corporation. CJ is also a tenured Professor at College of Alameda in the Business Department.
Learn More: blackculturalzone.org
Dr. Ayodele Nzinga
BLACspace Resource Steward
Ayodele, MFA, Ph.D. is a Cultural Architect: an actor, playwright, director, published author and community organizer. She is the Founding Director of the Lower Bottom Playaz, Oakland's oldest North American African theater company, Co-Founder of BAMBD CDC, and Artistic Director of BAMBDFEST. She is currently serving as Oakland’s first Poet Laureate. She has received awards from Theater Bay Area, Alameda County and SF Foundation recognizing her 30+ years of arts and civic leadership. She is passionate about the arts as a tool for engaging marginalized communities in cultural organizing to design their own futures.
Learn More: ayodelenzinga.comlower , bottomplayaz.com
Noni Sessions
BLACspace Cooperative Steward
Noni is a Co-founder and Executive Director of East Bay Permanent Real Estate Cooperative, which supports BIPOC and allied communities to finance, purchase, occupy, and steward collectively-owned land and housing. As a 3rd generation West Oaklander, cultural anthropologist, and grassroots organizer, Noni’s diverse formative, academic and professional background contributes to her unique approach to economic development. As a Fulbright-Hays fellow she studied international humanitarian strategies for developing communities globally. Upon completing her Doctoral work, she helped found several small scale collective civic action networks. After a 2016 run for city council where she garnered more than 43% of the District 3 vote, Noni saw a clear path to ameliorating resource disparities in her West Oakland community-- by building more cooperative networks and galvanizing opportunities for collective economic action. Since co-founding EB PREC, noni has also co-founded BlacSpace Cooperative as well as a Black led rural intentional community Black to the Land @ Emerald Earth Sanctuary
Learn More: ebprec.org, blacktotheland.com, emeraldearth.org
Anna Shneiderman
Creative Operations Lead
Anna is a cultural strategist, entrepreneur, and ensemble theater artist. She co-founded Ragged Wing Ensemble, a multidisciplinary performance company, The Flight Deck, a shared performance venue, and the Reimagining Business Models in the Arts research project, and served as a CultureBank fellow. She is currently a coach and thought partner for arts leaders, at the intersection of organizational development, somatic leadership development, social entrepreneurship, and racial & social justice. She is fiercely committed to forging a cooperative and regenerative creative economy so that artists and their communities can thrive.
Adéniké Amin
Mutual Aid Lead
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