In the spirit of Isabel Wilkerson’s groundbreaking book The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration, six Bay Area storytellers will share the migration stories of Black elders who migrated from the South to Oakland, CA. All of the stories are a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the resilience of African Americans.
This free event is made possible with funding from the City of Oakland Cultural Funding Program and is curated by Write Avenue, founded by Adrienne Oliver, MFA, Ed.D., a professor of Creative Writing and Composition, and a healing writing coach.
Black Harvest, Black Gold–The Story of Mae Givens
Mae grew up in South Baton Rouge, a stone’s throw from LSU on one side…
Planted in Love: James Ella James
Born in 1926, James Ella was raised on her grandparent’s farm in Limestone County Alabama. …
The Death of Lincoln High School, Evelyn Porter Remembers Black Hub of Fort Smith, AR
Evelyn Porter never wanted to come to California and shares why in her story.
The Wonderful Life of Sedalia L. Crain Taylor
In the early 1940s, Sedalia Crain migrated from Longview TX to California when she was…
To be Named
Beneath a single umbrella
His arm wraps your shoulder warm
As a middle step in diatonic jazz
The…
“I would not exchange my home here . . .”
Her ancestors walk in her skin, step forward with feet wrapped in historic legacy. ….
An Interview with Dera R. Williams – A Cali Girl with Southern Roots
From verdant Arkansas, to the pulsing heart of Oakland, A voyage embarked, a family woven,…
Throwing Rocks
“San Francisco is the place where I was raised and grew up, became socially aware,…
There, There and Finally Here: The Migrations of Ishmael Reed
Kujichagulia is Ishmael Reed: novelist, playwright, musician, publisher, thought leader, professor and path forger in…
Generational Scenes from the Great Migration with Ms. Judy Juanita
ALBERT HAYWOOD HART, THE FIRST (the first born, the first Black oil millionaire in Oklahoma,…
mon coeur, a migration story
To tell the story of how my family migrated from Ville Platte, Louisiana to California,…
Labor of Joyce Gordon’s Love: Major Force of Art, Culture and Politics
Most of the Black people in this village are either from the South or descendants…
Oscar Wright: Educator and Labor Activist
Oscar Wright said that growing up in Mississippi taught him everything it takes to become…
In Justice and Poetry: Wanda Sabir
We gather around the fire. We gather women of strength. Always in justice and poetry…
Trains and Refrains, an interview with Ms. Anne Ayana Johnson
…when we crossed the country, even on the train when we crossed the Mason Dixon…
How Far The Journey: The Migration Story of Mrs. Julia Ann Beale
As far as southern atrocities go, little Julia Ann hadn’t seen many in Lexington. No…
Our Story is So Clear
Inspired by brief research of Arkansas, Cleveland County, New Edinburg, and an interview with Patricia…
The Resilient Emerald
It was a sunny day in the small town of Kennard, Texas. Georgia and Cortez…
Jackie’s Story: From Arkansas to California
This story follows the migration of Jackie Stewart, fondly called “Ms. Jackie”, from Hot Springs,…
From Port Arthur, Texas to Oakland, California: Charlene’s Migration Story
Port Arthur, Texas, was a company town where people worked for the oil companies, got…
Ms. Zeola’s Story: From Mound Bayou, MS
A child of the 1950s, Zeola was born in Mound Bayou, an all Black Mississippi…
Dad’s migration: Allen Goodlow’s story as told to his daughter
Growing up I knew that my dad was from Louisiana, and I remember visiting family…
No Ordinary Love: An African-American Migration Story
Imagined by Meres-Sia Gabriel
Inspired by interviews with Meaghan Conner and Deborah Griffin
Mr. Billy Rayford: Migration and Heart of the South
Being from the South, few of us say we’re from “the South.” We know we’re…
Honoring Queen Thurston
Parents told Queen, she received her name from the bible story of Esther who married…
Honoring Tureeda Mikell
When I think of Tureeda Mikell, one of the things that comes to mind is…
Honoring Mellownee Bassett
Since 1936, my great-grand has been in the mix!
To be exact, she’s a Leo born…
Honoring James Lacy
James Lacy is my maternal grandmother Janie Murphy’s twin brother. He is the sole…
Honoring Rosie Lee Coleman Griffin
Grandma Rosie reached for my little five- year-old hand and helped me climb out of…
Honoring Warren Williams
Born in Pensacola FL in 1959, Warren grew up in a family of 5. His…
