Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid featuring Fall Teacher Night and book celebration of “Comrade Sisters: Women of the Black Panther Party”

DJ Sake One; Comrade Sisters Book Release and Conversation with Ericka Huggins and Stephen Shames

Celebrate the book release of Comrade Sisters: Women of the Black Panther Party by joining OMCA for a panel conversation with its authors, early Party member and leader Ericka Huggins, and photographer Stephen Shames. It’s estimated that six out of ten Panther Party members were women; Comrade Sisters is their story. 

Kicking off the event in the OMCA Garden at 6:45 pm is a performance featuring Tarika Lewis, the first woman to join the Black Panther Party, as well as former members Tureeda Mikell, Val Serrant, and Tacuma King. Following this, explore the power of photography to raise awareness of social issues with Stephen Shames, and hear from Ericka Huggins, Katherine Campbell, Fredrika Newton, and Tarika Lewis as they share their reflections on the critical role women played in the Black Panther Party. 

This Friday Night is also dedicated to our teachers. Prior to the OMCA Garden program, teachers and educators are invited to join a special conversation at 5:30 pm at Oak St. Plaza with former member and educator Ericka Huggins, and photographer Stephen Shames to explore ways to uplift students and have honest conversations about our history. Teachers can check in at the Teacher Night desk to receive free gallery admission, and the first 100 will receive food truck and drink tickets. No RSVP required, but space for the teacher conversation with Ericka Huggins and Stephen Shames is limited.

Copies of the book will be available for sale onsite, and visitors are welcome to have their copy signed following the program from 8-8:30 pm. DJ Sake One will be playing in the Amphitheater from 6 to 8 pm.

*Performances are subject to change.

Off The Grid Lineup of Food Trucks

About Friday Nights:

Reconnect with family, friends, and community at OMCA every Friday night. These free events provide a gathering place to come together each week, including live music, hands-on activities, Off the Grid food trucks, and the newly-launched Town Fare Sundeck, featuring an outdoor bar and select bar bites from the cafe menu. Take advantage of late-night access to our galleries and special exhibitions with a Museum ticket, or bring a blanket and lounge in our garden, now open with direct access to Lake Merritt.

Please note, alcoholic beverages must be consumed inside the OMCA campus and outside alcohol is not permitted.

OMCA is committed to providing programs that are accessible, welcoming, and inclusive of our community. Assistive listening devices and wheelchairs are available for checkout on a first come, first served basis at the Ticketing Desk. To request other accommodations, like American Sign Language (ASL), Cantonese, Spanish or another language interpreter, please email [email protected] at least three weeks before the event.

Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid is proudly supported by Bank of America.