Name: Gathering in the Garden
Start: 2025-05-31T18:00:00-07:00
End: 2025-05-31T21:00:00-07:00

May 31 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Sliding scale $75-1,000

We are excited to welcome over 500 community members to our annual fundraiser, Gathering in the Garden.

Taking place in our seven-acre urban garden, W. Kamau Bell will lead a powerful conversation with filmmaker and artist Adrian L. Burrell, CEO of the Black Cultural Zone Community Development Corporation Carolyn Johnson, and New York Times bestselling author of Nightcrawling, Leila Mottley. These Oakland-born artists and community leaders will set the OMCA Garden stage with an engaging dialogue on the power of art and social change. We’ll then celebrate under the stars with entertainment, dancing, food, and drinks.

Gathering in the Garden is a sliding scale event, with tickets ranging from $75 to $1,000. All proceeds support OMCA’s exhibitions and programs, serving hundreds of thousands of school groups, families, and community members. Thanks to our generous sponsors, local teachers and community partners will receive complimentary access.

Early bird tickets for $500 and $1,000 go on sale on April 21, and all remaining tickets will be available on May 7.

This isn’t just another gala; it’s a celebration of the OMCA community, and we want you to be a part of it! Join us in fostering belonging and connection at OMCA.

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Entertainment

DJ Lady Ryan is a Bay Area favorite – inspiring a sense of safety, joy, and belonging. Her passion for music can be heard throughout the Bay Area and beyond, whether she’s energizing the crowd at Warriors games, hosting one of her celebrated parties, or gracing the airwaves of San Francisco radio.

Light Bites & Libations

Chef Michelle McQueen’s cuisine pays homage to her Southern family roots and Oakland upbringing, bringing together flavors from the diverse cultures within the local community. Last year’s favorite dishes included fried chicken and waffle cone, low country shrimp and grits, and key lime pie tarts. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes will also be available. Complimentary drinks include cocktails, wine, and beer.

Accessibility

The Oakland Museum of California (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. Learn about our accessibility options.

About the Speakers

W. Kamau Bell

W. Kamau Bell is a stand-up comedian, director, and producer. He was the host of the Emmy nominated docu-series United Shades of America for seven seasons, and is also the co-author of Do the Work: An Anti-Racist Activity Book with Kate Schatz. He is an ACLU Celebrity Ambassador for Racial Justice.

Adrian L. Burrell

Adrian L. Burrell is a filmmaker and artist whose work explores the intersections of race, class, and intergenerational dynamics. His work has been featured at the Minnesota Street Project, in The New Yorker, and in the permanent collection of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Crocker Museum.

Carolyn Johnson

Carolyn Johnson is the founding CEO of the Black Cultural Zone Community Development Corporation, which works to build power, secure land, and direct funds to allow Black neighborhoods in East Oakland to thrive.

Leila Mottley

Leila Mottley is The New York Times bestselling author of Nightcrawling, which was nominated for numerous awards, including the Booker Prize, making her the youngest author to have been nominated for the award. In 2018, at age 16, she was named the Youth Poet Laureate of Oakland, California.

May 31 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Entertainment

Light Bites & Libations

Accessibility

About the Speakers

Last Year’s Highlights

Sponsors