Spotlight Sundays: Total Praise—The Making of the Black Joy Parade

Spotlight Sundays: Total Praise—The Making of the Black Joy Parade

The Black Church has long been a cornerstone of Black culture, shaping movements, inspiring iconic music and art, and carrying forward enduring traditions. OMCA is honored to welcome guests to join the creators of the Black Joy Parade for a thoughtful exploration of how the Black Church has served as both a space of resistance and celebration, and why the presence of the Black Joy Choir remains central to the parade’s spirit. The afternoon opens with a soul-stirring performance by the acclaimed Black Joy Choir, followed by a premiere screening of the documentary short Total Praise: The Blueprint Behind the Black Joy Parade.

Following the screening, attendees are invited to settle into a conversation with Black Joy Parade producers reflecting on legacy, community, and joy, featuring Head of Content Jacqwi Campbell, Activation Lead Demjuan Julian, Co-Founder and COO Amber Lester, and Gold Beams founder Tayleur Crenshaw as moderator.

This program is a part of our exhibition programming for Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain, on view through March 1, 2026.

About Black Joy Parade

Black Joy Parade is a hyper-positive non-profit based in Oakland that celebrates the Black experience and the Black community’s contributions to history and culture with its signature parade and celebration, partnerships, and events. Black Joy Parade exists to provide the Black community and its allies a live experience that celebrates the Black community’s influence on cultures past, present, and future. Black Joy Parade unites a diverse community by creating space to express each of our unique contributions to the Black experience. We invite you to be creative, be open, be present, be free.

Accessibility

Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) is committed to providing programs that are accessible, welcoming, and inclusive of our community. Wheelchairs, sensory inclusive devices, and additional amenities 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 more about our accessibility options.