In honor of Filipino American History Month, join us for a moving multimedia experience highlighting stories of African American soldiers and Filipinos during the Philippine–American War. Developed by John Calloway, this artistic showcase combines live music, Indigenous dance, and spoken word to narrate powerful depictions of this history and the fight for freedom. The program will be emceed by Mario Nomi from the Oakland based Filipino Advocates for Justice. 

Join us for an engaging outdoor event in OMCA’s Oak Street Plaza. This program will explore Indigenous Xicanx heritage and its deep connection to maize (corn). Engage with a screenprinting poster activity and informal talk with featured artist, Melanie Cervantes & guest artist, Elizabeth Blancas, who will delve into the themes presented in our special exhibition, Calli: The Art of Xicanx Peoples. We invite you to connect, learn, and celebrate with us!

Through the lens of ancestral tapestries Weaving Identity through Generations will explore homelands and the experience of belonging. This intergenerational offering will begin with an artist’s presentation and conversation in OMCA’s James Moore Theater with Calli: Art of Xicanx Peoples featured artist Consuelo Jimenez Underwood and Chair of the Latinx Research Center at UC Berkeley, Laura E. Pérez. 

SOLD OUT—This Black History Month, immerse yourself in the rich history and power of gospel music at the museum. Created by Dr. Adam “Ology” Rogers—radio station owner, music producer, and community organizer—this multimedia experience explores the deep connection between gospel music and African American history. Emceed by KPOO radio personality DJ Sherita (Re Re) Evans, this soul-stirring performance is more than just a show—it’s a living testament to the power of faith, music, and storytelling as instruments of hope and empowerment.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, join us for an interactive conversation with Black liberation advocate, Malkia Devich-Cyril, and activist-astrologer, Jessica Lanyadoo. They will discuss how moments of great personal and collective challenges can become transformative forces in the fight for social justice and liberation.The event will begin with a call-and-response musical performance by internationally acclaimed Iranian Bay Area based singer Mahsa Vahdat and musician, Atabak Elyas. Vahdat, a passionate advocate for women’s rights, has courageously defied restrictions on female singers in Iran. Her voice blends her rich cultural heritage with universal themes of resistance and resilience. Together, we’ll engage in a collective experience to imagine a more equitable and just world.

Join us for this month’s Spotlight Sundays as we dive into the power of photography in honoring and amplifying Native heritage. This thought-provoking panel discussion features two dynamic Native creatives: Oakland-based Coharie and Nahua photographer Ashley Salaz and Mvskoke photographer, scholar, and filmmaker Haley Day Rains. Moderated by Drew Johnson, OMCA Curator of Photography & Visual Culture, the conversation will explore how photography serves as a vital tool for storytelling, cultural preservation, and community connection.This program is part of the exhibition Born of the Bear Dance: Dugan Aguilar’s Photographs of Native California—on view through June 2025—and draws on Dugan Aguilar’s legacy of documenting the vibrancy and resilience of Indigenous communities. The discussion will address key themes of representation, reciprocity, and the ways in which photography can be rooted in and shaped by community. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage in this meaningful conversation. 

I Was There Too is a unique multimedia performance about one woman’s inner revolution as she struggles to understand what it means to have been born into the Black Panther Party. Daughter of two Black Panthers (Emory Douglas and Gayle Dickson), Meres-Sia Gabriel shares a first-hand account of what it was like to grow up in a revolution that changed the course of history. 

This month, Spotlight Sundays welcomes guests to join artist Chelsea Ryoko Wong for a free, all-ages celebration in OMCA’s Oak Street Plaza. Wong’s colorful paintings amplify the diversity of her Asian heritage and the vibrant family histories of the AAPI women depicted in them. Under her playful mural, titled Calling Home, this lively event will explore rituals of community care with Wong and OMCA’s community partners Cut Fruit Collective and Teaphile. 

This month’s Spotlight Sundays invites you to a powerful exploration of Black fatherhood through the lens of three visionary artists, each offering a unique perspective on its complexity and depth. Through film, conversation, and artistic reflection, we’ll engage with some of the most nuanced and resonant realities of Black fatherhood today.

Join us as October’s Spotlight Sunday wades into the powerful story of Russell City with a film screening & panel discussion, moderated by Alexis Madrigal.