Celebrate the 14th anniversary of Oakland Pride at the official Pride Brunch. Experience a culinary journey inspired by the Dominican and African roots of Chef Nelson German, the acclaimed Top Chef Season 18 contestant and 2020 Chefs to Watch honoree, from the renowned Sobre Mesa Afro-Latin restaurant. Enjoy Sobre Mesa’s popular a la carte brunch menu and beautifully crafted cocktails featuring Herradura, Korbel Natural, Jack Honey, and Diplomatico.  

Brunch will also include drink specials and a fireside chat with Oakland Pride President George Smith, III, speaking on the future of Oakland Pride. Join us for a vibrant and flavorful celebration that honors both community and culture! Happy Pride Oakland! 

A portion of the proceeds from the official Oakland Pride Brunch will directly contribute to initiatives that promote equality, provide essential resources, and create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals, ensuring that our community continues to thrive and be celebrated.

Join us for a delightful brunch closing out the Black Pride Festival, featuring signature dishes by the acclaimed Chef Yann.

Menu will have some of Chef Yann's favorites and includes bottomless Blacker the Berry Boozy Breakfast Cocktail.

Discover the vibrant heart of the Black Pride Festival at the 4th Annual Queer Expo, a dynamic marketplace showcasing the creativity and entrepreneurship of the Black LGBTQ+ community and our allies. This exciting event features a diverse array of vendors, including talented artists, innovative designers, passionate entrepreneurs, and dedicated nonprofits.

Explore unique handcrafted goods, stunning artwork, cutting-edge fashion, and inclusive wellness products. Enjoy live performances, interactive workshops, and gourmet food stalls that celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of our community. The Queer Expo is more than a marketplace; it’s a space for connection, inspiration, and empowerment.

Join us at the Queer Expo to support local businesses, celebrate diversity, and experience the best of our community’s talent and innovation. Don’t miss this vibrant gathering of creativity, culture, and pride!

Centering wellness amongst Black, LGBTQ+ individuals is an integral part of the Black Pride Festival. This year we present, "Are We Good?" A Black, LGBTQ+ Healing Circle. This Healing Circle will provide a safe, supportive space for participants to share their stories, experiences, and emotions. Guided by experienced facilitators, the session will incorporate elements of mindfulness, cultural rituals, and group discussions aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by Black, LGBTQ+ people.. Participants will gain strength from the collective wisdom of the group.

Carpooling is suggested. Bring a yoga mat and journal.

There is no cost to attend, however donations are graciously accepted and help us further our mission.

This event is sponsored by Oakland LGBTQ Community Center. 

The Queer Pub Crawl is a festive journey through some of the city’s most inclusive and LGBTQ+-friendly bars. This lively event highlights venues that champion and support the LGBTQ+ community all year long. The bars on the crawl…

1. alaMar

2. Night Heron

3. Sobre Mesa

4. Nectar

Participants will enjoy exclusive themed drinks, vibrant music, and unique surprises at every stop. Celebrate pride with friends, make new connections, and experience the best of our city's nightlife while supporting businesses that are dedicated to inclusivity and equality. Don’t miss this exciting and colorful night out!

We kick off the Black Pride Festival with an essential workshop on money management tailored for the LGBTQ+ community. This session aims to equip attendees with practical tools and strategies for achieving financial stability and growth.

Meet the facilitator, Naima McQueen, MBA an education and finance professional. 

This event is free to attend and we will accept donations so we can continue our mission.

On Saturday, September 9th, get your childcare coordinated, leave the kiddos at home, and dust off your party pants because FairyProud Pride Night is an evening for grownups only. We’re teaming up with Children’s Fairyland and Oaklash to bring you FairyProud– an out loud affair that transforms the park into a cascade of queer magic boasting DJs, dancing, beer, wine, a signature cocktail, food trucks, performances, and much much more!  

Oaklash is back to put the fairy in Fairyland this Oakland Pride with a mystical, magical cosplay drag show that you could only expect from the Bay Area’s Festival of Drag and Queer Performance. Lisa Frankenstein will be on a roll at Jack & Jill Hill. 

Kakfa X & Piranha of Media Meltdown will be dazzling it up at the Emerald City.

And your host for the night, KaiKai Bee Michaels, will be giddying up in the Old West.

In between all the dancin’, playin’, and partyin’, you’ll be able to stroll through our Queer Vendor Village, an Outdoor Art Gallery powered by Oakland Black Pride. 

Yerrrrr!! Y'all see what it is! 👀 The Blackest and gayest celebration is back! Sunday, July 2nd, 3p - 8p 💫

Presented by The MOTION COLLECTIVE and 7000COILS empowered by Oakland Black Pride. The Cookout is committed to creating a radical safe space centering Black trans and queer joy, wellness, and culture. 🙌🏿

***To our queer non-black, POC and white fam***
- you can support this radically Black safe space by donating and gifting a Black queer/ trans person a ticket to the event. Thank you for supporting us and respecting our need for a space that is just ours to celebrate our Blackness and our gayness.

Biscuits & Bellinis - The Black Pride Brunch is a three-course brunch with bottomless bellinis, coffee and juice.

- First Course: Biscuits & Fixins (Gravy, Jams, Honeys)

- Second Course: Grits with choice of protein (shrimp, pork belly, or vegetarian option)

- Third Course: Chef’s Choice Dessert

*Option to add on other brunch items such as French Toast sticks, fruit, etc.

**Vegan options available

Proceeds will benefit Oakland Black Pride 501(c)(3) nonprofit

Register as an individual player or sign-up a whole team. Price to play is $12 per individual player or $120 per team. Each team must have a minimum of 9 players and a maximum of 11 players. Individual players who sign up will be assigned to a team on game day. All participants must be 16 years of age or older and players under 18 must have parent/guardian permission. All players must sign waiver. 

Check-in starts at 10am. First game kicks off at 11am. Double Elimination Tournament. Each game is 40 minutes. Must be 16 years of age or older to play. Under 18 will need parent/guardian permission. The deadline to sign-up is June 16th.

Gold Medals for 1st Place! 

Proceeds from this event will cover the cost of equipment and production and will further support OBP's community projects and programming.

Oakland Black Pride Festival 3rd Annual Queer Expo is Saturday, July 1st. 50+ LGBTQOC Vendors, Kidz Korner, LGBTQ+ Community Speakers, Wellness Workshops and a whole bunch of other stuff you're gonna love. Have you registered to attend yet?

Register to attend the Expo with a donation of $5 or greater and be automatically entered into our raffle to win a gift basket full of prizes such as, One Weekend Night Stay at Kissel Hotel w/Valet Parking; FREE Groceries from Mandela Market; $100 Clipper Card and sooo much more!! The basket will be raffled at the end of the Expo. Need not be present to win.

The Queer Expo is hands down the event that makes us most happy. Having the opportunity to connect with those who provide products and services curated exclusively for our LGBTQOC communities is essential and watching the power of the Black, queer dollar is a whole entire vibe!

Why walk when you can crawl! The Black Pride Festival - Queer Pub Crawl is back for its third year! A guided tour to some of our favorite queer friendly bars and restaurants.

6pm kickoff at High 5ive Bar inside the Kissel Hotel. This is where you’ll get your wristbands and drink tickets.

Tickets are $30 and include a speciality cocktail at each bar. That’s FOUR DRINKS and automatic entry into our raffle. Raffle winner announced at our last stop. Need not be present to win.

Speciality cocktails courtesy of Tres Generaciones Tequila and Maker’s Mark.

1. High 5ive Rooftop Bar

2. alaMar Kitchen & Bar

3. Town Bar + Lounge

4. Amber Lounge

FREAKY BEHAVIOR

Most of us are taught that certain things are unacceptable to desire (let alone do), even in the privacy of our own imaginations. This workshop is an opportunity to challenge the shaming and stigma often attached to sexual practices labelled kinky, taboo, weird or fetishistic. This workshop non-judgmentally explores what sexual fantasies ‘mean’, and how to engage with the intense, intimate, emancipatory potential of exploring kink sexuality with authenticity, safety and joy.

There is no expectation that participants will disclose any information about their own sexual preferences at any point. Participants will be able to engage fully in all aspects of the workshop without discussing their own sexualities.

This workshop is suitable for everyone, whether or not they identify as ‘kinky’. No prior knowledge/experience with terminology or practices of the kink community will be assumed.

We will…

- engage in discussions, activities and personal reflection to explore the questions above

- myth-bust common misconceptions about fantasies and kink

- cultivate an atmosphere that is open-minded, kind and respectful to a variety of perspectives, sexual proclivities and ideas

- have a chill zone available throughout the workshop where anyone is welcome to retreat if they feel overwhelmed or triggered

- have a No Questions Asked policy for anyone who leaves the workshop at any point

We will not…

- do any sexual activity of any kind

- be asked or expected to share any personal information about our own sexual experiences or desires

- assume any knowledge prior to the workshop

- expect people to be familiar with any specific terminology ​

This workshop is for you if…

- You want to learn more about what kink actually is, why people have kinky sex and how they do so safely & pleasurably

- You are curious about kink / BDSM and don't know where to start. Perhaps you've explored certain avenues and they felt intimidating / overwhelming/ unappealing and you now feel stuck

- You want to bring your fantasies out of your head/porn/erotica and into IRL situations and don't know how

- You want to discuss erotic fantasies, sexual taboos and kinky sexuality in a space facilitated with sex-positivity & non-judgment

- You feel the effect of existing in a world where consensual sexual practices are routinely stigmatised, shamed & pathologised, and you want to partake in a space where kink-shaming ideologies get unpacked & challenged

Navigating Grief + Loss Through Joy

How can we use creative community building, mindfulness, music, and food to cope, thrive, and find joy in raggedy times? As Black, queer folks, what joyful memories and traditions sustain, encourage, and anchor us amidst destabilizing transitions? 

During this interactive experience offered through partnership with creative wellness agency GetSomeJoy and Oakland Black Pride, participants will use writing to explore love and loss. Through grounding activities, reflection, introspective writing, and group discussion in a safe, affirming environment, we unpack emotions related to grief and mourning and collaborate on tools and strategies for moving through spiritual ashiness. 

Attendees receive local + digital wellness resources derived from an Oakland Black Pride Edition of GetSomeJoy’s “griefkit: Crowdsourced tools and considerations for raggedy times.”

Developed by writer and Mental Health First Aid National Trainer Alexander Hardy, Literary Therapy is a dynamic experience offering space to center joy, foster connection, and cultivate tools and strategies to cope and thrive during this raggedy moment in history.

————

GetSomeJoy is a creative wellness agency that supports communities with joy-infused trainings, experiences, and resources that prioritize mental health, foster connection, and facilitate opportunities for exploration and delight.

Their community, GetSomeJoy@School, and GetSomeJoy@Work Wellness programs include the Literary Therapy Writing Program, Mental Health First Aid trainings, virtual community cook-alongs, Community Wellness Assessments, wellness campaign consulting, and more. GetSomeJoy is your creative wellness partner for soulful and memorable one-time, ongoing, internal, stakeholder, and client-facing wellness engagement. 

Find more info at getsomejoy.com/programs.

Seven Course Tasting Menu Prepared and Presented by Chef Preeti Mistry (Juhu Beach Club + Top Chef Season 6) with contribution from Chef Selasie Dotse of e la ade Test Kitchen. Three Cocktail Pairing w/ non alc options included.

Oakland Black Pride present Breaking Bread: A Benefit Dinner offering a seven course tasting menu prepared by Chef Preeti Mistry of the late lamented Juhu Beach Club & Navi Kitchen and contestant on Top Chef Season 6. Dinner includes three cocktail pairings.. Cocktails will have 0% ABV options. Chef Selasie Dotse of e le aɖe Test Kitchen will be joining in the culinary fun by contributing a main course to the dinner. Here's a peak at what the chef's are cooking up. Hibiscus Pani Puri, Uttapam Waffle & Wild Mushroom Momos and more diasporic delights!

The objective of Breaking Bread is to make the culinary contributions of queer people of color more visible; to exhibit the many ways that QPOC have been a meaningful part of the restaurant industry. To offer the dining public in the Bay Area, cuisines and perspectives of folx that have largely been muted. Breaking Bread is a nod to QPOC in fine dining who are rarely seen as next in line to be restaurateurs or executive chefs

*Menu modifications cannot be accommodated as the dishes will be presented as the Chef has intended. 

Proceeds will benefit Oakland Black Pride 501(c)(3) a nonprofit dedicated to empowering LGBTQOC communities.

If you are a QTBIPOC person looking to build community in an affirming space, the QTBIPOC Social Circle is the scene. Our November Social Circle will be hosted by San Francisco based illustrator, Nancy Cato, who has been creating whimsically edgy characters for more than a decade.

There will be a live model and we will have a sketching session. Please bring your own drawing supplies!

Nancy Cato Bio - Cato navigates childhood and the everyday lives of Black people coupled with the harsh racialized realities of living in America. Her meticulously rendered lines deeply embrace the whimsical and gritty nature of being Black in America.Currently, Cato is merging into the world of murals and children’s books. Murals have given Cato the amazing opportunity to segue into a larger form of expression and explore the use of color. Cato’s current murals can be seen at the African-American Art & Culture Complex’s outdoor exhibit, “Closer 6ft Apart” and the Chinese Heritage Society of America’s “We are Bruce Lee” exhibit. Children’s books have been a lifelong pursuit for Cato, primarily to encourage literacy among young people and inspire the next generation. She is currently working on a demanding childhood character who wants to be heard! Her work can be found on the pages of Whoopi Goldberg's book, Sugar Plum Ballerina.

QTBIPOC artists and illustrators in Oakland or the Regional Bay Area, come thru for this one!

21+ and over and please be prepared to provide proof of vaccination. Masks encouraged inside.

Oakland Black Pride joins forces with Bardo Lounge to host the Black Pride Brunch! Signature dishes by featured Chef Sarah Kirnon, curated exclusively for Black Pride Brunch. Chef Sarah is preparing some of her favorites!

MENU

Appetizer Bul jol/ summer tomato & salted cod cold salad/ roasted garlic & scotch bonnet Roasted street corn/ grilled lime Smashed sweet plantain with mojo sauce

MAIN 1/4 char grilled jerk chicken/Bajan potato salad/ allspice pickled beets or Skillet fried GF cauliflower/ honey vinegar sauce/ Berbere black eye peas (Vegetarian)

Dessert Rum poached stone fruits with molasses skillet cake

Add-ons available Chef Sarah's Skillet Fried Chicken Wings with Pepper Sauce

Proceeds support Oakland Black Pride, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to strengthening the LGBTQIA movement.

PROOF OF VACCINATION REQUIRED UPON ENTRY

Over 50 queer vendors and exhibitors under one roof!

The Queer Expo is hands down the festival event that makes us most happy. Having the opportunity to connect with those who provide products and services curated exclusively for our Black and Brown, LGBTQ+ communities is essential and watching the power of the Black, queer dollar is a whole vibe.

REGISTER TO SHOP AND A CHANCE TO WIN A PRIDE GIFT BASKET

MUST BE 21 OR OVER AND PROVIDE PROOF OF COVID VACCINATION TO ENTER ALL BARS AND RESTAURANTS.

Enjoy a guided tour by Oakland Black Pride to some of the Town’s queer friendly bars and restaurants.

1st Stop alaMar

2nd Stop First Edition

3rd Stop Que Rico

4th Stop Tribune

Last Stop Understory

Black, queer joy will be in abundance and new friends will be made! So, meet us at the first stop or join us along the way!