There are Black people in the future Oakland Museum exhibit documents displacement and resistance

The Oakland Museum of California's exhibit "Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain" invites visitors to imagine the future of Oakland, particularly the year 3000. Architect June Grant encourages thinking beyond immediate timelines to shape urban design. The exhibit chronicles Black displacement and resilience in the East Bay, showcasing artifacts that reflect decades of experience and community building. Notable installations include one by Grant and others by local multimedia artist Adrian Burrell, each addressing themes of identity and resistance. Russell City, a community evicted in the 1960s, illustrates the long-lasting effects of urban renewal policies and the acknowledgment of such actions through a formal apology from Hayward in 2021.

Grant's exhibit aims to inspire Oakland residents to advocate for a more holistic urban design that reflects the city's activist history. The exhibit opens a dialogue about community, identity, and the need for future-oriented urban planning. Visitors will engage with personal artifacts and narratives that challenge historical injustices and envision a sustainable future.