Headline
Headline
Back to Oakland, CA News

Oakland Juneteenth festival opens with A.I.-powered dinner celebrating Black heritage

Oakland, CALocal News

The Hella Juneteenth festival in Oakland will kick off with the Futureproof Dinner on June 18, hosted by the Hella Creative collective. This unique five-course meal at the Oakland Museum of California will feature prominent Black chefs utilizing artificial intelligence to create dishes inspired by the African diaspora. Co-founder Ryan Royster highlights the festival's theme of future-proofing the Black community, emphasizing the dual focus on heritage and future impact. The chefs, including Nelson German, Byron Hughes III, Michele McQueen, and Mariya Moore-Russell, plan to infuse their personal culinary styles into the dinner, showcasing their cultural backgrounds. McQueen aims to elevate her veggie-based dish, while German focuses on celebrating Afro-Latin influences.

Moore-Russell, the first Black woman to earn a Michelin star, views her participation as part of a broader liberation project. The integration of AI, developed by Samer Dabra, will transform spoken stories into visual representations, enhancing the dining experience. This innovative approach sets the Futureproof Dinner apart, underscoring the importance of Black voices in shaping the culinary landscape.

Related Articles

Oakland, CALocal News

What happened at Coast Guard Island? On the podcast

Federal agents planned a significant immigration operation in the East Bay, but President Trump postponed it. The decision caused noticeable effects on Oakland's immigrant communities, schools, and local businesses. This episode highlights the developments and ongoing discussions surrounding police oversight and school enrollment in Oakland.

Oakland, CALocal News

Alameda County announces another 1.5 million in emergency food assistance

Alameda County officials secured an additional $1.5 million in food assistance amid uncertainty over November SNAP benefits. Two federal judges ruled against the Trump administration's handling of SNAP during the government shutdown, but recipients still face potential delays. Local leaders pledged to ensure that residents do not go hungry while awaiting aid.

Oakland, CALocal News

California finds Oakland Unified discriminated against Jewish students

The California Department of Education determined that Oakland Unified School District fostered a discriminatory environment for Jewish students, citing incidents such as omitting Israel from educational materials. The findings arose from complaints filed by attorney Marleen Sacks, who claimed the district failed to address discrimination adequately. Corrective actions include mandated bias training and review of complaint procedures.