Video

Oakland native documents forgotten communities

When Brittani Sensabaugh walks down the streets of East Oakland, she notices a combination of characteristics among those who live there—strength, struggles and power. It is those features she wants to capture in her photography. Sensabaugh, better known as “Britt Sense,” is a documentarian whose project “222ForgottenCities,” is currently exhibiting in New York. Last month, it exhibited in Oakland, where the project began. Through it, the young photographer showcases communities where people with “melanin,” as she puts it, live, to…

Historic deli faces closure from increased rent

The Genova Delicatessen, located at 5095 Telegraph Avenue, has been part of the famous Temescal Plaza since 1926. When it first opened it sold mostly just pastas and sauces but in the late 1960s the deli began to focus on making and selling sandwiches and has since become a staple place for many locals to get their lunches. This spring the deli will close due to an increase in rent from the landlords, Temescal Plaza, LLC.

HipHopForChange works to create a more positive image of hip hop

Jay runs a non-profit in Oakland called Hip Hop for Change. His goal is to create a more positive image of hip hop that does not reinforce the stereotypical images perpetuated by the mainstream music industry. “We’re trying to put our real image out there, so people can see our real culture, instead of making stereotypical tropes of our culture to entertain themselves with,” Jay said. “Those tropes that criminalize our black and brown youth.”

Valentine’s Day Special at Oakland Animal Services encourages cat and dog adoption

OAS is an open admission shelter that takes in all animals brought in by the public or an animal control officer. “We’ve seen a significant uptake in the number of owner surrenders,” said Rebecca Katz, director of the shelter. “Gentrification has been good for Oakland’s economy, but there are people who are impacted by it negatively and there are people losing their homes.”

Men Creating Peace works to reduce domestic violence in Alameda County

Men Creating Peace (MCP) is one of the few domestic violence organizations in Alameda County specifically geared towards men. Founded in 2009, the organization aims to help men who’ve been involved in violent acts adopt coping mechanisms so that they can develop healthier relationships with partners, family and their community.

New portable sensor tests for gluten in minutes

Martha Benco, an Oakland native, knows what it’s like to rely on the truthfulness of labels and servers when it comes to checking whether there’s gluten in her food. “I have celiac disease,” says Benco, 35, who also has a way to test her food now. Benco says she’s been lucky so far—though she does experience mental fogginess, exhaustion and intestinal distress, her symptoms aren’t as severe as the sores inside the mouth or vomiting other people report. That’s why,…

Oakland youth take flight class

Every Saturday morning, kids of all ages gather in the sunlit second story of a West Oakland community building. The kids come to attend a lesson unusual for most youngsters, especially those from a low-income neighborhood like theirs: These pupils are learning to fly.