Connecting East Bay Neighbors Through Stories, Shared Resources & Celebrations

“Who are we? What is this place? Who does it belong to?”

- Brock Winstead, neighbor since 2003

Commons Archive is a creative, interconnective, grassroots history project based in North Oakland, CA, that collaborates with local groups and organizations to nurture neighborhood connection.

Commons Archive’s Projects, Workshops & Celebrations…

Build Community at the Block Level

Encourage Community Connections

Support Neighborhood Mutual Aid

Honor Neighborhood History Keepers

Amplify Neighbors’ Voices

Make Neighborhood Histories Accessible

(L) Community celebration at Oakland Public Library (M) Dr Saturu Ned, Black Panther Party original member (R) Restorative Justice Workshop with Neighborhood Group

Commons Archive thrives on the support of many North Oakland and Bay Area organizations, community groups and neighbors.  We acknowledge and honor that North Oakland sits on the land of the Ohlone people, today politically represented by the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area. We recognize the Muwekma Ohlone people past and present who have settled, nurtured and loved this land, and are grateful to live here. We are honored to attain the presence of our local Indigenous Elder, Rafael Jesus Gonzalez for prayers and blessings during our community gatherings.

Since 2016, Commons Archive has been empowering longtime and new neighbors as narrators and creators of their many local histories. We invite neighbors from all walks of life to express, sing, dance, read, listen, and watch the multi-layered stories that continue to shape the essence of their neighborhood. By embracing traditional block club hospitality, Commons Archive supports community resiliency and shares stories of our neighborhoods - the stories that instill a deeper understanding, a sense of belonging, and make a place home.

We honor the many histories of the rapidly changing North Oakland neighborhoods, understanding the importance of preserving local knowledge that, if undocumented, will disappear. Using Participatory Action Research (PAR), Commons Archive empowers neighbors as experts of their own experiences. Our programs and efforts are presented with interactive, multimedia formats that allows for neighbor stories to be collected through direct involvement and opportunities to contribute to the local narrative. To learn how to live with one another, we need to share and listen to each others’ stories.

The HEAR/HERE Community Billboard Truck, a vehicle for story-telling, empowerment, and interaction, is the culmination of Commons Archive’s previous phases of community-based activities.

Commons Archive is made possible with support from a team of incredible Funders, Partners, and many North Oakland neighbors.

Commons Archive began in 2013 as a fellowship for marksearch through the Kala Art Institute’s Print Public program.