The Birth of HEAR/HERE
“Commons Archive, a multi-phased community memory project I initiated in 2013, catalyzes new relationships among community-based organizations, neighborhood groups and neighbors. Based in North Oakland, my home for three decades, Commons Archive collaborates with local partners to amplify disappearing culture by centering neighbors as narrators of their many histories. Groups and neighbors come together to learn by sharing resources, creating large celebrations and publishing community knowledge.
The HEAR/HERE Community Billboard, a small custom-built EV truck designed for neighbor empowerment, is the latest extension of this work.
The HEAR/HERE Community Billboard is a custom-built vintage EV truck designed by the Oakland-based creative team ‘marksearch’, led by cultural researcher, artist, and literacy educator Sue Mark. Equipped with a 6-foot digital screen, sound system and an eye-catching static display board, this art vehicle invites neighbors to listen and learn, gather and share stories, and build trust within communities. Since its launch in Spring 2022, HEAR/HERE has supported over 30 community events in North and North-West Oakland by sharing provocative questions for engagement and showcasing recorded stories and images of the area’s vibrant, disappearing Black history.
We collaborate with equity-aligned community organizations to support these neighbor-empowering activities and bring on a team of young adult BIPOC engagers hired from the community. Building on the success of this model of community care, we are extending the reach of the HEAR/HERE Community Billboard to other Oakland neighborhoods, giving neighbors voice and compensating where city systems have failed communities. “
- Sue Mark, Commons Archive Project Director
Events in 2024
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Attitudinal Healing
Benefit film screening at the New Parkway Theater March 24, 2024
Events in 2023
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Joyce Gordon's Anniversary
Celebrating Joyce Gordon Gallery’s 20th Anniversary! September 1, 2023
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Mothers of the Struggle
A mother’s day celebration with Self Help Hunger May 14, 2023
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Black Joy Parade 2023
Oakland’s largest celebration of Black community culture! February 26, 2023
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Marshall Street Block Party
More than 40 neighbors gathered on a quiet section of Marshall Street for the first block party of the year! September 21, 2023
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Neighborhood Love!
The community showed up to breathe new life into the beautiful FM Smith park nestled near Lake Merritt. September 23, 2023
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Life is Living Festival
Proud to be joining the 16th annual festival in West Oakland’s Lil’ Bobby Hutton Memorial Park celebrating Oakland life! October 14, 2023
2022 PARTNERS
Oakland Public Library Golden Gate Branch
West Oakland Cultural Action Network (WOCAN)
Self Help Hunger Program
Urban Peace Movement
Paradise Park Neighbors
Mellana Cafe
National Night Out for Safety & Liberation
Camron Stanford House Museum
Dover Park Neighbors
People’s Kitchen Collective
Life is Living Festival
Gabby Wen Redline Redefined
Temescal Library
47th Street Neighbors
Emeryville 4H Club
Storefront Records
Brower-Dellum Institute for Sustainable Policy Studies
PLACE for Sustainability
Jaro Fleet Technologies
North Oakland Restorative Justice Coalition
WHERE WE’VE BEEN IN 2022
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HEAR/HERE Launch Party
The truck’s official launch party hosted at Oakland's Golden Gate Public Library on June 4, 2022
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North Oakland Block Drive
The first drive on the streets of North Oakland with AP2TP Collective, June 15, 2022
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Hoover-Durant Block Drive
The engagement drive around the Hoover-Durant neighborhood to promote the WOCAN event, June 17, 2022!
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WOCAN Juneteenth Event
West Oakland Cultural Action Network (WOCAN)’s Juneteenth Celebration at Sparc-It!, June 20, 2022
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North Oakland Block Drive
A drive around North Oakland with Susie Wise & Eseibio to invite neighbors to the SHHP park event on June 24, 2022!
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Self Help Hunger Program's Event
Celebrating “Everyday Is Black History Month” with various neighborhood groups at Jasper P. Driver Plaza, June 26, 2022
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Town Nights at Hoover Elementary School
Urban Peace Movement’s community event at the Hoover Elementary School, July 1, 2022
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Paradise Park Monthly Potluck
Joining the Paradise Park monthly potluck gathering for connecting the community, July 9, 2022
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Cafe Mellana Conversations
Neighbors came together for morning nourishment and conversation at a historic spot, now known as Café Mellana, July 23, 2022
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National Night Out For Safety and Liberation
August 2nd is National Night Out, and all over the streets of North Oakland blocks came out to get to know their neighbors.
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Cracked Pop-up Brunch at Mellana Café
A friendly gathering to support entrepreneurial neighbors in a brunch pop-up,with a donation drive by Self Help Hunger Program,September 2, 2022
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Camron-Stanford History Fair
Celebrating the deep history of Oakland and the Bay Area in a historical location with crucial community legacy groups, September 10, 2022
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Dover Park Picnic & Story Share
An edible garden tour, community picnic and neighbor story share brought people together for a happy park day, Oct 1, 2022
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Life is Living Festival
People’s Kitchen Collective hosted a Free Breakfast Program in this multi-disciplinary festival that celebrates Oakland. Oct 8, 2022
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Redlined: Redefined Soundwalk
A dynamic afternoon of listening, learning and poetry with sound artist & neighbor Gabby Wen. Oct 8, 2022
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13 Ways of Looking at Kasper's
A photo and text exhibition opening with art, jazz, and the evolution of public art in Temescal. Oct 15, 2022
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47th St Neighbor Gathering
Hosted by neighbors, for neighbors, to connect and repair the trauma of repeated gun violence on their block. Oct 22, 2022
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Emeryville 4H Club Meeting
Members of the youth group Emeryville 4H Club engaged with the truck on methods of future leadership! Oct 24, 2022
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Storefront Records Marketplace
A truly joyous community celebration in support of independent businesses! Oct 29, 2022
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Neighborhood Sustainability Day
A gathering to meet and honor the community activists working towards building a sustainable future for us all! Nov 19, 2022