Arts and Culture
Supervisor Nate Miley’s Office Supports 9th Annual Black-Eyed Pea Festival
A day before the Ninth Annual Black-Eyed Pea Festival took place at West Oakland’s Marston Campbell Park at 17th and West streets, the office of Alameda County District 4 Supervisor Nate Miley came through with a much-needed donation of $750. Wanda Ravernell, the executive director of the sponsoring organization, Omnira Institute, accepted the check from Miley at his office in Eastmont Mall on Friday.
Special to The Post
A day before the Ninth Annual Black-Eyed Pea Festival took place at West Oakland’s Marston Campbell Park at 17th and West streets, the office of Alameda County District 4 Supervisor Nate Miley came through with a much-needed donation of $750.
Wanda Ravernell, the executive director of the sponsoring organization, Omnira Institute, accepted the check from Miley at his office in Eastmont Mall on Friday.
The festival, a celebration of the African American legacy through food, music and art, took place on Saturday, Sept. 14, headlined by second-line band MJ’s Brass Boppers and Andre Thierry’s Accordion. Hundreds came out to attend the festival at its new location in the middle of a residential neighborhood after several years on the front of Oakland Technical High School.
It was the first time a public event had been held there: the square was full of vendors of African descent who sold handmade wares from soap to wallets, jewelry, and clothing. With black-eyed peas on the menu, Ate o’Clock sold oxtails and mac and cheese, and Cocobreeze restaurant’s plate had Hoppin’ John Trinidadian style.
Representatives from The Alameda County Registrar of Voters, KIPP Public Schools, and Bay Area United Academy were among the community resources present.
Besides dancing to the bands and DJ’s music, attendees kept things moving with the 510 JumpSquad who helped oldsters and youngsters gain jump rope skills.
Besides Miley’s office, the festival was sponsored by the Post News Group, The San Francisco Foundation, California Arts Council, The Oakland Cultural Development Fund, the Center for Cultural Power, and the Alliance for California Traditional Arts.
