Town of Oakland honors black history with new exhibition

The town of Oakland has put together a special exhibition in honor of Black History Month in February. 

The exhibition, "Honoring Black History," opened on Feb. 3, and delves into the contributions of black residents in the town. 

The display explores the labor workforce of citrus growers, how black families formed distinct communities and how historic black churches served as cornerstones of the community.

The exhibit also highlights Oakland’s African American leaders, past and present, as well as the town’s Historic African American Cemetery, and offers personal insight into the black experience in Oakland during the first half of the 20th century. 

Historic photos and artifacts are surrounded by art inspired by the black experience and paying tribute to black leaders, artists, athletes, and musicians.

Curated by Artscape, the works feature artists including Maho Shing, Marisela Rodriguez, Nelson Cardenas, Pamela Bussey, Christina Georges and David Glinski. 

The town is inviting the public to celebrate the central role African Americans have played in American culture at the exhibition which runs through March. 

The display can be viewed at the Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center at the Town of Oakland, located at 126 W. Petris Ave. 

For more information on the center, click here.