Black Arts Mvmt & Business District Designated CA Cultural District

Published on December 22, 2025

Oakland, CA – The City of Oakland announced today that the Black Arts Movement and Business District has been designated a California Cultural District by the California Arts Council. Oakland is one of 10 new districts selected statewide in a highly competitive process, joining a total of 24 cultural districts across California. This prestigious designation recognizes Oakland’s leadership in advancing culture-driven economic development and brings new visibility and resources to the Fourteenth Street corridor in Downtown and West Oakland.  

 

Cultural Strategist Rashida Chase, working with Oakland’s Cultural Affairs Division and the Planning Department, coordinated and led the submission of the application, in partnership with EvOak, BAMBD CDC, the Uptown Downtown Association, and the Malonga Arts Collective.

 

The designation was awarded through the California Cultural Districts program, established under Assembly Bill 189, which identifies and supports areas of concentrated cultural activity across the state. The program invests in vibrant cultural hubs to preserve California’s diverse heritage, attract cultural tourism, and build sustainable local economies. Oakland’s application advanced through a rigorous selection process including peer panel review and site visits. 

 

“I supported this designation because I believe in the power of this district. The Black Arts Movement and Business District represents Oakland’s creative identity, and this state recognition ensures that Black artists and entrepreneurs will have the resources and visibility they deserve. This is what investing in Oakland’s future looks like,” said Mayor Barbara Lee.

 

District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife, whose district includes the Black Arts Movement and Business District, emphasized the importance of public recognition and long-term investment. “Since I took office in 2021, I made it a top priority to ensure the preservation and advancement of the dynamic arts and cultural fabric of the Black Arts Movement and Business District, the City’s first cultural district. The BAMBD is a living legacy of Black creativity, resistance, and excellence in Oakland and deserves true investment,” said Councilmember Carroll Fife. “This designation brings long-overdue visibility and resources so Black artists and institutions remain rooted and thriving in our city.” 

 

“The BAMBD serves as a space where Black art and culture thrive as a central pillar of community well-being and economic growth. This designation affirms what Oakland already knows about the Black creative genius and brilliance that emerges from our city, and I am elated that Oakland is being recognized by the California Arts Council as the cultural mecca that it has been and will continue to be,” said Rashida Chase, Cultural Strategist for the City of Oakland.

 

City officials also highlighted the economic impact of arts-led investment. “Arts and culture are central to Oakland’s economic vitality,” said Ashleigh Kanat, Director of Economic and Workforce Development. “This designation supports local wealth generation and drives long-term investment and growth by strengthening Black-led businesses, creating jobs, and driving foot traffic along a key business corridor.” 

 

What the Designation Includes 

The Black Arts Movement and Business District was selected for its thriving creativity, strong cultural leadership, and distinct artistic identity. As a state-designated California Cultural District, the district will receive: 

• State designation from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2030 

• $10,000 over two years to support district activities 

• Technical assistance, including joint marketing, branding, and peer learning with other cultural districts across California 

The designation will be supported by the City of Oakland’s Cultural Affairs Division, part of the Economic and Workforce Development Department, in collaboration with community partners. 

 

The Cultural Strategists program is a partnership between the Oakland Fund for Public Innovation and the Cultural Affairs Division in the City of Oakland’s Economic and Workforce Development Department. 

 

“Arts, culture, and creative businesses employ people and strengthen social connection which are the conditions for vibrant communities,” said California Arts Council Executive Director Danielle Brazell. “Cultural Districts are an integral part of our economic, civic, and cultural ecosystem that fuels innovation, reflects California’s diversity, and shapes the stories we tell.”