Rapid gentrification in cities across the US has had a marked effect on communities of color. In Oakland, where rents are growing at a rate faster than almost anywhere else in the country, gentrification and displacement are changing the ability of communities who have helped to create and sustain this vibrant and artistic city to stay in their hometown.

Join the Women of Color Collective and the National Lawyers Guild for a benefit happy hour in honor of the Betti Ono Gallery, a women of color-owned and operated performance space, art gallery, and community center in the heart of downtown Oakland. Betti Ono is facing a 60% rent increase, and in order to stay downtown and continue their innovative programming for young artists, they are working to raise $50,000 by the end of April.

Anyka Barber, Betti Ono’s founder, visionary, and executive director, will join us via video chat to talk more about the gallery, the #powerloveresistance campaign to keep it downtown, and about the ways that gentrification affects women of color communities as cultural assets and culture-bearers in cities like Oakland.

We hope to see you there!

Thursday, April 21

7:00 p.m.