Student Marquerite Williams shares a narrative about her experiences groing up in West Oakland and her special ties to community and education.
Through a partnership with the West Oakland Senior Center (WOSC), Stagebridge produced a class exploring West Oakland’s history through the eyes of Black elders.
Bay Area storyteller Ben Tucker, AKA Brother Ben, taught Straight Outta Oakland, a class which lead students towards a showcase of short stories. Focused on exploring stories from 1940-60s and Oakland’s place in The Great Migration, this class was a bridge to mapping and crafting one-of-a-kind journeys for elders.
“This is a dream come true for me: helping seniors who live in West Oakland tell their stories,” Tucker said.
A retired University of California administrator, Tucker has been a community-focused storyteller for several years while taking classes at Stagebridge. He has performed at the San Francisco and Berkeley Marsh Theaters, Oakland Main and San Francisco Bayview Libraries, and many senior centers and schools.
“The classes offer both cognitive and motor skills that help individuals thrive while aging,” former Director of West Oakland Senior Center Dorothy Poston said. “We are honored to host Stagebridge’s classes here in the heart of Oakland at the West Oakland Senior Center—where ability is ageless.”
Stagebridge Executive Director Shannon McDonnell forged this partnership with WOSC inspired through her work as a sitting commissioner on the Oakland Mayor’s Commission on Aging.
“I am acutely aware of the lack of services in West Oakland related to housing, food scarcity, and community health,” McDonnell said. “As a liaison for the West Oakland Senior Center, this was the perfect opportunity to create programs to improve the health and vitality of elders in the community.”