Featured Events in Oakland in June, 2025 (June Updated)

ALIJAH VERA-TUCKER FREE YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP DATE: JUNE 21 TIME: 10AM AGES: 8-13 LOCATION: BISHOP O'DOWD HIGH SCHOOL FREE GIVEAWAYS, T-SHIRTS, LUNCH, PERFORMANCE TRAINING Information Source: eventbrite

*SIGN UP NOW FOR $20 INSTEAD OF THE REGULAR $22! Did you know that June 4, 2025, is Global Running Day? It's a day to rekindle your love for running, continue your running journey, or even start a new one. Embrace your inner World's Okayest Runner and join us in celebrating this special day. To commemorate Global Running Day, we are excited to host our TENTH annual Running Day Virtual Race. This year's medal is a BELT BUCLKE! Lace up your shoes and choose from our diverse range of distances: 1 mile, 5K, 10K, 13.1, or 26.2. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just beginning, there's a distance for everyone. In addition to celebrating the joy of running, we're proud to donate at least 15% of every registration to Soles4Souls. This incredible organization creates sustainable job opportunities and provides relief by distributing shoes and clothing worldwide. When you upgrade to your next pair of running shoes, consider donating your old ones to Soles4Souls. Together, we can make a positive impact. Here are the event details: - What: A virtual run (or walk) of 1 Mile, 5K, 10K, 13.1, or 26.2, celebrating the runner within us all. Choose your preferred distance. - When: Complete your race anytime in June 2025, with a special emphasis on June 4, Global Running Day. - Medals will begin shipping by mid-April, and thereafter within 2 to 5 days of signing up. - Where: Select your own course and time yourself. Don't forget to report your finishing time to us. Join us in honoring Global Running Day and supporting the remarkable organization, Soles4Souls,. The registration fee is $22, which includes a medal, bib, and ensures at least 15% of all registrations go towards Soles4Souls,. We are not affiliated with this charity but are passionate about raising funds for their noble cause. What is a virtual race? A virtual race is a race that can be run (or walked) from any location you choose. You can run, jog, or walk on the road, on the trail, on the treadmill, at the gym or on the track (or even at another race). You get to run your own race, at your own pace, and time it yourself. Running and walking on your own, or with friends! And your medal will be shipped directly to you. Complete a virtual 5Ks, 10K, half marathon and more! Each of our races benefits a different charity. We’ve already raised more than $892,045 for charities from running events on this website! We are making a difference…one race at a time. Information Source: Virtual Run Events powered by Moon Joggers | eventbrite

“Shonda Buchanan crystalizes as a rare amalgam: piano prodigy, sudden soul singer, freedom fighter, half-loved-lover, complex mother and still more.” — Remica Bingham-Risher, author of Soul Culture Simone’s childhood is portrayed against the backdrop of a nature-centric, magical realist narrative. The book culminates in a realistic and politically charged conclusion, all intertwinedin histories of Africa, Ireland, and North America.” — Carolina Rivera Escamilla, author of In a Corner of Your Country About the Author: Award-winning poet and educator Shonda Buchanan (1968) was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a daughter of Mixed Bloods, tri-racial and tri-ethnic African American, American Indian and European-descendant families who migrated from North Carolina and Virginia in the mid-1700 to 1800s to Southwestern Michigan. Black Indian, her memoir, begins the saga of these migration stories of Free People of Color communities exploring identity, ethnicity, landscape and loss. For the last 18 years, Shonda has taught Creative Writing, Composition and Critical Theory at Loyola Marymount University, Hampton University and William & Mary College. An Eloise Klein-Healy Scholarship recipient, a Sundance Institute Writing Arts fellow, a Jentel Artist Residency fellow and a PEN Center Emerging Voices fellow, Shonda has received grants from the California Community Foundation, Arts Midwest/National Endowment for the Arts Big Read Program and several grants from the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. Her first book of poetry, Who's Afraid of Black Indians?, was nominated for the Black Caucus of the American Library Association and the Library of Virginia Book Awards. Literary Editor of Harriet Tubman Press, her second collection of poetry, Equipoise: Poems from Goddess Country was published by San Francisco Bay Press. Shonda's poetry and essays have been featured in numerous anthologies. Freelance writer for the LA Weekly since 1991, and Indian Country Today, the Los Angeles Times and the Writer's Chronicle, Shonda is completing a novel and a collection of poetry about the iconic singer, concert pianist and Civil Rights activist, Nina Simone. For more information visit Wayne State University Press. Follow Shonda @shondabuchanan. Information Source: this is a bookstore | Bookbug | eventbrite

Marcel Fable Price’s inventive and gloriousNew American Monarchis a beautiful object with full color interior pages and art throughout. “New American Monarch” unveils the transformative journey of an individual navigating through the complexities of self-discovery, adversity, and resilience. Through a blend of poignant narratives and vivid poetry, this collection delves into the essence of change, mirroring the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly as a metaphor for human growth amidst profound challenges. “New American Monarch” resonates with those at the crossroads of identity, offering a reflective and empowering exploration of the struggles and triumphs that define the path to personal evolution. This book is a testament to the beauty of becoming, which we always are, inviting readers to embrace their own journeys of renewal and the profound realizations that accompany the process of transformation.” —Javon Johnson, Associate Professor of African American and Gender Studies, author of Killing Poetry: Blackness and the Making of Slam and Spoken Word Communities and Aint Never Not Been Black ABOUT THE AUTHOR Marcel Fable Price ...Is a multi-hyphenate, self-directed creative whose primary medium is stranded somewhere between oratory expression and creative writing. Fable is the 2016 recipient of a Community Advocate Award, 2017 40 Under 40 Honoree, was the 2017-2020 Poet Laureate of Grand Rapids, MI, a 2020 Grand Rapids area Black Businesses “Black Bottom Community Builder” Award winner, 2021 Michigan Humanities Impact Partner of the Year, 2022 Newsmaker of the Year, and was given the “Imagination Award” by the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology. His work is a kaleidoscope of personal experiences, crafted into stained glass examples of transformation desired to connect with readers in a painstakingly beautiful way regardless of their own lived experience. Fable truly believes the mortar to our humanity is shared experience and without intentionally searching for ways to connect, our individual gospels will only remain surface hymns. His work has previously been used by PBS, The Frey Foundation, Mental Health America, and Habitat for Humanity. He has graced the cover of Grand Rapids Magazine, and his poems have appeared in The Missouri Review, Button Poetry, and Write About Now. This evening will also welcome: CASEY GROOTEN Casey Grooten is a nonbinary writer, musician, and artist living in Kalamazoo, MI. Casey strives to be open and affirming in all of their work. They are currently the Executive Director of the Kalamazoo Poetry Festival. & Destiné Price-Willis (She/They) Destiné plants herself in many spaces as a multimedia artist, writer, a youth advocate guide, and a healer.They enjoy writing short fiction pieces and poetry. Destiné works as the Executive Director of Fire Historical and Cultural Arts Collaborative holding a background of being a former fire youth and former program contractor of the organization. They have worked with youth, peers, and other youth development professionals in other capacities such as their previous position as a Volunteer Coordinator at Read and Write Kalamazoo, a Youth Advocacy Consultant at KYDnetwork, and student delegate of the International Congress of Youth Voices. They also uplift their community and practice sound therapy healing as a Sound Bath Practicitoner. As a parent of 3, Destiné continues to strive to show up as a critical lover in spaces, a mother, and an advocate. Information Source: this is a bookstore | Bookbug | eventbrite

ONE-DAY FUTSAL & BASKETBALL CAMP Looking for a dynamic, fun filled way to help your child build essential athletic skills? Our one day Futsal & Basketball Camp at Evolve Performance Gym is designed to introduce kids ages 6–12 to the foundations of athletic movement through two fast-paced, complementary sports. Whether your child is new to sports or already active, this camp delivers a powerful combo of development, confidence-building, and fun all in one day! What Your Child Will Gain: Speed & Agility – Through futsal drills and basketball footworkCoordination & Balance Cross sport training improves body controlConfidence & Teamwork Encouraging group activities and skill-based gamesSport Fundamentals , Key techniques in ball handling, movement, and awarenessWhy Futsal + Basketball? Futsal develops quick decision making, footwork, and spatial awareness. Basketball builds hand-eye coordination, balance, and confidence under pressure. Together, they create a well-rounded foundation for success in any sport Ages: 6–12 Information Source: Evolve Performance AAU | eventbrite