From Chinatown to West Oakland: Community Portraits of Healing

“There is actually a collective historical trauma that we hold and we carry… and that we are also trying to recognize and heal for our future generations…” In this new photo exhibition titled From Chinatown to West Oakland: Community Portraits of Healing, Oakland community members share their experiences of pain and trauma, as well as their expressions of hope and humanity.

On February 21st, join us for an opening reception of Asian Health Services and Baywell Health’s new photo exhibition based on the Asian-Black Racial Healing Project. The project was launched in 2021 by the two community health centers in response to the heightened violence experienced by both communities. Over 1,000 Asian and Black Oakland community members engaged in interviews and delved into conversations on race, violence and healing. This exhibition and event is a celebration of our communities and our collective desire for connection, safety and healing across cultures.

We’re excited to feature a special joint performance by Oakland's very own Bantaba & Comrade Lover Lion, where the two will fuse together the rhythms and movements of West African drumming and Chinese lion dancing. The opening reception will also feature live jazz from blues and jazz guitarist, Hideo Date.

Presented by Asian Health Services and Baywell Health.

Program:

5:30pm: Doors open

5:40pm: Bantaba and Comrade Lover Lion

6:00pm: About the project and exhibition

6:15pm: Hideo Date

Exhibition dates: The exhibition will be up at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center from January 31st to April 22nd, 2025.

About the photographer

Joyce Xi is a community photographer based in the Bay Area. Her work documents Asian American communities/activism and social justice movements more broadly, and explores the power of visual storytelling to create a more just world.

IG: @joycexiphotography

Website: https://www.joycexiphotography.com

About Asian Health Services

Asian Health Services, founded in 1974, provides medical, dental and behavioral health services for all regardless of income, insurance status, immigration status, language, or culture. Our mission focuses on the dual pillars of both services and advocacy. Our approach to well-being focuses on “whole patient health,” which is why we provide more than primary care services, including mental health, case management, nutrition, and dental care to more than 50,000 patients in 14 languages.

Website: https://asianhealthservices.org/

About Baywell Health

Founded in 1966 by four Black mothers in the midst of the Civil Rights and Black Power movements, Baywell Health’s purpose is to advance the health and dignity of the Bay Area’s Black communities by providing culturally consistent, quality health care. Each of the Baywell Health’s clinics strive to be a hub for health, compassion, engagement, and inspiration.

Website: https://westoaklandhealth.org/

Host or Publisher Asian Health Services and Baywell Health