Sunday Dinner

About The Event

"Sunday Dinner" is designed for Black youth and Black elders in the Bay Area, to foster in-person connections rooted in shared passion, curiosity and investment in Black histories and futures. The event will include performances from Young, Gifted and Black (YGB), facilitated intergenerational conversations, afro-centric rituals and traditions, a catered dinner and more.

When and Where

The event will take place on Saturday, May 16th from 3-5pm, immediately followed by a catered dinner. Doors open at 2:30pm and the program will start promptly at 3pm. We will be hosted by East Bay Church of Religious Science, located at 4130 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609.

The “Why?”

Black history is under attack. Books for all ages celebrating Black culture and history have been banned. Culturally affirming organizations, departments, museums and research have been defunded or eliminated altogether. It is of the utmost importance that we invest in our connections to one another. Without this, we risk the loss of stories, histories, traditions, customs, rituals, relationships and so much more.

It is important that Black youth are able to identify elders in their own communities, the people who lived through and are immediate descendants of this history. It is equally as important that Black elders see first-hand the continuation of their legacy, and have a space to share their stories, told or untold, with the next generation.

The Organizers

East Bay Church of Religious Science (EBCRS) is dedicated to the spiritual transformation of the entire planet. They are committed to being a point of empowerment allowing Spirit to direct every thought, word, deed, and action for personal transformation. Their purpose is to serve as a spiritual development center by making available the knowledge and practice of the Science of Mind to all people by fostering their spiritual, cultural and general well being, and to provide facilities for public worship, education and fellowship.

Young, Gifted and Black (YGB) is a youth ensemble based in Oakland California that teaches Black history through historic poetry, contemporary rap and liberation songs. They aim to restore the historic memory of Black people by reconnecting them to the heroes, stories, culture, words, and places of our past.

Nia Leilani is an artist, public speaker, educator and world traveler born and raised in Oakland, CA. She now works as the curriculum designer for Kingmakers of Oakland and volunteers with Young, Gifted and Black, coaching the high school ensemble “Black Gold”.

Our Partners

We are thrilled and proud to partner with the Black Panther Party Alumni Network, the Brotherhood of Elders and Kingmakers of Oakland to produce this dynamic event!

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Host or Publisher Nia Leilani