The Art of Black Storytelling — Juneteenth Edition
About this Event
Lectures by professors and subject experts on mind-stimulating topics, served up at cool Bay Area bars.
Date: Wednesday, June 17th 2026 🌙
Time: 6:30 PM ⏳
Location: Mad Oak Bar N’ Yard, Oakland 🍻
Lecture: “The Art of Black Storytelling — Juneteenth Edition” 🍺
Speaker: J.R. Rice, Author, Spoken Word Artist, Educator 🧠
Join us for a special Juneteenth edition of Pub Scholar, an evening exploring the power, craft, and cultural legacy of Black storytelling as one of the most enduring forms of expression and resistance.
Led by a spoken word artist, author, and curator of Oakland’s Get-Hype Open Mic, this talk traces the evolution of Black oral tradition through Negro spirituals, the Harlem Renaissance, and contemporary spoken word. We’ll unpack the techniques at the heart of the craft: rhythm, repetition, metaphor, and call-and-response, and how they’ve been used to preserve memory, build identity, and shape cultural movements.
This is more than a lecture...it’s a live, reflective experience blending storytelling, spoken word, and conversation. Come for a lecture, stay for an evening of history, artistry, and community as we honor the voices that continue to shape the present and future.
📸 Photo & Video Notice
Please Note: Photos and videos will be taken during this event for marketing, promotional, and social media purposes.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in such materials.
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Agenda
🕑: 06:30 PM - 06:55 PM
Check-in
Info: Doors open! Our event is open seating, so come early to grab a seat and grab your drinks + food.
🕑: 06:55 PM - 07:00 PM
Introduction
🕑: 07:00 PM - 07:45 PM
Lecture Time
🕑: 07:45 PM - 08:00 PM
Audience Q&A
🕑: 08:00 PM - 08:30 PM
Mix & Mingle
Info: Mingle, grow your bar tab, vibe!
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 25.00
