Oakland Roots SC and West Oakland Cultural Action Network Team up to Combine Oakland History and Sport
October 4, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Oakland Roots News Release
Oakland Roots Sports Club announced today a collaboration with the Black Liberation Walking Tour (BLWT) for the final Roots game of the 2022 season on October 15th. The BLWT is a community-led cultural asset map celebrating the multi-generational Black history and culture of the Town. A special BLWT tour will lead into a ‘March to the Match’ ending at a watch party at Athletic Club Oakland as Roots take on the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The special tour will leave from Oakland’s California Hotel at 12:30 PM with the March to the Match ending at Athletic Club Oakland in downtown for a 4:00 PM PT kick off.
“WOCAN is grateful for the support and excited to continue to deepen and broaden our partnership with Oakland Roots,” Said WOCAN founder David Peters. “Oakland Roots have supported our annual Community Builders Award Celebration, and have brought their players and staff on a private, guided BLWT. We are happy to announce this public, guided tour for ORSC members, fans, and community. Together, we believe and say, “Oakland First Always.”
The BLWT is a project by the West Oakland Cultural Action Network (WOCAN) which captures oral histories to document the lives, art, and the culture of long-time residents, historical figures and too rapidly-disappearing former Black cultural spaces. The BLWT was rated by Condé Nast Traveler as one of six standout Black History Tours in the United States.
The tour was part of Oakland Roots players onboarding this season as the team took the tour to gain deeper connection and understanding with the city and the people they represent. Now BLWT is further collaborating with Roots to bring this experience and cultural education to our fans. Oakland Roots Members will receive a discount code for the tour for their dedicated support all season long.
“The Black history in Oakland, the arts and the culture is something that is fundamental to who we are as a Club,” said Director of Player Personnel Nana Attakora. “The commitment at Oakland Roots to preserving and uplifting Oakland’s Black history and to the education of players on The Town they represent is truly unlike anything I’ve seen in my time in North American Soccer.”
Following the completion of the tour, Oakland Roots’ Supporters Groups will lead a ‘March to the Match’ to the watch party heading to Athletic Club Oakland with drums, banners and flags to get everyone excited and ready for the last game of the season kicking off at 4:00 PM.
“We believe that WOCAN is such an important network and vital to the preservation of our West Oakland community,” said Jorge Leon, founder of the Oakland 68’s. “To not only educate the future but to uplift the past that has been neglected far too long.”
The BLWT and March to the watch party are also happening as part of Oakland Roots and WOCAN’s celebration of California Clean Air Day. CA Clean Air Day takes place on October 5th and the tour and march on October 15th is just one way to enjoy the beautiful city of Oakland, it’s people and its history while also sparing the air on foot for the day.
Take the Clean Air Pledge at cleanairday.org
Afternoon Outline
12:00 PM – Meet Up at Chevron station across the street from California Hotel (3420 San Pablo Ave)
12:30 PM – Tour Commences
3:00 PM – Tour Ends at 27th and West. March w/ Roots Supporters Groups to Athletic Club Begins
3:30 PM – Arrive at Athletic Club
4:00 PM Kick-off
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