Sanctuary City Print Shop 
​We have known artist Sergio De La Torre from our founder's art school days, so when they reached out to partner with us it was a very enthusiastic yes.  The message is the mission and we have a fondness for anything mobile and interactive which engages the community in larger social issues. Here is more info about their great work. 

"Print your own poster at a workshop with founders Sergio De La Torre and Chris Treggiari, who aim to raise awareness about the concept of being a “sanctuary city” as well as disseminate information on the recently enacted immigration policies and how they impact our community. Sharing art and infographics, leading silkscreen workshops, and distributing printed material throughout the city, Sanctuary Print Shop serves as a resource center and catalyst for the movement to uphold immigrants’ rights." - Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Website project page

"Through silkscreen community workshops (taught via their mobile tricycle silkscreen cart), and other participatory activities, Sanctuary Print Shop educates participants on the history of the sanctuary ordinance within San Francisco, and serves as a resource center and catalyst for public engagement in the movement to uphold immigrants’ rights." - ForeSight Foundation Website project page

Dragon School

Dragon School already had a great relationship with Whole Foods Market, so when they wanted to bring a 16' wall to the Pop-up Market for folx to paint as a live mural, well, we thought what better way to connect to the celebration of the "Authentically Oakland" mural than to have folx paint one themselves as a community activity.
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To learn more about their work about town read on! "Dragon School uses art and design as a vehicle to make communities more cohesive, more interesting and creates a respect for these areas by residents and visitors alike...We provide youth and the general public a unique place to experiment, collaborate and develop community ownership via artistic avenues. Dragon School's method re-imagines the neighborhood as a shared culture of art, where unity is strengthened through diversity." - Dragon School website

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Check below for dates and times over the next three weeks! 

It is easy and the booth rates are affordable! We are committed to an inclusive space building equity in our communities. If there are barriers to applying reach out to us! 

​Merry Market is a Weekend Pop-up Holiday Market in Downtown Oakland!

Opening on November 23rd for Plaid Friday the Market will run for THREE Weekends! Bring your holiday list and the whole family for a festive and very merry market. 

​The Merry Market has curated a selection of unique vendors, a community focused collection of non-profits, a relaxing lounge to check your list twice! Join us on Plaid Friday and Thursdays to sip cozy coffee or Mexican hot chocolate!

'Tis the season! We saw this Pop-up Holiday Market as an opportunity to bring the spirit of giving to the Merry Market to lift up Oakland's non-profits and community organizations that align with our Social Impact values. Shop local and connect with Oaktown Pride and service. After all, Retail With A Mission is our mission! 
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What's Plaid Friday? The Friday after Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday shopping and Plaid Friday keeps it local by supporting our mission of investing in local entrepreneurs with hearts of gold to create communities we love. Shop local with us! 

Apply to be a vendor! http://www.popuphood.com/vendor-application.html
Event Details: http://www.popuphood.com/merry-market.html
Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/merry-market-a-popup-holiday-market-in-downtown-oakland-tickets-52433285368?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&aff=escb&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing

It has been five years since we launched our pilot in Old Oakland, and at that time, as Oakland residents, we had to invest in ourselves at a time when no one else would. Ours was a citizen-led bottom up pilot to innovate solutions for a city we love.

The pressures of gentrification have changed the conversation with a speed that we would not have imagined just five years ago. It has had negative impacts on the many communities that we serve. These changes have disproportionately impacted residents, youth, artists, and businesses of color. Much of the work we have engaged in since 2011 have focused on broader policy, planning efforts, and city and district level programs that provide economic opportunity through entrepreneurship. 

We are proud to be part of this recent effort in Oakland for the Downtown Specific Plan. At the heart of our mission is leveraging the unique genius within to creatively shape the future of cities. The Equity in Downtown Oakland launched a series of Social Equity Working Group Meetings recently, and we are looking forward to our next series of meetings.
This would be an excellent opportunity to Voice your Vision for the equitable future of Downtown Oakland and Keep the Town in Downtown!

Here are 4 key ways to get involved & VOICE YOUR VISION:

1. Share information with your communities! Visit the EQTDTO website and spread the word by sharing the link to encourage members of your community to get involved & upload and share their comments directly on our community feedback form.

2. Host an event or invite our team to an upcoming event. We can co-design creative strategies to engage your community in the process.

3. BE VOCAL. Voice your vision, follow us on social media and tag us @EQTDTO #EquityInAction #KeepingTheTownInDowntown

4. Attend a meeting! Please check the News & Updates section for times and locations in the coming week. Each meeting has a focus around the following topic areas:

Let us know if you need help to get the word out to your communities! Read more...