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The California Report

PHOTOS: 'BBQ’n While Black' Comes Back as Monthly Event at Lake Merritt

Muna Danish
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Logan Cortez was born and raised in Oakland. She says she helped organize the first 'BBQing While Black' event to bring a message of joy and unity to the lake. 'We are not people to be feared. We are not people to be discriminated against or to call the police on. I think everybody wanted to come out and say that in such a positive and loving way and eat ribs at the same time. I mean who doesn’t wanna come out and eat ribs?' (Muna Danish/KQED)

A large group of people gathered at Lake Merritt in Oakland on Sunday for what organizers say will be a monthly event throughout the summer: "BBQ’n While Black."

The first "BBQ’n While Black" event happened in May after an incident in which a white woman called the police on a black Oakland resident who was barbecuing at the lake.

While that first event was a kind of protest, organizers say the goal has evolved. Now, they want to remind people that Oakland’s identity is rooted strongly in black community and culture.

“People have been barbecuing at the lake since the beginning of the lake’s creation," says organizer Logan Cortez, who was born and raised in Oakland. "So it’s just really a celebration of what we’ve always been doing.”

Throughout the cloudy afternoon, families grilled burgers and hot dogs; DJs played music; and local vendors sold clothes, food and artwork.

Imani Baylor runs a vintage clothing business called Eccentric Vibes. She says the event feels like a family reunion. 'It's magnetic. People are walking down the street and you hear, "Hey queen! What up, cousin! Hey, nephew!" It’s like we are all family here.'
Imani Baylor runs a vintage clothing business called Eccentric Vibes. She says the event feels like a family reunion. 'It's magnetic. People are walking down the street and you hear, "Hey queen! What up, cousin! Hey, nephew!" It’s like we are all family here.' (Muna Danish/KQED)
(L-R) Terrance Smith, Brandon Dawkins and Will Morrison grill some burgers at Lake Merritt on Sunday. Smith moved here from Louisiana 20 years ago. 'No matter where we’re from, we are all Oakland, and we’re not going anywhere, and there’s nothing they can do to change that.'
(L-R) Terrance Smith, Brandon Dawkins and Will Morrison grill some burgers at Lake Merritt on Sunday. Smith moved here from Louisiana 20 years ago. 'No matter where we’re from, we are all Oakland, and we’re not going anywhere, and there’s nothing they can do to change that.' (Muna Danish/KQED)
Sharon Myatt is 56 years old and moved to San Ramon from Oakland six years ago. She says she grew up skating around the lake. After leaving Oakland she says the incident in April has helped reunite black people at the lake. 'I’m from San Ramon, and you can see I came back ... This is where I was born.'
Sharon Myatt is 56 years old and moved to San Ramon from Oakland six years ago. She says she grew up skating around the lake. After leaving Oakland she says the incident in April has helped reunite black people at the lake. 'I’m from San Ramon, and you can see I came back ... This is where I was born.' (Muna Danish/KQED)
(L-R) Organizer Jhamel Morrison and DJ Gas Ken. Morrison: 'We didn't want to just make it about an issue, but you can just come and hang out and now people look forward to something. It's an opportunity for us to mingle.' He says people from all over the Bay Area came to the event on Sunday.
(L-R) Organizer Jhamel Morrison and DJ Gas Ken. Morrison: 'We didn't want to just make it about an issue, but you can just come and hang out and now people look forward to something. It's an opportunity for us to mingle.' He says people from all over the Bay Area came to the event on Sunday. (Muna Danish/KQED)
(L-R) Aljernon Olden and Martha Olden are both from Oakland and celebrated getting married last week. They came to the event for the 'good energy, good positive vibes and a lot of black people.'
(L-R) Aljernon Olden and Martha Olden are both from Oakland and celebrated getting married last week. They came to the event for the 'good energy, good positive vibes and a lot of black people.' (Muna Danish/KQED)
Kumi Rauf is selling t-shirts with his business 'I Love Being Black' that he started in the '90s. 'We can’t complain about not enough positivity out there if we are not creating it ourselves.'
Kumi Rauf is selling t-shirts with his business 'I Love Being Black' that he started in the '90s. 'We can’t complain about not enough positivity out there if we are not creating it ourselves.' (Muna Danish/KQED)
People gathered at Lake Merritt on Sunday to celebrate black community and culture.
People gathered at Lake Merritt on Sunday to celebrate black community and culture. (Muna Danish/KQED)

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