Maybe it happened over the border in Berkeley, but that doesn't mean Thursday's Take Back the Mic! was anything but a hard-core Oakland event.  Organized by Bay Localize's Dave Room (aka Melia's Papa), the event brought together LA-based green sustainability talent Derrick Ashong and his partner Jonathan M Gramling, who together make up Soulfege, with the Town's own green hip-hop players Audiopharmacy, Seasunz & Ambessa FiyaPowa, Aaron Ableman Ensemble and Sunru all joining in.

Gerardo Marin of Farm Fresh Choice kicked off the event with a calling to Mother Earth/Pachamama and the elements, and Rook and Navina Khanna were able MCs.

A procession of storytellers entertained the crowd, which included lots of Oakland's environmental justice organizers, out to celebrate community. Luisah Teish and David Glover of OCCUR & Greenlining Institute both told powerful stories.

And then there was the music, And the dancing. And the people. Yes, it rocked. And when I went home to go to sleep, of course, it was still happening.

About Susan Mernit

Susan Mernit is the founder of Oakland Local. She is also a circuit rider for The Community Information Challenge, a program of The John S and James L Knight Foundation, and a consultant to non-profit and community organizations. Susan lives in North Oakland, near the Santa Fe school, with her partner Andy, her housemate, a big old dog named Winston, and a yard full of ants. She is an aspiring gardener, a long-time blogger & entrepreneur, and a recovering journalist.