Oakland Teen Receives Prestigious Award from Redford Center

CB Smith-Dahl Mon, 7 Jun at 11:25pm
The West Oakland Youth Standing Empowered Team. James Berk is on the right. Image courtesy of Ashoka.

The West Oakland Youth Standing Empowered Team. James Berk is on the right. Image courtesy of Ashoka.

Oakland Local first covered James Berk's work when he presented (and won) at the Akosha Youth Venture Panel. Now his efforts will be recognized by the Redford Center in Berkeley.  

On Wednesday, June 9, Berk and Martha Ryan, founder of San Francisco's Homeless Prenatal program, will be honored recipients of the "Art in Activism" award.

At age 19, Berk is a worker/member of the Mandela Foods Co-op and a founding member of WYSE: West Oakland Youth Standing Empowered. WYSE is an after-school program dedicated to spreading knowledge of healthy living and creating positive community change through the voice, actions and leadership of young people. Mandela Foods brings produce from small, local farms to a neighborhood market; WYSE brings that same produce from the market to several local liquor stores.
 
Art in Activism recognizes Bay Area leaders who model systems of change on the grassroots level. The awards are a chance for community members, awardees and other activists to come together. Not only are tickets just $20, but approximately one quarter of the audience includes invited guests of the Redford Center who attend for free.

Rosario Dawson will host the ceremony, which will feature a moderated discussion between honorees and provide time for all participants to meet and greet afterwards.
 
The Redford Center offers a range of Bay Area events as well as several programs at the Sundance Preserve in Utah. The center is dedicated to finding creative alternatives to solve some of today's most pressing social and environmental challenges. It aims to be an international asset for leaders, artists and ideas alike, and an advocate for a sustainable and equitable society.
 
Tickets are available through www.brownpapertickets.com. The next Art in Activism event will be on Nov. 11 and feature New Jersey Mayor Corey Booker. Click here to nominate another local hero for the award.

Also, Mandela Foods will celebrate their 1st Anniversary with a Community Block Party this Saturday, June 12 from 11am-2pm. 

 
Oakland Local Presents...

 

Video of James Berk presenting at the Akosha Panel

 

Previous OL Coverage:

Ashoka's Youth Venture Community Panel

Young Oakland Social Entrepreneurs Win $1,000 Seed Capital Each

Ashoka Invites Local Youth to Step up to Inspire Change This Saturday

About CB Smith-Dahl
CB Smith-Dahl (aka Ms. Smitty B) is an award-winning filmmaker, photographer, and educator who has always put the community at the center of her work. In 1997, she founded Community Bridge Video. As Oakland Local's Community Media Manager, she creates new media content for the site. Her work with Oakland Local Academy teaches and engages youth and community members and organizations in useful media skills.