7:08 – Eric Arnold is a writer, photojournalist, cultural historian and the communications and policy director for the Community Rejuvenation Project. We discuss Oakland’s leap into the national cinematic spotlight with the success of recent films like Fruitvale Station, Black Panther, Sorry to Bother You, and Blindspotting, as well as how this Black cinematic resurgence is related to earlier cultural arts movements born in Oakland.
7:34 – Theo Aytchan Williams is the Artistic Director for SambaFunk (@SambaFunky), a collective of dancers, musicians, artists and community members, who seek to bring to life the essence of Carnaval in their work. We discuss Oakland’s annual Art and Soul festival, their role in this years event, and what cultural events like it have meant to the City of Oakland historically. The 18th Annual Art and Soul festival will take place on Saturday July 28 and Sunday July 29 from noon to 6pm.