This interview is part of an occasional series showcasing different inspirational community organizers who are part of the NorCal Resilience Network. Meet Keneda Gibson!
Tell us about yourself. How has your background influenced the path you are on today?
I am a 3rd generation Oakland resident. Most of my family has been pushed out from this area. I really see the shift here, the shift away from community. I just didn’t want to be pushed out. I want to be able to manifest the visions I have for this community. I want to find ways to inspire people.
Tell us about your resilience hub, and about your neighborhood projects. What is your vision? What are you excited about?
I’m excited about having turned my yard into a community garden, to help people during the Pandemic, to start with! I worked with Sankofa Garden, and am still working on it. It’s in a bit of a pause right now. We are tearing down structures to provide a space so that people can teach workshops. One friend one wants to teach movement meditation, and others want to teach youth to build their own bikes. We also want to work with students from Castlemont High, have them get service learning credits while they are working in our garden. We’d also love to host story slams, getting people to tell their stories about living in Oakland.
I’m also super interested in integrating art. I want to teach workshops, how to do artivism. I want to be taking over spaces, to be put up murals, and teaching people how to create using wheat paste.
Neighbors aren’t not as interested until things starting to move. But the neighbors with small kids are excited. People walk up to inquire, about the space, and a neighbor up the street is fleshing out ideas about this movement to stop the violence by working with you. If people see that more productive things are happening, there is less time for violence. We want to give kids ideas of things to get into instead of getting into trouble.
What kinds of other projects are you working on to make a difference in your community?
I just got a Fellowship working with East Oakland Collective. We are working on a transportation project, getting people information they need to switch to electric vehicles, and to find financing options for vehicles. We are also bringing free shuttles from the bus stop at 73rd, to the (MLK) Shoreline, to activate the shoreline – to inspire more families from Oakland to use shoreline, and make it more accessible. We are looking at beautifying the shoreline, and creating a park there.
I’m also talking with someone named Red, who will help turn the cellar in the back into an underground growhouse, to grow things underground. This whole process could turn into a series of videos.
Who are some of your biggest inspirations, both historical figures and other changemakers in our community?
My biggest inspiration is simply remaining rooted, if I could show people in community that that can happen. I’m inspired by inspiring people.
I’m also inspired by a group in East Palo Alto called the HoodSquad (run by my friend JT). He created Hood News, which is creating news in the community. He got together with a group of friends, who are donating home cooked meals, and then distributing them. They also create videos about the projects.
What do you do to stay present and refreshed? What kind of self-care do you use so that you are not burned out?
I’m trying to figure out this part! I am periodically taking breaks.
What kinds of advice would you give to other changemakers, who are just getting started?
This work can be daunting sometimes. Fatigue is real, but rewards are great.
I can’t state enough the importance of drinking the right water. We are working on a water filter machine, filtering water for the community.
Always look at different problems – look at it with solutions mindset. How can we fix this problem?
And also get plenty of sunshine!
What are the barriers to change — systemic and interpersonal?
Funding is the biggest barrier. We did started a collective with some friends. It’s based on Mutual aid – if you buy products, you are funding our Mutual Aid work. It’s called Imdiggininus and also connected with Castlemont, Sankofa Garden, and Black Earth Farms.
What do you need? What would you ask from people who want to support you?
I’m always on lookout for supplies, and volunteers to help with different projects and funding. I would like to connect with a nonprofit, for as a fiscal sponsor.
