East Bay Destinations

Of special note, just across the Bay Bridge: Literary/research: African American Museum and Library (659 14th St., Oakland; 510-637-0200), a division of the Oakland Public Library, original documents related to African Americans in California and the West. Marcus Books (3900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland; 510-652-2344), well-stocked with thousands of titles by and about African Americans as well as frequent readings and other events.

Entertainment: Alice Arts Center (1428 Alice St., Oakland; 510-238-7219), features dance and theater. Black Repertory Group (3201 Adeline St., Berkeley; 510-652-2120), classics and new works by African American playwrights. Yoshi’s (510 Embarcadero West, Jack London Square, Oakland; 510-238-9200), THE Bay Area jazz and blues destination.

Churches, all in Oakland: First A.M.E. Church (530 37th St.; 510-655-1527), the Bay Area’s oldest African Methodist Episcopal church, founded 1858. Beth Eden Baptist Church (1183-10th St.; 510-444-1625), the East Bay’s oldest African American Baptist church, founded in 1895. Allen Temple Baptist Church (8501 International Blvd.; 510-544-8910), 4,000 members strong.

Food: T.J.’s Gingerbread House (741 5th St., Oakland; 510-444-7373), award-winning Creole and Louisiana cuisine. Everett & Jones Barbeque (two Oakland locations: 2676 Fruitvale, 510-533-0900 and 126 Broadway 510-663-2350; and 1955 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, 510-548-8261) for great takeout food. Pies and more at Sweetie Pie and Poppy’s Authentic Southern Cuisine (5319 Martin Luther King Jr. Way; Oakland; 510-547-9743).

Resources

Sun Reporter (671-1000) published every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, available at Walgreens Drug Stores and newsstands; San Francisco Bay View weekly newspaper (671-0789). African American radio in the Bay Area: KPOO-89.5 (community), WILD 94.9 (urban contemporary music), KBLX-FM 102.9 (adult music), KMEL-FM 106.1 (urban contemporary music), KCSM-FM 91.1 (jazz).

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