1-800 Happy Birthday at BLACK JOY PARADE

A Public Exhibition Honoring Black and Brown Lives Killed by Police

Presented by WORTHLESSSTUDIOS
Created by Artist Mohammad Gorjestani and Even/Odd

February 22, 12:30-7pm

The Black Joy Parade, presented by Black Infant Health, will returned downtown Oakland for its 9th annual parade as the largest free celebration of Black culture, creativity and collective joy in California. This year’s theme, ‘Black is the Blueprint,’ honored Black innovation as the foundation for global culture, creativity and resistance. From music and movement to entrepreneurship and mutual aid, the theme recognizes Black people as the original architects of trends, systems of care and cultural imagination. It uplifts those who build, sustain and reimagine community through joy, resilience and shared purpose. 1-800 Happy Birthday was the centerpiece of the Healing Village and presented a pay phone that played voicemails left to all celebrants along with a series of community programs throughout the day.

Attracting more than 34,000 attendees each year, The Black Joy Parade remains the largest free, family-friendly event of its kind in California. It is a powerful celebration of the Black experience and the immeasurable contributions Black communities continue to make to culture, art and the social fabric of Oakland and beyond. Rooted in authenticity and pride, the event offers an unapologetically Black atmosphere that welcomes people of all backgrounds to witness, honor and participate in Black joy. The signature parade features over 100 contingents, including classic car clubs, dance troupes, community organizations and vibrant sponsored floats, many competing for the coveted ‘Best in Flow’ title for bringing the most joy and energy to the streets of Downtown Oakland.

1-800 Happy Birthday is a multi-format project and living memorial that celebrates the heavenly birthdays of the Black and Brown lives killed by police violence, created by filmmaker and artist Mohammad Gorjestani in deep collaboration with their families. The project is produced by creative studio Even/Odd and the NYC arts non-profit WORTHLESSSTUDIOS in partnership with the social justice non-profit Campaign Zero

Donate to THE FAMILY FUND

All donations are processed through WORTHLESSSTUDIOS, a New York–based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and are periodically distributed to the participating families.

Your contribution supports the families of Dujuan Armstrong, Sandra Bland, Michael Brown, Philando Castile, Stephon Clark, Fred Cox, George Floyd, Derrick Gaines, Eric Garner, Oscar Grant, Xzavier Hill, Donovon Lynch, Sean Monterrosa, Tony Robinson, and Mario Woods, honoring their lives and providing direct support to their loved ones.