1-800 Happy Birthday at LATHAM Square
A Public Exhibition Honoring Black and Brown Lives Killed by Police
Created by Artist Mohammad Gorjestani and Even/Odd
Curated by Benjamin “BJ” McBride
Presented by WORTHLESSSTUDIOS
Opening Day Celebration June 5, 6-7pm
On view June 5, 2026 - September, 2026
On Friday, June 5, 1-800 Happy Birthday presented a public art installation in Latham Square, Oakland, in partnership with the City of Oakland and Oakland’s Cultural Affairs Division. We brought together the project team members, family members of celebrants, city officials, and Oakland community members to unveil the booth which will be open all summer. Stop by to experience the public art installation and listen to the voicemails.
The phone booth honors the heavenly birthdays of 14 Black and Brown victims of police violence, and will be installed in the Square for the summer.
Passersby will experience an installation that serves as a communal space to engage with the full humanity of the Celebrants, whose lives were stolen by state-sanctioned violence.
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.
