"This space is a blessing." - Ayodele Nzinga, Oakland Poet Laureate

One week ago today, a writing center was born. It came to our attention that we have been working for nine months on the build and beautification of our new home at 546 9th Street in Old Oakland. This does not feel like a coincidence.

The Bay Area Reporter thoughtfully highlights our first-of-its-kind science fiction and fantasy workshop for LGBTQ sixth and seventh graders called New Origins in an interview with teaching artist Duane Horton.

Happy National Poetry Month!

For the third year in a row, in partnership with the City of Oakland and the Oakland Roots, we will be celebrating Poetry Month by writing together as a Town.

Building on a 5th grade social studies unit that studies the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Chapter 510 led an in-school book project for 5th grade Hoover Elementary students.

Our poetry program with Franklin Elementary fifth-graders has culminated in this gorgeous mural by Ryoko Tokuho! Thank you to our teaching artist Giovanna Lomanto for guiding the poets through writing this beautiful collaborative poem.

The Dept. of Make / Believe, Chapter 510’s magical store front, is open for the holidays, Tues. – Sat. 12pm–7pm. Come in to bu supplies for the writers and readers in your life and support our free writing programs for Oakland youth! Win-Win!

The East Bay Express thoughtfully highlights our new, magicked up retail and writing space in the historic Swan’s Market.

More than a rebrand, our new look and feel is inspired by our powerful youth, our community of radical artists, and Oakland’s roots in social justice.