SFIAF Presents West Oakland to West Africa / Lake Walking, Revolutionary Talking

Lake Walking, Revolutionary Talking is an interactive, experimental performance including a live and virtual cast of spoken word artists from Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and the U.S. Set in Oakland's Lake Merritt, lost children of the African diaspora wander in an imaginary desert in hopes of discovering untainted water that will cleanse their spirit. This journey through space and time celebrates the power of imagination and connection. Featuring Ayodele Nzinga, Karla Brundage, Duana Fullwiley, David Odiase, Sir Black, Rameses Setekh, Kevin Dublin, Wanda Sabir, Gemini, Amos White, Godfrey-Elvis Odianose, Zakiyyah G.E. Capehart, Joey Korgan, Loice Mwita.

West Oakland to West Africa
In 2013, West Oakland to West Africa (WO2WA) originated when Karla Brundage taught English in Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire, inspired by Ghana's spoken word scene. Partnering with Ehalakasa, the Ghanaian initiative aimed at a poetic exchange, it draws from griot tradition and hip-hop to educate youth on their African heritage. Launched in 2016 with support from the Mills College Community Engagement Fellowship, WO2WA made a profound impact. The 2018 publication, "Our Spirits Carry Our Voices," led the poets to Ghana for a slam. Since then, WO2WA conducted exchanges in Kenya and Nigeria, featuring over 100 pan-African poets.