510Day · May 10
Lake Merritt · Oakland
Oakland's annual community celebration and act of resistance against gentrification, displacement, and the erasure of our people.
Est. 2016
510Day was born at Lake Merritt. It was born from rage and love — from a community that watched a Black family get the police called on them for grilling on a Sunday afternoon, and decided to respond not with defeat, but with presence. Thousands showed up. We Still Here.
For a decade, 510Day has been a free, grassroots, well-organized celebration of Oakland's Black, Brown, and Indigenous flatland communities — in the face of gentrification, displacement, erasure, and the criminalization of our cultures and our people.
Oakland is the land of the Ohlone people. The birthplace of the Black Panther Party. Tupac's spiritual home. 510Day exists because that identity is worth fighting for.
#WeStillHere
Quality working class, low-income, and no-income housing & shelter for all.
The use of public land and public resources to improve the quality of life for Oaklanders being displaced — with community decision making.
Quality, equitably resourced public schools that are relevant to students of color, including programs that advance Black and Brown students in math and sciences, and restorative justice and peer counseling programs as support and intervention for students.
An end to the criminalization & mass incarceration of communities of color & the right to have fun without being criminalized.
An investment in community-based alternatives to policing and incarceration that create real community safety.
Quality, permanent jobs & economic opportunity for Oakland locals.
Communities of belonging for immigrants, just immigration policies, and non-cooperation with ICE.
Access to health care, healthy living, and healthy food options for all.
The preservation and innovation of Oakland's authentic culture.
Support — not criminalize — grassroots street vendors and informal economy workers: lower barriers to permits, marketplaces with no or sliding-scale vendor fees, and redirect funds spent on criminalization into small business incubation and community investment programs. Read the press release & Know Your Rights →
510Day was built by Oakland, for Oakland — and we want to keep it that way.
510Day is not a theme. It's not a vibe. It's not just a date on the calendar to drop on a product or flyer. It's a decade of showing up for Black and Brown flatland communities in the face of gentrification, displacement, and erasure. The name carries weight because the people behind it do.
510Day is for all of Oakland, and that means everyone who carries the name carries a responsibility to honor what it stands for. We were inspired by what 415 Day was originally about before it got co-opted by commercial interests and San Francisco's dept of tourism and elected officials. That is not happening here.
If you want to use the 510Day brand, contact us and let's talk about how we can collaborate with aligned vision. If you are using the brand to get corporate sponsorship, or using it disconnected from the message the brand carries, we ask that you find another brand name.
— 510Day Organizing Committee
Needa Bee · Leon DNas Sykes · Jordan Warren · The Village in Oakland · CURYJ · YWFC
510Day is organized by a collective of grassroots organizations, culture makers, community caretakers, and Oakland businesses. Founded by Needa Bee, Leon DNas Sykes, and Jordan Warren. Supported by The Village in Oakland, The Lumpia Ladies, CURYJ, YWFC, and Oakland community.
Community Partners
Endorsers
Eleventh annual · 2026 · Well-Organized · Free · Ours
Oakland Voices · May 6, 2026
11th annual preview by Rasheed Shabazz. Mother's Day programming including Dear Mama altar and kids zone. Organizing committee 'not for sale' statement quoted.
Oakland Voices · May 5, 2026
Needa Bee op-ed on origins and political platform. Warns against city co-optation, references 415Day, First Fridays, and Black August Movement precedents.
Oakland Voices · May 14, 2025
Full recap of 10th annual. Needa Bee, Jason 'Trackademics' Valerio, Quiana 'Qui Soul' Webster quoted. Tribute to D'Wayne Wiggins and Kenzie Smith. We Still Here petition for Mayor-Elect Barbara Lee mentioned.
The Oaklandside · May 12, 2025
Post-event photo essay by Estefany Gonzalez. Thousands in attendance documented.
NBC Bay Area · May 11, 2025
10th annual 510Day Protest Party. Organizer Jasmine Frye quoted. Affordable housing demands and call on Mayor-Elect Barbara Lee.
The Oaklandside · May 9, 2025
Pre-event feature by Azucena Rasilla. Needa Bee and Leon Sykes quoted. Tribute to D'Wayne Wiggins and Kenzie Smith.
KPFA Hard Knock Radio · May 8, 2025
Davey D interviews Needa Bee on origins, co-optation threats, and 10th annual programming. Full origin story including Somar Lounge conversation and 415 Day connection.
KQED Arts · May 2024
Coverage of the 9th annual. Anti-gentrification rally and concert at Lake Merritt.
The Oaklandside · May 7, 2024
Preview of 9th annual. RyanNicole and Kenzie Smith named as hosts. Jordan Warren, Leon Sykes, Needa Bee credited as co-founders.
CBS San Francisco · May 10, 2022
Youth ALIVE! fundraiser coverage tied to 510Day.
The Oaklandside · May 11, 2022
Full photo coverage of 7th annual. Leon Sykes, George Galvis, Chaney Turner, Deligod of Oaxxanda quoted. Photography by Carla Hernández Ramírez.
The Oaklandside · May 9, 2022
Event preview for the 7th annual return to in-person.
The Oaklandside · May 11, 2021
Photo essay from the 6th annual car/pedestrian caravan. Photography by Amir Aziz.
The Oaklandside · May 6, 2021
Pre-event interview with Leon Sykes on pandemic adaptations, origins, and Oakland resilience.
SF Chronicle · 2021
Justin Phillips column on Lake Merritt as contested space and site of Black cultural resistance. 510Day featured as a central example.
The Root · May 2019
In-depth feature on the 4th annual event. Leon Sykes quoted.
KTVU · May 11, 2019
4th annual coverage. Nicole Lee quoted on event growing from 100 to 700–800 attendees following BBQ Becky.
Mother Jones · May 2018
National coverage of the 510Day / BBQ Becky moment.
The Root / The Grapevine · May 2018
National coverage of the 510Day response to the BBQ Becky incident.
East Bay Express · May 30, 2018
Leon Sykes quoted on the BBQ Becky incident and 510Day as community response.
Urban Peace Movement · 2018
Organizational documentation of 510Day as the first community response to the BBQ Becky incident. Notes viral national and international coverage and the creation of the WeStillHere Anti-Gentrification Platform.
KQED Arts · May 2018
Coverage of the BBQ'n While Black / 510Day community response to the Lake Merritt incident.
Whether you're an organizer, vendor, performer, media, or just want to plug in — reach out.