Oakland First Fridays is back, and it comes with a new addition this time around. The popular street festival that draws thousands downtown each month is introducing a special activation focused on community and connection. The event, called “comeUnity: Praise on the Pavement,” will bring faith leaders together to create a space for healing and unity, alongside a full lineup of gospel music artists that will hit the stage. “I believe our city needs us, but we have to come out of the four walls and actually go reach them, touch them, let them know they’re loved,” B.A.S.I.C. Ministry Pastor Mustafa Muhyee said. Muhyee is part of Pastors of Oakland and is helping lead the new activation. The space will feature gospel music, prayer and spoken word — all centered on healing and connection. “We want the people to know we’re not going out there with our fingers pointed,” Muhyee said. “We’re going out there with our arms open. We will sit down on the pavement with you, cry with you. We are with you. We want Oakland to know we are with them.” Oakland First Fridays Director Venessa McGhee said “comeUnity” began as a community prayer to kick off First Fridays but quickly expanded into a larger effort. While numbers show Oakland is getting safer, the city continues to face violence, including last month’s shooting that left two dead and several injured. “I believe that the only way for us to drive out the negativity is to fill our streets with positivity,” McGhee said. The goal is to expand the activation each month, bringing in community resources and partnering with violence prevention advocates – all with the hope of turning connection and healing into lasting change. “We have the opportunity to change the trajectory of where we’re going as a community and as a city as a whole,” McGhee said. “I think pushing that narrative that we are better together is going to really help to really make that happen.” ...read more read less