Art by Favianna Rodriguez

During my sophomore year of college at UC Berkeley I had a poster pinned up on my dorm room wall that said Legalizacion Ahora! (Legalization Now).  It was the first time in my life as a young wide-eyed activist that I began organizing around Ethnic Studies and immigrant rights. Little did I know in 2006, year of the Great American Boycott, that the image I woke up to every morning for inspiration was made by the same artist whose posters I waved high at marchas del moviemeinto from San Francisco to Arizona.

I quickly learned that the creator of many artistic images that continuously move my heart and inspire me into action are made by a powerful cultural worker from Oakland named Favianna Rodriguez. Not only is Favianna a talented print maker and digital artist who uses art to spark civic engagement and social change, she is a leader, teacher and visionary who has co-founded incredible groups such as Presente.org, the Taller Tupac Amaru printing studio, and Tumis Design Studio. She is also co-founder of the EastSide Arts Alliance (ESAA) a community art center located one block from my house that supports a creative revolutionary environment for people in my neighborhood.

As a Xicana and Oakland resident, I can honestly admit there is no other artist that has captured my imagination or effectively communicated the struggles of our times quiet like Favianna! Her work reflects a revolutionary consciousness that speaks to the contemporary urban barrio and defines and creates a revolutionary culture through her art and activism.

The Soul of the City Campaign, which is part of the Ella Baker Center, works to be an entry point for the next generation of young people to become politicized in Oakland. And as you know, it is art, be it dancing, music, poetry, images, or posters that moves young people into action. When SOTC launched our Reclaim the Workshop this past spring—a journey that serves to inspire people to take action in their community—we knew nobody but Favianna could effectively capture the essence of our work.

Now as I organize on the Soul of the City Campaign, I would have never imagined I’d have the honor of presenting an award to the artist whose posters hung on my dorm room walls and inspired me into action over five years ago! Please join me and the Ella Baker Center this Thursday September 22^nd as we honor Favianna Rodriguez, one of the 2011 Ella Award Recipients. The Ellas is a celebration and fundraiser that will include an art exhibit of works by Favianna. Tickets are available at the door.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to pay tribute to Favianna Rodriguez: a revolutionary Oakland artist who makes revolution truly irresistible!