Remembering the 'Harlem of the West': A local musician's mission to preserve Oakland's Blues culture

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- West Oakland was once known for its Blues history, so rich it earned the nickname "Harlem of the West."

The roster of performers who made a name on 7th Street was so illustrious it included names like B.B. King, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, the Pointer Sisters, Big Mama Thornton and so many more. But a series of local and federal policies under the guise of urban renewal and redevelopment would eventually silence the music.

WATCH HERE: 2023 Black Joy Parade in Oakland

The construction of the Cypress Freeway, the movement of Oakland's main post office to 7th Street, and the erection of BART dealt a fatal blow to the businesses there.

Now, a local musician and Executive Director of the West Coast Blues Society Ronnie Stewart is working to preserve that rich history.

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