black history month

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

Tuesday, February 28, 2023

'Harlem of the West': Preserving Oakland's Blues culture

Executive Director of the West Coast Blues Society Ronnie Stewart is working to preserve West Oakland's rich Blues history.

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

Celebrate community, culture and the Black experience at Oakland's Black Joy Parade! ABC7 broadcasted the parade live on Sunday, Feb. 26.

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.

See more stories related to Black History Month here.