Small businesses, artists fear loss of Oakland's First Friday community gatherings

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There is something very comforting for Oakland small business owner Mohammed Shuaibe when it comes to the city's First Friday gatherings.

On the first Friday of every month on Telegraph Avenue, you'll find vendors, food trucks, live music and people from all over the Bay Area. But it's one thing to tell someone what they may see – it's another to actually experience it. He's an Oakland native and a regular First Friday vendor. He and his wife Myesha's business is called Melanin Gang, a brand to inspire and celebrate African Americans.

It's also been helping other businesses like Justin Ford's Oakland's Own 1852. It's a brand that specializes in highlighting Oakland. First Fridays is something they don't want to lose. But currently, Venessa McGhee, the account manager for First Fridays, says it's in jeopardy. "So we had to take that cost on. So the cost of the event has just risen faster than we can adjust with that," McGhee said."We're just trying to figure out how we can actively come up with sponsors, or grants, whatever we can to try to fix that deficit."Vendors say it would hurt them financially. But it's not just that.

 

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