Malcolm X Jazz Arts Festival

Each year we celebrate our evolving traditions and continuing political struggles and lift-up Malcolm X because he represents Black self-determination and Third World unity as an alternative societal and cultural strategy. Jazz is celebrated as African American classical music, made universal, and this country's greatest cultural contribution to the world - another opportunity to unite our communities through a celebration of Jazz in all its forms - Latin Jazz, straight ahead, jazz and hip hop…

Twenty four years ago, EastSide Arts Alliance set out to create a Third World Cultural Center to serve and unite the Black, Brown, Asian & Indigenous communities that compose East Oakland. EastSide began as a progressive fusion of cultural collectives of color which organized a steady stream of art programs, town hall forums, youth workshops, and visual exhibitions at the EastSide Cultural Center (now including a Third World archives and bookstore). We also deliberately gathered our respective communities to celebrate at an annual Malcolm X JazzArts Festival at San Antonio Park.