Oakland Voices: Afro-Fatherism: A Downtown Oakland Photo Exhibit Illuminates the Power of Black Fatherhood

In the heart of downtown Oakland stands two 7ft tall, larger-than-life sized photos depicting Black fathers and their sons. The two pieces are accompanied by a collection of black and white photo collages showcasing the sacred presence of Black fathers across Oakland.

Artists (left to right): Umi Vaughan, Sorrel Raino-Tsui, and Eesuu Orundide inside the Uptown Station, where an exhibit titled "Afro-Fatherism" is on display until September. Photo by Kristal Raheem.

For centuries, the essential contributions of Black fathers in America have been overshadowed by dominant narratives of absenteeism and violence. Visual artists Umi Vaughan and Eesuu Orundide counter these narratives by illuminating Black fathers with their families in their photo exhibit and art installation titled “Afro-Fatherism: Black Dads Here and Now,” which is housed in the center lobby of the Uptown Station. 

“I came up with the theme of Afro-Fatherism playing on the term Afro-Futurism,” Oakland native and griot Vaughan told Oakland Voices. “For me, affirming Black people’s presence in the future connects with highlighting the presence and contributions of Black fathers here and now.” Vaughan’s own father was the documentarian of his family, and bought him a camera as a child. “It started my love for telling stories with photos.” Today, Vaughan strives to build community and reduce violence through art.