Pastor James Polk and local leaders organized a series of community events to revitalize East Oakland's Millsmont neighborhood. Their journey began with a successful block party in 2023. With additional encouragement from grants and local partners, they launched Millsmont Mondays in November 2024, featuring food trucks and community engagement. Despite initial challenges in drawing local participation, their determination paid off, fostering stronger connections among residents and encouraging a sense of place.
"After the block party, it propelled the idea even faster," Polk said. "Rita and I started collaborating more, and feeding off each other, and we got motivated and very excited."
"It was the hardest month to start," Forte said. "We had to get lights and heaters. It was pulling teeth trying to get people to come out, but we knew we had to do it."
"All those challenges made us stronger," Polk said.
The idea of finding ways to revitalize the neighborhood began long before the block party.
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