Old School Oakland wasn’t just a place where we played; it was a place that taught us essential lessons in survival and community. From 1954 to 1991, 1 learned firsthand that growing up in Oakland was about much more than fun and games-it was about becoming strong, resilient, and resourceful.

One of the first lessons I learned was responsibility. My father, a mechanical engineer, was no-nonsense. His daily drills on precision, whether it was rebuilding Cummins Diesel engines or making sure the numbers were right at the grocery store, stayed with me. I remember the way he would make me recount the details of something I had done wrong until I got the story straight. He always said, ‘Get the facts straight before you open your mouth.’ This was the cornerstone of learning in Oakland. If you didn’t take responsibility for your actions, you couldn’t survive on the streets or in the community.

Friendship was another powerful lesson I learned in the neighborhood. While we did our fair share of pranking and pulling off mischievous schemes, the real lesson was the loyalty we shared. There was a bond between childhood friends that went beyond the typical “best friend” dynamic. If one of us found ourselves in trouble-whether it was with the cops or a neighbor-we all had each other’s backs. Even when it meant we were caught sneaking into the Davis family garage to eat their Hostess treats.