The #WeLoveOakland campaign is dedicated to celebrating the vibrant and joyful culture, community, and activism that define and animate the life and dreams of our beloved city.
The ask
In collaboration with Change Consulting and Akonadi Foundation, inBloom Films produced a four-part video series spotlighting Oaklanders who embody the spirit of the city: a poet, a journalist, a chef, and an activist. These individuals each represent different facets of Oakland’s resilience and creativity, sharing their unique stories of impact and vision for the future.
Our goal was to create a series that authentically showcased the vibrant culture, community, and activism of Oakland while ensuring each video remained distinct yet connected as part of a larger narrative. We needed to capture compelling, intimate visuals that allowed audiences to connect deeply with each subject’s personal journey. Additionally, we provided still photography of each individual, which was featured on the custom-built campaign microsite, enhancing the digital presence of We Love Oakland.
Our Approach
Authentic Storytelling: Each video centered on one individual’s journey, highlighting their passion, struggles, and impact on Oakland’s culture and future.
Dynamic Cinematography: We employed a mix of handheld and cinematic techniques to bring an organic, immersive quality to the visuals.
Integrated Visual Campaign: In addition to filming, we captured high-quality still portraits of each subject, ensuring consistency across video and web platforms.
Community-Driven Production: We collaborated closely with local organizers and creatives to ensure the stories were told with care, accuracy, and deep cultural relevance.
The Impact
The We Love Oakland video series became a powerful storytelling vehicle, amplifying the voices of those shaping the city’s future. The campaign microsite, featuring both videos and photography, provided an engaging digital space for audiences to learn more, take action, and share their own Oakland stories. The series sparked meaningful conversations, mobilized community support, and reinforced a sense of pride in Oakland’s identity and activism.
Knocked it out the park – outstanding
Chef Nelson German
Chef Nelson German, executive chef and owner of the Oakland-based restaurant alaMar celebrates his Dominican heritage and spreads joy through the food he serves.
Nairobi Barnes
Nairobi Barnes is an Oakland native and an accomplished poet. She often explores themes around voting rights, discrimination against Black women, and Black hair and how it defines her culture.
Pen Harshaw
Pendarvis Harshaw is an award-winning journalist from Oakland who writes about prisons, politics, hip-hop and all things impacting his Northern Californian community.
Peggy Saika
Former ED of APEN, AAPIP and Common Counsel Foundation, Peggy Saika has been fighting for equity and justice in Oakland for over 40 years. She’s dedicated her life to building formal and informal structures to strengthen her communities because of her deep love for The Town.