Oakland Digital (www.odalc.org), a 501(c)(3) non-profit that educates and inspires low-income communities through technology, brought the Hammer down on Oakland, wrapping a successful year with educational classes and capping it off with its second annual Inspiration Awards, honoring MC Hammer, singer/artist Goapele and technology leader Alex Bernstein of North Social.

Through Inspiration Awards 2011, Oakland Digital recognizes and honors prominent local Bay Area pioneers who have made substantial contributions to the community at large through their innovation and dedication in their chosen fields of: 1) business, 2) artistic creativity, and 3) technology.

Lines of Communication commenced in August 2010 and was completed in September 2011. Creating the mural was both a beautiful and challenging process. “The mural began during my pregnancy,” says Espinoza. “There was a time walking to Oakland Digital when I said to myself, I’m so exhausted – I can’t do this. But each time I started working on the mural, it gave me inspiration to keep going.”

Oakland Digital (ODALC) featured on Peralta TV & 9th Floor Radio!

Social Media Marketing Made Simple presented by Oakland Digital (ODALC), Constant Contact & Laney College. This educational seminar will review the essential strategies and best practices a business or organization should understand in order to successfully get started with social media marketing.

Ready to Learn Fun Fair! Saturday, October 1st, 2011 at the Peralta Elementary School in Oakland, CA.

20th Anniversary of the 1991 Firestorm & Safety Summit in Oakland, CA.

Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM) today announces a new initiative to help Oakland shoppers make educated and positive lifestyle choices that promote their long-term health and wellbeing. Opening on Monday, Sept. 19 and located inside Whole Foods Market’s Oakland store, the Wellness Club program offers a variety of educational classes in a supportive setting to help individuals make more informed decisions about living a healthier lifestyle. Wellness Club leadership will host a bread-breaking ceremony at 10 a.m., which will involve cutting a healthy, sprouted grain baguette.

On Thursday, August 18th 2011, Oakland Digital Arts & Literacy Center (ODALC) hosted the first meeting between the Burmese Community and Daphne Kwok, Chair of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders. This historic gathering in downtown Oakland was part of the White House Initiative for positive change in the AAPI community.

This student group will be conducting surveys of small businesses and restaurant owners in the Oakland Chinatown area as well as the neighboring areas August 12th through August 17th. The purpose of these surveys is to gauge the owners’ technological proficiency and comfort level with utilizing the Internet for business purposes, as well as formulating a consensus on the needs and technological deficiencies that the local commercial community has. The surveys will also see which businesses are interested in utilizing a system of security cameras, and what are the reasons prevent these businesses from already installing one.