Chapter 510 & the Dept. of Make / Believe

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Oakland, CA
Chapter 510 & the Dept. of Make / Believe

Chapter 510 connects youth to the power of their stories. We provide a safe space for youth to bravely write, centering Black, brown and q***r voices.

MISSION
Chapter 510 is a made-in-Oakland youth writing, bookmaking & publishing center. Our teaching artists and volunteers work side by side with educators to provide a safe space and supportive community so Black, brown, and q***r youth ages 8-19 can bravely write. VISION
We want every young person in Oakland to write with confidence and joy. WHY WE EXIST
We believe that writing is an act of lib

eration. When young people write and get published, they transform themselves and their communities, succeeding in school, work, and life. WHAT WE DO
Through writing programs at our center and within Oakland public schools, we help young people improve their writing craft, confidence, and competency at every stage. Our programs include free writing and bookmaking workshops, field trip opportunities for OUSD educators, in-school book projects, youth publishing opportunities, and First Friday literary events. Chapter 510 currently works with over 1,000 students per year and publish over 20 beautifully made books written by Oakland youth each year.

08/22/2026

Oakland Ballers x Chapter 510!!

08/21/2026

CALLING ALL 4TH & 5TH GRADERS !

Join us for INK TANK — a fun and creative workshop with local children’s book author and teaching artist, Tiffany “Ms. Tee” Golden.

Through writing, drawing , and visual storytelling, students will learn how graphic novels and comics bring stories to life. By the end of the workshop, each student will create an original one-page graphic story that will be published in a full-color class anthology.

No prior drawing or comic-making experience is required—just imagination, curiosity, and a willingness to create! 🌟

🕒 Day/Time: Wednesdays 2:30-4:00pm
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 16 – Dec. 9, 2026
✏️ Students: 4th & 5th Grade
📍Location: 546 9th Street, Oakland, CA 94607

Visit the link in our bio to register and learn more! 🔗

08/20/2026

THERE'S STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR OUR POETRY PROGRAM FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS: WRITING HOME OUTSIDE & WITHIN!

Through art, craft, writing, reflection, movement, storytelling and poetry we will explore the things that bring us joy, inspiration, meaning and connection, and develop our skills as writers and poets.

By the end of our time together, each participant will have the chance to publish a poem in the form of a handmade letterpress broadside.

Each participant will receive personal mentorship around their writing!

⏰ When: Thursdays, 4:00-5:30pm
📅 Date: Sept. 10, 2026-Dec. 10, 2026
✏️ Students: 6th-8th grade students
📍Location: In person at Chapter 510, 546 9th Street, Oakland (in Bookmaking Studio)

Whether you’re new to poetry or already love to write, we’d love for you to join us! ✨

08/19/2026

WELCOME GIAO AND SIMON TO THE CHAPTER 510 TEAM!

Giao, our Program Associate, will be supporting Chapter 510’s youth programs through youth mentorship, outreach, and program logistics at Westlake Middle School and our Chapter 510 center.

Simon, our Experiential Store Clerk, will spearhead the magic at the Dept. of Make / Believe guiding and engaging visitors through Chapter 510's interactive and immersive space, providing deeper context about our youth-written books and the stories behind them, while also supporting store operations.

We are so excited to have Giao and Simon on board!

Visit our site to learn more about our incredible new staff.

08/18/2026

LAST CHANCE TO SIGN FOR VIBE CHECK!

How are art and creative practice an antidote for challenges you face? When mental health and wellness are buzzwords, what are actual tools to navigate an overwhelming world?

This year's SOUNDSPACE program, VIBE CHECK, explores the role creativity and the arts play in health and wellness. Document stories from your community around important issues that matter to you in our teen audio storytelling program.

No experience necessary and participants will earn a $350 stipend! ✨

🕒 When: Every Tuesday, 4:30-6:30pm
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 22, 2026–May 4, 2027
✏️ Students: 9-12th graders
📍Location: Chapter 510, 546 9th Street, Oakland

Visit the link in our bio to register! 🔗

08/17/2026

The FINAL EPISODE of the I HEAR YOU podcast series is now live!

Why do you think so many people use the internet to find community?

Explore this question with Ri’Chard who in this episode goes through an adventure diving into online culture, specifically within q***r spaces. In this podcast Ri’Chard interviews therapist and speaker Luis Cornejo.

Ri’Chard Jones, Junior at Piedmont High School, is an artist, writer, and member of his local Robotics team. During his time in the program, something he enjoyed was building community, speaking to new people, and hearing other’s perspectives on the world. He feels community and the social aspects of life are integral to people’s mental health and how they live their lives.

Visit the link in our bio and listen to the full story.

A special thanks to Hopelab for their support of SOUNDSPACE, which is also working to ground our students' work in their research and resources around equity-centered solutions that improve the health and well-being of Black, Brown, and Q***r young people.

We would also like to thank our funders OFCY (Oakland Fund for Children and Youth), Miranda Lux Foundation, Port of Oakland, and Kaiser Permanente for supporting this year’s podcast.

08/14/2026

What better way to kick-off the back-to-school season than with poems by 4th graders? Chapter 510’s newest anthology, WHEN THE STARS BLOOM IN OAKLAND, features 200 poems by OUSD’s very own 4th grade students like Allendale Elementary student Aileen Berrios, whose poem explores how our relationships nurture us.

Support Oakland’s young writers by purchasing a copy at the link in our bio ! 💫📖

08/13/2026

REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN FOR WRITING HOME OUTSIDE AND WITHIN! 🏡✍🏽

What does home mean to you? 💭

In this poetry workshop for middle school students, we’ll co-create a space where you can write original poems, speak your truth, and explore what home means to you.

Come turn your experiences, memories, and imagination into poetry.

⏰ When: Thursdays, 4:00-5:30pm
📅 Date: Sept. 10, 2026-Dec. 10, 2026
✏️ Students: 6th-8th grade students
📍Location: In person at Chapter 510, 546 9th Street, Oakland (in Bookmaking Studio)

Whether you’re new to poetry or already love to write, we’d love for you to join us! ✨

🔗 Visit the link in our bio to register.

08/12/2026

THERE’S STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR INK TANK!

This Fall join us for an imaginative workshop in which 4th-5th graders will dive into the exciting world of graphic storytelling.

Young creators will explore a variety of graphic novels, learn from a professional guest creator, and discover how artists and writers use panels, expressions, pacing, and dialogue to engage readers. The workshop will conclude with an original graphic story from each student that will be published in a class anthology.

No prior drawing or comic-making experience is required—just imagination, curiosity, and a willingness to create! 🌟

🕒 Day/Time: Wednesdays 2:30-4:00pm
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 16 – Dec. 9, 2026
✏️ Students: 4th & 5th Grade
📍Location: 546 9th Street, Oakland, CA 94607

Visit the link in our bio to register! 🔗

08/10/2026

In EPISODE 7 of our I HEAR YOU podcast series, Leonora examines how we stay positive and build resilience. Listen to her discussion with Oakland Roots Sports Clubs player Bradley Roberson.

In this audio story Leonora poses the question: how do you help yourself to handle failures and difficult moments?

Leonora Aucatinco Reliz is 14 years old. She studies at Oakland Technical High School. During her free time she goes to restaurants or bakes at home. Her favourite part of the Chapter 510 program was choosing her story topic and meeting new people. For Leonora, going for a walk or enjoying new cultures helps her to relax and improve her mindset.

Visit chapter510.org/ihearyou and listen to the full story.

A special thanks to Hopelab for their support of SOUNDSPACE, which is also working to ground our students' work in their research and resources around equity-centered solutions that improve the health and well-being of Black, Brown, and Q***r young people.

We would also like to thank our funders OFCY (Oakland Fund for Children and Youth), Miranda Lux Foundation, Port of Oakland, and Kaiser Permanente for supporting this year’s podcast.

Address

546 9th Street
Oakland, CA
94605

Opening Hours

12pm - 7pm

Website

http://www.chapter510.org/

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