Wa Na Wari Takes Center Stage: Elisheba Wokoma Talks Black Graduation and Keeping the CD Vibrant
The Central District’s own Elisheba Wokoma, Executive Director of Wa Na Wari, recently stopped by The Pop-Up! to discuss the incredible work happening at the intersection of art and community. Wa Na Wari is a creative powerhouse in the neighborhood, serving as one part art gallery, one part anti-displacement strategy.
"We started as an emergency solution,” Wokoma said, explaining Wa Na Wari was a response to witnessing generational Black financial setbacks in the neighborhood and beyond. Seven years later, the organization is still going strong, offering everything from oral history programs to a Black homeowners initiative.
Introducing Black Graduation
While many are familiar with their massive "Walk the Block" festival in September, Wokoma discussed Wa Na Wari’s most recent event, Black Graduation.
Wokoma explained the inspiration behind the name. "We come from such a rich history of celebrating knowledge,” she said, acknowledging the weight and importance of Black graduations and the Black excellence associated with them.
The event, hosted in partnership with the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) last weekend, featured over 35 artists and 50 artworks from across the African diaspora—including local talent and artists from the Bay Area, the East Coast, and even Nigeria.
Why Collecting Matters
For Wokoma, this isn't just about looking at pretty pictures; it’s about economic power and stability for the community.
"We want you to come by and become an art collector. It's the best way to keep our artist community thriving,” she said.
Black Graduation, she explained, fits perfectly into one of Wa Na Wari's overarching missions: to combat systemic setbacks in Black creative communities.
“The first people to get gentrified out usually... it's the people of color and it's the artists... and they're the reasons that they make the neighborhood great,” she said. The goal is to "keep our Black artist community strong and put some money in their pockets.”
As Wokoma reminded us, these events are about honoring the past and shaping a future where Black culture doesn't just survive in the CD—it thrives.
To learn more about Wa Na Wari or sign up for their newsletter, head over to wanawari.org, and mark your calendars—Walk the Block returns the last Saturday of September!
Catch The Pop-Up! weekday nights at 9 p.m. on the Converge Media YouTube channel.
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