Upcoming Events
Love Out Love
Monday, February 16
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
PART 1: Writing Workshop
Saturday, February 7th | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Step into a creative sanctuary where music becomes your muse. In this guided writing workshop, you'll craft heartfelt love letters inspired by the song lyrics that move your soul. Whether you're celebrating romantic love, self-love, friendship, or family bonds, this is your space to express what words alone sometimes struggle to say.
What to Expect:
Curated playlist of soulful love songs to inspire your writing
Guided prompts to help you find the perfect words
A supportive, creative environment to explore your emotions
Light refreshments and a cozy atmosphere
All writing materials provided
No writing experience necessary, just bring an open heart and willingness to connect with your feelings.
PART 2: Valentine's Day Gathering
Saturday, February 14th | 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Return for a beautiful Valentine's celebration where vulnerability meets community. Share your love letter aloud (or have it read anonymously) as carefully selected love songs fill the air. This is an evening of connection, celebration, and the profound power of spoken love.
What to Expect:
Intimate reading circle with live music interludes
Option to read your letter yourself or have it read anonymously
Beautiful Valentine's Day ambiance
Light bites and beverages
Opportunities to connect with fellow attendees
A keepsake momento to remember the evening
Laymon’s Terms Live
Monday, February 16
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Come experience stories worth talking about!
Laymon’s Terms Live is a storytelling experience where storytellers share true stories that are engaging, thought provoking, enlightening, and perspective expanding. The theme is the same every month: share a story you want people to hear, discuss, and connect around. You want audience members craving for more, wanting to explore deeper questions, and reflecting on their own life in a new way after hearing your story. Storytellers will have up to 10 minutes to share their story followed by a Q&A with the audience or an audience discussion around themes from the story.
Intuitive Fabric Dyeing Workshop
Saturday, February 28th
1:00pm - 3:00pm
A slow, sensory dye workshop in creative transformation with local artist, Njeri Akosua.
Learn a fluid, freestyle dyeing method in a relaxed, hands-on session. Join local artist, Njeri Akosua in exploring colors and techniques to dye a set of cotton napkins that you can use for entertaining or day-to-day in your home.
Writes of Passage
Saturday, February 21
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Do you enjoy writing! We do too! Come join a community of authors, storytellers, comedians, ghost writers, and more...
Calling all authors, storytellers, comedians, poets, lyricists, ghost writers, journalists, journalers, casual writers, and pen bleeders! Join us at The Workshop for an afternoon of writing, connection, and fun. Whether you want to work on your own project or explore provided prompts, come scribe with a brilliant writing community.
Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. All you need to bring is yourself, your genius, and your writing materials!
One Year Ago Today: Open Mic
Saturday, February 28th
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Think back to one year ago today. What was happening in your life? Were you on the precipice of something great? Were you at the end of a crisis you thought would never end? Were you trying your new favorite thing for the first time? Or was it just a Thursday? Somewhere in that memorable moment or mundane minutiae lies a story; and we want to hear it!
The One Year Ago Today storytelling series is the space for you to look back one year ago and share the stories of your life using the golden gift of hindsight. Join us at Saturday, February 28th from 6:00-9:00pm for an evening full of reflection, connection, and storytelling. Storytellers will have up to 10 minutes to bring us into your world and tell an honest story about an event, an experience, or a happening that took place one year ago from January 31st*.
After each story, the audience will have time to discuss (in small groups) their thoughts, curiosities, insights, and inspirations the story evoked. Finally, after all the stories are shared and the connections made, we will have a brief Q&A with our storytellers.
Past Events
Writes of Passage
Thursday, January 22
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Do you enjoy writing! We do too! Come join a community of authors, storytellers, comedians, ghost writers, and more...
Calling all authors, storytellers, comedians, poets, lyricists, ghost writers, journalists, journalers, casual writers, and pen bleeders! Join us at The Workshop for an afternoon of writing, connection, and fun. Whether you want to work on your own project or explore provided prompts, come scribe with a brilliant writing community at The Workshop (3235 Grand Ave., Oakland, CA 94612) on Thursday, January 22, 2026 from 6-8pm.
Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. All you need to bring is yourself, your genius, and your writing materials!
Urban Arts & Crafts Fall Gathering Series
Cocoa Christmas Crawl
December 7-13, 2025
Saturday, December 6
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Celebrate the season with a cozy and creative gathering!
Join us for the Urban Arts & Crafts Fall Gathering Series and learn to make a beautiful Japanese Knot Bag — a stylish, functional, and heartfelt handmade gift for the holidays.
This class is perfect for:
Team bonding experiences to celebrate the end of Q4
Girls’ night out gatherings to kick off the festive season
Partners who want to create a thoughtful handmade gift for a loved one
Youth ages 10 and up, eager to learn a new skill
Whether you’re new to sewing or have some experience, you’ll enjoy step-by-step guidance in a welcoming, holiday-inspired setting. Bring a friend, a partner, or a group and leave with a handmade gift you’ll be proud to share
Track Talk
Friday, December 5
7:30 pm -9:00 pm
Your year had a soundtrack — let’s talk about it. 🎶 Join us for Track Talk Wrapped, an end-of-year music experience where playlists spark conversation, reflection, and connection. Bring your favorite songs, stories, and vibes from 2025 — we’ll bring the energy.
Love Conquers All: An Artist Showcase for Janell Grace
Thursday, December 4
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Love Conquers All: An Artist Reception & Exhibit at Urban University
Experience the power of art, storytelling, and community connection.
Join us for Love Conquers All, a special artist reception celebrating the creative works of Janell Groce, whose artistry captures the beauty, struggle, and triumph of love in all its forms.
This evening marks the highlight of Janell’s artist residency at urban university, where her “Love Conquers All” comic book series and artwork will be featured throughout November to February. Guests will enjoy an intimate conversation with Janell and Eli as they share insights into their creative process, discuss the evolution of their collaboration, and offer a first look at what’s next — including an upcoming installment of the Love Conquers All comic.
✨ What to Expect
Artist Talk: A behind-the-scenes look at the inspiration and meaning behind Love Conquers All
Merchandise Display: Comic books and merchandise items available for purchase at urban furniture & boutique
Community Gathering: Light refreshments and conversation with local creatives, community members, and art lovers
Learn more about Love Conquers All: https://www.nellynellproductions.com/
One Year Ago Today: A Storytelling Workshop
Sunday, December 7
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Think back to one year ago today. What was happening in your life? Were you on the precipice of something great? Were you at the end of a crisis you thought would never end? Were you trying your new favorite thing for the first time? Or was it just a Thursday? Somewhere in that memorable or mundane moment is a story; and we want to hear it!
The One Year Ago Today (OYAT) Storytelling Workshop is the space for you to learn, practice, and perfect storytelling techniques in a fun, safe, and encouraging environment! Participants will reflect on their life roughly one year ago, identify interesting happenings and experiences, and craft engaging stories around these events. Upon completion of the workshop, participants are guaranteed a spot in an upcoming One Year Ago Today Open Mic to perform their story live!
Walk In Her Shoes
Friday, November 14
10:00 am - 11:15 am
Marking the upcoming 30th anniversary of the 1996 Welfare to Work (officially known as the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), urban university presents: Walk In Her Shoes, an immersive experience bringing together simulated activities, art and story-telling, to foster empathy and action.
Walk In Her Shoes will stand as a “truth telling experience" and includes immersive activities, digital story-telling and art - to bring attendees closer to the realities single mothers face.
Special guest harp performance by Destiny Muhammed
Introduction to Homebuying
Ready to buy your first home but not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered!
Join us for a First-Time Homebuyer Workshop designed to empower and educate you on every step of the homebuying process. Whether you're just beginning to explore your options or you’re actively searching for your first home, this workshop will give you the tools and confidence you need to move forward.