Restore Oakland's 7th Street Legacy of Stolen Placques

My name is Ronnie Stewart, Executive Director of The West Coast Blues Society. On 1/28/25 it was brought to my attention that approximately 40 plaques were stolen from The Music They Played on 7th Street Oakland Walk of Fame. This is to begin fundraising for the replacement cost of upwards of $150,000.

Oakland’s 7th Street was affectionately referred to as“The Harlem of the West Coast,” where world-class entertainers performed nightly in its lively clubs, bars and dance halls that lined the thoroughfare. Established and upcoming artists flocked to 7th Street because its clubs and businesses offered good pay and steady work. The style of music varied from blues, R&B,

gospel and jazz to supper club music. Time passed and urban renewal destroyed the entire 7th Street corridor.

The Music They Played on 7th Street Oakland Walk of Fame was created to pays homage to those who created, produced, presented and played America’s indigenous musical art forms.

As a testament to the history of one of the most important entertainment districts in the U.S., The Music They Played on 7th Street Oakland Walk of Fame unveiled its first installation in 2015. It currently consists of 88 bronze plaques dedicated to 7th Street legends and the organizations that were fundamental in implementing this project. An additional 88 plaques were installed in 2020 at the site of the Slim Jenkins Supper Club. Original funding was through a HUD development grant which id no longer available.