Museum for Black Girls opens Nov. 21 at Oakland’s Jack London Square

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Museum for Black Girls, an immersive cultural experience dedicated to celebrating the stories, creativity and contributions of Black women and girls, is preparing to open at Oakland's Jack London Square on Saturday, November 21, 2026.

The new location at 54 Washington Street will feature interactive art installations, nostalgic environments and exhibits exploring Black women's influence on beauty, fashion, media and cultural history.

Founded in Denver in 2019 by creative director Charlie Billingsley, the museum has grown from a small pop-up installation into a traveling cultural attraction, with previous experiences in Houston and Washington, D.C., and a permanent location in downtown Denver.

The organization says it has welcomed more than 100,000 visitors since its founding.

The Oakland opening will introduce the museum's approach to cultural storytelling to East Bay audiences while incorporating contributions from local artists and community members.

An Immersive Celebration of Culture and History

Unlike a traditional museum organized primarily around objects displayed behind glass, the Museum for Black Girls encourages visitors to move through interactive environments that combine historical references, personal memories, artwork and photography.

The planned Oakland experience includes Grandma's Living Room, a setting inspired by family gatherings and intergenerational memories; a beauty salon exploring the cultural significance and artistry of Black hair; and magazine-inspired installations recognizing Black women's influence on fashion, media and popular culture.

The museum describes the experience as a celebration of Black womanhood that welcomes visitors of all backgrounds.

In its announcement, the organization described the Oakland location as one of its largest immersive installations to date.

"The Museum for Black Girls began as a love letter to Black women," Billingsley said in a statement provided with the opening announcement. "Bringing it to Oakland is an opportunity to celebrate the women, stories, and cultural traditions that have shaped this community and so many others."

From a One-Night Installation to a Traveling Museum

The museum's origins date to 2019, when Billingsley created a one-night installation in Denver celebrating Black women and girls.

The project subsequently expanded into a traveling exhibition and eventually established a permanent location at Denver Pavilions on the city's 16th Street Mall.

In a 2023 interview with CBS Colorado, Billingsley described how personal memories influenced the museum's exhibits, including a recreation of her grandmother's kitchen, where she remembered having her hair done.

That approach remains central to the museum's identity. Everyday spaces such as living rooms, kitchens and beauty salons become settings for exploring family traditions, identity and cultural history.

The organization also incorporates interactive displays and opportunities for visitors to photograph themselves within the installations.

Its expansion to Oakland brings that model to a city with a longstanding tradition of Black artistic expression and community organizing.

Oakland Artists Invited to Help Shape the Experience

The museum is seeking contributions from Oakland and Bay Area artists for its founding exhibitions.

Its open call includes painting, photography, sculpture, textiles, digital media, performance, poetry, archival work and other creative disciplines.

According to the museum, honorariums and exhibition arrangements are discussed individually with participating artists based on the scope of their involvement, alongside attribution and support for installing and documenting their work.

The organization is also inviting community participation through an initiative called "Who Raised You?"

The project seeks family photographs and short voice recordings honoring parents, grandparents, caregivers and other influential people. Selected contributions may be incorporated into an installation inspired by family living rooms and shared memories.

The museum says participation is subject to selection and permission requirements.

The initiatives are intended to connect the Oakland exhibition with the experiences and creative work of Bay Area residents rather than relying exclusively on installations developed elsewhere.

Opening Weekend and Visitor Information

The Museum for Black Girls will open to the public on Saturday, November 21, with opening-weekend activities continuing Sunday, November 22.

An invitation-only media preview is scheduled for Friday, November 20.

Tickets are currently advertised for sale through the museum's official website. Visitors can select available admission dates and entry times through the booking system.

According to the museum's ticket information, children ages 3 and younger receive free admission. Children's pricing applies to visitors under 12, while visitors 12 and older use adult ticket pricing.

The museum advises guests to review available entry times and arrival instructions when booking.

Museum for Black Girls — Oakland

• Opening: Saturday, November 21, 2026
• Opening weekend: November 21–22
• Address: 54 Washington Street, Jack London Square, Oakland
• Tickets and information: themuseumforblackgirls.com/oakland/tickets
• Website: themuseumforblackgirls.com/oakland

The Oakland experience will be open to visitors of all backgrounds, with installations centered on Black women's stories, artistic contributions and cultural traditions.