(airy music)
- The Oakland Museum of California
is so honored to be a recipient
of the National Medal for Museum and Library Services.
This award recognizes our important role in our community.
As Oakland's gathering place or town square.
As a place where people come together to build greater trust
and understanding, and connection.
- And I can't tell you how many times
I've overheard museum visitors whisper, "I never knew that."
And that's important.
Because most of the visitors here are local, not tourist.
People who visit here see themselves in the artifacts.
They feel comfortable and welcome.
OMCA and its involvement in bringing the museum
to East Oakland, has been really special,
but bringing it closer to us makes East Oakland folks
feel like we're a part of the museum.
So, what I really want folks to know is that it's here,
it's beautiful, to see the space, to see the art,
to see the exhibits, and know that it's not just for them,
it's for us.
(airy music continues)