Photos From The Oakland Photo Vault

The Oakland Photo Vault is proud to announce its compelling new photo book series titled Photos from the Oakland Photo Vault: A Black Man's Life-The Year That Was 2020. This multi-volume collection offers a vivid, intimate visual journey through one of the most turbulent and transformative years in recent history, as seen through the lens of Oakland-based photographer John Archer. Capturing moments across the Oakland and San Francisco Bay Area, the series chronicles a year marked by social upheaval, cultural expression, and unprecedented change.

Throughout 2020, the world witnessed powerful events that reshaped communities and ignited conversations about race, justice, and resilience. John Archer, also known as the "photobug" of the Oakland Photo Vault, documented these events with an unwavering eye for detail and emotion. His photographs capture the intense energy of the Black Lives Matter protests, the quiet yet palpable impact of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns, and the creative outpouring of local artists responding to the moment.