OAKLAND, Calif. - Rich with authentic cuisine, lively events, and people from all over the world, the Fruitvale is known as the heart and soul of Oakland’s Latino community.

"Today it represents over 50% of our Latino population," said Visit Oakland’s CEO Peter Gamez.

It’s been the epicenter for Hispanic heritage since the 1950’s, after many were displaced during the construction of the Nimitz freeway.

Keeping history alive through storytelling

Oakland natives like Regina Contreras Chavarin are working to maintain the Latin roots through the Fruitvale History Project, an archive of stories from the activists on the ground.

"There was a lot going on from our corazon, from our souls, that brought us together as a community," she said. "We really felt invincible, no one was going to te

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