The First Black-Owned Psychedelic Church In the US Is Open in Oakland

Last August, I found myself in the heart of Oakland, California, where the air was thick — humid, cloudy, and unmistakably infused with the aroma of sungrown cannabis. That’s because the Emerald Cup, the OG cannabis awards show and music festival, had descended upon the city, dragging along its orbit of legendary after-parties, where LSD, mushrooms, and everything in between flow like the Eel River at the beginning of spring. But this year, one of the best afters went down at Akoma, O-town’s newest entheogenic church.

Walking into Akoma felt like stepping into an artisanal cocktail bar, except the only thing on tap was a “magic margarita” with a 0.3 microdose of mushrooms instead of tequila. The accents around the church were backlit with red lighting, and the vibes of the community gathering space were exceptionally high. I felt like I walked into the center of (an ethically sourced) ruby and was beaming out scarlet light rays from my chakras. Maybe it was the microdose? Who’s to say…

Akoma may not be the only entheogenic church in Oakland, but it is still the first Black-owned and operated psychedelic church in the United States. It opened on June 29, 2024, and serves as a space where the community can learn about health, wellness, and working with ancestral medicine and other entheogens. One of the managers we spoke to for this story (who prefers to remain anonymous for legal reasons) told us that the church is also designed to support local artists, educators, musicians, and people interested in networking in an intentional way. 

We spent some time catching up with the manager recently about the drug war, what inspired them to help bring Akoma to life, and the role it plays in Oakland’s community.

DoubleBlind: What is your role in the church, and how did you end up here?

Manager: My role is best described as general manager. I handle day-to-day operations. I was approached by a group of Black women who wanted to create a space for people of color in the entheogenic community. They asked for my thoughts, and as the conversation evolved, I became more involved, especially because of my own belief in microdosing and its impact on my life.

Ohhh, can you share more about your relationship with entheogens and how they’ve impacted your life?

I started microdosing to cope after my cousin died violently. It helped me not only process that loss, but also deal with other challenges as a young Black man. That was my introduction to microdosing.

I’m so sorry to hear about your cousin. It sounds like microdosing really helped you navigate those tough times. Do you feel the drug war has also impacted your life?

I mean, it definitely has. My cousin’s death was connected to the war on drugs, and I’ve lost friends to violence or prison because of it. As Black men, we often don’t have enough coping tools, and these issues aren’t widely discussed. Microdosing, along with therapy, became a way for me to cope and evolve in how I see the world.

READ: Luxury Mushroom Retreats for CEOs Show Psychedelics Can Fuel Capitalism

It’s incredible you found healing through entheogens. While that’s the common narrative around the effects of psychedelics, that’s not always how it works out. Did this play a role in your decision to start Akoma?

Yes, it did. In our initial discussions, we realized there were few spaces with Black faces in leadership in the entheogenic community. Many of us felt uncomfortable in existing spaces, which ultimately kept us away sometimes. We thought about how many others might feel the same way. The lack of access to education about psilocybin and other entheogens made us want to create a space of our own.

What does having a Black-owned entheogenic church provide to the Black community?

It provides a space where the Black community feels comfortable and can learn about psilocybin and our cultural history. Akoma is a safe place for Black people to gather, talk, and see what works for them, as well as to educate and support each other.

Are there events or gatherings at Akoma?

Yes, we host a variety of events like sound baths, yoga, and even comedy nights. We want the community to feel ownership of the space, so we listen to what they want. We’ve hosted exhibits with Black artists, and this week we’re working with TrapXArt [an international art community that organizes events to bring together creatives in Oakland, CA]. It’s all about creating a safe, engaging space for our members.

That’s amazing. Is there a sense of competition with any of the other entheogenic churches in Oakland?

No, there’s no competition. Everyone is here to help the community, and we have friendly relationships with other churches. If there are ways we can support each other, we do.

Are you seeing a demand for these kinds of spaces and alternative medicines?

Absolutely. People are looking for alternatives to prescription pills, especially for conditions like depression and PTSD. Many of our members are seeking healing outside of pharmaceuticals, and the demand is high, particularly from those dealing with addiction and other mental health challenges.

Why do you think there’s a shift away from pharmaceuticals?

Part of it is that California has long embraced holistic healing. For the Black community, there’s also a desire to reconnect with traditional practices and explore how our ancestors healed themselves with Indigenous plants.

Akoma seems to provide an entry point for people to explore these medicines and their ancestral connections. Why did you choose the location in Oakland?

My family has a history in the Civil Rights Movement, and I’m drawn to places with strong community ties. Oakland’s culture is very open and supportive of Black thought and activism. It felt like the right place to establish this church.

That’s so inspiring! Is there anything else you’d like people to know about Akoma?

I want people to understand our core beliefs: the sacredness of nature, unity, spiritual growth, ancestral wisdom, and ethical conduct. We aim to create a compassionate, respectful community where members can learn, grow, and heal.

*This story was updated on Nov. 26 to add a link about ethically sourced crystals and include Akoma’s opening date.

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