Block Celebrates Oakland's Creative Community with Billboard RFP Winners
Block, Inc. announces the winners of its 2025 Oakland Billboard Request for Proposals, featuring commissioned artwork from Oakland-based artists Derick Davies and Yano Rivera
DISTRIBUTED-WORK-MODEL/OAKLAND, December 11 – Block, Inc. (NYSE: XYZ) today announced the selection of two Oakland-based artists - Derick Davies and Yano Rivera - as the winners of its 2025 Billboard Request for Proposals. Through this initiative, Block aims to spotlight and support local voices in the arts, celebrating Oakland's vibrant creative community, and invest in the emerging artists who define the city's cultural identity.
The two artists will each receive $10,000 to create their original artwork that embodies Block's purpose of economic empowerment and celebrates the spirit of community. Their designs will be installed on large-format billboards at Uptown Station in Spring 2026, reaching thousands of Oaklanders and visitors each day.
"This project represents more than just public art, it's a reflection of Block's deep commitment to economic empowerment and community investment," said Ahmed Ali Bob, Director of Social Impact at Block. "By commissioning local artists, we're not only supporting Oakland's creative talent, but we're also ensuring that the voices and stories of our community are celebrated in the spaces we share. Block believes that supporting local businesses and artists is fundamental to building a stronger, more equitable Oakland."
Investing in Oakland's Creative Future
Since opening its office at Uptown Station in 2020, Block has been committed to showcasing Oakland's vibrant past and promising future. The company's investment in the community extends beyond its workspace, it includes the Block Community Hub, a multipurpose space dedicated to serving the Oakland neighborhood and fostering connection. This billboard project is a natural extension of that commitment, providing a platform for local artists to share their work and their stories with the broader community.
"This RFP was designed to be accessible to Oakland-based artists, to compensate them fairly, and to give them a platform to share their vision with the city," Ali Bob explained. Block worked with local art organizations The Bay Area Mural Program, Oakland School of the Arts and The Town Experience, to judge the dozens of RFP submissions received.
Meet the Winners
Derick Davies is a Liberian American visual artist and Oakland School for the Arts graduate. His winning billboard design is a striking self-portrait celebrating identity and creativity, incorporating meaningful Oakland references including the iconic Fox sign at Oakland School for the Arts, his childhood street, and the Liberian flag. For Davies, this commission represents a milestone in his artistic journey and an opportunity to share his story with the entire Oakland community.
Yano Rivera is a community-focused public art conservationist whose work spans murals, restoration, comics, and virtual reality. Rivera's practice is rooted in inclusion and equity, addressing inequities in art conservation through education, policy, and community engagement.
His selection for this project underscores Block's commitment to supporting artists who are actively working to make the arts more accessible and equitable for all.
About Block, Inc.
Block, Inc. (NYSE: XYZ) builds technology to increase access to the global economy. Each of our brands unlocks different aspects of the economy for more people. Square makes commerce and financial services accessible to sellers. Cash App is the easy way to spend, send, and store money. Afterpay is transforming the way customers manage their spending over time. TIDAL is a music platform that empowers artists to thrive as entrepreneurs. Bitkey is a simple self-custody wallet built for bitcoin. Proto is a suite of bitcoin mining products and services. Together, we’re helping build a financial system that is open to everyone. Block.xyz
Media Contact:
Bloom, Derick Davies, 2025
Que Es Sesgo, Yano Rivera, 2025
Block, Inc. announces the winners of its 2025 Oakland Billboard Request for Proposals, featuring commissioned artwork from Oakland-based artists Derick Davies and Yano Rivera
DISTRIBUTED-WORK-MODEL/OAKLAND, December 11 – Block, Inc. (NYSE: XYZ) today announced the selection of two Oakland-based artists - Derick Davies and Yano Rivera - as the winners of its 2025 Billboard Request for Proposals. Through this initiative, Block aims to spotlight and support local voices in the arts, celebrating Oakland's vibrant creative community, and invest in the emerging artists who define the city's cultural identity.
The two artists will each receive $10,000 to create their original artwork that embodies Block's purpose of economic empowerment and celebrates the spirit of community. Their designs will be installed on large-format billboards at Uptown Station in Spring 2026, reaching thousands of Oaklanders and visitors each day.
"This project represents more than just public art, it's a reflection of Block's deep commitment to economic empowerment and community investment," said Ahmed Ali Bob, Director of Social Impact at Block. "By commissioning local artists, we're not only supporting Oakland's creative talent, but we're also ensuring that the voices and stories of our community are celebrated in the spaces we share. Block believes that supporting local businesses and artists is fundamental to building a stronger, more equitable Oakland."
Investing in Oakland's Creative Future
Since opening its office at Uptown Station in 2020, Block has been committed to showcasing Oakland's vibrant past and promising future. The company's investment in the community extends beyond its workspace, it includes the Block Community Hub, a multipurpose space dedicated to serving the Oakland neighborhood and fostering connection. This billboard project is a natural extension of that commitment, providing a platform for local artists to share their work and their stories with the broader community.
"This RFP was designed to be accessible to Oakland-based artists, to compensate them fairly, and to give them a platform to share their vision with the city," Ali Bob explained. Block worked with local art organizations The Bay Area Mural Program, Oakland School of the Arts and The Town Experience, to judge the dozens of RFP submissions received.
Meet the Winners
Derick Davies is a Liberian American visual artist and Oakland School for the Arts graduate. His winning billboard design is a striking self-portrait celebrating identity and creativity, incorporating meaningful Oakland references including the iconic Fox sign at Oakland School for the Arts, his childhood street, and the Liberian flag. For Davies, this commission represents a milestone in his artistic journey and an opportunity to share his story with the entire Oakland community.
Yano Rivera is a community-focused public art conservationist whose work spans murals, restoration, comics, and virtual reality. Rivera's practice is rooted in inclusion and equity, addressing inequities in art conservation through education, policy, and community engagement.
His selection for this project underscores Block's commitment to supporting artists who are actively working to make the arts more accessible and equitable for all.
About Block, Inc.
Block, Inc. (NYSE: XYZ) builds technology to increase access to the global economy. Each of our brands unlocks different aspects of the economy for more people. Square makes commerce and financial services accessible to sellers. Cash App is the easy way to spend, send, and store money. Afterpay is transforming the way customers manage their spending over time. TIDAL is a music platform that empowers artists to thrive as entrepreneurs. Bitkey is a simple self-custody wallet built for bitcoin. Proto is a suite of bitcoin mining products and services. Together, we’re helping build a financial system that is open to everyone. Block.xyz
Media Contact:
Bloom, Derick Davies, 2025
Que Es Sesgo, Yano Rivera, 2025