‘We can all relate to a birthday’: the traveling US art exhibit that honors victims of police violence

The memory of Oscar Grant, fatally shot by a Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer on January 1, 2009, continues to resonate nearly two decades later. What began with a New Year’s Eve celebration – a gumbo dinner with his mother, Wanda Johnson – ended in tragedy, inspiring the film Fruitvale Station and a sustained movement for justice.

A Legacy Remembered

Now, as what would have been Grant’s 40th birthday approaches, his legacy is being honored through the “Happy Heavenly Birthday, Oscar” exhibit at the Black Panther Party Museum in Oakland, California. The exhibit, running from February 1 to April 11, features photos from Grant’s life and invites visitors to leave birthday messages. A unique installation allows people to listen to birthday voicemails sent from around the world.

Did You Know? Oscar Grant and his mother shared a gumbo dinner on New Year’s Eve in 2008, just hours before he was fatally shot.

The exhibit is a reflection of the lasting impact of gun violence on communities. Johnson expressed her hope that the exhibit will foster “care and concern and a desire to want to do something about the senseless loss for those individuals.”

The 1-800 Happy Birthday Project

The exhibit is an extension of the “1-800 Happy Birthday” project, founded in 2013 by San Francisco-based filmmaker Mohammad Gorjestani. Originally conceived as a way to remember those killed by police violence after the news cycle moved on, the project has evolved into a digital art installation. People can currently leave voice messages for 15 individuals, including Grant, who died as a result of police violence in the United States – Fred Cox, Xzavier D Hill, Sean Monterrosa, Derrick Gaines, Michael Brown, Tony Robinson, Stephon A Clark, Donovon Lynch, Dujuan Armstrong, Mario Woods, Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, George Floyd and Eric Garner.

The project gained momentum with a Brooklyn exhibition in 2022 and is now embarking on a national tour, supported by $1 million in funding from the Mellon Foundation and other California-based partners. The tour is scheduled to include a stop in New York on September 15, 2026, for Eric Garner’s birthday and a planned visit to the Midwest in the summer of 2027.

Expert Insight: The “1-800 Happy Birthday” project demonstrates a shift in how communities are responding to loss and seeking to maintain the memory of those impacted by violence, moving beyond traditional news coverage to create spaces for personal reflection and collective mourning.

Gorjestani views the project as a way to highlight systemic injustices, particularly in light of recent shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good in January 2026. He emphasizes the importance of remembering the individuals lost, acknowledging their dreams and struggles.

Continuing the Fight for Justice

The Black Panther Party Museum, which opened in 2024, sees the exhibit as aligning with its founding mission to combat police brutality. Dr. Xavier Buck, the museum’s founding director, shared that Grant’s case resonated deeply with him, as he personally experienced incidents of police brutality.

Wanda Johnson, through the Oscar Grant Foundation, continues to work towards positive change. The foundation provides educational programs, support for grieving mothers, and scholarships for youth. In 2025, the organization awarded $40,000 in scholarships to 16 students and hosts “know your rights” trainings. A recent commemoration of Grant’s death brought together approximately 200 people at the Oscar Grant Youth Power Zone in Oakland.

From February 27 to March 1, the Oscar Grant Foundation will host families impacted by police violence from across the nation in California for the Oscar Grant legacy weekend. Johnson stated, “It’ll be 17 years since Oscar has been killed, and we’re still pressing to ensure and to work towards these types of injustices not occurring.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Oscar Grant?

Oscar Grant was fatally shot by a Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer on January 1, 2009, at the Fruitvale station in Oakland, California, while returning home with friends.

What is the “1-800 Happy Birthday” project?

The “1-800 Happy Birthday” project, founded by Mohammad Gorjestani, is a digital art installation and national tour that allows people to leave birthday messages for individuals killed by police violence in the US.

Where can I visit the “Happy Heavenly Birthday, Oscar” exhibit?

The exhibit is currently on display at the Black Panther Party Museum in Oakland, California, from February 1 to April 11.

How will remembering individuals like Oscar Grant impact future conversations about justice and safety?

‘We can all relate to a birthday’: the traveling US art exhibit that honors victims of police violence | Race