Oakland’s Black Arts Movement and Business District is being considered for state designation.

The district is one of 22 areas the California Arts Council has selected as a California Cultural District semifinalist.

The City Council established the district in January 2016 at the urging of Councilwoman Lynette Gibson McElhaney, who also has led the effort to get state designation. The district runs along the 14th Street corridor west of Lake Merritt in downtown Oakland.

“We wish to fully acknowledge the contributions of the black community in developing Oakland,” McElhaney said last year when the council approved creating the district.

Marvin X, one of the founders of the district, said the intention is to tell the history of black artists and musicians who were attracted to the city.

“We’re on the map,” he told the council. “This district can add a whole lot of equity and tourism to the city.”

The resolution creating the district noted several black-owned businesses and artistic or cultural spaces focused on black expression in the 14th Street corridor, including the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, Joyce Gordon’s gallery, Geoffrey’s Inner Circle Club, the Oakland POST Newspaper Group and OCCUR.

Others include Oakland African-American Chamber of Commerce, Oakland Cultural Center, Bissap Baobab, The Hatch, Venue Nightclub, U’NEXT Barber Shop and Unique Braids.

Also listed was Imagine Affairs Lounge, Quick Bite, Crossburger, Feelmore, A City Obsession, New Karibbean City, Uncle Willie’s BBQ, Black Arts Movement co-founder Marvin X’s Academy of da Corner and the Betti Ono Gallery;

The state council is narrowing down the number of districts to 10 to 15 that will be announced in July. The arts council will provide technical assistance to state-designated cultural districts and promotional support.