Oakland City College invites the community to design its new mascot for a chance to win $1,000.
Oakland has no shortage of creative talent, and now there's an opportunity for local artists to make their mark on a new chapter in the city's educational history.
As Laney and Merritt colleges prepare to reunite as Oakland City College on July 1, 2027, the Peralta Community College District is inviting students, employees, artists, designers, and the broader Oakland community to participate in the Outpace the Panther Design Challenge.
The winning design will be featured on college apparel, athletic uniforms, promotional materials, and other applications, giving its creator a lasting connection to Oakland City College.
Why the Panther?
The Panther isn't a new face in Peralta's history. It's Merritt College's current mascot, and it emerged as the highest-ranked choice in a recent community survey that received more than 1,000 responses.
The District is building on that tradition while inviting the community to imagine what the Panther could look like for Oakland City College.
There's a deeper Oakland connection, too. Merritt College is where Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale met as students before founding the Black Panther Party in 1966.
The contest builds on Merritt's existing Panther identity, including artwork adopted in 2024, but challenges artists to bring their own original vision to the design.
A New Chapter in Oakland's College History
The Oakland City College name is both a fresh beginning and a return to the past.
In 1953, Oakland Junior College was established with Laney and Merritt campuses. Five years later, it became Oakland City College. Following the establishment of the Peralta Community College District in 1964, the campuses eventually became separate colleges.
More than six decades later, they're preparing to reunite under the Oakland City College name, combining academic strengths and resources while maintaining two Oakland locations.
"There's something special about bringing the Oakland City College name back more than 60 years later," said Peralta Community College District Chancellor Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson. "Laney and Merritt have extraordinary histories, and those histories will always be part of who we are. But we also have an opportunity to imagine what comes next—to build a stronger college that serves Oakland in new ways. I love that we're inviting our students and community to help shape that future, starting with something as fun and creative as our Panther."
Ready to Outpace the Panther?
You don't need to be a professional graphic designer to enter. The competition is open to artists of all experience levels, including Peralta students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Designs should be original and reflect the spirit of Oakland. Traditional and digital illustrations are welcome, but generative AI artwork is not permitted.
The selected designer will also collaborate with the District's graphic designer on any final refinements needed for official college use.
Contest deadline: Friday, November 6, 2026, at 5 p.m.
Visit laney.edu/outpace-the-panther to see the current Panther design, explore the official color palette, review submission requirements, and enter the competition.