By Leah Dobson
5/15/25 – Kingmakers hosted the Crown Creators Student Showcase at our Kingmakers KOO Labs space in West Oakland. This event was a powerful celebration of creativity, culture, and community—highlighting the incredible work our students produced over the semester in classes focused on music production, animation, multimedia, and fashion.
The night began with a fashion show led by instructor Sanai, whose students unveiled their original designs on the runway. From streetwear to high fashion and thrift flips, each student brought their own style to life, experimenting with silhouettes, textures, and accessories. As they strutted and posed confidently, the crowd cheered them on, witnessing the birth of bold, personal fashion lines.
Next, guests toured our animation studio, where instructor Theo projected his students’ work. More than just drawing, Theo taught storyboarding, editing, and the full creative process. One standout project transformed static book illustrations into a short animated film. Illustrations now danced across the screen, and the studio came alive with movement, narrative, and a unique blend of each student’s artistic vision.
In the music studio, instructor Kevin McCann gave a behind-the-scenes look at how songs are made—from beat-making, layering instruments, writing lyrics, to producing a final track. Two students even performed original songs, finding their rhythm and engaging the crowd in a lively call and response that had the whole room moving.
In our multimedia class, students focused on photography, podcasting, and content creation. They gained introductory skills in using cameras, lighting, sound, and microphones. Building on this knowledge, each student developed a personal brand based on their individual talents and passions. Throughout the semester, they explored an idea or interest and created a brand around it. Students based their projects on a range of ideas, including product photography, their love for anime, passion for the mic, and even MCing. Students designed logos, created merchandise, and more.
It was inspiring to see students turn their passions into tangible products. The content they created can now serve as a portfolio that they carry with them wherever they go. Our teacher emphasized the importance of turning an initial idea into a brand or small business. Now, they leave with the confidence and skills to apply that process to any endeavor.
Each creative station throughout KOO Labs offered a glimpse into the hard work, talent, and vision our students poured into their projects. The evening was more than a showcase—it was a reminder of the power of giving young people the tools and space to express themselves fully and authentically.
At Kingmakers, we believe in cultivating spaces where young Kings and Queens can explore, grow, and shine. Judging by the brilliance displayed at the Crown Creators Showcase, the future is bright—and it belongs to them.
