Black August: Building Liberation Through Remembrance, Resistance and Storytelling
Beloved Kingmakers Community,
As we enter a new fiscal year at Kingmakers of Oakland, we reaffirm our commitment to liberation, healing, and collective power. Our vision, a global renaissance led by Black boys and men, our Kings, standing unapologetically in their brilliance, purpose, and pride, is stronger than ever, transforming education, culture, and wellness for generations to come.
As we begin the historically significant month of Black August, we do so with reverence and humility. Born from the struggle within the California prison system in 1979, Black August honors fallen freedom fighters, most notably Jonathan Jackson (killed on August 7, 1970) and his brother George Jackson (assassinated by prison guards on August 21, 1971). It also commemorates freedom fighters across the Diaspora, from the Haitian Revolution to the Attica prison uprising. Black August is a solemn reminder of our ongoing fight against mass incarceration, police brutality, and systemic racism. It calls us to deepen our political education, reflect on our collective struggle, and recommit ourselves to action toward true liberation.
This August, in alignment with our mission, Kingmakers of Oakland is honored to announce that five films associated with our organization were officially selected for the Black Arts Movement Film Fest (BAM Film Fest), which took place in Oakland from August 1–3, 2025. This festival, a celebration of resistance, remembrance, and Black liberation through storytelling and culture, perfectly aligned with the spirit of Black August.
Featured Kingmakers films at BAM Film Fest:
These powerful works exemplify our commitment to community‑driven storytelling and creative empowerment, amplifying Black voices and fostering intergenerational dialogue.
This past month, our Jegna Early Literacy Program continued placing Black male educators into classrooms to reshape educational narratives through identity‑affirming literacy. Our KOO Labs Academy empowered young Kings through music, film, animation, and fashion, charting paths toward economic independence and creative expression. The Fellowship Initiative (TFI) and Kingmakers Club further nurtured academic excellence, cultural pride, emotional wellness, and spaces of healing rooted in brotherhood and love.
As we honor Black August, I invite you to join us in reflection, education, and active engagement. Your support makes it possible to sustain our efforts, amplify our impact, and honor the legacy of those who came before us.
Together, rooted deeply in remembrance, committed fervently to resistance, and inspired profoundly through storytelling, we affirm clearly that Black boys deserve the world, and together we’re building it.
In solidarity, gratitude, and love,
Chris Chatmon
Founder & CEO
Kingmakers of Oakland
