Building Bright Futures, One King at a Time
Greetings Community,
As the school year begins, I’m reminded of the power of fresh starts. For our Kings, Queens, and non-Binary Royalty across Oakland and beyond, this season is more than just returning to class, it’s about stepping into the power of possibility and getting clarity around your purpose while continuing to be in a community and moving from not working to networking.
At Kingmakers of Oakland, we’re honored to walk alongside them. With your support, we’re making sure this school year starts strong. Here’s what’s on the horizon:
Registration is open now for our KOO Labs Academies in Music, Fashion, Animation, and Media/Video/Podcast Production. We’re also hiring a Video/Podcast & Animation Teacher—expanding opportunities for youth to tap into their creative genius while building real-world career skills.
This fall, we’re excited to kick off our 3rd year of the Jegna Early Literacy Program at Martin Luther King Elementary and East Oakland Pride Elementary schools, ensuring our youngest Kings are building a strong foundation in reading, identity, and joy, while developing the next generation of transformative Teachers.
We’re thrilled to launch our new Kingmakers Clubs at Allendale, Envision Academy, and West Oakland Middle School. These clubs are safe, affirming spaces where young people explore leadership, culture, and community together.
Our The Fellowship Initiative (TFI) Cohort 2 Kings are entering their senior year of high school, their last lap before stepping into their purpose. We’re committed to making sure every King graduates college, career and community ready to lead, taking their crowns out their pockets and rocking it!
This year, our Crowns Curriculum is being taught not only across the Bay Area but also within Seattle Public Schools. Our narratives are expanding, and with them, the brilliance of our Kings is being lifted across communities in the Bay and beyond!
This work is possible because of you. Here’s how you can stand with us:
Together, we are building on the promise of tomorrow, today. Don’t wait, reach out. Thank you.
In the Spirit,
Chris Chatmon
Founder & CEO
Kingmakers of Oakland
