Beyond Labels
Beyond Labels: Witness the Brilliance of Our Kings
For the past two years, Kingmakers of Oakland has been on a quiet, intentional journey. We have been listening to, learning from, and filming with a group of young Black men whose stories are often told by everyone but themselves. Today, we are proud to announce the digital premiere of our latest docuseries, "Beyond Labels."
Starting Today, we invite you to watch the first episode of this transformative project NOW: Kings in Focus | Beyond Labels | Portraits of a King
Why "Beyond Labels"?
In our education systems and society at large, Black boys are often met with a barrage of labels before they even find their own voices. These labels, often rooted in neurodiversity or behavioral misunderstandings—act as barriers to their true potential.
"Beyond Labels" is our resistance to that narrative. This series centers the voices of neurodivergent Black Kings, stripping away the clinical definitions to reveal the leadership, creativity, and profound intelligence underneath. It is an exploration of identity, a celebration of the "hidden" genius within our community, and a blueprint for how we can better support the diverse ways our children learn and lead.
The Release Schedule
We want to keep the conversation moving throughout the spring. Following our Friday premiere, we will be dropping two new episodes every week on a Tuesday/Friday schedule.
Kickoff: This Friday
Weekly Drops: Every Tuesday & Friday
Where to Watch: Subscribe to the KOO YouTube Channel here
By subscribing and hitting the notification bell, you ensure that you never miss a chapter of these vital stories. More importantly, your engagement helps us amplify these voices to a global audience.
A Special Thank You to The OAK Foundation
This docuseries would not have been possible without the visionary support of The OAK Foundation. Their commitment to social justice and their belief in the power of narrated identity allowed us the time and resources to produce this work with the high production value and heart it deserves. We are deeply grateful for their partnership in bringing these "Portraits of a King" to life.
Join the Movement
As we prepare for the first drop this Friday, we ask you to do more than just watch. Share these episodes with educators, parents, and the young Kings in your life. Let’s work together to ensure that every Black boy is seen for his brilliance, not his "label." To help us continue producing high-quality, impactful storytelling like 'Beyond Labels,' please consider a contribution: Donate Here.
See you on YouTube!