Celebrating the Crowning Ceremony in San Francisco

This month, our SF Kings participated in their crowning ceremony. This SFUSD AAALI event was powerful and truly inspiring, and we are grateful for the partnership that made it possible. The gathering brought together students, educators, and community partners to honor the growth, discipline, and cultural learning demonstrated throughout the program.

When you walked into the room, the joy, confidence, and sense of belonging were immediately felt from our Kings. Their heads were held high, visibly empowered by the work they had been engaging in through their classes. That presence alone is a testament to the impact of this curriculum.

The ceremony was part of the MCI (Male Cultural Identity) class in San Francisco and aligns with similar programming in Seattle through the Manhood Development initiative. While each site adapts the curriculum locally, both are grounded in the Crowns framework, which emphasizes identity development, accountability, and cultural affirmation.

Throughout the year, participants engaged in structured experiences designed to strengthen personal development and community connection. The crowning ceremony marked the culmination of that work, offering formal recognition of student achievement. As part of the tradition, students received symbolic caps, referred to as “crowns,” signifying completion of the program.

Kingmakers would like to extend a special thank you to key SFUSD members who support this work, including Laticia Erving, Bobby Pope, Glenn Bell, Mauricha Robinson, Marcus Blacksher Jr., and all others who continue to play a role in shaping our children’s futures.

This collaboration with SFUSD continues to strengthen our shared commitment to supporting students in environments that affirm their cultural identities, foster growth, and honor their accomplishments, and we are deeply grateful.