Coding the Future with Ancestral Intelligence: Inside the Sankofa Kings Fellowship

As we approach the summer months, the conversation around the future of technology often centers on automation, algorithm efficiency, and artificial intelligence. But at KOO Labs, we are asking a different question: What happens when you fuse the cutting-edge tools of tomorrow with the deep cultural legacy of yesterday?

The answer is the Sankofa KingsFellowship, a groundbreaking, paid summer tech residency designed specifically for Oakland’s middle school, high school, and opportunity-age Black boys and young men.

At Kingmakers of Oakland, we know our youth are natural creators, innovators, and storytellers. Yet, traditional tech spaces often overlook their genius or treat them merely as consumers of digital platforms. The Sankofa Kings Fellowship disrupts this dynamic entirely. This is not your average coding camp. Over the course of a high-intensity, six-week residency, our Kings will step into a state-of-the-art studio environment to achieve true AI mastery and engineer community-based tech solutions.

This is where Ancestral Intelligence meets Artificial Intelligence. Before our young men write a single line of code or generate an AI prompt, they are grounded in their history, identity, and the power of brotherhood. By understanding who they are and whose shoulders they stand on, they unlock a unique perspective that allows them to build technology rooted in social architecture and collective self-determination.

To make this vision a reality, we rely on the circles of trust surrounding our young men. Educators, parents, and community partners: we need your help. If you know a young man who has a spark for technology, a curiosity about how things work, or an untapped creative genius, please do not let them miss this opportunity. We provide the mentorship  and a financial stipend to honor their brilliance and commitment.

The residency officially kicks off on Tuesday, June 16th and runs through Thursday, July 23rd. Participants must commit to attending sessions every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at KOO Labs Design Center In production house 1035 7th Street, Oakland, California.

The deadline to apply is Saturday, June 6th. Space is strictly limited, and slots are filling fast. Once an application is submitted, candidates and their families must attend our final mandatory info sessions to lock in their spot on Saturday, June 6th, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at KOO Labs

Don't let our brilliant young men sleep on their future. Let's work together to help them transition from consumers of technology to creators of the future.