March CEO Letter
Greetings Family,
March has been full, in the best ways, of beauty, brilliance, and evidence that our Kings are not “in need of saving,” they are in the process of becoming exactly who they already are: powerful, creative, and destined to lead.
Bay Area Cares Podcast (KOIT 96.5 FM)
I had the honor of sitting down with Morris Knight for Bay Area Cares to talk about Kingmakers of Oakland and how our impact, rooted in love for Black youth, is now supporting students across the Bay Area. We spoke about what culturally affirming mentorship looks like day-to-day, why our CSU and UC-approved curriculum matters, and how we’re cultivating leadership that travels with our Kings long after they leave our classrooms. We also previewed what’s coming on April 18, our Student Showcase, where the community will witness the receipts.
Pahara Experience: Bello Souls LV
Shout out to my Bello Souls LV Pahara Cohort. We gathered in Bailey, Colorado at the Pahara Institute for a retreat that stretched our hearts and sharpened our leadership. Together, we navigated the values, tensions and tradeoffs of a divided world through structured seminars, reflective practices, and deep relationship-building. We engaged core texts and courageous conversations on power, freedom, belonging, and moral reasoning, supported by “Homebase” dialogue (much love to my brother Jim May), cohort “Row” sessions, and wellness experiences like yoga, sound bath, hiking, and bird watching. It was leadership formation rooted in humanity, exactly what this moment demands.
Honoring Dolores Huerta: Truth Telling is Sacred
On March 18, 2026, following a multi-year investigation, Dolores Huerta broke a silence she had carried for 60 years, speaking publicly about sexual abuse she endured and the burden she bore to protect a movement.
Her truth is holy.
To Sis Dolores, and to every woman and girl who has carried violence in silence, your silence was not complicity. It was survival. And your speaking is sacred.
Movements do not become weaker when truth is told. They become more just. We can honor the good and still refuse to protect harm. Sí se puede, always, but never at the cost of women’s bodies. Not ever again.
Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Rev. Dr. Robert L. McKnight Sr.
I want to lift up the life, leadership, and legacy of our beloved Brother, Rev. Dr. Robert L. McKnight Sr. He was a mentor, a leader, and a living model of Black Love, Black Joy, and Black Leadership. My life partner worked with him at Berkeley High School in the Black Studies Department, and he led the spice ceremony at our wedding nearly 30 years ago. Brother McKnight taught so many of us what it looks like to stand in our power with gentleness, conviction, and purpose. Thank you for showing us the promise of Black Studies and the genius of Black community leadership.
Portraits of a King: Neurodiversity Edition
Please take a moment to check out our latest Portraits of a King Beyond Labels series, focused on neurodiversity. This series celebrates Kings whose minds work in expansive ways, and reminds us that brilliance has many languages. You’ll hear from local and national leaders about why it matters to acknowledge, include, and co-design with neurodiverse Kings. You’ll also hear directly from young Kings who have navigated school with an IEP or 504, offering wisdom, clarity, and truth that educators and systems need to honor. Salute to everyone who made this series possible.
Check it out!
New Partnership: Repurposing School Collaborative
One of the most exciting new partnerships Kingmakers of Oakland is part of is the Repurposing School Collaborative with Dr. Jeff Duncan-Andrade, Dr. Joaquin Noguera, the National Compadres Network, and Kingmakers of Oakland. Together, we’re using the Youth Wellness Index as an evaluative tool to deepen the belief that healing is not separate from learning, healing is the pathway to holistic development and academic achievement for Black and Brown boys. This work is about building schools that are worthy of our children.
Join Us: 10th Annual Student Showcase (April 18)
Thank you for taking time to read this. And now I want to invite you into a moment you don’t want to miss:
Kingmakers of Oakland’s 10th Annual Student ShowcaseApril 18 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PMBloc 15 | Oakland, CA
Come witness our Kings, Queens, and Non-Binary Royalty take their crowns out of their pockets and rock them publicly. You will see the cumulative work of the past year, leadership, artistry, learning, and the kind of excellence that cannot be denied.
For details, please visit our website and help us pack the room with love, affirmation, and community witness.
With love and urgency,
Chris Chatmon
Founder & CEO, Kingmakers of Oakland