Our Kings Our Stories
Jim Hollis on Why Telling the Truth About Our Youth Matters
When Jim Hollis first encountered a group of Kings from Kingmakers of Oakland, it wasn’t in a classroom; it was in Washington, D.C. “They were co-hosting and moderating conversations with educators, policymakers, and funders,” he recalls. “They were sharp, articulate, well-informed—and ready to share their stories with the world. Not something you see every day.”
That’s exactly what Our Kings, Our Stories is about.
We’re building a digital story archive to capture the impact of this movement from the people who know it best: our youth, our families, our staff, and our community partners like Jim.
Jim has worked alongside Kingmakers in schools across the Bay Area, where he’s witnessed firsthand how powerful this work can be. “What sets KOO apart is that they don’t just run programs—they build identity, culture, and leadership from the inside out,” he says. “Their work isn’t about fixing students; it’s about affirming them.”
And when students feel affirmed, everything changes.
Jim has seen young Black men evolve from students into scholars, artists, and leaders. “Their confidence shifts. Their voice strengthens,” he says. “We see it in how they engage in class, how they walk through the hallways, how they speak about their futures.”
From high-impact tutoring to culturally rooted STEM experiences, Jim’s organization has partnered with KOO to make academic spaces feel safer and more powerful for young men of color. And every time, he says that it’s the cultural grounding that makes the difference. “Drums, storytelling, political education, mentorship, and love. They bring it all with the same seriousness that others reserve for textbooks.”
That’s why this campaign matters.
We’re asking you (Yes, You) to take five minutes to share your Kingmakers story.
Whether you’re a King, a caregiver, a partner, or a friend of the work, your voice is part of this collective movement. Your words might be the spark that inspires someone else to believe, join, or support.
🖋️ Share your story here → https://posterchild.fillout.com/kingmakers
Jim put it simply:
“They don’t just educate. They liberate.”
It’s now our job to help tell that truth… together.
#OurKingsOurStories
#KingmakersOfOakland