Story from our CEO
As I look back on 2025, my heart is full of deep appreciation and gratitude for how Kingmakers of Oakland continued to show up for our Kings, their families, and our communities.
This year, we deepened our impact across school districts by expanding Kingmakers programming and sharpening our focus on belonging, identity, and academic excellence. We saw more Kings in circles, in classrooms, and on stages; leading, creating, and defining themselves beyond the narratives society tries to place on them. Through “The Fellowship Initiative” (TFI), watching young men who first met us in 9th grade apply to college, explore careers, develop entrepreneur and leadership skills has been one of the greatest affirmations of our work.
Our program portfolio grew in powerful ways. Through our school-based work; Crowns Curriculum, Kingmakers Club, Jegna Early Literacy program and KOO Labs Design Center and Production House, we continued to build culturally rich curriculum, youth-driven multi-media, lifting up the voices of Black boys and youth through film, animation, music, storytelling, and fashion design. Projects like Portraits of a King and our Black Love is Liberation work became more than content; they became mirrors and windows, helping systems see our Kings’ genius more clearly and inviting educators and partners into new ways of teaching, leading, and loving.
We also strengthened and forged new partnerships with districts, community organizations, and institutional partners who believe, like we do, that transforming systems for Black boys transforms systems for everyone. From supporting families through potlucks, movie nights, workshops, convenings and celebrations, to co-creating healing-centered spaces for staff and educators, our village grew wider and more aligned around a shared vision of educational justice.
A big part of that justice is our health: spirit, mind, and body. This year reminded us that we cannot pour from an empty cup. We invested more intentionally in wellness for our Kings, our families, and our staff: making space for healing, rest, reflection, and joy. Taking care of ourselves is not separate from the work; it is the work. When we are grounded, whole, and well, we can show up more fully for our young people and each other.
As we step into 2026, we’re carrying this momentum forward and raising the bar with the launch of Sankofa Kings, a powerful next chapter that calls us to look back, reclaim what is sacred in our past, and carry that wisdom boldly into the future. Sankofa Kings will be a cohort of 14–24-year-old Kings trained in AI²: Ancestral Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence, grounding them in cultural wisdom while equipping them with cutting-edge tools. Through Youth Participatory Action Research, these young leaders will investigate the issues impacting their lives and communities, analyze data, and turn insight into action. They will design and curate activations where multicultural, intergenerational, cross-sector community members come together to explore how Ancestral and Artificial Intelligence can deepen human connection, inform policy and practice, and spark collective transformation. In doing so, Sankofa Kings will not only walk in their purpose, they will help reimagine what leadership, knowledge, and power look like for this generation and beyond.
The best is still ahead of us, and we’re honored to keep building this vision in service of our sons and community. Wishing you all a very Happy and Joyous Holiday Season.
In Service,
Chris