Celebrating the Genius, Art, and Innovation of KOO Labs Academies

Welcome to the house that youth built. For the past six weeks, our creators and future industry leaders have taken over KOO Labs, mastering their crafts, pushing creative boundaries, and building professional-grade portfolios. Today, we celebrate their brilliance, their growth, and their crowns.

About Kingmakers of Oakland

Kingmakers of Oakland (KOO) is committed to improving the life outcomes of Black boys by transforming the education system and building spaces where they can thrive. Through a culture-centered curriculum, mentorship, and community-building, we empower our Kings to discover their true identity, unlock their innate genius, and step into the world as the architects of their own futures.

About KOO Labs Academies

KOO Labs Academies is our premier creative tech and production house hub. Moving beyond traditional classroom learning, the Academy provides middle and high school students with hands-on, industry-standard training in creative fields. In this space, youth work alongside creative professionals to tell their own stories, launch their own brands, and master the media landscapes of tomorrow.

Facilitator: Andrew “Bear” Benford

About: Students mastered the art of sonic storytelling—diving deep into beat-making, music production, sampling, arrangement, mixing, and mastering to craft original audio landscapes.

Facilitator: Damari Lawrence

About: Training the next generation of filmmakers to step behind the lens. Students learned advanced lighting, camera operation, audio composition, and post-production to tell powerful, authentic stories.

Facilitator: Otto Lai

About: Exploring the cutting edge of visual effects and 2D/3D design. Students brought their imaginations to life by developing original characters, storyboarding, and mastering motion graphics pipeline technology.

Facilitator: Senay Alkebu-lan

About: Merging streetwear culture with entrepreneurship. Students learned the fundamentals of design thinking, screen printing, and embroidery to build and launch their very own clothing brands.

Run of Show

Opening Remarks from Nia Lundkvist
Opening remarks from Bro Otto, Student experience, video presentations and student celebrations.
Opening remarks from Bro Andrew, Student experience, Student showcase & performances, student celebrations
Opening remarks from Bro Damari, Student experience, video presentations and student celebrations.
Opening remarks from Bro Senay, Fashion show, Student experience and student celebrations.
Thank you’s, appreciations & donations.