Our Kings, Our Stories

King

"Now I'm going to be the first to graduate high school. I'm going to be the first to go to college and graduate…”

King

"What stood out to me was how impactful everything I learned with Kingmakers in high school is relevant to what…”

Staff

"The impact on youth is huge when they are invested in and believe themselves to be learners, leaders, and legacy builders."

King

"There have been many moments I've been proud of working with kingmakers, but I'd say that one I remember..."

Parent

"Since joining KOO, I’ve seen Carmelo walk with more confidence, speak with more purpose, and lean into…”

King

“Helping younger kings in the tfi and doing service for the community. There is no stereotype to label on black youth..."

Educator

"They make every student feel seen, valued, and capable of creating something meaningful."

King

"The impact I’ve felt from KOO’s work is my broader understanding and perspective on how to handle myself in the real world."

Staff

"Kingmakers of Oakland transforms lives daily through music, powerful programs, and strategic partnerships."

King

"A moment with KOO that made me proud was at graduation. It helped me grow as a student and person..."

King

"Somebody who reminded me that I'm a king and helped me become a king is Miss Principal Jared because..."

Educator

"It is one of those invaluable organizations because everyone can find a way that KOO can help out with whatever their…”

King

"Representation does matter, and I feel like if you see somebody that looks like you, you'll be more motivated to do your best."

Staff

"It's been important to me to eliminate as many barriers as possible between the youth of my community and ..."

King

"The business pitch competition when we won the competition with our calendar app. We are very determined ..."

Educator

"I've had lots of students who have told me this is their favorite class because they feel that they can be their true selves."

King

"If you answer to king, it gives you that sense of self-esteem, that self-respect and that power it builds within you."

Board Member

"Supporting Kingmakers of Oakland isn't charity—it's investment in collective liberation. Your support proves..."

Former Board Member

"The future of Kingmakers of Oakland is expansive. It's going to be reaching so many more people. It's inevitable…”

King

"Kingmakers helped me. If you're going to do something, consider your choices and think about the people..."

Educator

"Over the past five years, it's been a joy to watch so many young men grow from reserved and apprehensive to…”

Staff

"At Kingmakers, I see Black boys and their educators embrace their gifts, changing mindsets and shaping powerful futures."

Staff

"Kingmakers of Oakland helps students learn healthy modes of living while understanding and changing…”

Parent

"It was the academic support and sense of brotherhood in the TFI program that gave my son the confidence…”

King

"I was engaging with admissions counselors at UCLA on the LA college tour. Koo helps me by pushing and…”

Staff

"Kingmakers has changed lives in real time for the better, and improved life and educational trajectories for…"

King

"If they really gave us a chance, we could remake ourselves and do better."

Staff

"Kingmakers has positively impacted youths' lives, providing them with skills, confidence, and…”

Staff

"Kingmakers of Oakland serves, learns, and leads with love and responsibility that uplifts Black boys."

Educator

"I chose to be part of Kingmakers of Oakland to help inspire and educate Black youth."

Staff

"Kingmakers was born out of a deep love for our community and a bold vision to transform the way institutions…”

King

"When I feel like a teacher genuinely cares about me, it makes me want to just learn more and more and more..."

Staff

"I've seen students become stronger writers and more confident in themselves." ‍ ‍

King

"The way like people perceive black boys is like we're all violent. We all be smoking, skipping, but most of us we just..."

Educator

"KOO and The Fellowship Initiative has guided and, most importantly, empowered first generation young men of color…”

King

"My mom reminds me every day that I'm a king. So it makes me feel like I can do anything I put my mind to, really."

Staff

"Through cultural identity, collective responsibility, love, self-efficacy, and belonging, we bring forth the best…”

Staff

"Seeing kings change their habits and grow their capacity is one of the many ways I’ve seen growth with the youth I work with."

Educator

"Since students have joined Kingmakers, they have been engaged, empowered, and encouraged in their educational journey."

Educator

"It's an investment into our young black men, during a time that is very challenging."

Staff

"Working as a jegna for KOO has only further equipped me for when I’m running my own classroom!"

King

"When I first got here, I was misbehaving and stuff, but I learned that I can't do that in school because I..."

Educator

"I've seen so much growth in my students' behavior. They are much more like the leaders we anticipated for them to be."

Educator

"The KOO program is just an impactful program in itself. Working with kids is something that's fun to me..."

Staff

"I have also seen the power of Kingmakers Oakland to create deep relationships that heal collective trauma and..."

King

"It’s hard to pin down one moment, but if I were to try, it would be supporting my fellow Kings in their math endeavors."

Educator

"I can see their confidence growing daily."

Staff

"Throughout my time at KOO, I've seen Black boys and men have safe spaces to explore themselves, to create freely…."

King

"The leadership. That we are people just like any else."

Educator

"The value of this work is so important because the KOO curriculum is the cure to 500 years of miseducation..."

King

"I just want to be remembered for helping people."

Staff

"I’ve seen our Kings grow in self-efficacy, walk with purpose, and move through the world with a stronger sense of self."

King

"Every moment makes me feel proud. KOO is helping us do the things we wanna do, and are helping us succeed.”

Staff

"I enjoy teaching. I enjoy helping people learn and helping the little kids like learn what they need to learn."

King

"One moment that made me feel proud I would have to say during the college tour when I got to meet all of the…”

Educator

"What sets Kingmakers of Oakland apart is that they don’t just run programs—they build identity, culture, and...”

Parent

"Since my child began participating in the Kingmakers of Oakland after-school fashion design program…”

Staff

"I decided to join Kingmakers of Oakland to help make a meaningful difference in the lives of our Kings and the communities...”

Mentor

"Mentoring with the Kingmakers of Oakland is not what you expect! I have seen young men get education and resources…”

King

"That they have feelings too. Express yourself more. Find a way to express yourself."

King

"One moment that made me feel proud was during a group activity where we made a song together…”

Staff

"I chose to be a part of the Kingmakers of Oakland team as an opportunity to fulfill my life's purpose to be in service to others.”

King

"One moment with kingmakers that made me feel proud was getting through the Yosemite trip because…”

King

“One moment I felt proud with KOO was during the Outward bound back backpacking trip pushing myself…”

King

"I was able to feel like I had more of a choice and more of a voice in order to talk about how I felt, so now whenever…”

Educator

“Through my Spirit Shooting and chakra-centered curriculum, I’ve witnessed how photography can become…”

Educator

"Parents and students come to me in grace for the institution we call KOO. The profound leadership makes…”

Board Member

"One of my big goals I'm in the process of achieving right now is launching my business.“

Educator

"Knowing myself and being comfortable with myself and not really worrying about what's on someone else's plate.”

Educator

"Trust your instincts. Be careful with what you do. Be attentive to how you act and speak because people are…”

King

"The goal I've set for myself is being a successful designer and showing people that you don’t always have to…”

Educator

"You can always come out of Oakland and be successful. You don't have to let your neighborhood or where you live…”

Educator

"I lead with love, and I project love and so I receive love back. That's how I've been able to survive in education for 13 years."

Educator

"Protect yourself. Protect your sense of identity. Protect your family. Protect your friends. Protect your sense of self.”

King

"Passing ninth grade is one of them and maintaining at least a 3.0 throughout high school. I've been working on that…”

Educator

“Being much more authentically myself, I commanded a lot of attention whenever I stepped in a room."

King

"I'm most proud of establishing entrepreneurship in my garden. That was my first thing I did by myself…”

King

"Each word I put on the paper cools me down a little bit. And I don't stop writing until I feel like I'm truly there…”

King

"Investing in Kingmakers would be a good investment in supporting and making sure representation for Black youth…”

Staff

"My track record of making sure I include young people in the things that I do and making sure they get…”

Educator

"Once you leave, it's mandatory that you come back and uplift the next generation. Part of me is back because…”

King

"The only part that makes it worth it is that communal aspect of this community."

King

"Being black in general is just hard, because a black body is used as a commodity for capitalism.”

Educator

"Asking for help is not being weak. It's actually a sign of strength."

King

"Little goals I have are to be a cop, a culinary chef, a doctor and a NFL player, and I think Kingmakers is a good place to be…”

King

“Whatever you choose to do, however anybody looks at you, just shrug it off. Because it's really how you feel.”

King

“All my life I've been told I sound like a 30-year-old man trapped in a 10-year-old body, like an old soul”

King

"Like sophomore year, I had a 1.2 GPA and I was able to boost it up, and in my junior year I was able to get it to 3.7.“

King

"Don't let other people's actions affect what you want to do. If you want to do something, listen to what you want to do…”

King

"Young Black fe llows like me should learn to take care of your mental and physical health. Surrounding yourself…”

King

"I have never seen an organization honor students and families the way Kingmakers does. You guys really are just phenomenal.”

King

"Stay in school. Pay attention. Get smart and pay attention in general. Read books so you can learn."

Staff

"Believe in yourself. The first thing people are going to tell you is what you can't do all the time. Even when you're struggling…”

King

"Do your own thing. Don't let people get into your head. If you do your thing and don't listen to people's opinions…”

Former Staff

"I am forever changed because of my time with Kingmakers. Learning the approach helped me be a better parent ..."

Staff

"Kingmakers of Oakland is a program that is one of a kind. KOO has a profound impact on the community by empowering..."

King

"The people at KOO Labs are all awesome and make you feel loved. It’s my favorite place to be. Fun. Productive. Home-like."