Spring Symposium 2021
APRIl 15th & 16th, 2021
If you are registered for this weekend’s events, please search your email inbox for the latest Eventbrite emails entitled “Spring Symposium” and follow the prompts for login instructions. For additional support, please email support@kingmakersofoakland.org
If you are registered for this weekend’s events, please search your email inbox for the latest Eventbrite emails entitled “Spring Symposium” and follow the prompts for login instructions. For additional support, please email support@kingmakersofoakland.org
Event Outcomes
HEAR FROM GREAT LEADERS
Our team and experts will lead d ynamic action-driven presentations and classes that will give you tools on how to engage, encourage, and empower Black Youth.
Gain A New Professional Network
Connect with like-minded people from all over the world!
Transform Your Practice
Proven techniques to adopt in your practice as we share effective strategies and model our drivers for systems change, when activated, improves educational outcomes for Black boys.
Leave Empowered
You will leave inspired, invigorated, and prepared with an action plan to install in your community by building with colleagues to implement collaboratively as regular practice which forms leaders.
SPRING SYMPOSIUM SCHEDULE
Welcome to Spring Symposium!
Christopher Chatmon
Romero Wesson
Performance
Performance
Virtual Learning Walks
Witness our curriculum and pedagogy in action through
virtual classroom observations.
Baayan Bakari
Sean Foster
Romero Wesson
Breakout Discussions
Breakout Discussions
Break & Youth Voice / Performances
Upset the Setup
The Kingmakers Youth Street Team will share findings from recent virtual youth events and discuss remote learning, impacts from the multiple pandemics on student mental health, learning in a racially charged climate, and building community and Black joy.
B. DeVeaux
Amin Robinson
Kahlil Chatmon
Jonathan Piper II
Ikera Davis
Intro to Film
Cava Menzies
Judd Flemming
Film Screening: Revolution Remix
This short film was born out of the 2020 summer uprising. It captures the spirit, vision, and message of the Revolution Remix EP, a collaborative music project spearheaded by Oakland-based youth artists as a creative outlet to express their feelings about the 2020 summer protests.
Cava Menzies
Asynchronous Video Content
Asynchronous video content will be available for participants to engage with.
Christopher Chatmon
Romero Wesson
Morning Yoga / Meditation
Shaka Jamal Redmond
Performances
Performance
Welcome!
Christopher Chatmon
Romero Wesson
Q&A with Tony Smith
Tony Smith, the former Superintendent of Oakland Unified School District, will share his journey of working with the School Board to create the Office of African American Male Achievement, the first-ever of its kind within a school district in America.
Tony Smith
Christopher Chatmon
Breakout Discussions
Christopher Chatmon
Romero Wesson
Break & Performance
From a Moment to a Movement: Building a Conspiracy of Care
Kingmakers of Oakland CEO Chris Chatmon shares the framework for how he built the Office of African American Male Achievement once appointed as founding Executive Director.
Christopher Chatmon
Breakout Discussions
Breakout Discussions
Break & Performances
Case Study Panel: Seattle Public Schools
Leaders from Seattle Public School share their story of working with Kingmakers of Oakland and creating their own Office of African American Male Achievement.
Dr. Mia Williams
Dwane Chappelle
Anthony Shoecraft
Closing Moves
Christopher Chatmon
Romero Wesson
SPEAKERS & PRESENTERS
Amin Robinson
Street Team Ambassador
Amin Robinson
Street Team Ambassador
My name is Amin Robinson. I am an artist and tk instructor. I am very passionate about education reform and changing the narrative around boys of color. Everything I do is aligned with that work. I also make my art to that end.
Jonathan Piper II
Family Engagement Coordinator
Jonathan Piper II
Family Engagement Coordinator
Jonathan Piper II is a Youth Speaker and Advocate for Kingmakers of Oakland. He also is apart of Kingmakers of Oakland Social Media Team that is housed in our Communications Department. Jonathan currently attends Chabot College with a major in Political Science and Government.
Sean Foster
Program Manager, CRP
Sean Foster
Program Manager, CRP
Sean Foster is an educator, mentor, artist and community worker that was born and raised in Oakland, California. Sean became committed to the work of empowering black boys after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in communications from his Alma Matter, Clark Atlanta University – an HBCU in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2012, Sean joined the African American Male Achievement Program (AAMA) whose guiding mission to engage, encourage and empower young black boys aligned with his. Within this work, Sean has taught and mentored throughout the K-12 system in Oakland and is currently teaching an AAMA class at Dewey Academy and mentoring kings at Met West High School. Drawing on his years of teaching, training and service within the AAMA organization, Sean has transitioned into the role of Senior Facilitator for Kingmakers of Oakland (KOO) where he will support other instructors on how to become transformative educators.
Anthony Shoecraft
Managing Director of Business Development
Anthony Shoecraft
Managing Director of Business Development
Shoecraft is the Business Development Managing Director. Previously, he served a number of roles at the City of Seattle, including Special Adviser to the Mayor in the Mayor's Office of Policy & Innovation and Strategic Adviser at the Department of Education & Early Learning following years of leadership in regional education organizing, policy and advocacy. Anthony was selected for the inaugural cohort of the Harvard Business School’s Young American Leaders Program and graduated from the University of Washington (MPA, MSW) and Hampton University. He is a south Seattle native, proud husband and father of two young children, and an enthusiast of all things cooking and chess.
Christopher Chatmon
Founder and CEO, Kingmakers of Oakland
Christopher Chatmon
Founder and CEO, Kingmakers of Oakland
Christopher Chatmon is the Director and CEO of Kingmakers of Oakland (KOO). Chatmon founded KOO and served as the first Executive Director of the African American Male Achievement (“AAMA”) for the Oakland Unified School District (“OUSD”).
Judd Flemming
Contractor: Media Producer
Judd Flemming
Contractor: Media Producer
Judd Fleming serves as video and film producer for Kingmakers of Oakland. With over 12 years experience Judd thrives in the film & video production industry working both independently and with partners as an Editor, Graphic Designer, and Producer. He has a curriculum based organization @u2cacademy Up To Code Academy (U2C) that creates engaging learning experiences that provides culturally relevant, video-based content to foster awareness and inspire action in today’s underserved youth.
Shaka Jamal Redmond
Founder, Namaste Ready!
Shaka Jamal Redmond
Founder, Namaste Ready!
ShakaJamal is a culturally innovative artist and filmmaker from Oakland, California. His experiences as film producer, director, cinematographer, editor, writer, performing artist, and music producer bring a distinctive and invaluable perspective to any venture. ShakaJamal is also the founder of Namaste Ready! a co-op that provides yoga and self care healing practices designed to activate and support the healing powers of the Black Community.
Baayan Bakari
Director of Curriculum and Training
Baayan Bakari
Director of Curriculum and Training
Baayan Bakari is a nationally recognized educational consultant with expertise in racial equity, pedagogical approaches and developing culturally relevant curriculum.
Dr. Mia Williams
Chief of the Office of African American Male Achievement, Seattle Public Schools
Dr. Mia Williams
Chief of the Office of African American Male Achievement, Seattle Public Schools
Dr. Mia Williams completed her degree and received her teaching certificate from Central Washington University in 1994. From there she earned a M.Ed. of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and principal credentials from the University of Washington, and then went on to complete her doctorate in June of 2018.
For almost three decades, Dr. Williams has led transformational change in Seattle Public Schools. Under Dr. Williams’ leadership, students’ social, emotional, and academic success have increased dramatically. As a principal, her school’s student-centered approach and innovative programs focused on African American Male achievement have become a model for others–in Seattle and nationally, including being invited as a panelist and guest at the White House’s summit on the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative and she was one of the founding principals of Kingmakers of Seattle. Dr. Williams was also the 2016 Washington State Middle Level Principal of the Year.
Dr. Williams currently serves as Chief of the Office of African American Male Achievement for Seattle Public Schools. Superintendent Denise Juneau said, “Mia is the perfect person to lead this office and I’m excited about what is next for African-American students and their families.” Dr. Williams’ work to support the brilliance and excellence of Black boys and teens and her commitment to educational justice, has been consistently recognized.
Kahlil Chatmon
Family Engagement Coordinator
Kahlil Chatmon
Family Engagement Coordinator
An Oakland Native and advocate/activist for the lives and education of youth and people of color. Majoring in Anthropology at Sac State, coordinating Media for Kingmakers of Oakland, and teaching transitional kindergarten are the ways in which my passion aligned with purpose.
Tony Smith
CEO and co-founder of Whyspeople
Tony Smith
CEO and co-founder of Whyspeople
Tony Smith is the CEO and co-founder of Whyspeople, providing strategic advising and executive coaching to leaders working to create thriving communities. Most recently Tony served as the Illinois State Superintendent of Education. Prior to serving in that role he was the Executive Director of the W. Clement and Jessie V. Stone Foundation funding early childhood, youth development, and education.
Tony has served in leadership roles in the non-profit, higher education, and public pk-12 district sectors including as Superintendent in Emeryville and Oakland, Ca. He earned a Ph.D. in Language, Literacy, and Culture from UC Berkeley.
Tony is committed to creating healthy public systems that fully develop the whole child, whole school, and whole community. He measures his work by the increase in fair access to quality, the increase in student and adult belongingness, and the increase in equitable student outcomes that improve economic and civic well-being in the community.
B. DeVeaux
National Street Team Ambassador
B. DeVeaux
National Street Team Ambassador
B. DeVeaux is a singer-songwriter, and musician who, throughout their training at OSA (Oakland School for the Arts), has performed with the likes of Daveed Diggs, Patrice Rushen, Kehlani, and many more. They use their music to voice the issues that the Black community faces and to portray their experience in this world. And as a youth ambassador of the KOO St. Team, B has been able to uplift not only the youth that KOO works with, but also her coworkers and community.
Dwane Chappelle
Director, Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL)
Dwane Chappelle
Director, Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL)
In February 2016, the Seattle City Council confirmed Dwane Chappelle to be the first African American Director of the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL). As director, Dwane oversees the city’s efforts in preschool, K-12 and higher education.
Under Dwane’s leadership, DEEL has made incredible strides, including the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise levy, which makes significant investments to close race-based opportunity gaps, expand childcare and preschool, and create two years of free college.
During his first four years as director, Dwane oversaw the passage of the historic Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) levy, approved by voters in 2018 with the stated goal of partnering with families and communities to achieve educational equity, close race-based opportunity gaps, and build a better economic future for Seattle students.
In September of 2020, Dwane’s department announced funding commitments of nearly $100 million for K-12 programs to be invested in partnership with Seattle Public Schools and community-based organizations.
Dwane is resolved to help bring alignment to all Seattle’s educational investments— to transform the lives of children, youth, and families by deploying three key strategies: equitable educational opportunities, student and family supports, and high-quality learning environments.
Prior to this role, he was the principal at Rainier Beach High School. Under Dwane’s leadership and with the support of students, parents, teachers, and the community, the graduation rate at Rainier Beach increased 25 percentage points. By 2014, the school’s graduation rate reached 79 percent, exceeding the district average.
Mr. Chappelle and the Rainier Beach High School community made national news for their efforts in using advanced learning to drive equity by implementing the International Baccalaureate program and ensuring every student had access to these rigorous, high-quality courses.
Under Mr. Chappelle’s tenure, 97% of Rainier Beach seniors scored a 3 or higher, and 35% scored a 4 or higher, on the International Baccalaureate Language and Literature exam. This program has generated widespread acclaim, challenging students to high achievement and winning praise from parents, community members, and PBS NewsHour.
Mr. Chappelle earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Grambling State University and a master's degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce. He was the recipient of $4.3 million dollars in School Improvement Grant funds, $1.3 million dollars in Urban School Turnaround funds, and was recognized by the New York Times for Fostering Tech Talent in Schools.
Romero Wesson
Co-Board Treasurer
Romero Wesson
Co-Board Treasurer
Romero Wesson grew up in Oakland,California. He graduated from Castlemont High School as Student Body President Class of 2019. He is the Vice-President of Castlemont’s Alumni Association and currently attending Los Medanos Community College majoring in Kinesiology. Romero serves as a Spiritual Advisor to many families, organizations, and community leaders across the bay area. Romero is also a product of the African American Male Achievement Program(AAMA). Romero was apart of AAMA Student Leadership Council from 2014-2019 where he travelled and spoke at many different national and local convenings. He is also the founder of the Chosen Generation Community Foundation which he officially launched in June of 2018, where their bible based curriculum is building youth of today to be the leaders of tomorrow. Wesson is also a Humanitarian, working with churches across the globe to promote human welfare. Romero has done projects in Mexico, Costa Rica, Haiti, and the Philippines. Romero’s goal to reach and inspire youth that it doesn’t matter where you come from, all that matters is where you end up.
FUNDERS
PARTNERS
