September Newsletter | A Message from Chris Chatmon
Greetings Family,
At Kingmakers of Oakland, we know exactly who we are and whose we are. We are the heirs of a tremendous legacy of Black liberation movements and freedom fighters — from the Panthers in West Oakland to Ella Baker, Marcus Foster, Asa Hilliard, James Baldwin, and Jawanza Kunjufu. We stand firmly in that lineage, carrying forward the charge to create a more just and loving world for our children.
We are unapologetic in our purpose: centering the brilliance of Black boys and men while supporting all young people. Why? Because when Black boys thrive, everyone thrives. Our organizational values guide us: Love, Collective Will, Partnership, African-Centeredness, and Centering Black Boys.
Through our Liberatory Design Principles, we act on those values daily:
We lead from the margins and practice radical inclusion.
We honor that the process is the product, and that transformation begins with ourselves.
We ensure our history is no longer a mystery, making the invisible visible.
We design for the future, speak our future, and walk together in the spirit of Ubuntu — I am because we are.
We let go to lead, knowing there are no big “I’s” and no little “you’s.”
Above all, we work to create — in the proverbial words of Baba Ron Walker — what we call a conspiracy of care: a collective commitment to healing, justice, and opportunity.
And let me be clear about what we do not stand for:
We do not stand for hate, injustice, or racism. We reject falsehoods that seek to divide us. We reject laws and policies that strip communities of their dignity and constitutional freedoms. We should not live in a country where the government can seize anyone who looks Latino, speaks Spanish, or works a low-wage job. To remain silent in the face of these injustices is to be complicit.
We are called to act with courage and faith: to do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly.
The Congressional Black Caucus recently reminded us:
“Violence has no place in our politics… We must unequivocally reject violence in all its forms… At the same time, we must condemn violence without abandoning our right to speak out against ideas that are inconsistent with our values as Americans.”
That is our charge, too. We must call out ideologies rooted in hate, racism, and division — even as we reject violence. We must resist efforts to legitimize worldviews that deny systemic racism, diminish the Civil Rights Act, or erase the humanity of our leaders and communities.
As Kingmakers, we refuse to let the single story of racism prevail. Instead, we elevate and celebrate the powerful tapestry of stories that make up the diversity and beauty of our communities.
We are not just building programs — we are building a movement. And we invite you to join us in the sacred work of creating a future where our children inherit not despair, but dignity; not division, but unity; not fear, but love.
In solidarity and with deep love,
Chris Chatmon
Founder & CEO
Kingmakers of Oakland