Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders to Transform Oakland and Beyond.
Her Story:
The Heart of the Scholarship
Jean Yonemura Wing was more than an educator; she was a tireless champion for educational justice. For 16 years, she served in the Oakland Public Schools Research, Assessment, and Data Department, where she designed the district’s first equity dashboards to ensure every student was seen and supported.
❋ The PartnershipAs a founding advisor and mentor to Kingmakers of Oakland, Jean’s wisdom helped shape our mission to uplift young Black men. Following her passing in 2021, this memorial scholarship was established through the visionary generosity and continuous financial support of Tom Low and the Estate of Eddie Low, alongside Butch Wing and Linda Wing.
Their deep intergenerational commitment to investing in the brilliance, leadership, and promise of our young people ensures Jean's core values of "Educational Equity, Excellence, and Empowerment" continue to thrive directly through the lives of our Kings.
Investing in Future Change-Makers
Who We Support:
This scholarship is awarded to young Black men graduating from Oakland Unified High Schools who demonstrate the potential to lead with a focus on social justice and community equity.
The Impact:
Selected scholars receive a $5,000 award to help navigate the critical transition of their freshman year of college, allowing them to focus on their studies and their long-term goals for community impact.
Our 2026 Scholars
Naim Mothudi UC Merced
Sterling Sims San Francisco State University
Kavon Gaines CSU East Bay
Jaylin Turner San Francisco State University
Kingston Baker Sacramento State University
Carmelo Harris Lewis & Clark College
Kaiden Taylor Sacramento State University
Corey Douglass UC Merced
Josiah Cola University of New Mexico
Total Awarded $25,000
Hear directly from this year's scholars on how they plan to carry Jean Wing's legacy forward.
Honoring Our Past Scholars
2021 Inaugural CohortKahlil ChatmonSacramento State
Kunta GaryMorehouse College
Total Awarded $10,0002022Jordan ChatmonSF State
Asa Jerome GourdineMorehouse College
Rahsaan SmithMorehouse College
James BellSanta Clara University
Total Awarded $20,0002023Andwele ZakeeUC Berkeley
Angel OrtegaUC DavisHarvard UniversityAn LiuBijon BurtonMorgan State UniversityBrian Velasco ValdiviaCSU East Bay
Cooper James RyalsCity College of Alameda
Emmanuel NinwillayCSU LAKenneth Lee Richardson IIIMorehouse CollegeKeyo Johnson JrCal Poly PomonaKymari RhodesMarion David-FortuneSam RodriguezLas Positas CollegeNaim PiersonObasi Davis, MFASchool of Visual ArtsSacramento State UniversityDallas AlcornTreJohn WilliamsSacramento StateXavier WalkerPacific UniversityCity College of San Francisco
Lamond LouginChabot CollegeMiles PareHampton UniversityMerrit CollegeGabriel Graham-KermahLaney CollegeJayani Frankie MotleyLaney CollegeUC MercedHunter CollinsLewis & Clark College Isaiah HunterJoshua EdgerlyJose Antonio Alvarez UC MercedCSU FullertonStephon Cinsear WilliamsChabot CollegeSan Francisco State UniversityJamir Brown AndersonWillie RogersMorehouse CollegeSacramento State UniversityPeter BullerSan Jose StateTotal Awarded $50,000Support the Mission
While our primary focus is the success of our scholars, we invite you to join us in sustaining this legacy. Your contributions ensure that every year, a new group of Kings has the resources they need to change the world.
