KOO Labs Academies is a workforce development program that equips youth aged 14–24 with transferable career skills in animation production, video production, music production, and fashion design.
Participants will attend Four days per week at our KOO Labs Design Center & Production House in West Oakland
Monday through Thursday from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
This is your chance to gain real-world experience, build a creative portfolio, and learn directly from industry professionals in a hands-on, supportive environment.
Academies
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Andrew “Bear” Benford
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Students will learn the basics of beatmaking along with mixing & mastering their beat stage presence, mc, performing and tempo
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Damari Lawrence
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Students will learn the basics of audio, lighting, camera settings, composition, and post-production video editing.
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Senay Alkebulan, Founder and owner of Futurisme Studios
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Learn fashion design, screen printing, and the tools required to launch your own clothing brand
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Otto Lai
Otto began his professional career in New York as a modeler on MTV’s Celebrity Death Match and then as an animator on Nickelodeon’s Little Bill. Since moving to California, he joined Legend 3D to do Stereoscopic Compositing on Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland. As Head Comp Trainer he helped prepare over 200 artists for Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon, Smurfs, Shrek 1,2,3 and other titles. Having gradually transitioned from industry artist to full time educator, Otto is firm believer in culturally responsive teaching and equitable learning spaces. He currently teaches Dual Enrollment classes to high school students at Madison Park Academy and Oakland Tech.
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Explore the world of animation by creating your own animated stories and experimenting with the latest technology, all through hands-on learning.
NEW SESSIONS BEGAN JUNE 1, 2026
step in to your creative power.
If you have any questions, please contact: matin@kingmakersofoakland.org
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Senay Alkebu-Lan
Fashion Academy Instructor
the founder and creative director of Futurisme Studios, a multidisciplinary creative studio established in 2015
Futurisme Studios is dedicated to intergenerational healing through art, design, and in-depth community engagement using mediums such as fashion, photography, film, electronic music, and exhibition.
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Andrew "Bear" Benford
Music Academy Instructor
a multi-instrumentalist, producer, audio engineer, and educator empowering Oakland’s next generation of creatives. As Music Educator at Kingmakers of Oakland’s Media Academy, he teaches music production, recording, and sound design. Bear also owns Reef Studios and has contributed audio production and scoring for YR Media, Empire, Western Digital, and HBO’s Insecure, blending technical expertise with culturally grounded mentorship.
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Damari Lawrence
Media Academy Instructor
The Media & Technology Manager for Kingmakers of Oakland; He leverages his expertise in audio and visual production to bring powerful stories to life. With a versatile skill set spanning live events, studio recording, film, and post-production editing, Damari ensures that every project communicates with clarity and impact. His passion for media as a tool for connection drives his work across education, culture, and community
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Otto Lai
Animation Academy Instructor
Otto began his professional career in New York as a modeler on MTV’s Celebrity Death Match and then as an animator on Nickelodeon’s Little Bill. Since moving to California, he joined Legend 3D to do Stereoscopic Compositing on Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland. As Head Comp Trainer he helped prepare over 200 artists for Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon, Smurfs, Shrek 1,2,3 and other titles. Having gradually transitioned from industry artist to full time educator, Otto is firm believer in culturally responsive teaching and equitable learning spaces. He currently teaches Dual Enrollment classes to high school students at Madison Park Academy and Oakland Tech.
