This summer, Kingmakers of Oakland (KOO) Labs opened its doors to high school students aged 14-18 for a transformative experience in creativity and media production. Over two sessions spanning two weeks each, these young minds were immersed in the innovative environment of our Labs, where they were taught creative skills in fashion design, beatmaking, animation, and video production.
The summer program culminated in a vibrant showcase event, where students proudly presented their work to an audience of family, KOO staff, and the wider community. The event not only highlighted the students’ incredible talents but also the high caliber of our facilitators, who come from prestigious backgrounds including Pixar and other top production houses, with years of entrepreneurial experience in their respective fields.
In the Fashion Design track, each student developed a unique print design, expressing their passion for themes such as environmental conservation, emotional healing, and family legacy. These designs were then applied to various clothing items, showcasing both creativity and personal significance.
In the Beatmaking track, students produced 2-3 beats under the guidance of our expert sound engineer. They created full-length songs and loops, ready for sale or use in social media content, demonstrating their ability to produce high-quality audio content.
Our Animation track introduced students to the full animation process, from character development to storyboarding. Utilizing both traditional tools and AI, they brought their imaginative worlds to life, gaining a deep understanding of the storytelling process in animation.
Finally, the Video Production track saw students capturing footage from all the other creative lanes and producing a 2-3 minute commercial showcasing KOO Labs. They learned to use video editing software, gaining hands-on experience in creating compelling visual content.
After the showcase, everyone gathered for a celebration of food and fellowship, where attendees engaged further with the students about their projects, asked follow-up questions, and even placed orders for future work. The success and enthusiasm surrounding these sessions have paved the way for an advanced curriculum in all four creative tracks this fall.
Jay Cox, Program Director of the Summer Sessions, emphasized the importance of visibility and representation for Black and Brown youth in media:
“If the youth don’t see themselves in something they want to do, they won’t do that thing. We created these camps to show Black and Brown youth that they can achieve greatness at the highest level in media and entertainment. A lot of the kids we work with don’t know they can be animators, editors, videographers, etc., because they don’t see that in their lives on a regular basis. I hope that being in the collective greatness of KOO Labs gives our kids the confidence to continue to learn and grow in these spaces.”
Chris Chatmon, CEO of Kingmakers of Oakland, also spoke at the summer showcase about the importance of KOO Labs in narrative change:
“KOO Labs is such an important arm of our organization in terms of the work we do around narrative change. We want to tell stories and create images that focus on Black joy, Black hope, Black prosperity, rather than Black despair, destruction, and sadness. Black boys and Black youth as a whole have innate greatness and beauty inside them—we hope the students who participated in our summer sessions walk away with the confidence, strength, and brilliance to wear their crowns proudly.”
With the success of this summer’s camp, KOO Labs is excited to welcome even more young creatives this fall. Stay tuned for more updates on how we’re shaping the next generation of media innovators!