Past Fellows

Join our Fellowship Program

We accept fellowship interest applications on a rolling basis. Our program runs from May - September yearly.

For additional information please email [email protected].

Apply Now

2021 FELLOWS

AGILAPATHY STUDIOS

beto damian

Industry
Gaming
Product
Online RPG
Mission
Agilapathy strives to provide games and services where everyone is welcome to express their creativity in an easy and accessible manner while breaking the walls of exclusivity.
Mentor
Jess Hammond
Website
Agiliapathy Studios

convergent

tiana chan & hailey chow

Industry
Social Services
Product
Youth Maker Space
Mission
Convergent provides an interdisciplinary space that fosters creativity, free thinking, and a genuine love for learning. In this environment, Bay Area middle school and high school students are able to bring their ideas to life while being surrounded by a supportive community of innovators, thinkers, and artists.
Mentor
Logan Falley
Website
Convergent

ataraxia aroma

kierra cotton

Industry
Home Decor
Product
Self Care Candles
Mission
Ataraxia Aroma aims to promote use of urban aromatherapy products amongst youth to lessen the reliance on harmful substances. Through our products we will educate young people on how to cater to their emotions.
Mentor
Jasmine Curtis

king kwes tech

MATTHEW WINN

Industry
Tech
Product
Sound Equipment
Mission
King Kwes Tech provides S.T.E.A.M education programs for children of the African Diaspora, and educates them on the history of black innovators catered to their own learning styles. By 2035 we plan to have introduced 2,000 black engineers into the tech industry.
Mentor
Jessica Hammond
Website
King Kwes Tech

education cocreation

michelle villagran

Industry
Education
Product
Afterschool Program
Mission
Our mission is to make space where Oakland students can experiment with creating their own educational experiences while getting access to the resources needed to transition into adulthood. Mentor
Chuck Brown
Website
Education Cocreation

layo duafe

rachel adejobi

Industry
Fashion
Product
Jewelry and Accessories
Mission
Our mission is to make West African Fashion and Culture more accessible to the Youth of African descent including Indigenous Africans Worldwide.
Mentor
Mercedes Martin
Website
http://layoduafe.com

pathway to freedom

sabrina Valadez

Industry
Health
Product
Social Services for Unhoused Communities
Mission
To provide direct community-centered, whole-person care for the bodies, minds, and souls for local unhoused communities in Oakland and beyond.
Mentor
Somiah Handy
Website
Freedom Community Clinic

gen tea

taahira shabaaz

Industry
Food
Product
Tea, Food, & Beverages
Mission
U.N.I.T.E’s (Unique Natives Interacting Together To Elevate) mission is to help increase access to creative platforms and business networks to unify our community and hold members of our community accountable for our collective actions, wholistic education, and wellness.
Mentor
Diana Rios
Website
Gen Tea

tajianna.com

tajianna Okechukwu

Industry
Entertainment
Product
Videography and Production
Mission
Tajianna Okechukwu is an actress & director from the Bay Area. She obtained a double degree in Acting and Film & TV Studies from Azusa Pacific University. After graduating, she has returned home to appear in commercials, plays, & short films as well as direct her own short films and music videos. Her work in front & behind the camera centers on stories that explore various narratives through the lens of the Black experience. Tajianna is always seeking to tell stories that will shift paradigms and shake culture in our society.

Mentor
Naima McQueen
Website
Tajianna.com

2020 FELLOWS

The Soul of autism

ebony walker

Industry
Health
Product
Professional assistance for children with autism and their families
Mission
We aim to help children with autism implement life skills through environment activities, stimulating social environments, and reducing stress in families to develop independent individuals.
Mentor
Shaina Tantuico
Website
Soul of Autism

multilingual indigenous interpreters

Luis & Martin pablo

Industry
Social Services
Product
Multilingual Interpreters
Mission
Our mission is to provide quality relay, consecutive, and simultaneous interpretation services for monolingual indigenous speakers and their service providers and in this way be a bridge of communication between both in order to achieve accurate communication and cultural understanding.
Mentor
Alysson Jesse
Website
Multilingual Indigenous Interpreters

iBlinkco

jayden cummings

Industry
Social Media
Product
Social Media Management
Mission
iBlinkco is a social media management tool that connects our clients with social media managers and enables them to make data driven decisions online
Mentor
Vanessa Williams
Website
iBlinkco

ethical icon

maurita ament

Industry
Fashion
Product
Online shop that features ethical clothing
Mission
Our mission is to create a online shopping experience that provides more transparent information so shoppers can make intentional buying decisions that benefit the world.
Mentor
Jessica Hammond
Website
Ethical Icon

eclectic kolourplay

india simpson

Industry
Beauty
Product
Makeup & Self Care products
Mission
To provide quality professional promotions and artistic services that will allow our clients to reach a broader audience and increase brand awareness.
Mentor
Blake Hihara
Website
Eclectickolourplaycosmetics.com

aiye

De'ana brownfield

Industry
Visual Art
Product
Community building through art
Mission
Bringing together Black women to cultivate creative spaces to address healing through spiritual, cultural awareness, and holistic ways of being.
Mentor
Mercedes Martin

lmkwyt productions

raquel collins & nic lee

Industry
Music
Product
Artist Promotion Services
Mission
With the help of LMKWYT Productions, artists will gain a stronger local and online presence, meaningful relationship with their fans and better understanding on how to use marketing throughout their career.
Mentor
Jenny Hansen
Website
LMKWYT.org

U.N.I.T.E.

jazmine Wolterding-Williams & LOUIS KEYAMO JOHNSON

Industry
Entertainment
Product
Artist and Business Networking Platform
Mission
U.N.I.T.E’s (Unique Natives Interacting Together To Elevate) mission is to help increase access to creative platforms and business networks to unify our community and hold members of our community accountable for our collective actions, wholistic education, and wellness.
Mentor
Sara Erickson
Website
U.N.I.T.E. Network

KOD BEATS

D’Juan Ewing-Smalls

Industry
Entertainment
Product
Music Instrumentals and Production
Mission
KOD Beats offer 18-35 year old artist of color beats to express their stories through music and create positive change in their communities.
Mentor
Chen Huang
Website
KOD Beats

2019 FELLOWS

freedom community clinic

bernadette (bernie) lim

Industry
Health
Product
Holistic Health Programs and Service Pop Ups
Mission
To provide holistic health programs, community pop-up clinics, patient advocacy, and an affordable network of long-term holistic health services to under-resourced communities in the East Bay
Mentor
Ernest Brown
Website
FreedomCommunityClinic.org

project 25

christian (chris) Velasquez

Industry
Fashion
Product
Clothing/Apparel
Mission
To inspire the youth by producing an apparel that is not only stylish but also gives back to the community.
Mentor
Tanya Liszniansky Cohan

woc collective

devon white

Industry
Music
Product
Songwriting services, workshops, and music promotion
Mission
To create a safe space for women of color to craft their music skills. The collective helps women level up in songwriting, branding, and sound production to prepare them for a career in the music industry.
Mentor
Helena Wang
Website
WeAreWOC.com

naz Wellness

nejah (donnie b) brown

Industry
Health & Wellness
Product
Self care workshops and mentorship
Mission
To give women and girls from ages 14 to 50+ wellness resources, a space to connect, and teach each other.
Mentor
Jazmin Mora
Website
Naz Wellness Instagram

foe laynz auto shop

allen (a1) laurensen reed

Industry
Automotive
Product
Car Repair & Detailing
Mission
Open up a series of community focused based shops that provide education on basic maintenance and offer affordable pricing.
Mentor
Chris Spencer
Website
Foe Laynz Detailing Services Instagram

comb designs (cd)

marie nicole combs

Industry
Home Improvement
Product
Interior Design & Consulting
Mission
To provide interior design and staging not just focusing on high end clients but bringing quality design into black communities while providing accessible pathways to healthy environments.
Mentor
Gregory Jackson
Website
Combs Designs Instagram

smoked out

jayvon (jay) hayes

Industry
Music
Product
Music Promotion & Content Creation
Mission
To help artists become economically sustainable through sub distributing their merchandise and helping them gain exposure through the Smoked Out vlog.
Mentor
Jessica Hammond

in lak'ech productions

benjamin (ben) Gonzales

2018 FELLOWS

move with the breeze

kabreshiona smith

Industry
Health/Fitness
Product
Holistic Health Products & Fitness Program
Mission
To support those often referred to as African Americans on the journey of self discovery by exposing them to alternative healing practices though movement and expression.
Mentor
Hadley Salz
Website
thebigbossbusiness.com

project beanstalk

isaiah johnson & glenn ray brooks

Industry
Gaming
Product
"Heart to Heart" video game
Mission
To create quality video games to inspire people from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue the game industry.
Mentor
Sara Erickson
Website
ProjectBeanstalk.xyz

planu

tria villanueva

Industry
Education
Product
Education Planning workshops for college students
Mission
To help low-income students create a class schedule that promotes a work, life balance lifestyle so they can graduate in their desired time frame.
Mentor
Billy McIntyre Jr.

fixmykix

james green

Industry
Fashion
Product
An online marketplace platform for sneaker restoration & art
Mission
To build awareness of, and provide a marketplace for the service of sneaker restoration and customization, to promote artistic entrepreneurship amongst low income young people, and to reduce the amount of sneaker waste in our landfills.
Mentor
Ryan Smith
Website
Fixmykix.com

avocurl

jasmine curtis

Industry
Beauty
Product
Avocado Infused Natural Hair Products
Mission
To provide the most nourishing hair care products made with natural and fresh ingredients, while building with and uplifting people with naturally kinky and curly hair.
Mentor
Gregory Jackson
Website
Avocurl.com

bright future's music

shavon moore

Industry
Music
Product
After school & Elective Music Development Program for youth
Mission
To support, inspire and motivate youth, despite their economic background by providing them accessible and affordable music education to freely express themselves.
Mentor
Dalila Dynes
Website
Bright Future's Music Instagram

insta 3d printing

alberto ibarra

Industry
Tech
Product
3D Printing Workshops
Mission
To train low-income youth of color in 3D printing, offering sustainable and locally made household products and accessories.
Mentor
Mike Nicholls

black camera productions

jean black

Industry
Music
Product
After school & Elective Music Development Program for youth
Mission
To support and build community for people of color through the distribution of positive, solution-based media, the development of technical visual art skills, and the employment of community members in paid positions for their artistry.
Mentor
Jessica Hammond
Website
Black Camera Productions Instagram

bayaf

maleik dion

Industry
Music
Product
Music Promotion Packages for Bay Area musicians
Mission
To Uplift Bay Area artists who encourage self-actualization through subscription media packages and co-promotion.
Mentor
Lina Buffington

sole2soul

russell agustin and rodolfo james iii agustin

Industry
Music
Product
Repurposed Athletic Shoes for free to low priced
Mission
To provide athletic shoes to low to moderate income youth to promote sustainability & healthy lifestyle in the Bay Area.
Mentor
Parisa Esmaili and Brittni Scott
Website
Sole2Soul.xyz

2017 FELLOWS

tipsitaxi

emmanuel cook

Industry
Transportation
Product
Safe, on-call transportation app
Mission
'Pairs party goers with personal drivers to provide a cost effective, safe, and responsible transportation option after social events through the comfort of their own vehicle.
Mentor
Bennie

Wecozybroke

EBony Stallworth

Industry
Transportation
Product
Safe, on-call transportation app
Mission
WeCozyBroke produces black influenced products, information, and events centered in self-care, empowerment, and self expression for LGBT youth and adults of color.
Mentor
Brittany Hinchliff

BLK MGK

DESTINY IWUOMA, Ab banks

Industry
Music
Product
Music Creation & Events
Mission
BLK MGK is a collective of eight Black artists based in the Bay Area providing radical healing through events and artistic experiences. Our safe spaces bring together a creative and active audience on a tangible path to liberation.
Mentor
Jeff Hartsough and Jocelyn Wong

SOUP FOR THE SOUL

JOSEPH TSAI

Industry
Food
Product
Food Pop Up featuring South East Asian Soups in addition to soups all over the world
Mission
Connecting communities to encourage the importance of diversity by providing a space to share cultural soups.
Mentor
Ivey Williams

gogetters 4 life

demario williams

Industry
Music
Product
Hip Hop Events
Mission
To raise awareness of community issues that affect the younger generation by throwing conscious hip hop showcases.
Mentor
Dave Room

rooted in richmond cooperative

valerie jameson

Industry
Health/Food
Product
Community Farm
Mission
Rooted in Richmond’s mission is to nourish and uplift the local community in a self-sustaining movement led by the youth of West Contra Costa to offer healthy and culturally relevant food and drink options that both employ and transform our lives and economy.
Mentor
Alejandra Yañez

the custom collection

catrina byias

Industry
Beauty
Product
Custom made Wigs
Mission
Our mission is to help women feel beautiful, self confident and be economically independent through the distribution of premium quality custom lace units.
Mentor
Jessica Hammond

de gud fix phones and computer repairs

mathew o abiola

Industry
Beauty
Product
Phone & Computer Repair
Mission
We create job opportunities for less privileged youth in our community by teaching them phone and computer repairs skills, in order to keep them off the street, avoid incarceration, and reduce unemployment.
Mentor
Hadar Dor

THE PLUG

ptah asabi, norman weekes & rasa ostad

Industry
Transportation
Product
DevOps mentorship program for youth
Mission
We are a DevOps team building IT skills with underprivileged youth in San Francisco and the East Bay through mentorship that will enable them to gain employment and excel in the IT field.
Mentor
Isabel Bustillos

Melanated a.r.t (art, culture, and technology)

venus morris

Industry
Art
Product
Multimedia Art Production & Self Care Products for Artists
Mission
To heal the black and brown community through the production of high quality natural self care products, creative expression workshops, and the art of digital storytelling.
Mentor
Desire Johnson Forté

2016 FELLOWS

loyall-entertainment

alexis johnson

Industry
Music
Product
Music Albums
Mission
To create hip hop music featuring homeless artists that can be used for fundraising and awareness.
Mentor
James D’ Albora

conscious nativ

tiphereth banks

Industry
Fashion & Art
Product
Eco Friendly Clothing & Apparel Production workshops
Mission
To support and expose youth to new opportunities and hobbies, training them to produce handmade apparel with eco-friendly material.
Mentor
Isaac Buwembo
Website
Conscious Nativ Instagram

Trang Tan & Han Tran

ngroots refreshments

Industry
Food & Culture
Product
Hub for Queer Vietnamese Healing Hub & Vietnamese Food
Mission
To restore Vietnamese Americans cultural roots, revive inter-generational connections, and nourish creative growth through the power of storytelling and food justice.
Mentor
Gabby Romabiles
Website
QTViet Cafe Website

who's puttin on

kamani holmes

Industry
Social Service
Product
Resource and News Magazine for People Impacted by Incarceration
Mission
A world where anyone impacted by incarceration can prosper instead of perish.
Mentor
Mansi Kakkar & Keith McGowen

las madres doulas

stacy galvan

Industry
Health
Product
Doula Services for young parents
Mission
Provide Young Parents with doula services to overcome challenges throughout their birthing journey.
Mentor
Emani Holyfield & Aumatma Shah

tiangis

leo martin

Industry
Tech & Commerce
Product
Marketplace Website for Bay Area businesses
Mission
We are an online community marketplace where locally sourced goods & services are exchanged, sold, or bartered.
Mentor
Phillip Akali & Chuck Brown

woke collective

stephanie Maldonado & Kelly elizabeth ortega

Industry
Health
Product
Self Care Workshops and Products
Mission
Creating sustainable holistic health practices in under-served communities that restore the power of our mind, body and soul.
Mentor
Tony Prada

increase the peace

jasmine stallworth
(honey gold jasmine)

Industry
Art & Music
Product
Multimedia Art Creation Workshops & Annual Festival
Mission
Increase the Peace is an event series and annual music festival that aims to create a space for millennial aged PoC creative artists and entrepreneurs to promote holistic healing through music therapy and appreciation.
Mentor
Jessica Hammond

2015 FELLOWS

8 Feet Tall

Ajman Thrower

Industry
Music
Product
Artist Promotion Services
Mission
To provide quality professional promotions and artistic services that will allow our clients to reach a broader audience and increase brand awareness.
Mentor
Monica Ayers
Coach
Ambessa Cantave

UPBEAT OAKLAND GAMES

JOSE MARTINEZ & TJ RANSOM

Industry
Gaming
Product
Video Games
Mission
To support, educate, and heal the minds of diverse communities through video games.
Mentor
Kat Whipple
Coach
Jessi Fischer

THE BIZ STOOP

Desire Johnson & Erin Clark

Industry
Gaming
Product
Hub of Resources and Employment Opportunities for youth
Mission
To generate “earn your keep” work opportunities for transitional age youth in Oakland, CA who experience high barriers to employment.
Mentor
Ashley Kelley, Sharmila Singh

merrystem

dasha savage & jessica sarmiento

Industry
Food
Product
Accessible Training for Food Harvesting
Mission
To teach community members how to grow a particular fruit or vegetable as well as bring each participant a convenient way to share their harvest with their neighbors (through a vegetable barter system). Through growing and sharing, we can create an environment of communal interdependence for nutrition.
Mentor
Sabrina Mutukisna

fuerza indigena

linda sanchez

Industry
Business
Product
Culturally Relevant Business Training for Latin American Women
Mission
To mobilize indigenous women with culturally appropriate mentorship, high-quality entrepreneurial training, access resources to sell their native arts, and thrive in the growing green economy.
Mentor
Lisa Curtis, Gabrielle Sims
Coach
Caitlin Watkins

Mercer

roy terry jr. & Shayne Johnson

Industry
Music
Product
Music Albums and Merch
Mission
To provide artistic and educational services to underserved youth through hip-hop music and culture.
Mentor
James D’Albora

united roots media

malik hardcastle & Quayshawn Presley

Industry
Media Production
Product
Photography & Videography Services
Mission
To create an equitable society through socially impactful media and technology.
Mentor
Randy Riggins
Coach
Julian Caspari

goddli

isaiah teague

Industry
Fashion
Product
Inspirational Apparel & Lifestyle Brand
Mission
To spiritually awaken youth in oppressed communities through sustainable apparel, uplifting knowledge, quotes, and images.
Mentor
Sara Erikson
Coach
Julian Caspari