oakland

I am Kong.

Born and raised in Oakland

Living in a ghetto neighborhood.

Living a young ghetto life

Still with no money to get to college.

Focus on school and building up my knowledge.

Family is first.

I have two brothers  

two sisters.

Who have already graduated.

I am on my way to bigger and better things in life.

Being a Cambodian is what I am.

I will continue my journey making some sacrifices.

That I’ll make to get me to where I want to be.

I am Kong and this is my life.

Oakland State of Mind is the music video from the 1st single release from the Youth Roots recent album, "Edit the Real". This video reflects a more complex notion of what Oakland is and how it is experienced.

Oakland Digital Arts & Literacy Center (ODALC) will hold the grand opening of their new digital co-working and Internet literacy facility in the Frank G. Mar building located at 1224 Harrison Street, on Saturday, May 29th, 2010 at 1PM. ODALC's service to disadvantaged youth and struggling small business owners in the community empowers them with digital literacy and technology to achieve higher career goals.

Youth Roots, from Oakland, CA, is a critical media production & leadership youth group focused on fighting oppression by creating products to influence thought and perception. Check us out on http://www.oaklandleaf.org/html/youthroots.html

The song, "Welcome 2 Oakland" appears on the Youth Roots sound recording titled Critical Minds in Critical Times (2008).