Kingmakers 2026 Crowning Ceremony
Summary: Kingmakers of Seattle wrapped the year with a celebration honoring students’ growth and academic success.
Kingmakers of Seattle Celebrate Growth, Leadership, and Legacy
The 2026 Kingmakers of Seattle Crowning Ceremony was a powerful celebration of growth, brotherhood, and achievement—bringing together students, families, educators, and community partners to honor the journey of this year’s Kings.
The Crowning Ceremony is designed to uplift and recognize the journey of young Black men, embracing rituals that affirm identity, belonging, and leadership. This year, there were several Queens in the mix, as the program has made space for girls.
Rooted in tradition, the evening opened with a pouring of libations, setting a reflective tone and honoring those who came before. The event continued with a high-energy rap performance by Reach Back Retain from Oakland, energizing the audience and reinforcing themes of culture, voice, and excellence.
In his remarks to the audience, Superintendent Ben Shuldiner expressed his gratitude for those who continue to show up in support of students.
“To be able to see the community come out in full force to support our children is incredible,” he said. “The ideas that our families, our communities are all coming together to celebrate the Kings and Queens of our students, of our district, it means the world to me.”
Throughout the night, students took center stage—sharing their stories and their growth. Two Kings from Franklin High School and Denny International Middle School delivered powerful readings of their winning essays, reflecting on their personal journeys in the Kingmakers program and the impact it has had on their confidence, identity, and future goals.
A standout moment came from Kingmakers alum Trevon Mitchell, a 2023 graduate from Cleveland STEM High School who is now a Presidential Scholar at the University of Washington. His rousing speech inspired the crowd as he reflected on how the Kingmakers program opened his eyes to Black history and encouraged current students to continue striving for excellence in school and beyond.
The ceremony also highlighted the Kings’ achievements in academics and attendance—important markers of the program’s success.
The evening culminated in the signature moment: the crowning. One by one, students received their crowns—a black baseball cap emblazoned with a crown—symbolizing not only their accomplishments this year, but their ongoing journey as scholars, leaders, and community members.
Kingmakers, launched through the district’s African American Male Achievement initiative, is designed to support the cultural, academic, and social development of Black male students, helping them build confidence, leadership skills, and a strong sense of identity.
As families cheered and cameras flashed, the message of the night was clear: these young men are stepping forward with pride, purpose, and limitless potential.
