You Had Me at Black

From a young age, Greg knew what he wanted to be when he grew up. One day he received an invitation for the opportunity of a lifetime, but the opportunity was not at all what he expected. Produced by: Britney Abrahams Photo by: @m__tina

Jasmine threw a party, yea she threw a party. People came over, yea she threw a party. This is story about when creating a safe space for yourself becomes a form of activism. Produced by: Britney Abrahams Music & Scoring by: @diracproductions Photo by: Martina Abrahams

Jordannah's a musician, singer and writer. But after an important relationship ended, she fell into a dark place and stopped creating. Then one day at a party she picked up a guitar, played a song, and changed her life forever. Produced by: Britney Abrahams Music & Scoring by: @topshelfcuzo Photo by: @witty.media

Jamica agreed to help her BFF move cross-country... in an 22-foot truck. The move was so unpredictable and ridiculous that she kept a journal. Here's what it said. Produced by: Britney Abrahams Music & Scoring by: @topshelfcuzo Photo by: @micholiano

In 1992, the Blood and Crip gangs in Los Angeles delcared a truce after over two decades of rivalry. This peace agreement became known as The True of Nine Deuce. When he was 5 years old Damon and his family were victims of a shooting that became a catalyst for the truce. He brings us through that life-changing day. Produced by: Britney Abrahams Music & Scoring: @diracproductions Photo by: @quinntonharris

Zeus has traveled the world as an acrobatic slam dunker. But before he was getting standing ovations in basketball arenas, he was a kid in West Oakland hungry for some sense of power. One day het met the local legend that would change his life forever. Produced by: Britney Abrahams Music & Scoring by: @topshelfcuzo Photo by: @quinntonharris

Julia grew up in an all-white town and never thought twice of it. That changed one afternoon when her friend got her, and her blackness, f*cked up. Produced by: Britney Abrahams Music & Scoring by: @topshelfcuzo Photo by: @micholiano

Growing up, Onye was that dude on the basketball court.. but his moves on the dance floor left more to be desired. That is, until one night when he put it all on the line to protect his name. Produced by: Britney Abrahams Music & Scoring by: @phdirac Photo by: @krimsonking

Mimo's dream was to follow in her grandmother's footsteps and dedicate her life to serving the underserved. The only thing in her way was a toxic boss, who at every turn tried to tear her down. Produced by: Britney Abrahams Music & Scoring By: @topshelfcuzo Photo By: @quinntonharris

While working at a popular Oakland restaurant, DeMareon overheard his coworkers make troubling remarks about black and brown patrons. When he finally spoke up, everything hit the fan. Produced by: Britney Abrahams Music & Scoring by: @phdirac Photo by: Martina Abrahams

At 25, Niema planned the rest of her life out. At 28, she panicked when it didn't go as planned, until changed her perspective and the very thing causing her anxiety became her source of reassurance. Produced by: Britney Abrahams Music & scoring by: @phdirac Photo by: @micholiano

For years, Aridy suffered from depression. During that time, Lin Manuel-Miranda's music was her refuge. Her story teaches us that sometimes joy comes when you put yourself out there in the most unexpected places. Produced by: Britney Abrahams Music & Scoring by: @phdirac Photo by: @witty.media

This summer we teamed up with the good people at Clouds- a new TV series about a guy who creates a dating app after breaking up with his fiance- to pay homage to the Town that birthed our respective projects, Oakland, CA. We threw a party yea we threw a party. People came over yea we threw a party. We hosted a storytelling and film event to share stories about Oakland. This week we're sharing the stories recorded that night. Produced by: Adizah Eghan

Growing up, Juliet turned to A Different World as an escape from the academic and social pressures of her Nigerian parents. She desperately wanted to be Denise Huxtable and thought she knew what it'd take to get to college, until her high school advisor gave her some honest feedback and a tough pill to swallow. Produced by: Britney Abrahams Photo by: @properperspective Music & scoring by: @phdirac

In 2005 Pen was a first year college student unsure of his calling and not doing much with his time. Then, an invitation to attend and report on the 10th Anniversary of the Million Man March in Washington DC changed everything, igniting a fire in him for reasons he never expected. Produced by: Britney Abrahams Photo by: @micholiano Music & scoring by: @topshelfcuzo