kids of mlk oratorical fest take the stage in new hbo doc

Children from preschool age to 12th grade from more than 120 Oakland schools are given the chance to compete in the Martin Luther King Oratorical Festival each year. The Festival gives students the opportunity to speak confidently before their peers and communities about issues they are passionate about in an effort to develop their public speaking skills.

The new HBO documentary We Are The Dream: The Kids of the Oakland MLK Oratorical Fest follows the 2019 competition, which also corresponded with its 40th anniversary. Directed and produced by Amy Schatz and executive produced by Mahershala Ali and Amatus Karim-Ali, the doc celebrates the inspiring relationship of Oakland’s educators and mentors and their students.