Empowering Communities, Building Brighter Futures
Our mission is to empower individuals to reach their full potential, dedicating efforts to Black youth and families while serving people of all backgrounds.
A Journey of Empowerment and Transformation
- Empowering Individuals
- Strengthening Communities
- Creating Lasting Change
Empowering Individuals in Challenging Times
Founded in 2020 by Emmanuel Keys, StudioFive10 was created to address the social and emotional well-being of youth during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. As lockdowns, social distancing, and gathering restrictions took hold, many young people experienced profound feelings of isolation, loneliness, depression, and anxiety. Recognizing the urgency of this crisis, StudioFive10 introduced online Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) workshops tailored specifically for youth. The results were transformative—students demonstrated significant emotional growth, and parents noticed positive changes in their children’s behavior and outlook. These workshops quickly became a lifeline, providing young people with the tools and support to navigate an uncertain world with resilience and hope.
When students returned to classrooms post-lockdown, new challenges emerged. Many struggled to reconnect socially, with disrupted routines and strained interpersonal skills leading to misunderstandings and conflicts with peers and teachers. Emotional regulation became difficult for some, resulting in classroom disruptions. At the same time, teachers and school administrators, grappling with the aftereffects of remote learning, often defaulted to punitive measures due to frustration and low tolerance, rather than restorative approaches to misbehavior.
This pivotal moment highlighted an opportunity for growth. StudioFive10 expanded its mission to not only support youth but also to empower teachers, school administrators, families, and entire school communities. By fostering understanding, offering restorative practices, and promoting SEL strategies, we began to rebuild connections, strengthen relationships, and create environments where everyone—students, educators, and families—can thrive together.
Bridging Gaps, Building Futures
What began as simple online SEL (social-emotional learning) workshops grew into a transformative social and emotional restoration program that has touched countless lives. At StudioFive10, we combined SEL with restorative practices to not only address conflicts but to deeply heal and restore relationships.
Through SEL, students learned to better understand and manage their emotions, communicate effectively, and empathize with others. Restorative practices created a safe space for honest conversations, where students could share their feelings, confront conflicts, and recognize the impact of their actions on others. Restorative circles and meaningful dialogues turned moments of tension into profound learning opportunities—building understanding, accountability, and reconciliation.
As these practices took root, school communities began to heal and transform. The once-fractured social fabric started to weave back together, creating environments where students felt seen, heard, and supported. Students gained the confidence to handle conflicts constructively, while teachers discovered new ways to connect with and support their students’ emotional needs, fostering classrooms where both learning and personal growth could thrive.
Seeing the impact, StudioFive10 expanded its reach to uplift everyone involved in a child’s learning journey—not just students, but also teachers, site safety personnel, administrators, and parents. We even extended our support to those returning from incarceration, recognizing the vital role they play in rebuilding their lives and communities.
Our programs are designed to empower every member of the community, equipping them with the tools to strengthen their social-emotional skills and deepen their connections with one another. Whether it’s a student navigating conflict, a teacher finding new ways to inspire, or a parent learning how to support their child, StudioFive10 is here to create lasting change.
Together, we are building not just stronger individuals but resilient, connected communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Bridging StudioFive10's Commitment to Uplifting Black Youth and Families, Building Futures
StudioFive10’s dedicated efforts to support Black youth and families was born out of a stark and painful reality: Black students are disproportionately suspended, expelled, and subjected to disciplinary actions that disrupt their education and their futures. Although Black students don’t make up the majority of the communities we serve, they consistently bear the heaviest burdens of these inequities.
The disparities in suspension rates for Black students compared to their peers in both the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) and West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) reflect significant racial inequities in disciplinary practices. Here’s a breakdown:
Oakland Unified School District (OUSD):
- Black students are:
- 8 times more likely to be suspended than Asian students.
- 7 times more likely to be suspended than White students.
- 1.4 times more likely to be suspended than Native American students.
- 3.2 times more likely to be suspended than Latino students.
www.ousddata.org
- 1.4 times more likely to be suspended than Native American students.
West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD):
- Black students are:
- 6 times more likely to be suspended than Asian students.
- 4 times more likely to be suspended than White students.
- 2.6 times more likely to be suspended than Latino students.
- 2 times more likely to be suspended than Native American students.
www.gopublicschoolswcc.org
Nationwide:
- Black students are:
- 12 times more likely to be suspended than Asian students.
- 3 times more likely to be suspended than White students.
- 2.2 times more likely to be suspended than Latino students.
- 1.3 times more likely to be suspended than Native American students.
www.ed.gov
These numbers are not just statistics—they reflect real lives disrupted and futures compromised.
Despite ongoing efforts by school districts to address these disparities, year after year, progress remains painfully slow. The school-to-prison pipeline is not a theory; it’s a reality. For too many Black students, exclusionary discipline practices set them on a path that limits their potential and increases their chances of incarceration.
At StudioFive10, we refuse to accept this status quo. Our work is driven by a deep commitment to breaking this harmful cycle and creating systems that uplift and empower Black youth and their families. While we embrace and support people from all backgrounds, we unapologetically center the Black community because the need is urgent, and the stakes are too high to look away.
This isn’t just about changing policies—it’s about valuing humanity, recognizing the brilliance and resilience of Black youth, and ensuring they have the opportunities and support they need to thrive. By confronting these systemic disparities head-on, we aim to tear down the barriers that perpetuate inequity and build pathways that allow Black youth to rise, succeed, and lead.
StudioFive10 is here to create real change—not just for today, but for generations to come.
StudioFive10's Commitment to Uplifting Black Youth and Families
StudioFive10’s dedicated efforts to support Black youth and families was born out of a stark and painful reality: Black students are disproportionately suspended, expelled, and subjected to disciplinary actions that disrupt their education and their futures. Although Black students don’t make up the majority of the communities we serve, they consistently bear the heaviest burdens of these inequities.
The disparities in suspension rates for Black students compared to their peers in both the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) and West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) reflect significant racial inequities in disciplinary practices. Here’s a breakdown:
Oakland Unified School District (OUSD):
- Black students are:
- 8 times more likely to be suspended than Asian students.
- 7 times more likely to be suspended than White students.
- 1.4 times more likely to be suspended than Native American students.
- 3.2 times more likely to be suspended than Latino students.
www.ousddata.org
- 1.4 times more likely to be suspended than Native American students.
West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD):
- Black students are:
- 6 times more likely to be suspended than Asian students.
- 4 times more likely to be suspended than White students.
- 2.6 times more likely to be suspended than Latino students.
- 2 times more likely to be suspended than Native American students.
www.gopublicschoolswcc.org
Nationwide:
- Black students are:
- 12 times more likely to be suspended than Asian students.
- 3 times more likely to be suspended than White students.
- 2.2 times more likely to be suspended than Latino students.
- 1.3 times more likely to be suspended than Native American students.
www.ed.gov
These numbers are not just statistics—they reflect real lives disrupted and futures compromised.
Despite ongoing efforts by school districts to address these disparities, year after year, progress remains painfully slow. The school-to-prison pipeline is not a theory; it’s a reality. For too many Black students, exclusionary discipline practices set them on a path that limits their potential and increases their chances of incarceration.
At StudioFive10, we refuse to accept this status quo. Our work is driven by a deep commitment to breaking this harmful cycle and creating systems that uplift and empower Black youth and their families. While we embrace and support people from all backgrounds, we unapologetically center the Black community because the need is urgent, and the stakes are too high to look away.
This isn’t just about changing policies—it’s about valuing humanity, recognizing the brilliance and resilience of Black youth, and ensuring they have the opportunities and support they need to thrive. By confronting these systemic disparities head-on, we aim to tear down the barriers that perpetuate inequity and build pathways that allow Black youth to rise, succeed, and lead.
StudioFive10 is here to create real change—not just for today, but for generations to come.
Empowering Communities
We are dedicated to creating lasting change. Every step we take is focused on making a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve and the communities we engage with. Here’s how we’re creating impact: