“We are thrilled to share From Struggle to Strength: Advancing Literacy in Oakland with the world. This documentary is a testament to the resilience of Oakland’s students, the dedication of their educators, and the transformative power of literacy. It’s our mission to ensure every child has the chance to reach their full potential, and we’re so proud to be part of that journey.”
— Stephen and Ayesha Curry, Co-Founders of Eat. Learn. Play.
About
From Struggle to Strength: Advancing Literacy in Oakland is a powerful 20-minute documentary that explores the critical need for literacy interventions in Oakland’s public schools where only one-third of the students are reading at grade level.
As part of a series of documentaries showcasing Eat. Learn. Play.’s work with the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), the film illustrates the challenges and triumphs of advancing literacy in local schools. With compelling stories of individual student success, it underscores the power of personalized, high-dosage tutoring to raise reading proficiency and foster confidence, motivation, and a love of learning.
From Struggle to Strength highlights Eat. Learn. Play.’s role as a vital partner and “dot connector,” ensuring that students in Oakland have access to the resources they need to thrive. This documentary emphasizes the foundation’s belief that literacy is fundamental to life success and its commitment to empowering a generation of Oakland students to become confident readers and future leaders.
In 2024, Eat. Learn. Play. pledged a $25 million investment over five years to deliver one-on-one tutoring for 10,000 students, in addition to providing critical support for small group tutoring to thousands of Oakland students annually. This investment will provide Oakland students with the high-quality, personalized support they need to become strong, confident readers. Eat. Learn. Play. believes that every child should be given the opportunity and support to reach their full potential.
“This documentary shines a light on the challenges so many students face and the incredible progress they can achieve when given the right support,” said Chris Helfrich, CEO of Eat. Learn. Play. “Our investment in literacy is an investment in the future of our children and our community. Together, we’re creating a model for how we can address the national literacy crisis, one student at a time.”
The Filmakers
From Struggle to Strength: Advancing Literacy in Oakland is a film collaboration between Eat. Learn. Play. and OpenLight Films, a full-service, San Francisco Corporate and Commercial Video Production company offering a wide range of video production services for corporations, organizations, startups, and influencers across all industries.
Kyle Henry, Executive Producer & Co-Director
Kyle is an award-winning California-based filmmaker and entrepreneur from New York, driven by a passion for storytelling that connects and inspires. A graduate of the Academy of Art in San Francisco, Kyle is known for his emotive approach and innovative eye for detail, creating work that resonates and sparks conversation. As the founder and executive producer of OpenLight, Kyle leads a thriving video production agency specializing in commercials and branded content.
Juan Topete, Co-Director
Juan is a director and writer in the SF/LA Area, specializing in documentaries, commercials, and corporate video projects. Previous collaborations include work with B Lab U.S. & Canada, Google, & Yerba Buena Center For The Arts.
Amber Fenton, Producer
Amber studied at the San Francisco Art Institute and California College of the Arts, receiving a B.F.A. in Film. For the past few years, she’s been honing her skills and working at OpenLight Films, producing a variety of commercials and other corporate video and photo content.
David Topete, Director of Photography & Editor
David is an Award-winning DP with a Bachelor’s Degree in Cinema from San Francisco State University and now shoots documentary, corporate, and event videos for several leading nonprofits and companies in the San Francisco Bay Area, including the NFL, TED, Together SF, and more.
Hanna Telford, Account Manager
Hanna is passionate about crafting high-quality videos that tell compelling stories. With a background in advertising and client relationship management, Hanna feels incredibly fortunate to collaborate with the talented team at OpenLight Films, helping bring powerful narratives to life through film.