Self-eSTEM Leads AI Masterclass at Oakland’s Inaugural Tech Week

Oakland Tech Week didn’t exist until a room of 30+ community leaders decided to build it. Adamaka Ajaelo was in that room, a kickoff convening that brought together K-12 CS and STEAM educators, venture capitalists, founders, and builders to shape what Oakland’s first-ever Tech Week would look like. Self-eSTEM submitted the AI Masterclass and on November 20, 2025, it happened.

Led by Founding Executive Director Adamaka Ajaelo, the Masterclass focused on three areas where the stakes are real: digital confidence, online safety, and building an AI-literate workforce. Self-eSTEM’s position is simple: being able to use AI isn’t enough. Oakland’s entrepreneurs and educators need to understand it well enough to make decisions with it.

The session featured four speakers who brought that argument to life:

• Dom Sagolla (CEO, Graywhale.ai)
• April Sandoval (Former VP of Analytics, Issuu)
• Emmanuel Onyeador (Computer Science Education Pioneer)
• Reymon (Rey) LaChaux (Digital Equity Manager, SF Mayor’s Office)

Together they covered the AI landscape from four angles: tools, data, education, and policy, giving attendees a complete picture of where Oakland stands and what leaders at every level can do next.

What this work builds

AI literacy among Oakland entrepreneurs and educators who are already leading in their fields.

Practical frameworks for Oakland-based business owners to integrate AI, not theory, tools they can use this week.

Cross-generational reach: the professionals in the room are also the parents and mentors guiding the next cohort of Innovators.

Self-eSTEM helped build Oakland Tech Week. Then we showed up and delivered. That’s the work, and we’ll keep doing it.

Join the Movement

Self-eSTEM exists because the rooms where decisions about STEM and AI get made should reflect the full range of people those decisions affect. You can help change who’s in the room, through a donation, a partnership, mentorship, or volunteering.

Learn more at www.selfestem.org 

Stay connected: Instagram @selfestem | LinkedIn @self-estem | Facebook @selfestemorg | YouTube @selfestem