In 2001, Oakland native Michael James started OTEC’s inaugural program, DUSTY: Digital Underground Storytelling for Youth, to improve youth literacy and address what he saw as the growing digital and economic divide in his community. In 2003, OTEC was formalized as a non-profit to support the program.

IMPACT: In collaboration with UC Berkeley, and with mentorship from StoryCenter, DUSTY became one of the country’s first digital storytelling programs. The program annually engaged over 3000 Oakland youth and UC Berkeley student mentors through digital storytelling classes, field trips, homework help, dance classes, music workshops and more. DUSTY drew international interest, inviting the team to teach digital storytelling workshops abroad in South Africa, India, Norway, Europe, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, and the US.

OTEC pivoted to launch AfroComicConTM in 2017.  As a vehicle to continue the DUSTY legacy, the event incites a love for literacy through comics, and has been a platform to spotlight local Black artists and entrepreneurs. In 2018, OTEC launched the AfroComicCon International Film Festival.

The two events have hosted over 300 panel discussions, and given over 500 creatives and primarily black-owned business vendors a venue to share their art, products and services in Oakland.

OTEC is returning to our DUSTY roots to  seed the next generation of diverse storytellers. We are excited to activate past and new partnerships with schools, community and industry partners and local artists and entrepreneurs to offer programming, and build out pathways for diverse youth and young adults seeking to pursue career fields in the entertainment, arts and tech industry. We are also looking to expand our event reach to launch Oakland Comic Con, more community gatherings and networking mixers, and share AfroComicCon and our work with youth to new communities outside of Oakland. 

We invite you to join our movement for youth and community empowerment. Get Involved!