Meet Muloko! Now a middle schooler, he started coming to King Street Center at two years old.
At King Street Center’s summer Block Party, 13-year-old Muloko stood behind the DJ stand with butterflies in his stomach.
He had spent weeks learning how to mix songs and work the equipment. Now, for the first time, he was about to share his music with a crowd. He was excited, but nervous, too.
To understand how Muloko got to that moment, you have to go back 11 years.
He was just two years old when he first walked through King Street Center’s doors. Over a decade later, it’s still a place where he belongs. As Muloko has grown, so have his interests and ambitions. And along the way, he’s built relationships with people who know him, take his ideas seriously, and encourage him to pursue them.
For nearly a year, Muloko had been making beats on his phone. Gabbi, King Street’s Middle School Director, noticed.
When DJ Love, a community volunteer, visited King Street to host a silent disco, Muloko was drawn to her equipment and eager to try it himself. Gabbi saw an opportunity. She connected him with DJ Love, who returned each week to work with Muloko, helping him develop his skills and prepare for the Block Party.
When the big day arrived, Muloko had the chance to put everything he’d learned into action. As the music played, he noticed the crowd’s reaction. The nervousness he had felt began to give way to something else.
“I saw a bunch of smiles on people’s faces… and then that brought me joy.”
King Street had opened a door. Muloko took it from there.
Will you make a year-end gift to help open more doors for young people like Muloko?
Today, Muloko calls King Street his “second home.” It's a place to spend time with friends, explore new things, and connect with adults who help him bring his ideas to life.
As he looks ahead to high school, he hopes to continue pursuing his passion for music. Maybe he’ll become a DJ. Maybe he’ll start a business. Or perhaps he’ll discover something entirely new. He doesn’t need to have it all figured out. What matters is that he has the confidence to take risks, work through challenges with support, and make choices about his own future.
Your gift sustains the caring staff and lasting relationships that help young people like Muloko turn their ideas into something real.
When asked what his two-year-old self might say if he could see him today, Muloko hoped for two simple words:
“Good job.”
Every day, children walk through King Street’s doors, just as Muloko did 11 years ago. We can't know what will spark their curiosity or where it might lead. But we can make sure there’s someone ready to recognize that spark and help it grow.
Please make your best gift today to help more young people turn their interests into opportunities.
Thank you for believing in them and for being part of the stories still unfolding.
