Leon Breckenridge wears many hats all aimed at the same goal; empowering community through media and film.

After spending the first half of his childhood in North Oakland, Leon’s family moved to the Seminary area of District 6 where he spent his teenage and high school years growing up. He shares memories of taking a Capoeira class at the locally famous Rainbow Recreation Center, an ironic point now that he serves as a Recreational Leader and film instructor at the Digital and Culinary  Arts (DACA) center right next door, founded by Councilmember Brooks.

“My teaching style has evolved over time at DACA. I came in with a very technical focused approach, but I also found the value in letting the students do their own thing and supporting that proccess…”, says Breckenridge.

After graduating from Oakland Tech he was accepted into both Morehouse and Howard but chose SF State University to study film. He earned a BA

in Cinema from their famed department- and impressively talks at length about film nuances and history, citing Charles Brunette (Killer of Sheep) and Julie Nash as his influences- along with Eastern European films for their propaganda approach to using media to influence public opinion.

When asked about the key to being a great educator he humbly guides, ” You won’t get it right every day but if you strive for perfection you’ll get there. Teachers can be too hard on themselves. We have to be willing to mess up and learn from it. You’ll be alright and your students learn with you.”

Leon is currently writing his first full length film about gentrification in the inner city.