Eat. Learn. Play. Premieres Building Joy: A Movement to Reimagine Oakland’s Schoolyards
New Short Documentary Marks the Second Film in the Foundation’s Series Spotlighting Its Work to Transform the School Experience for Students Across Oakland Public Schools
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oakland, CA – January 28, 2026
Stephen and Ayesha Curry’s Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation today announces the release of its new short documentary, Building Joy: A Movement to Reimagine Oakland’s Schoolyards. The film is the second installment in the foundation’s documentary series highlighting its work alongside the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) to reimagine what school communities can be when students are placed at the center.
From the foundation’s belief that kids deserve more, Building Joy follows Eat. Learn. Play.’s efforts to transform underutilized schoolyards into vibrant, student-centered spaces that support learning, physical activity, creativity and community connection. Told through the voices of Stephen and Ayesha Curry, students, educators and partners at OUSD and KABOOM!, the film captures the joy, progress and collective vision behind a growing movement to create spaces where every child can play, learn and thrive.
Across Oakland, many schoolyards have long been treated as an afterthought, often reduced to expanses of asphalt with limited opportunity for play, exploration or learning. Building Joy reframes schoolyards as essential learning environments and critical infrastructure for student well-being, showing how thoughtful design and community collaboration can transform these spaces into places of belonging, imagination and possibility.
“This film is about more than playgrounds, it’s about what happens when we truly listen to kids and build spaces that reflect their joy, creativity and potential,” said Stephen and Ayesha Curry. “When schoolyards are designed with students at the center, they become places where confidence grows, friendships form and learning doesn’t stop when the bell rings. We’re proud of what this movement has become and grateful to the community partners and educators building it with us.”
As part of Eat. Learn. Play.’s ongoing partnership with OUSD and national nonprofit KABOOM!, the foundation has helped reimagine schoolyards as hubs for physical activity, social-emotional learning and community engagement—spaces that serve students during the school day and families after hours. The documentary highlights the collaborative process behind these transformations and their lasting impact on school communities.
“Building Joy captures the heart of why this work matters,” said Chris Helfrich, CEO of Eat. Learn. Play. “Schoolyards are some of the most democratic spaces in our communities, yet too often they’ve been overlooked. By investing in joyful, inclusive environments for play and learning, we’re investing in kids’ health, confidence and long-term success—and in the strength of Oakland’s neighborhoods.”
“As is so clear in this wonderful documentary, our schoolyards are extensions of the classroom and vital spaces for connection, movement and learning,” said Dr. Denise Saddler, OUSD Superintendent. “Building Joy shows what’s possible when school districts, nonprofits, families and students come together with a shared vision. We are eternally grateful to Eat. Learn. Play. and KABOOM! for their continued partnership and commitment to creating environments where Oakland students can truly thrive.”
“Building Joy is a powerful reminder that schoolyards are places where kids discover who they are and what’s possible,” said Lysa Ratliff, CEO of KABOOM!. “When we partner with kids and their communities to create joyful, inclusive playspaces, we’re not just redesigning schoolyards, we’re changing the conditions that limit kids’ access to nature and play, nurturing belonging, and ensuring every child has what they need to grow, learn, and thrive."
The release of Building Joy aims to leave viewers inspired, informed and motivated to support future schoolyard transformations through funding, partnerships, advocacy and volunteer engagement. By elevating student voices and community leadership, the film positions Eat. Learn. Play. as a national leader in equitable play and schoolyard design.
Building Joy: A Movement to Reimagine Oakland’s Schoolyards is available to watch beginning today. To view the documentary and learn more about Eat. Learn. Play.’s schoolyard initiatives, visit www.eatlearnplay.org and the foundation’s YouTube channel.
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About Eat. Learn. Play.
Eat. Learn. Play. was founded in 2019 by Stephen and Ayesha Curry with the belief that every kid deserves more and should be given the opportunity and support to reach their full potential. That’s why we’re on an indelible mission to uplift an entire generation of youth. Eat. Learn. Play.’s takes a “Whole Child, Whole School” approach, designed to foster student success by addressing both their individual well-being and the environments where they learn and grow—working to ensure that every child in Oakland has access to the nutritious food they need to be healthy and thrive; resources to learn and love to read; and safe places and equitable opportunities to play. Follow Eat. Learn. Play. on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn.
Eat. Learn. Play. Contacts:
Tom Dietz | tom@midnight-dawn.com | C: 303-506-2228
Stephen Baruch | stephen@midnight-dawn.com | C: 631-388-1367