At DBG, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) is ingrained in everything we do. We also have a dedicated STEAM Lab that’s making a powerful impact. In fact, the far-reaching impact of DBG’s innovative STEM-based programming is part of an ongoing muti-year research study.
While data shows a major lack of diversity in our nation’s STEM workforce, 90% of DBG graduates are pursuing career pathways in STEM fields. This includes the Class of 2025. Meet Eric and Jerome, two grads pursuing engineering, coding, and robotics.
Eric Williams Jr. – Engineering a Future powered by STEAM
For Eric Williams Jr., DBG is where his love for science and technology turned into deep passion and created future goals. From experimenting with 3D printing with and coding to exploring virtual reality in DBG’s STEAM lab, Eric found a space that nurtured his interest and kept him inspired.
Eric is graduating from Detroit’s Davis Aerospace Technical High School where he has served as captain of the robotics team since his sophomore year. He says it was the blend of school robotics and lessons learned at DBG that truly ignited his passion to become a robotics and automated systems engineer.
“I’d work on robotics at school, then come to DBG and keep that same energy going with STEAM,” he says. “I had science and tech everywhere.”
Eric joined DBG in seventh grade and has stayed with our program over the last 5 years. His high school career has been filled with exploration and creative problem-solving. He helped design, build, and compete with custom robots, built our 3-D printers in the STEAM Lab, and has served as mentor to his peers.
“I really believe I can do anything I put my mind to,” Eric says. “DBG helped me see that.”
Eric also served on DBG’s student council, helping to amplify student voices and create ideas that reflect their needs. That leadership experience led to one of his proudest moments, speaking at DBG’s UnGala on the topic of drug abuse, where he used his platform to advocate and inspire.
Through DBG’s college and career readiness program, Coach Dennis helped Eric navigate his next steps for college. After visiting various campuses, he plans to attend Alabama A&M University to study mechanical engineering.
Jerome Pickens: Building Confidence and Coding Dreams
When Jerome Pickens thinks back on his time at DBG, one unexpected memory stands out, learning how to tie a tie.
“Coach Dennis taught me,” Jerome says. “That really stuck with me.”
That milestone moment demonstrates how DBG has helped Jerome to grow in ways that go far beyond academics. He first came to DBG in middle school and immediately found support with schoolwork, access to tutors, and the space to explore who he is.
“I feel like I’m more of an outgoing, confident person today then when I walked in the door,” Jerome says.
Over time, Jerome began to see differences not just in himself, but in how he could show up for others. In the summer, he worked with younger students at DBG and discovered how much he enjoys helping them.
“I didn’t know I could be that kind of person,” he says. “Getting to know the kids more and helping them learn showed me that I could.”
DBG also gave Jerome opportunities to explore his interests, from biology to technology. Though he once thought biology might be his future, everything shifted during an 11th grade coding project.
“We had to build a game from scratch, change the background, and make the characters move,” he says. “That’s when I realized how much I liked computer science.”
The more time he spent working on computers, the more his curiosity grew. This fall, Jerome plans to attend Macomb Community College.
Looking back, he says the biggest lesson he’s taking with him from DBG comes from our founder and CEO Khali Sweeney’s story.
“[Khali] inspired me to never give up,” he says. “If he overcame everything he did in his life to build DBG, I know I can, too.”
Congratulations to Eric, Jerome, and the entire DBG Class of 2025, including Tyler Hill who plans to attend Arizona State University to study computer science engineering! We’re so proud of everything you’ve accomplished. Your DBG family and network be here to support you wherever you may go.