Every DBG student has a story. For some of our graduates, their future careers involve storytelling in professions like marketing, public relations, media, video production, and more. Our podcasting and content creation classes, student-produced Zine (magazine), creative writing, public speaking opportunities, and other workshops and programs help inspire and prepare young people with a strong desire to pursue these fields. Harmonie and Trynton are among our city’s future storytellers. Here are their stories.
Harmonie Stewart – A Storyteller is Born
Harmonie Stewart, a graduate of The Detroit School of Arts, has been exposed to countless stories during her time at DBG, all of which broadened her understanding of others and the world. These experiences helped her discover her own passion for storytelling which led her to choose marketing and public relations as a career goal.
This past year, Harmonie served as an official DBG intern in marketing and communications, assisting DBG with our storytelling goals and strategies. She has also led our student council, taken advantage of numerous public speaking opportunities, contributed to creative writing projects including the DBG Zine, and much more.
Her hard work has truly paid off. Harmonie was accepted to more than 80 colleges across the U.S. and received dozens of scholarships totaling tens of thousands of dollars.
“DBG definitely pulled me out of my shell,” she says, reflecting on the growth she’s seen in herself since she began attending the gym as a 6th grader. “During my time here, I’ve learned to represent our students’ needs, delegate, and grow as a resilient leader.”
Attending Detroit School of Arts provided Harmonie with new experiences that fueled her creativity, and personal growth. With encouragement from Coach Dennis, who recognized and supported her storytelling skills, Harmonie applied to the DSA film festival. Not only did she win, she also received a grant, further encouraging her future aspirations.
Harmonie plans to attend Alabama A&M University, where a number of fellow DBG grads are also attending, to study business and sports management. As she enters college, she will have a built-in and trusted network on campus to collaborate and share experiences as she begins this important next step in her academic career.
Harmonie says she will always carry an important lesson from DBG’s founder and CEO, Khali Sweeney. It’s a principle that will guide her as she steps confidently into her future.
“No matter what generation you are, you are always a stepping stone for the other generations behind you, ” she says.
Tryton Banks: From DBG to Digital Storyteller
Long before high school, Tryton Banks was recording videos on his cell phone and dreaming about telling stories. With the support and lessons learned at DBG, he took his passion and talent and ran with it. Today, he’s ready to turn his dream into a career, and give back to the community that believed in him.
Tryton first walked into DBG as a 12 year old. He says one of his most memorable experiences was actually his first day at DBG.
“Everyone wanted to meet me and talk to me,” he says. “It felt like a really cool place.”
That welcoming atmosphere helped him feel at home, and the sense of community that is central to DBG stuck with him as he grew. Family support was crucial during Tryton’s time in our program. His DBG family rallied around him this past year when his father passed away.
“The long talks we had really helped me during that time,” Tryton recalls. “Khali’s guidance was key to my healing process, providing the support I needed when it mattered most.”
At DBG, Tryton learned the importance of hard work and perseverance. He says as he applied himself and interacted with his peers and the mentors around him, he became a stronger listener and realized he could always push through adversity.
“DBG taught me that I can always go for it, no matter what,” Tryton reflects.
Outside of school, Tryton is building an audience on his YouTube and Twitch channels. He has a passion for connecting with the community and building media and video skills.
From recording videos in elementary and middle school to running multiple social media accounts today, Tryton is excited to turn his creativity and love for media into a career. He plans to attend Macomb Community College to study media and arts, then transfer to Wayne State University to complete his degree.
In the future, Tryton says he plans to give back to DBG and the Detroit community that helped shape his journey.
“DBG has given me so much,” he says. “I want to help it grow and give back however I can.”
Congratulations to Harmonie, Tryton, and the entire DBG class of 2025! We’ll be following your journeys and will be part of your stories for life. We are so proud.