We gave students the chance to invest $6,000 at DBG. Here’s what they proposed.

A DBG mascot, a student art fair, first aid classes, scholarships, SAT prep and more were among the innovative ideas DBG students pitched during our Theory of Change event on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The annual event gives students an opportunity to research, collaborate, and have a direct impact in bringing about changes they want to see. To make the ideas a reality, DBG invests a total of $6,000, bringing the three most impactful initiatives to life.

“This all came about because we wanted to find more ways to elevate student voice and teach them to be active in their community,” explained Asiyah Williamson, DBG’s associate director of enrichment. “Honoring MLK in a different way than just talking about who he is but teaching what he stood for.”

The day started with 24 teams of elementary, middle, and high school students debating, discussing and proposing how they would like to allocate $2,000 to create meaningful change at DBG. They were supported by DBG team members and volunteers from City Year Detroit, a nonprofit that works directly in schools to ensure students’ academic and social emotional success.

After an initial round of lively debates, eight finalists were chosen to present before all of DBG’s students, staff and a panel of judges. This year’s judges included Sati Smith, CEO of Diversified Members Credit Union, Shobi Mathew, a soon-to-be doctor and longtime DBG volunteer, donor Pat Falle, and DBG fund development team members Michael Perkins and DeAnna Miller.

“A lot of people say video games are a waste of time. It’s never a waste of time to make your imagination stronger,” said Michael, a 5th grader who made a strong case for a video game development class. “A video game class would help the DBG community grow its imagination and learn important skills. They could pursue careers like character designers, animators, screenwriters, and graphic artists.” Click here to watch the full pitch.

“We believe the $2,000 fund would be best spent on hair braiding classes for everyone in our community,” said McKenzie, representing an elementary group. “Braids are used today to celebrate ancestral roots, and express personality and style.” Click here to watch the full pitch.

So many exciting and well thought out ideas were suggested, the judges had a tough time deliberating. In the end, they selected a DBG mascot, hair braiding, and video game development classes. $2,000 will be budgeted for each idea for a total of $6,000. Click to watch the video game development classes pitch below.

“I’m really really really happy beyond compare,” said Michael about his video game pitch being selected. “I think it will help kids learn and have more chances for careers.”

It was Smith’s first time judging and attending the event. As the CEO of one of the oldest credit unions in Detroit, she listened to the pitches carefully and was impressed by what she heard.

“These kids put a lot into it. They debated, they pitched, they came with their closing and their why,” she said. “The skills that they’re being taught are fantastic. This is something that’s going to go with them throughout their lives.”

Ideas implemented this past year included new paint, furniture and other improvements to DBG’s award-winning STEAM Lab, swimming lessons (coming this summer), and a “class pet,” a bearded dragon named Bowser.

Student voice is at the center of all we do at DBG and it’s a key part of the DBG difference. We inspire students to advocate for themselves, set goals, solve problems, and become confident community leaders.

“We work for you,” Williamson said as they wrapped up the day of debates. “Not the other way around.”

Congratulations to all of this year’s Theory of Change participants. We are so proud!