DCL, Inc.’s newest project is designed to improve academic preparation of young African American students with the goal towards increasing their motivation and interest in entering and succeeding in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) school subjects and ultimately careers. Improving educational attainment has long been known to reduce poverty and to improve the health of individuals and their families, their neighborhoods and of entire communities.






In today’s world careers in STEM are thriving and make up a significant part of the workforce. Multiple studies have found African American students’ interest in STEM subjects is particularly low, especially during the early stages of the learning process (i.e. third grade level). Contributing to this challenge is the underrepresentation of people of color’s contributions to the STEM fields. It has been demonstrated that students are more likely to take an interest in areas where they see role models "who look like them." 

DCL, Inc.’s digital STEM program, Techies4Tomorrow, addresses this missing link through a new digital learning tool designed to spark interest and excitement about STEM courses. The subject matter is aimed at third through fourth grade level students. The software includes animated stories about accomplished African American STEM professionals who's life stories teach various aspects of the curriculum. Through-out this program's academic platform African American students improve and become motivated to succeed to view themselves as aspiring to join careers.

Additional financial support is being sought to ensure the success of this project thereby increasing educational attainment initially in Durham, NC and then broadly throughout the state and country.

Techies4Tomorrow℠ is a service mark of the Durham Colored Library, Inc.