Mission

STEAM & Dream Liberation Labs closes the STEM exposure gap and improves the futures of Black and Brown youth through mentorship and hands-on culturally affirming programming that fosters their STEM identities and empowers them to address real-world challenges with their imagination.

Vision

We envision a future where the next generation of STEM leaders are empowered to think critically, dream boldly, and actively shape the world they want to inhabit. Not only excelling in STEM but leveraging it to dismantle systemic barriers, fostering a more equitable future as changemakers.

 
 

Core Values


Identity

The Labs go beyond just teaching STEM, but emphasize creating a culturally relevant learning environment where students' identities and cultures as seen as assets to STEM. This fosters a sense of belonging and empowers youth to connect their backgrounds to STEM exploration.


Liberation

We aim not to just cultivate the next generation of STEM workers but STEM innovators who are proud of who they are and the communities they belong to. We aim to empower youth to use STEM to dismantle systemic barriers, allowing them the freedom to pursue their dreams and create positive change.


Imagination

We want to empower youth to "use their critical imaginations to freedom dream and create their visions for the future." We aim to foster an environment where youth come to understand that if they can dream it, it exists.  


Ujima
(Collective Work and Responsibility)

To build and maintain our community, we believe in ​​the importance of working together as a community to achieve shared goals. We believe in co-design with the communities we belong to to solve our challenges.  


Mentorship

Seeing successful Black and Brown professionals in STEM fields inspire future generations. STEAM & Dream Liberation Labs provides role models for Black youth and demonstrates the possibilities within these fields. 

Theory of Change

 

Liberatory Design

Designing solutions for
communities with those most
impacted by the problem

Place-Based Learning

Ground STEM learning in
students' cultural assets and
the context of their communities

Radical Futuring

Fostering an environmental to
consider all the possibilities
(freedom dream)

Our Why

The STEM industry is booming but lacks diversity. According to a study by the National Association of Manufacturers and Deloitte, the U.S. will need to fill 2.4 million STEM jobs by 2028. Despite a surge in STEM jobs, Black and Latinx individuals remain significantly underrepresented. While these groups make up about 30% of the U.S. population, they account for only 9% and 7% of the STEM workforce, respectively. This talent gap hinders innovation and perpetuates systemic inequities.

Nationally, schools serving Black and Hispanic students also face significant barriers to accessing comprehensive STEM curricula, contributing to what is known as the STEM exposure gap (Youscience study, 2024). Chicago mirrors this national issue, with many students, particularly from underserved communities, lacking access to advanced math and STEM education. We believe diverse perspectives are crucial for solving complex global challenges and creating a more equitable future.

Expected Outcome from STEAM & Dream

  1. All students have designed solutions for the future

  2. All students have an increased STEM identity

  3. Students have a desire to continue pursuing STEM pathways

  4. Students believe themselves to be leaders

  5. Students have identified challenges tied to their community or world that they want to solve

“Dream a little before you think” - Toni Morrison