Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have played a vital role in providing African American students with affordable education and support to excel in college and succeed in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers. However, building a sustainable pipeline to support these students remains a challenge.

Kevin Mondy, Sr. founded Project Still I Rise (PSIR) in 2002 to bridge the education equity gap for African American students in underserved communities. His organization stimulates interest in STEM from an early age through exciting and challenging programs like robotics and coding. They also provide wraparound support services in math and science, mentorship opportunities, and guidance from school counselors. The PSIR program has produced successful STEM professionals who graduated from HBCUs across the country.

PSIR’s successful programs include the Urban STEM Initiative, which originated from a summer camp at the University of Texas at Dallas. The camp provides middle school students with a college experience, exposure to STEM professionals, and instruction on advanced math principles and robotics.

Other programs include the Community STEM Empowerment Conference, which aims to engage parents, educators, and students in the importance of STEM education. By offering these programs, PSIR is building a sustainable pipeline to help African American students excel in STEM and succeed in their careers.

For over two decades, Project Still I Rise (PSIR), a Dallas-based nonprofit organization, has been dedicated to empowering underserved youth in Dallas and beyond. PSIR offers various programs, including the Urban STEM Initiative, the National Youth Chamber of Commerce, PSIR’s Books and Banking, and Urban Scholars, which aim to equip young people with the necessary tools to succeed in today’s competitive world. Several PSIR program alumni are now successful STEM professionals, graduating from HBCUs across the country:

George Polk – PSIR program participant (from 4th grade through 12th grade), majored in electrical engineering at Prairie View A&M University. He is currently employed at ConocoPhillips. The PSIR Programs he participated in and stimulated his interest in engineering are Urban S.T.E.M Initiative, Project Manhood, PSIR Urban Scholars Program, and PSIR NSBE PCI Chapter Robotics & MATHCOUNTS Team.

Nickalas Lampkin – PSIR program participant (from 4th grade through 12th grade), majoring in mechanical engineering at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. He is currently employed at Lockheed Martin in Grand Prairie, Texas. The PSIR Programs he participated in and stimulated his interest in engineering are Urban S.T.E.M Initiative, Project Manhood, PSIR Urban Scholars Program, and PSIR NSBE PCI Chapter Robotics & MATHCOUNTS Team

Kevin Mondy, Jr. – PSIR program participant (from 5th grade through 12th grade), majored in cybersecurity and information assurance at Hampton University. He is currently employed with the Department of Defense, Naval Warfare and Intelligence Command Center in Norfolk, Virginia. The PSIR Programs he participated in and stimulated his interest in technology are Urban S.T.E.M Initiative, Project Manhood, PSIR Urban Scholars Program, and PSIR NSBE PCI Chapter Robotics & MATHCOUNTS Team

Taylor Brooks – PSIR program participant (from 5th grade through 12th grade), majoring in Computer Science at The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He recently accepted an internship with Medtronic.