Hundreds of students, families and educators took to Gateway DC in Southeast for the Swaliga Foundation’s 10th Annual #SteamtheBlock Party, a day focused on empowering youth through exposing them to science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM), held Friday, Oct. 17.
The free community event featured many interactive exhibits, including drone demonstrations, gaming stations, live performances, and a business pitch and T-shirt design competition aimed at encouraging youth engagement in STEAM education and career pathways.
Lemond Brown, founder and CEO of the Swaliga Foundation, who also goes by his artist name Mr. IMAG, was excited about another year of providing District youth with access to STEAM opportunities. Founded in 2012, the organization was created with the mission of encouraging young people to find their true passion.
“Swaliga has been providing after-school programs, cultural exchange programs, taking [kids] all the way to South Africa, and of course, free community events like today’s block party,” said Brown, a graduate of Drexel University with a Bachelor of Science.
Demetrius Brown, the founder’s brother and Swaliga’s creative director, emphasized the foundation’s ultimate goal and mission.
“Everything that we do we’re doing for the community, for the schools, [and] for our youth that are trying to find their way,” he told The Informer.
Teachers Talk STEAM
As a student at Howard University, Udy Mbnaso understands the importance of exposing young people to educational opportunities and careers in STEAM, getting to witness the power of doing so firsthand as a teacher with the foundation.
“With Swaliga, not only are we building electric cars, we’re also teaching kids about music through [things like] sound waves. They get to make beats on a beat pad and [eventually go] in the studio,” she told The Informer. “I really like to emphasize the arts [when teaching] and show that art is just as important as science and mathematics.”
Another Swaliga teacher, Autumn Wall, emphasized the value of young people learning concepts that will be vital in the future.
“Science, engineering, technology, and math are all important things, they’re the future, so having these kids working on the future is great [and] incorporating the art aspect into it makes it really fun,” Wall said.
‘It Has Really Inspired Me’: Students Discuss Impact of Swaliga
Despite being young in years, several student participants – such as Hassan Bangura, Elijah Little, Mohammed Mohammed – shared their wisdom about the importance of having access to a STEAM education.
“[Swaliga] has helped me a lot, it’s given me information and been a resource for me to express myself,” Hassan said. “I can definitely see myself doing a STEAM career in the future because I’ve had a lot of fun with it, and it [has] really inspired me.”
Elijah told The Informer he sees how what he is learning with the organization can translate into a career and beyond.
“This is important for people my age because a lot of careers revolve around STEAM concepts,” he told The Informer. “Learning about that type of stuff at a young age can help you contribute to society.”
Meanwhile, for Mohammed, #SteamtheBlock left a lasting impression and strengthened his belief in what’s possible.
“Mr. IMAG really gives us the hope that we can actually make it. He’s just a good guy,” he said, touting Swaliga’s founder and president “ To me, this is an opportunity for me [and] for my future.”