Meet the Visionaries Behind the Motor City STEAM Foundation and the Lab Drawer
I understand that it may appear as if we’ve been discussing STEM quite extensively, and there’s a compelling reason behind this. STEM represents the future, and Black innovators are actively shaping the present. Remarkably, Detroit finds itself at the epicenter of this renaissance. While substantial progress is underway, it remains crucial to ensure inclusivity for all. The fundamental step in fostering diversity starts with a simple observation of identifying both those present and those notably absent. For Alecia Gabriel, PhD, and Deirdre Roberson, both proud Detroiters, entering the realms of science and technology fulfilled their aspirations. However, they couldn’t ignore a significant issue: the room often lacked individuals who shared their backgrounds and experiences.
In a city where over 80% of the population is Black or Latinx, one might expect the tech industry to be more diverse, but the reality was starkly different. The lack of representation in STEM was not merely an issue of statistics; it was a matter of inclusivity, of fostering innovation that reflects the diversity of our world.
“When you don’t have a seat at the table, products aren’t developed inclusively,” Deirdre emphasizes. It was this realization that prompted the two passionate advocates to take action and address the problem at its core, beginning with education.
Research uncovered a disheartening trend: by the time high school rolled around, many minority students had already lost interest in STEM or had come to believe that it was not a viable option for them. Nationwide, only about 7% of STEM college degrees were awarded to Black students. The reasons behind this disparity were complex, but a significant factor was the lack of resources in underserved communities, where students often lacked the equipment and opportunities necessary to thrive in STEM from an early age.
“Students in underserved schools literally do not have the equipment they need for science labs,” says Deirdre. “We wanted to build something to help.”
In 2015, Alecia and Deirdre decided that it was time to be the change they wanted to see in the world. They founded the Motor City STEAM Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a unique mission: to provide STEAM-related educational programs and opportunities for minority and underprivileged students. What set their organization apart was its integration of the arts into STEM education, transforming it into STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.
The Motor City STEAM Foundation’s journey gave birth to “The Lab Drawer,” an initiative designed to offer practical and real-life scientific education. Alecia and Deirdre did not aim to merely put a band-aid on the problem; they wanted to address the root issues, focusing on students in underserved schools who often lacked the equipment for science labs. Their solution was simple yet revolutionary: design lab kits that provided everything a student needed to explore the world of STEM.
These lab kits were not created in isolation. Collaborating with school districts and youth organizations, The Lab Drawer distributed these kits to thousands of students, ensuring that they aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards used across the country. The curriculum was designed in-house, with a strong emphasis on incorporating feedback from the students who used the kits to make the learning experience more engaging and relevant.
The team saw the critical need to create culturally relevant educational kits to empower students, ensuring they can envision themselves as scientists and have role models who share their backgrounds. The Lab Drawer’s approach includes a diverse range of kits that provide real-life applications of science. For instance, the “Body Box” kit encourages students to craft personal care products like deodorant, lip balm, and soap while immersing themselves in the fascinating world of human body chemistry. The underlying goal is to enlighten students about the professionals behind everyday products, such as formulation chemists, industrial engineers, and designers, ultimately inspiring their journey in STEM.
Drawing from statistics provided by the National Center for Science and Engineering, it is evident that Black workers had the least representation at 18% in STEM fields. Organizations like the Motor City STEAM Foundation play a vital role in addressing this imbalance by providing children with valuable exposure to STEM. This exposure extends across a wide spectrum of professions, ranging from technology and automotive industries to the medical field. Offering children opportunities to explore these diverse career paths not only paves the way for prosperous futures but also introduces them to a world of possibilities and interconnected industries.
The exponential growth of The Lab Drawer came as no surprise, given the impactful work being done. During the pandemic, when students were unable to attend school, the demand for these personal lab kits skyrocketed. The Lab Drawer went from producing and shipping 500 kits to 1,000 kits in just one summer, outgrowing their manufacturing space three times. These challenges were a testament to the organization’s success.
Today, The Lab Drawer operates from the Durfee Innovation Society, a converted Detroit public school building that now serves as an innovation center. In 2022, The Lab Drawer was selected to be one of 30 companies in the Forward Founders accelerator program through Target. This provided invaluable insights into retail and accessibility, offering opportunities for the organization to reach an even wider audience.
Alecia and Deirdre’s journey didn’t end there. Having completed the accelerator program, The Lab Drawer became part of the alumni family, which served as an incredible network for the co-founders. Alecia recalls “It was such an insightful accelerator experience. We learned so much about retail, having products on the shelves, and making it accessible. It was really intense, but it made us better entrepreneurs.”
Their dedication and innovative approach even earned them an invitation to participate in the TV series “Bet On Black,” where they pitched The Lab Drawer and secured a well-deserved $120,000 to further their mission.
While The Lab Drawer’s impact began in Detroit, it has grown far beyond its origins. From supporting students in Detroit to reaching those across America and around the world in countries such as Canada, Germany, Kenya, Jamaica, Ghana, and Nigeria, The Lab Drawer has left an indelible mark on a global scale. Alecia and Deirdre’s international presence and reach continue to expand, but they remain deeply rooted in their hometown of Detroit, recognizing the city’s evolution into a burgeoning tech hub.
Detroit is no longer solely defined by its historic automotive industry. Emerging innovation hubs in mobility, climate tech, health tech, and more have arisen, offering a multitude of opportunities for the city’s youth. Alecia and Deirdre understand that the young people of Detroit need access to education to prepare them for the job opportunities these emerging fields offer. Their vision extends beyond coding; they emphasize the importance of promoting engineers, chemists, material development experts, and a variety of STEM careers.
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