What they reported doing
- #1 primary $7KXYAYX THE CENTER provides a space to educate, advocate and provide supportive services to education for the community. Our space is equipped to assist presentations and demos that serve our community. We are a center that offers counseling and is a safe place for victims of violence.
- #2 $51KStem Initiative Program - our program is designed to help students with a comprehensive and hands-on learning experiences that prepares them for the challenges and opportunities of the modern world for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
What they call their work
What they do
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Hands-On STEM Education Programs 2 activities
- Delivers STEM education programs for Black youthProvides hands-on STEM education through full-time and part-time homeschooling, after-school programs, weekend and summer STEM camps, and enrichment programs in robotics, coding, AI, digital media, engineering, and environmental science for students in grades K–12. Programs are offered in-person at campuses in Brooklyn and Kinston, as well as online nationwide.
- Operates community STEM labs and makerspacesRuns fully equipped STEM labs and makerspaces in Brooklyn and Kinston that serve 25–50 students at a time, offering access to robotics, circuits, 3D printing, physical computing (Arduino, ESP32), digital fabrication, and collaborative science projects. Students engage in interdisciplinary labs, engineering challenges, and citizen science initiatives, including environmental monitoring and smart farming with IoT devices.
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Program Evaluation and Impact Research 1 activity
- Conducts research and program evaluationDevelops research and evaluation frameworks to assess program impact, conducts annual participant assessments, and uses data to inform organizational practice and drive systemic change in STEM education.
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Community Resource Navigation and Support Services 1 activity
- Engages in social service advocacyConnects families to essential resources through social service advocacy, supporting access to community supports and systemic engagement.
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STEM Competition and Robotics Programs 1 activity
- Hosts science fairs and STEM exposOrganizes and hosts multiple public science fairs and STEM expos annually, including a Winter Science Fair, Spring Science Fair, and an annual August Science Expo, where students in grades K–12 present original projects in science, technology, engineering, robotics, coding, and 3D design. The organization has hosted six prior science fairs, with the seventh upcoming, and also runs biannual STEM symposiums and conferences.
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Financial Literacy Education Programs 1 activity
- Implements financial literacy and health equity initiativesRuns programs focused on financial literacy, health equity, and generational well-being to promote economic power and community resilience among underserved populations.
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Community Art Education Workshops 1 activity
- Offers arts, wellness, and cultural enrichment programsDelivers weekend and evening enrichment programs in music, media, audio engineering, art & social justice, cosmetology, culinary chemistry, and wellness workshops, integrating cultural pride, creativity, and social responsibility into youth development.
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Comprehensive Community Service Hubs 1 activity
- Operates community centers as safe spaces with supportive servicesOperates community centers in Brooklyn and North Carolina that serve as safe places for youth and families, including victims of violence, and provide education, advocacy, counseling, and administrative support.
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After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Provides academic tutoring and test preparationOffers tailored academic tutoring and test preparation aligned with regional educational standards for students in Brooklyn, Kinston, and online nationwide, supporting academic excellence and literacy development.
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Tech Skills Training for Underserved Groups 1 activity
- Runs workforce development and career readiness programsProvides workforce development initiatives including certification tracks, career readiness training, entrepreneurship support, and hands-on technology training in cybersecurity, networking, data science, and AI to prepare youth for modern careers.
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Who runs it
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q Spikener | Founder | 50 | $66K |
Who they work with
- CTE & STEM Program Coordinators Partner — Partners with coordinators to support and implement career and technical education-aligned STEM curriculum.
- Community-Based Organizations & Nonprofits Partner — Collaborates with community-based organizations and nonprofits to deliver STEM programs and events.
- District Administrators & Education Advocates Partner — Works with district-level administrators and advocates to expand STEM access and strengthen initiatives.
- GoFundMe Partner — Platform used for fundraising to support student materials, training, and event access for the XyayX Science Fair.
- Kinston, NC Partner — Hosts program location at 404 Dixon Street for the robotics program.
- Kinston, NC Partner — Hosts program sessions at 404 Dixon Street in Kinston, NC.
- Local & City Elected Officials Partner — Engages with elected officials to support STEM education expansion and policy alignment.
- New York State Education Department Government — Aligns tutoring and test prep services with NYSED standards and Regents exam requirements.
- NexGenTech Partner — Partnership to deliver beginner-level technology courses in cybersecurity, networking, data science, and AI.
- North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Government — Aligns tutoring services with North Carolina EOG and EOC exam requirements set by NCDPI.
- STEM Program Partnerships Partner — Collaborates with STEM Program Partnerships to advance its STEM education initiatives.
- STEM Program Partnerships Partner — Collaborates with STEM program partners to deliver the Changing the Faces of STEM Expo.
- STEM Program Partnerships Partner — Collaborates with schools and organizations to deliver STEM programs.
- School Principals & Instructional Leaders Partner — Collaborates with school leaders to implement in-school and after-school STEM programming.
- community organizations Partner — Partners with community groups to expand access to STEM education for underrepresented students
- educational institutions Partner — Collaborates with schools to deliver STEM programs and support student participation
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Culturally Grounded, African-Centered Educationmethodology: african_centered_educationBy grounding education in African-centered values and cultural relevance, the organization fosters identity affirmation, self-determination, and transformative learning among Black youth, which increases engagement and academic outcomes because students see themselves as central to the learning process.
- Integrated STEM, Arts, and Literacy with Design Thinkingmethodology: interdisciplinary_stem_educationBy immersing students in interdisciplinary projects that combine STEM, environmental research, arts, and design thinking, the organization fosters innovation and end-to-end problem-solving skills because learners engage in iterative, creative processes that mirror real industry practices.
- Project-Based, Experiential Learning Modelmethodology: project_based_learningBy using self-paced, hands-on projects that integrate STEM, arts, and real-world problem solving, the organization builds technical skills, creativity, and academic confidence because students learn through doing and apply knowledge to meaningful challenges.
- Targeted Access and Representation in STEMmethodology: targeted_stem_accessBy creating community-based pathways and exposure opportunities for Black, Latino, and underrepresented youth in STEM, the organization increases representation and aspiration in these fields because early, inspiring experiences shape identity and career trajectories.