Since 2021, DJMP Institute has delivered free, high-quality AI and STEM education to 200+ marginalized youth across Chicagoland — headquartered at the historic Overton Hygienic Building in Bronzeville and serving students from communities throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. Our alumni now attend Yale, Northwestern, the University of Chicago, IMSA, Whitney Young, Lane Tech, and Walter Payton. This is what investment in equity looks like.
Youth and adults from across Chicagoland served through Summer Academy, Saturday Academy, After-School, and Cybersecurity programs since 2021.
Active US First Robotics teams competing in FTC and FLL state competitions — building real-world engineering skills.
Continuous program delivery since 2021 — a proven track record that foundations and corporate funders can rely on.
Students admitted to Yale, Northwestern, U of C, IMSA, Whitney Young, Lane Tech, Walter Payton, and Jones College Prep.
Illinois had only 78 Black exam takers — just 0.67% of all exam takers in a state that is 14.5% Black by population. Only 2 of 35 Black female students passed.
Less than 3.5% of AP Computer Science test-takers are African American and only 11% are Hispanic — in a field projected to add 10.9 million jobs through 2029.
Students who take AP CS are 8 times more likely to major in Computer Science. Nearly all CS majors (98%) had CS exposure before college — yet most marginalized students never get that exposure.
Technical expertise is the great equalizer of the 21st century. DJMP Institute builds the on-ramp to that equalizer for youth who had every reason to believe it was not available to them.
We target 5th through 12th grade students across Chicagoland — with priority given to low-income and first-generation college students from underserved communities throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. Our home base is the historic Overton Hygienic Building in Bronzeville, a landmark of Black entrepreneurship and civic excellence. Our programs run year-round: summer intensives, Saturday academies, and after-school mentorship that fosters the long-term relationships data shows are necessary for lasting impact.
We do not just expose students to technology. We build their identity as technologists — and then we walk them into the careers and colleges that prove it.
DJMP Institute student Justis Walker was among 13 CPS students featured by CBS News Chicago for receiving a $40,000 Amazon Future Engineer college scholarship. Read the story →
Students design, build, and program industrial-sized robots through four active US First Robotics teams — three FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) and one FLL (FIRST LEGO League). Competing in Illinois statewide competitions, students develop real-world engineering skills under the guidance of a mentor with 15 years of First Robotics experience and seven US patents.
4 Teams · FTC & FLL · Honorable Mention IL FirstStudents learn to think computationally — converting real-world problems into working software. Instruction moves from foundational programming logic through Python and into applied development, equipping students with the skills that underpin every technology career. Students leave with a portfolio of working code they built themselves.
Active · All Grade LevelsStudents are taught to interrogate data, build models, and understand how AI systems work and how they can fail. In a world where AI is reshaping every industry, DJMP Institute ensures that young people from marginalized communities are builders of AI — not just its subjects. This pillar directly challenges and reshapes the AI culture being created today.
30 Students Trained · NIH-Connected ResearchIn partnership with Math Circles of Chicago (MCC) — one of the most respected mathematics enrichment programs in the country — students engage with advanced mathematical reasoning that builds the analytical foundation all technology careers require. Math is the language of computing, and we make sure our students speak it fluently.
MCC Official Hub · All Grade LevelsAs an official Fortinet Academic Partner, DJMP Institute is launching free, industry-grade cybersecurity training in April 2026 — open to high school students and marginalized adults across Chicagoland. Participants receive hands-on instruction using real Fortinet enterprise equipment, free exam vouchers, and a clear pathway through five levels of Fortinet certification — from foundational knowledge to expert-level credentials that employers worldwide recognize and actively seek.
Launching April 2026 · Free to Participants · Fortinet CertifiedProgram alumni attending Yale University, Northwestern University, and the University of Chicago — proof that Chicagoland students compete at the highest level when given the tools.
Students admitted to IMSA (Illinois Math and Science Academy), Whitney Young, Lane Tech, Walter Payton, Jones College Prep, Lindblom, and the University of Chicago Lab School.
Student Justis Walker received a $40,000 Amazon Future Engineer college scholarship — recognized by CBS News Chicago among 13 CPS students honored nationally.
Students placed into paid summer AI research at Illinois Institute of Technology — including NIH-funded research on AI and glucose regulation in diabetes management (Award #5R01DK135116, 2024–2026).
US First Robotics teams earning Honorable Mention at Illinois First competitions — building the competition portfolio that college admissions officers and employers value.
Students and adults earning Fortinet certifications — FCF, FCA, FCP, FCSS, and FCX — through our official Fortinet Academic Partnership. These industry-recognized credentials open direct pathways to cybersecurity careers paying $80K+ starting salaries.
DJMP Institute is an official Fortinet Academic Partner — receiving industry-recognized NSE certification curriculum, training equipment, free exam vouchers, and human resources to deliver free cybersecurity training to youth and adults across Chicagoland.
Martin Pieters serves as STEM Director for Push for Excellence, the education arm of Rev. Jesse Jackson's Rainbow PUSH Coalition — driving STEM access, the AfroTechAI initiative, and cybersecurity programming for underrepresented communities.
Students placed into paid summer AI research programs. Martin Pieters serves as project consultant on NIH-funded AI research.
Official MCC hub — delivering enrichment mathematics curriculum to summer and Saturday Academy students.
Four active competitive teams in FTC and FLL statewide competitions — connecting students to a national STEM community.
AfroTechAI is DJMP Institute's flagship AI initiative — connecting Black technologists, educators, and youth to the future of artificial intelligence and ensuring the next generation of AI builders reflects the communities it serves.
DJMP Institute partners with Girls Who Code and other coding initiatives for underrepresented students — expanding access to programming education for young women and marginalized youth across Chicagoland.
DJMP Institute is an official Fortinet Academic Partner — one of only 863 institutions worldwide selected for this program. This partnership gives us access to Fortinet's full NSE certification curriculum, training equipment, free exam vouchers, and expert human resources — all delivered at zero cost to Chicagoland residents.
This is not a youth-only program. Our Fortinet-powered cybersecurity training is open to all adults — career changers, veterans, unemployed residents, and professionals seeking to advance — anyone who wants to enter one of the fastest-growing and highest-paying fields in the country.
With a global cybersecurity workforce gap of nearly 4 million people and computing occupations growing at 3x the national average, this training is one of the most direct pathways to economic opportunity available to marginalized communities today.
Apply for Cybersecurity Training →DJMP Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Every contribution directly funds program delivery, equipment, instructor compensation, and student participation in competitions and field trips. We have a four-year track record of responsible stewardship and measurable student outcomes.
Foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and major individual donations are welcome. Contact us to discuss multi-year funding partnerships, naming opportunities, and impact reporting tailored to your organization's requirements.
Contact Us About Funding →DJMP Institute finds them, trains them, and walks them into the future they deserve. Your investment makes that possible.
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