By Tomika Anderson Greene at Manifest Greatness Media
As we honor Black History Month, Manifest Greatness Media is proud to offer Dr. Arik King, founder and executive director of Future Kings, as a compelling voice to celebrate the contributions of Black leaders and highlight pathways to equity in STEM education.
A military veteran, entrepreneur and former educator, Dr. King’s work has transformed the lives of hundreds of primarily Black boys, teens and young men from traditionally underserved communities throughout the Washington, D.C. area, providing them with opportunities to excel in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
A snapshot of Future Kings’ success stories includes:
- Yale Graduate in Data Science: A boy with a severe stutter received free speech therapy through FutureKings. Today, he’s a Yale graduate with a data science degree.
- Full Scholarship to Johns Hopkins: A participant from an economically disadvantaged background is now studying virology on a full scholarship and is on track to graduate from Johns Hopkins University.
- Building Confidence and Skill: Countless boys have discovered talents they didn’t know they had, transforming their academic and professional trajectories.
Founded in 2010, Future Kings is a nonprofit organization based in Northern Virginia, with two satellite locations in Mississippi, that works with the support of tech giants such as Google and Micron to empower middle and high school boys through a robust STEM curriculum. The year-round program includes cybersecurity, engineering, biomedical sciences, and computer game design, ensuring participants are prepared for future academic and career opportunities. Future Kings places a strong emphasis on mentoring, entrepreneurship, and leadership development, equipping these young men to overcome systemic barriers and thrive in competitive industries.
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About Dr. Arik King
Dr. Arik King is the Founder and Executive Director of Future Kings, a Northern Virginia-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering young men of color from underserved communities through STEM education, entrepreneurship, and mentorship.
Since its founding in 2010, Future Kings has partnered with local as well as national technology powerhouses including Amazon, Google, and Micron, helping students gain hands-on training in cybersecurity, biotech, and engineering while also teaching business and leadership skills. The program’s innovative, tech-driven approach has made it a recognized leader in STEM education, with students securing college placements, high-paying careers, and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Dr. King’s passion for education, equity, and economic empowerment stems from his own journey. Born in Media, Pennsylvania, during the civil rights era, he was raised in a supportive but economically challenged community, where he saw both the power of education and the barriers to wealth-building. His father, a highly skilled janitor, was unable to start his own business due to a lack of resources—an experience that inspired Dr. King’s lifelong commitment to breaking generational cycles and expanding access to economic opportunity.
A U.S. Air Force veteran, Dr. King served as an electronic computer systems repairman and spent 16 years maintaining communications networks in Germany. After leaving the military, he built a successful STEM-based business, securing government contracts with Verizon, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Lockheed Martin. However, his time as a math teacher at a Title I middle school revealed a critical gap in career exposure and aspirations among young boys of color. Determined to change their trajectory, he leveraged his experience in business, technology, and education to create Future Kings, bridging the gap between secondary education and real-world career success.
Now over a decade strong, Future Kings provides students with access to advanced STEM training, industry mentors, and college campus experiences. Supported by early collaborators like Clarence Miller, Dexter Cummings, and James Garrett, the program has expanded to multiple college campuses in Prince William County, preparing students for high-paying tech careers and entrepreneurial success.
Dr. King’s vision for STEM-driven economic mobility continues to grow, with Future Kings laying the groundwork for expanding into a full-scale STEM Academy. Through his leadership, public speaking, and advocacy, he is proving that education, mentorship, and industry access can transform lives and build generational wealth.
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