Arik King, founder of the Virginia-based Future Kings STEM program, was featured as a “Rad Human” on The Kelly Clarkson Show for his work mentoring young men in STEM fields.
King’s nonprofit, based in Prince William County, connects middle and high school boys from underserved communities with mentors in cybersecurity, biomedical sciences, and engineering. Over 1,300 students have participated in the program during its 15-year run.
“Being recognized on a national stage like this is the highlight of my career,” King said. “Kelly was incredibly warm—it didn’t even feel like an interview.”
Joining King on the show was Louis Lee, a high school senior who has thrived in the program’s cybersecurity track. The show flew them to New York City, covering all expenses, and selected their organization after two rounds of interviews.
Beyond STEM, Future Kings offers holistic support, from career mapping to personal growth. King shared the story of one student with a stutter whom the program connected with a volunteer speech therapist. That student went on to graduate from Yale and now works for Amazon.
“Our goal is to remove barriers, not just academically, but personally,” King said.
Future Kings will hold its largest fundraiser, an annual gala, on April 26. Each senior in the program will receive a $2,000 scholarship at the event.
King hopes the national exposure brings new opportunities for the program. “This kind of visibility is something we never imagined,” he said.
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Photo: Getty