We’re looking forward to introducing you to DeJuan Strickland. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning DeJuan, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I would have to say working on my next comic book. I’m really excited for its release.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m DeJuan “DJ” Strickland, 16 years old and from St. Louis, Missouri, and a two-time best-selling comic book author, community leader, and philanthropist. I’ve always loved gaming, anime, and comics, but I’m also deeply involved in STEM initiatives. I serve on the STEMSTL Strategic Youth Advisory Board and as a Youth Ambassador for the National Society of Black Engineers Jr. Chapter.
I’ve faced challenges like bullying and struggling with public speaking, but I’ve stayed resilient. I proudly embrace my identity as an autistic individual, and I refuse to let labels define me or limit what I can achieve. I want to show other youth that with determination and passion, anything is possible.
Through my Team Tech Boy Lunch Heroes initiative, I’ve raised over $10,000 to combat food insecurity. My work has led me to appear on media platforms such as The Jennifer Hudson Show, NBC Today Show, and CNN.
I’m also the creative mind behind the Tech Boy and Science Girl comic book series, which highlight diversity in STEM and aim to inspire other youth to become tech-savvy entrepreneurs.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I used to believe you had to be an adult to start a business or make a real difference in the world , but after launching my own business completely changed my perspective.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I almost gave up on writing my first comic book after being bullied and told my idea was stupid and that no one would ever read it. But when I finally released it, I was blessed to see it reach number one.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think my friends would say that increasing representation in STEAM fields is what matters most to me. Through my books and public speaking, I hope to show kids of color the many different fields they can explore. Both of my comic books center around STEAM—Tech Boy follows a high school student who gains powers through technology, while Science Girl tells the story of a young Black girl with a passion for science and chemistry.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What pain do you resist facing directly?
I’d say one pain I struggle to face head-on is not being taken seriously. I do philanthropic work in my community to combat food insecurity and child hunger, raising money to help pay off students’ negative lunch balances. I work to raise awareness about the impact hunger has on kids—how they’re expected to learn and thrive at school while running on an empty stomach. Yet, many adults turn away and focus on what they see as “more important” issues in the community. It’s incredibly frustrating.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.teamtechboy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamtechboy?igsh=bTEyM2I0aXFyNzNj&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dejuan-strickland-2a0854233?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Twitter: Team Tech Boy
- Facebook: Team Tech Boy
