Once flagged for charter revocation, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan rebuilt under President Shawn H. Wilson with an innovation-first model that has taken its Tireman location from the brink of closing to the world stage. In Abu Dhabi’s autonomous drone competition, the Detroit team finished tenth in a field of 30 university and professional squads—the only professional entry with high school students—after placing fifth the year before, less than a second behind PhD-led winners.
From Simulation to Real-World Performance
The Abu Dhabi initiative began when a U.S. startup approached the club looking for a partner already preparing youth for mobility and tech careers. The club’s industry-specific workforce program, Talent Innovation, offered the perfect fit. Students spent months learning Python and C++, working in simulators, and training vision systems to guide drones through obstacle gates.
“When we showed up and our drone wouldn’t even move forward, you could see the disappointment,” said Chief Program Officer Alise Dixon. “By the next day they had coded 500 more images, fixed the problem, and watched it fly. That moment—going from failure to success—is exactly what technology teaches you.”
Boys and Girls Club Southeast Michigan CPO- Alise Dixon
A Detroit Model for Tech Access
Detroit’s position as a mobility and technology hub shapes the club’s curriculum, integrating technology into every stage of youth development. Members as young as seven learn block coding with Sphero robotics. By high school, they can join AI industry clubs, train chatbots to co-host podcasts, and code autonomous cars. Partnerships with the Apple Developer Academy and local businesses extend these skills into paid work.
“There’s a gap between young people who have access to this kind of technology and those who don’t,” Dixon said. “The solution isn’t to avoid it—it’s to teach them how to use it ethically so they’re competitive in any industry.”
Beyond STEM Camps
Unlike single-focus camps, the club’s BEST framework—Behavioral Health, Edutainment, Sports, and Talent Innovation—operates at all five club sites. Each location includes licensed behavioral health staff, an innovation lab, a ‘Big Sean’ Anderson Music Studio, and space for community-driven programs. From there, the clubs tailor offerings to neighborhood needs, from culinary and fashion programs in Highland Park to media production at Tireman.
One standout is Logan H, who joined the fashion industry club in 2020. She progressed from sewing basics to co-designing garments showcased at New York Fashion Week and will attend the College for Creative Studies on a full scholarship.
Another is Alex V, the club’s 2024 Youth of the Year. He progressed through risk management, app design, and autonomous vehicle coding programs before enrolling in computer engineering at the University of Michigan. He now returns to lead workshops for current members.
Next Stop: Michigan Central
Under Wilson’s leadership, the organization is expanding from five to six locations, with a Michigan Central site opening in early 2026. The campus will connect members to $30 million in mobility and tech resources and more than 130 small businesses.
“Being in spaces like Michigan Central says to our youth: you belong here,” Dixon said. “You deserve to be part of the city’s economic future.”
Dixon’s connection to the Boys and Girls Club spans 19 years, beginning as a part-time dance teacher in Dayton, Ohio. She’s worked at local clubs and the national office before coming to Detroit.
“When you can look up and see the impact—youth walking into global competitions, launching businesses, or earning full rides—it makes every sleepless night worth it,” she said. “We’re not simulating opportunity. We’re giving them the real thing.”
#STEMInnovation #DetroitYouth #DroneRacing
