About our work
Fueling Scholars
with creative
opportunities
Our offerings are the result of evidence-based applied research, where we identify “cool factor” engagement methods, show up consistently and authentically in underserved spaces, and attract the curiosity of youth and young adults. Sparking our scholars’ curiosity provides us with an entry point to offer additional STEM and STEAM educational opportunities that allow youth and young adults to witness their own genius and future possibilities.
About our founder
We mourn the loss of Dr. Patterson, who passed away suddenly on April 2, 2024. Street College will continue to honor his vision and implement his projects as best we can.
Dr. Patterson focused on preparing students of various Hip Hop generations to be civic-minded urban global leaders in cultural innovation, entrepreneurship, engineering, business, art, and technology. He challenged students by contextualizing applied learning methods that encourage students to re-think various forms of traditional scholarship from a variety of disciplines in order to address contemporary issues that impact urban environments around the globe.
Who are we?
A passionate, creative team ready to meet your Scholar*.
*youth carry inherent genius, thus we call those enrolled in our programs “Scholars.” We can’t wait to learn from yours.
Lori Gold Patterson
CEO
Having a front row seat to the impact of Dr. Will Patterson’s Hip Hop STEAM scholarship for over 25 years, I know how imperative it is to have this authentic, cool-factor programming for youth in our community. I’m here to help ensure Street College is here for the benefit of current and future generations.
Donovan Patterson
Managing Director
Street College is built to make real positive impacts to the communities that need us the most. Every day I get to see the impact our amazing team has on our Scholars and community. Dr. P would always say “we already did that, so what’s next?”. I work at Street College because we get to be part of what’s next for our Scholars.
Shannon McFarland
Programs Director
I work for Street College because its mission feels personal to me. My family connection has shown me how powerful the right support, opportunity and community can be in changing someone’s path. I am especially passionate about media and radio technology because it gives people a voice.
Street College brings together community, creativity and education in a way I genuinely believe in. I am proud to contribute my skills and passion to a place that helps young people be heard, build confidence and imagine a future they are excited about.
A message from our leadership about our vision.
Alyssa Rodriguez
Operations Manager
I chose Street College because I grew up in a neighborhood and county where resources were limited, and I saw firsthand how a lack of access and opportunity could affect the people around me. Those experiences shaped the way I view education, resources, opportunity, and community.
Jay Walker
senior instructor
When I think about Street College and the work we do, I’m reminded of my own experience as a teenager working with Dr. Patterson. At that time, I was much like many of the young people we serve today. I often felt disengaged, uninterested, and invisible within the traditional school system. Working with Doc changed that. He gave me a platform to be creative, meet like-minded young people, learn how to express myself, and discover interests and abilities I didn’t yet know I had.
I work at Street College to help shape the next generation of creative thinkers, doers, and entrepreneurs. I get to help students connect their passions to real-world pathways while gaining the professional exposure they need and deserve. Because I understand the impact of this work personally, I remain grounded in its purpose.
Ellen Dalke
senior Instructor
Teaching in public schools and prisons for nearly 20 years, I’ve witnessed how our systems discard the very people whose inner genius could free us all. I’m honored to help design high quality learning experiences for Street College scholars.
Ja’Naea Modest
Senior Instructor
Street College is more than just a job for me. It has allowed me to continue building while working with people who share the same passion for music, creativity, education, and pouring back into our youth. Dr. P created a space where we can grow in our own knowledge while using what we learn to help our scholars see the genius that is already inside of them. That is what makes Street College special to me. Sometimes the only thing kids need is exposure. Whether they are learning to DJ, making music, working with technology, engineering, or just trying something completely new, we are opening their eyes to possibilities they may have never thought of. I work at Street College because I get to bring everything about me (DJ Silkee, an entrepreneur, educator, and mentor) into one space and use my journey to pour into the next generation.
Carlton Bruett
Instructor
Having grown up in Champaign-Urbana, I chose to work at Street College because it uses Hip-hop to teach real technical skills. We teach sound design, graphic arts, and music production not as mere creative pastimes, but as STEAM disciplines students can use in future careers. Growing up without access to these kinds of creative programs inspired me to help give our students the exact opportunities I never had. My goal is to ensure every student leaves our classes with finished projects, technical knowledge, and the confidence to navigate creative industries
Dr. Sharon Irish
archivist
Working with Dr. P since 2009, I have been energized by the youth and the projects they pursue. I want to make sure those activities are documented so that we can look back and value what has already been accomplished and how those accomplishments help shape what comes next.
Meet our Board
Joe Stovall
Board President
Agency Owner – State Farm
Austin Curry
Treasurer
Development Manager – Primestor Development
Shayla Maatuka
Secretary
Managing Partner – Maatuka Al-Heeti Emkes
Kevin Hamilton
Board Member
Associate Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation – Humanities, Arts & Related Fields
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Ready to join our team? (Of course you are!)
And it don’t stop – Dr. P