JA 18 Under 18 2024
RASHAAD COLEMAN
Rashaad, a Baltimore City 4-H Youth STEAM Ambassador, loves technology almost as much as he loves teaching it. The Waverly Elementary/Middle School seventh grader has been involved in the 4-H program since second grade, earning him the role of STEAM ambassador and coach/mentor for the Waverly Star Wars 4-H STEAM program. In 2023, City Councilman Zeke Cohen awarded Rashaad the Healing City Baltimore Unsung Hero Award for Youth Service for Rashaad’s joyful passion for STEAM and for serving others.
He’s won art and science project awards at the Baltimore City 4-H Youth Expo and the Maryland State Fair and, in 2019, was one of a handful chosen to represent Baltimore City in promoting STEM education to Maryland legislators. Though he relaxes with video games, Rashaad is always busy; he was selected to participate in the summer 2021 Maryland Out of School Time (MOST) STEM 3 (Education, Equity, and Equality) workshops to help develop and improve STEAM educational opportunities in Maryland. Last summer Rashaad conducted lab research at Morgan State University with the Gains in Education of Math and Science (GEMS) program. A top student and accomplished athlete—Rashaad plays football and basketball and boxes—he also loves to help his elderly neighbors.
“Rashaad is an extraordinary young man who represents the positive youth from Baltimore city who are often overshadowed by negative images.” — Albert Lewis, teacher