Brilliant Black Builders build opportunities for black students interested in math and science

PEARLAND, Texas -- Pearland ISD wanted to increase the numbers of female and minority students in their STEM program. They created the Pearland Robotics team they called Pearadox. One group of students decided to form the Brilliant Black Builders. Their goal was to increase the numbers of black students that would pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. Pearland student Dania Rutherford says, "It's very important to create a community and show that this is something that black people can do. And that we are doing and doing well."

Pearadox and the Better Black Builders work with the non-profit FIRST, a global robotics company that engages hundreds of thousands of students across the world in mentor-based programs that build STEM skills.

FIRST is partnering with Disney and Lucasfilm to bring more hands-on learning opportunities and mentorship to young students through its campaign "Build the Future: Powered by Star Wars Force for Change". This May as the series Obi-Wan Kenobi premieres May 27th, the Brilliant Black Builders team spoke with ABC13 about their team and their dreams for the future.

Rutherford is confident about the next step. "We are engineers. We're doing robotics and if that's an option for you, we're doing it well."