Dr. King Appears on the "Kelly Clarkson Show"

​Future Kings was recently honored on a national stage when our Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Arik King, was featured as a “Rad Human” on The Kelly Clarkson Show. The segment recognizes individuals who are creating meaningful change in their communities—and Dr. King’s passion for empowering young men through STEM and mentorship was front and center.

Accompanied by senior Louis Lee, one of our standout cybersecurity students, Dr. King shared the journey of Future Kings—how our program has helped over 1,300 young men from underserved communities explore careers in cybersecurity, biomedical sciences, engineering, computer game design, and beyond. The interview highlighted not just our programs, but the heart behind them: building confidence, community, and opportunity for the next generation of leaders. The show flew Dr. King and Louis to New York City, where they were treated to a full studio experience at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. As Dr. King shared, “Kelly is warm, inviting, and truly interested in the impact we’re making. It was an experience I’ll never forget.”

​One touching moment included the story of a former Future Kings student who overcame a stutter with the support of a pro bono speech therapist arranged through the program. That student went on to graduate from Yale and now works for Amazon—just one of many powerful examples of how our community changes lives. We’re incredibly proud of Dr. King and thankful to The Kelly Clarkson Show for spotlighting the work we do every day. This moment of national recognition reminded us that our mission resonates far beyond the local area—and that together, we are building something truly special.