Today we’d like to introduce you to Danie B. Mathis.
Hi Danie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am originally from Macon, GA with small-town roots. I graduated from Georgia Tech with an Industrial and Systems engineering degree, concentration in Quality and Statistics, and a certificate in Advanced Personalized Learning from the National Academy of Engineering. Overall, I am a life learner, avid traveler, and community nurturer who likes to create and teach. For my occupational roles, I am a program manager in the aerospace industry for my 9-5, and I am a social entrepreneur for my 5-9.
My social entrepreneurial endeavors are centered around Caterpillar’s Promise, Inc., an organization that I founded in the tenth grade more than a decade ago with the purpose to motivate others (especially the youth) to use their talents in STEM and the Arts for the greater good. The title of the organization is my personal testimony and a poem that I wrote about fulfilling my purpose. It is basically a promise to God because of His promise to me, and the promise doesn’t start with my organization but early on in my childhood.
My earliest interest in the Arts was sparked in the places my grandparents built on both sides: 1) at my mema and mepa’s church and 2) at my grandma’s hair salon. My interest in STEM was sparked by my parents, an engineer, and a nurse, and my village of aunts, uncles, and role models. My interest in philanthropy was sparked by my selfless Godmother.
In elementary school, inspired from learning about Dr. Mae Jemison’s extensive career in both STEM and the Arts, I decided I wanted to be somewhat like her and do a little bit of everything. So I decided I wanted to become an astronaut/gospel entertainer/author/model/
In 2011, still in pursuit of what to be when I grew up, I attended a social entrepreneurial leadership camp in the 10th grade. Afterward, I kickstarted a teddybear service project at a church youth lock-in for children in the hospital under the name All Around Actions with seven goals for the greater good. The accumulation of service projects eventually evolved into Caterpillar’s Promise, Inc. while in college. The organization is based on the foundation of fulfilling purpose through development. Therefore, the metamorphosis of a butterfly was adapted to represent the organization in 2015.
In 2016, Caterpillar’s Promise became an official non-profit corporation of the State of Georgia and an official leadership board was formed. In 2017, E-STEAM Programming officially launched from proceeds raised from musical productions that I wrote, produced, and debuted. It became a tax-exempt organization in 2018 and established its first collegiate student chapter on Georgia Tech’s campus.
Since then, the heartbeat of the organization is centered around the five E’s: To encourage, enlighten, excite, educate, and elevate. Our programming scope includes: E-STEAM Mentorship programming, E-STEAM tours, E-STEAM Saturday sessions, E-Days, E-STEAM4Good scholarships, WGO Benefit Concerts and Productions, and other community service engagements for other organizations, schools, shelters, churches, and hospitals.
I started with just one service project as a child, teaching other children the importance of making an impact. Now an adult with a team, we have been serving for over ten years and look forward to the next decade ahead. Someone saw the promise in me and it is my promise to do the same for others with a collective effort from our organization.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Literally, the metamorphosis of the butterfly explains my journey and Caterpillar’s Promise the best. In my first years of college, I went through some growing pains. As a GA Tech college student, life was life-ing. On top of my own life, a lot was going on in the world, such as racial injustice, police brutality, ongoing poverty, infectious disease outbreaks, and more. By 2015, I had reached a breaking point. However, in the same year, with the help of my Christian faith and enrolling into therapy for the first time, I also reached a breakthrough. The result of that breakthrough included a lot of creating, an inaugural benefit concert and K12 STEAM showcase, and an entire revamp of my organization.
As an evolving non-profit with still humble beginnings, there continues to be growing pains from sporadic imposter syndrome, limited resources, or stretched time. However, I stand on the promises of God and my promises to self and to God. God never promised a smooth road, but He did promise to never leave me nor forsake me. And with God, all things are possible.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
When people ask me what I do, I sometimes jokingly say, “Depending on the day, I either do the most, do my best, do just enough, or do nothing.” I personally think the balance of those are important to fulfilling purpose just as Caterpillar’s Promise is all about.
As of date, my most proud work is never losing hope in my faith and making a difference in my community and my loved ones’ lives. Initially funding Caterpillar’s Promise from musical productions that I wrote, directed, and debuted was a pivotal point, and sustaining Caterpillar’s Promise through different stages of life is also something noteworthy. I’ve also traveled the country and the world solving world problems using innovative engineering. In addition, my career is both STEM and the Arts just as CPromise promotes.
Currently, on my dayjob, I use my degree from Georgia Tech in Industrial and Systems Engineering, concentration in Quality and Statistics. For Caterpillar’s Promise, I use my certificate in Advanced Personalized Learning from the National Academy of Engineering and my creativity. My social entrepreneurial endeavors are centered around helping the youth be all that they can be. However, my endeavors also include being an example by becoming all I can be with engineering, performing, producing, writing, etc. In the near future, I plan to publish my creations to help fund my non-profit.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Currently my main resources are: The Holy Bible App, The Garden Within by Dr. Anita Phillips, prompted journals, and personal writings. General inspiration comes from: all things Tabitha Brown, all things Sarah Jakes Roberts, all things Maya Angelou, all things Dr. Mae Jemison
Contact Info:
- Website: https://
caterpillarspromise.com - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/ caterpillarspromise/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/ caterpillarspromise - Linkedin: https://www.
linkedin.com/in/danielle- briana-mathis-63109aa0 - Youtube: https://www.youtube.
com/channel/ UC4a6DzIzwfy7sreEj4XdrSA - Other: https://linktr.ee/
daniebmeta
Image Credits
Tola Faminu Ernest Williams Camera Dunn CP Volunteers
