Dover nonprofit All Things :13 raised $3K for the Wilmington Urban STEM Initiative

A small, women-run nonprofit in Dover, All Things :13, selected “STEM Queen” Jaqueline Means as its 2021 Princess Ball and Benefit beneficiary. Proceeds of the event and others throughout 2020 — over $3,000 — went to Means to support her Wilmington Urban STEM Initiative to bring STEM workshops and activities to under-resourced and underrepresented girls in Wilmington.

“Our Board surveys the state for small programs and nonprofits that are making a big difference in the local community,” said Chevonne Boyd, who founded All Things :13 in 2018, in a statement. “We came across Jackie in late 2019/early 2020 and voted unanimously to support her cause. COVID delayed our efforts, but we were happy to be able to bring things full circle in January 2021 and watch her platform for girls’ empowerment blossom in the process.”

Eighteen-year-old Means, a graduate of Delaware Military Academy from the Southbridge neighborhood in Wilmington, spoke at the Ball and Benefit, which was held virtually this year. She’s no stranger to public speaking and being on camera: In addition to being crowned Miss Delaware 2019 Outstanding Teen, she’s demonstrated science experiments with Mario Lopez on “Access Hollywood,” was a cast member in season two of the ESSENCE web series “Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities,” and is a regular on the CBS Saturday morning educational show “Mission Unstoppable.”

Jacqueline Means with her big check from All Things :13. (Courtesy photo)

“I was thrilled to receive this gift so that I can continue to increase community engagement surrounding STEM — especially to girls in underserved areas,” Means said. “These funds will be used to purchase lab and science materials so that I can provide STEM workshops and events for free.”

Sponsors of the event included local small businesses Edgewell Personal Care, Advantech Security, Sweep It Clean, CRC Hair Design, STIX LLC. and Pretty Polished.

All Things :13 was originally founded as a single event for women promoting the principles of self-love, self-care and self-esteem, and evolved into a year-round platform that raises funds for community projects through charity events. To learn more, go to allthings13.org.