who we are
About Us
Cities Learn is a product of Northwestern University's Digital Youth Network (DYN). DYN is a research lab focused on designing more equitable systems for youth. We are a team of researchers, product designers, technologists and practitioners that have worked at every level of the out-of-school time space since 2005.
Our team has led citywide OST networks, redesigned how public libraries can engage youth, delivered STEAM programming for thousands and developed a purpose-built infrastructure specifically for OST.
![programs attended dashboard](https://assets-global.website-files.com/641bbfbee7dedd139a725f8d/6422860cd7d4efa073d6d79c_Frame%202.png)
Funded by
![Mcarthur foundation logo](https://assets-global.website-files.com/641bbfbee7dedd139a725f8d/6425616807707d1bcb0b1151_3415aac3163753a133f08c3847ef7b88.png)
![NSF logo](https://assets-global.website-files.com/641bbfbee7dedd139a725f8d/6425616822874bf4256bdbca_0f091e34a5bca140688ad250728c50cc.png)
![CME group logo](https://assets-global.website-files.com/641bbfbee7dedd139a725f8d/642561682ec9b84a31cf74d3_26f702ebece9b365f5f84dd57ffcdd98%20-%20Copy.png)
![VIVO logo](https://assets-global.website-files.com/641bbfbee7dedd139a725f8d/642561687b99ea3d9b07d482_1dd41d718d3c92ec96883b06bc7b73fa%20-%20Copy.png)
Our team
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/6422da3a717e77582f9e2bad/6436c0fe363bbf55b147af59_63fe5180afa6f59c033dcfac_20170925-nichole-pinkard-7975.jpg)
Dr. Nichole Pinkard
Founder
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/6422da3a717e77582f9e2bad/6436c13886cd093faf46d8e3_63fe52b1ae944c741000a415_Lee_Akili_lowrez-8234.jpg)
Akili Lee
Co-Founder
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/6422da3a717e77582f9e2bad/6436c1557955591cdb688e61_63fe61eda0f9dd3948f6094e_Yolanda%2BMajors.jpeg)
Dr. Yolanda Majors
Research Lab Director
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/6422da3a717e77582f9e2bad/6436c177ccca0e1bfa91a321_63fe60f40bebcd2de82c86c7_T04NXEXTX-U03TJ7BK4JV-1764e4041b58-512.png)
Arikpo Dada
Program Coordinator
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/6422da3a717e77582f9e2bad/6436c188f2cf2d94ccc2bd12_63fe646910a6126a47f89b42_mark.jpeg)
Mark Ellul
Lead Software Engineer
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/6422da3a717e77582f9e2bad/6436c1a49aa86f38776668ed_63fe61bb7f63b8ee8979f2b4_T04NXEXTX-U039E39UA2U-09fef7074d7a-192.jpeg)
Deanna Howlett
Data Analyst
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/6422da3a717e77582f9e2bad/6436c1ec5bd1311cdcae3cd1_63fe6417c0e7a072c6414952_mighel.jpeg)
Mighel Jackson
Technical Operations Manager
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/6422da3a717e77582f9e2bad/6436c6ebbac3fb1e4263a0f7_63ffb091327924984e23b890_viviana.jpeg)
Viviana Lanuza
Fellow
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/6422da3a717e77582f9e2bad/643818afa2612c5602dfae11_64357d1ccf264509be9843a1_webclip2.png)
Sydney Simmons
Fellow
Hey! Want to join us?
Unite your city's OST network and ensure access to quality after-school and summer programs with Cities Learn
We’ll never spam you. Promise