DOROTHY "JEANIUS" TILLMAN STORY

Dorothy Jean Tillman, II, affectionately known as "DJ," is an award-winning child prodigy, tech and arts enthusiast, and community leader. DorothyJean founded Dorothy Jeanius STEAM Labs in 2020. She publishes STEAM children's books, and speaks on topics aimed at inspiring youth to take steps to save the planet.

Dorothy Jean’s friends and family call her "Dorothy Jeanius," and her motto is "Leading by Examples of Excellence." She enjoys reading, painting, and spending time with friends and family. At the age of 10, she enrolled as a college freshman at the College of Lake County, majoring in psychology, where she completed her Associate's Degree in August of 2016. Following this milestone achievement, DJ went on an accelerated path of academics and enrolled in classes at Stanford University Continuing Studies, Brigham Young University Distance Learning and ultimately completed her Bachelor of Science in Humanities at Excelsior College in the summer of 2018. In the spring of 2020 Dorothy Jean reached another milestone by completing her Master of Science from Unity College in Unity, Maine, making her the youngest environmental and sustainable scientist in the country. She is an alumnus of the Golden Eagle Aviation Legacy Flight Academy based in Tuskeegee, Ala., at Moten Field, home of the Tuskeegee Airmen. DJ was recently selected to participate in Chicago's Future Founders program, created by Brad  Keywell, CEO of Groupon.

Dorothy Jean has been recognized with numerous honors, awards and recognitions, including: the 2019 Young Shining Star Award from the National Association of Black Elected Legislative Women; the 2019 Excelon African American Resource Alliance Achievement Award; and 2018 Black Girls Rock - Who Rocks Next Award.