From Survival to STEM: How LET’S GO Helped Turn Potential into Purpose

Success stories don’t always start in classrooms filled with resources or homes filled with stability. Sometimes, they begin with resilience, grit, and the courage to keep going when the odds are stacked high.

For Lloyd Hardy, that journey began in Southeast Washington, DC.

Growing up, Lloyd faced challenges no young person should have to endure. He walked to school each day not knowing if he would make it there safely. He lived with his mother and sister in Section 8 housing, relying on food stamps and WIC. His mother, determined to build a better future, enrolled in nursing school until illness forced her to leave the program while still caring for her children.

When Lloyd was just 14 years old, tragedy struck again. His mother was killed in a car accident caused by a drunk driver fleeing police, only a month after giving birth to his youngest brother. Lloyd learned of the loss while navigating his own grief, receiving a letter of sympathy from his older brother, who remains incarcerated to this day.

In the midst of unimaginable loss, Lloyd found an outlet through poetry. Writing became his way of processing pain and being heard. He performed at poetry slams and open mics across the DC area and, by his senior year of high school, launched his own poetry slam. The funds he raised were donated to local homeless shelters. While the amount was modest, the act of giving back to his community mattered deeply to him.

Lloyd’s story continued to evolve when a high school math teacher introduced him to the school’s robotics team. With encouragement, mentorship, and resources supported by LET’S GO Boys & Girls, Lloyd taught himself how to code in just a few months.

At the team’s first competition, the lead programmer was unable to attend and the robot’s code failed moments before competition. Lloyd stepped in, reviewed the code, fixed the issue, and sent the robot onto the floor where it worked successfully.

“It was one of the proudest moments of my life,” Lloyd recalls.

That day also delivered two lasting lessons. His past did not define his future, and preparation matters. Always bring an extra battery.

Through LET’S GO, Lloyd gained access to opportunities that helped transform interest into clear career pathways. From his high school robotics team to internships at Carderock Naval Base and the Energetics Technology Center, Lloyd demonstrated determination, technical skill, and the ability to thrive in STEM environments where students like him are often underrepresented.

Today, Lloyd’s goal is to pursue a career in engineering and to serve as a role model for others who share a similar background. Currently, Lloyd is a dedicated Junior Analyst at Energetics Technology Center and an aspiring mechanical engineer currently working on improving his proficiency in software engineering specifically Java script and React.

“I just want people who grew up like I did, who had to fight just to survive, to know there’s another way,” he says. “You can be whoever you want to be, regardless of where you come from.”

Lloyd’s journey is a powerful example of what’s possible when potential meets opportunity. Through mentorship, access, and workforce development support, LET’S GO continues to help students turn resilience into real-world success. Stories like Lloyd’s remind us why this work matters.