Run / Walk / Move for Ron Brown. Register Today.

APPLY NOW - 2027 Application is now open!

Tickets & Sponsorships Now Available for AJA 2025—Reserve Your Place!

Remembering Our Dear Friend Cal LaRoche

Read His Full Biography

Donate

From Scholar to Startup Visionary: Dorian Dargan (RBS ’07) Raises $14M for AI Fashion App Doji

What if shopping online felt as personal and seamless as flipping through a friend’s closet—and seeing exactly how each item would look on you? That’s the experience Ron Brown Scholar Dorian Dargan (RBS ’07) is building with Doji. This groundbreaking new app blends artificial intelligence, fashion, and self-expression into a virtual try-on experience.

Just days after its public debut, Doji announced an incredible $14 million seed round led by Thrive Capital, with participation from Seven Seven Six.

The app allows users to create hyper-personalized avatars using selfies and then style them with photo-realistic outfits curated from across the web. The goal? Make shopping both inspiring and social, using cutting-edge AI diffusion models to bring every outfit to life on your digital self.

Dargan, who previously worked at Apple on VisionOS and at Meta on Oculus Quest experiences, co-founded Doji alongside former DeepMind researcher Jim Winkens. The name is a nod to their partnership—Doji is a blend of Dorian + Jim.

This achievement places Dargan among an inspiring group of Ron Brown Scholar entrepreneurs reshaping industries with purpose and innovation

Read the full story in TechCrunch

Learn more about Doji at www.doji.com

Visit Ron Brown Venture Lab to learn how we support our Scholars and Captains with startup education, community, funding, and other resources.

Share this post:

In Memoriam:
Cal LaRoche (1946–2025)

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Cal LaRoche, a brilliant and dedicated advisor and champion of the Ron Brown Scholar Program, who left us on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025.

Born in New York in January 1946, Cal graduated from Central State University in Ohio, where he joined the Eta Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. His career spanned decades of leadership and innovation, beginning at the National Security Agency and continuing through key roles at IBM, SkyTel Communications, and The Orkand Corporation. 

A visionary entrepreneur, Cal later co-founded DC Ventures and Associates.

His commitment to service was unwavering. Cal chaired the Boards of Trustees at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda and Norwood School and served with distinction for 15 years on the Advisory Board of the Ron Brown Scholar Program. His leadership extended to the Beta Mu, Boulé Foundation Board, where he served as Chair, and to Patients For Affordable Drugs, where he was a founding board member and Treasurer.

An avid golfer and advocate for equity in the sport, Cal co-founded the Pro-Duffer/Carter Foundation Scholarship to promote diversity in golf. A long-time member of TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, he was as passionate about creating opportunity as he was about the game itself.

Cal’s legacy is carried on by his beloved family: his mother, Lucille “Gloria” David; his wife, Esperanza, and their sons, CJ and Ethan; his former wife, Cheryl LaRoche; their daughters, Gina LaRoche, Renee LaRoche-Morris, and Danielle LaRoche; six grandchildren; and his siblings. His wisdom, warmth, and unwavering belief in the potential of young people will remain an enduring part of the Ron Brown Scholar community.

We are forever grateful for Cal’s enduring support, leadership, and love. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence, generosity, and deep humanity. He will be deeply missed.
GET INVOLVED