Becoming Uncommon
how we started, what we believe, and why
We have always been inspired by the youth.
When we launched our pilot in Zimbabwe at the end of 2017 our goal was singularly focused around teaching kids how to code.We set out to test some initial theories and the results were clear.
There was (and still is) an overwhelming thirst for technology education, and there was (and still is) a heartbreaking lack of opportunities for youths & young adults in our target communities.
Initial Concept.
After successfully fundraising in the beginning of 2018, we created a business plan and put our ideas to the test.
The initial model was simple. Train unemployed young adults to be after school coding instructors.
Pivoting.
Before long, we realized a flaw in the model.
While training unemployed young adults to become teachers was creating jobs, and kids were learning how to code, we didn’t feel we were making the type of impact we knew we could.
So we decided to change our model, and to focus on training young adults for the tech workforce.
New Model.
Our new goal was to build a generation of purpose minded, tech savvy, entrepreneurial young adults.
With this said, we knew we HAD to continue educating the youth.
Today, when you join an Uncommon Bootcamp, not only are you training for the workforce, you’re also volunteering teaching coding to kids in the community.
Our First Hub.
As a grassroots organization, it has always been important for us to fully invest into the communities we serve.
Now that we had our education model ready to go, we needed a home to make it official.
We decided to use shipping containers and solar power to deal with a lot of the infrastructure challenges we had been facing. Our first Hub was built in 2019, and we’ve been off to the races ever since.
Why Uncommon.
While the rest certainly isn’t “history,” that’s enough of our story for now. If you’d like to follow along as we continue to become the organization we believe we can, please consider staying engaged with our mailing & social platforms.
In closing, it’s important that we just highlight a few things…
We exist because we believe in the limitless potential of every one of us on this planet. Genius and brilliance is everywhere, opportunity is not. We will always fight for opportunity and representation for all in the technology sector.
Although we now have a business arm that supports our nonprofit, we are still entirely a charitable organization. We may do work for clients, but there are no shareholders with a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Just more kids and young adults, waiting their turn for an opportunity to shine.
As a team of creatives and entrepreneurs, we have chosen to put impact ahead of profit maximization. Our goal is to apply the best practices of the for-profit sector to augment our mission as a nonprofit.
We believe that impact as a differentiator will be key to scaling our mission. We believe that the rising generation gets this intuitively.
Lastly, we will always do our part to better serve humanity and the planet we’ve inherited. We commit to being ethical and environmentally conscious in everything we do. And as optimists and lovers of life, we will always welcome people into our organization, regardless of sexual identity, preference, race, gender, religion, or any other beautiful distinction that makes us all who we are.
And makes us all, uncommon.
