About Tech Spark

Tech Spark AI helps historically marginalized students see their culture positively reflected in their learning spaces. We elevate educators to better serve their scholars through culturally responsive curriculums, training, and personalized AI tools. This approach empowers students to overcome systemic barriers in academic and STEM courses, enabling them to become creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs in the tech and AI industry. Our work ensures these communities are not only consumers but also creators of technology, fostering economic freedom and preventing the detrimental consequences of exclusion from the technology creation process.

The Unique Challenge

Increasing diversity in the technology ecosystem is an urgent national priority. The USA National Report Card highlights significant academic performance declines and widening achievement gaps, disproportionately affecting Black and Brown students. These disparities are exacerbated by the digital divide, with the advancement of AI widening the gap further.

We recognize a breakdown in the pipeline that moves Black youth and girls from elementary to high school STEM courses. This leads to underrepresentation in higher education and technology careers. Black students often feel discouraged from pursuing STEM due to a lack of positive representation and engagement within the curriculum. Women comprise only 23% of STEM graduates, with Black women making up just 2.9%.

Our mission is to close this gap through our intelligent AI tool, Spark Plug, professional development, culturally responsive curriculum design, and advanced tech workshops for youth. We aim to provide underrepresented students with opportunities to thrive, ensuring they can make meaningful contributions to the tech ecosystem. By addressing these challenges head-on, we strive to build a more inclusive and equitable educational landscape.

2025 Target Impact

7

High School Curriculums Created

2550

Trained Teachers

25,000

Student alumni

40,000

Spark Plug users

It takes a village

Tamar

Alysha

Jalanni

Ivy

Dr. Larry

Tim

Reena

Tamar Huggins

Founder & CEO

After helping black and female tech founders raise over 1.1 million dollars to launch their tech startups in Canada, Tamar realized the importance for young girls and children of colour to see positive reflections of themselves within the tech industry. In 2015, Tamar launched Tech Spark - Canada’s first technology and design school committed to empowering girls and children of colour through innovative tech education. As a result of her endeavors, Tamar was named the Harry Jerome Young Entrepreneur and honored as one of 100 Black Women to Watch in 2015. In 2017, Tamar was honored as Canada's top 150 black women creating impact across the nation by CBC and Herstory In Black.

Alysha Campbell

Director of Operations

Alysha M. Campbell serves as the Director of HR and Culture, bringing a decade of experience that encompasses all facets of Human Resource Management. In Alysha’s various career and growth opportunities in the corporate world, she's successfully executed multi-million dollar workforce recruitment and optimization projects to also spearheading employee culture initiatives for newly merged organizations. Alysha has truly seen and done it all in the HR space.

As Director of HR & Culture, Alysha is the first contact for engaging and connecting with all current and potential talent. She keeps her pulse on the culture and ensures that an atmosphere of development and growth are vivid and that all levels of management live true to the Tech Spark values. As an integral part of the Executive Leadership Team, Alysha helps create and support the organizational structure based on the forecasting of talent needed to take the organization to greater heights.

Jalanni Francis

Director of Finance

Jalanni Francis is the Director of Finance, bringing 13 years experience of tax planning, auditing and consultancy experience. He is a CPA, CGA and a graduate from Ryerson University. He has worked with profit and not for profit organizations to complete budgets, financial statements, and implement financial systems to positively impact an organization’s financial structure.

As Director of Finance, Jay provides leaderships as the company's Finance and Accounting strategist, optimizing the company’s financial performance and strategic position. In his role, Jay contributes fully to the development of company strategy across all areas of the business, providing financial analysis and guidance on all activities, plans, targets and business drivers. He ensures that Tech Spark’ financial systems are robust, compliant and support current activities and future growth.

Ivy Sarpong

Director of Events

Ivy is excited about the intersection of Business, Technology and Marketing. She has 8+ years of experience in both the public and private sectors working in Marketing, Operations and IT. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration and is a Certified Business Analyst Professional (CBAP).

She is experienced in supporting the delivery of business initiatives including SaaS and digital implementations, marketing campaigns, and business process improvements. She also has Client Management experience in the areas of relationship building and stakeholder management.

Ivy loves Education. Her care for children and youth, coupled with her business acumen makes her a great fit for the Leadership Team. She currently serves as a Chapter Lead for Tech Spark where she assists in defining and supporting the execution of Tech Spark’s business strategy through projects, initiatives and strategic events. Ivy provides general oversight of operational functions, including research and development, business development, events, and project management.