*Ayoo Africa 2020 Top Ten Awardees // Technology & Innovation
Sheila Kasasa launched FutureFIRST in 2017, with the aim to train and integrate community members (students of color) into the tech and entrepreneurship ecosystem. The goal was to provide the skills and networking opportunities needed to sustain long term success.
FutureFIRST partnered with DC Youth Corps providing summer youth employment participants an option to explore the intersections of tech, entrepreneurship, and social innovation while getting paid to do it. The program was hailed by Mayor Bowser as a pillar of entrepreneurship initiatives. FutureFIRST has also partnered with Fortune 100 companies including Amazon and Google, collaborated with numerous local and state agencies, and helped reduce the technology gap in D.C.
