Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Ellis
Hi Andrew, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Growing up I loved to play video games, which created my passion for computer science. Watching “Crazy Craft”, a modded version of Minecraft popular in the early 2010’s, on Youtube with Little Lizard made me think of all the mods, or additional things not part of the original game that could be created; thus, game development as a career choice was my dream. As I grew older and went to high school, I began to think of just creating games to be childish; I didn’t want to be seen as “nerdy” for the rest of my life. As I grew into myself, I became more comfortable with my identity and explored leadership, which is one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made. Joining Student Government Association grew my leadership capacity, improving my confidence in leadership and planting seeds of a future in a top leadership position in my post-college-graduate career. I started to become more interested in business management, which fostered the growth of the seeds planted in my mind after I joined SGA.
Gaining leadership capacity has allowed me to have a growth mindset, fully intending on owning a successful startup; however, I didn’t think that I would be able to start anything while I was still in high school. That changed until I met Miss Ambitious from “The Ambitious Lifestyle”, and
Cameron Kuykindall from “The Camkuy Group”, two amazing people I have had the pleasure to have worked with at my school. Their ambition and drive that they exhibit within their business and initiatives inspired me to start something of my own just like them. Ever since then, I’ve taken the first step forward, with an entire journey ahead of me. I am excited to help others with this initiative, and I look forward to working with anyone who wants to do the same!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Although the Technology Outreach Foundation (TOF) is a new organization, I’ve had thoughts that it would never become successful or make an impact on anyone; however, thanks to the connections I’ve been able to make and my walk with God, I continue to push forward, disregarding any unfair criticisms. I know that the road ahead will be bumpy, and there will definitely be difficult decisions to make when met with forks in the road. Despite all of this, I fully intend on traveling the road traveled to make a positive impact on those without technology.
As you know, we’re big fans of Technology Outreach Foundation (TOF). For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Before I explain any operations of the Technology Outreach Foundation, I want to acknowledge my partner. I co-founded this organization with Hakim Sadik, an amazing person from the Bronx, New York. While I serve as the Memphis Ambassador, executing our mission here, Hakim will serve as the Bronx Ambassador, doing the same in the Bronx. He has passions in mechanical engineering, computer science, and loves to play football and lacrosse. He’s a great leader who cares about his community, and I am very grateful for his friendship.
One of my core values is giving back to the communities that made me who I am today; therefore, the TOF’s operations will directly reflect that. Similar to corporations and organizations focused on education such as Questbridge and the Gates Foundation, the very best that are selected receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship money to schools of their choice. Although the Technology Outreach Foundation is still very small, I would love to have an impact on the lives of students like myself similar to that of Questbridge and Gates, and will work to reach that level. To increase the percentage of those without internet and technology in Memphis, as well as educating others on computer science and business to foster more students like me, is the TOF’s main goal. Educating others will be done in a multitude of ways, including but not limited to emails, webinars, short form videos on instagram, youtube, and tiktok, and possibly online courses.
Collaboration is another one of my core values, meaning that outside of increasing access to internet and computer science & business education, the Technology Outreach Foundation will partner and collaborate with local organizations and small businesses starting in Memphis to make meaningful relationships in our community. For example, possible collaborations between “The Ambitious Lifestyle” and “Camkuy Ministries” may be coming soon! For those who are willing to support the TOF’s goals and mission, or want to go into the software industry in the future, I am happy to to connect with you via social media or email!
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Before I was interested in computer science at a young age, I wanted to become a zoologist. I loved animals, had tons of toys, and as a kid I would cry every time my mother and I went to the store and couldn’t come back with a new one. I watched “Go Diego Go!”, “Wild Kratts”, and loved looking in my grandma’s old animal encyclopedia books. I used to be able to identify which bird of prey was in the sky when I saw something soaring overhead. When watching “Crazy Craft”, I especially loved mods that added fantasy creatures like dragons and unicorns.
Contact Info:
- Email: technologyoutreachfoundation@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/technologyoutreachfoundation?
- Other: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-minority-students-access-technology
