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Vancouver, BC

Ali Serag

Between code sprints, kombucha pints and pitching stints, Ali enlivens his passion towards Tech for Good, receiving nearly a dozen tech awards including winning the Code the Curve hackathon by UNESCO and IBM. He founded Fostrum, a fintech startup in his 3rd year, secured investment from Barclays bank and joined the Techstars accelerator. Ali sits on the boards of several initiatives including his most recent nonprofit, CovidImpact.ca, which unlocked $3B in small business aid at the height of the pandemic. As a member of Global Shapers, he was president of Canada's largest tech intern community while working at SAP and launching various blockchain solutions, including a $2.7M redistribution airdrop. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ali contributed to grant development with a national Foodbank securing funding for ~$1.5M to help those most severely impacted by COVID-19. Ali loves poetry, food and ideating on how technology can educate, build community and create magic in people’s lives.

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Coding in Colour Education

The Coding in Colour initiative boldly transcends the boundaries of digital literacy and technological empowerment. It addresses the monumental issue of unequal access to cutting-edge knowledge and educational resources related to emergent technologies. By crafting a systematic approach to include and uplift marginalized communities, Coding in Colour is actively revolutionizing the tech industry's diversity landscape. Throughout the Fellowship, Coding in Colour presented in Geneva at World Economic Forum HQ as part of Global Shapers. We also created 2 online LMS Courses teaching beginner-advanced blockchain and artificial intelligence technical skills, vocabulary, and knowledge for people from marginalized backgrounds- and approximately 300 students and 3 teachers worked on it.

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About this Project

Communities Served

My project will involve and/or impact the following communities:

  • At risk youth & children
  • Refugees & newcomers
  • Racial or visible minorities

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

When it comes to community impact projects, the UN has created 17 Sustainable Development Goals. These are the Sustainable Development Goals associated with my project.

  • SDG 4: Quality education
  • SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth
  • SDG 9: Industry, innovation, and infrastructure
  • SDG 10: Reduced inequalities

How the project works

We hosted various team meetings and a virtual Shapehacks hackathon. We recruited alumni to participate in Flow Blockchain’s Flow to the Future hackathons, and a total of 50 hackers participated. Additionally, we hosted 1 month in-person LIT AI (AI Literacy) working group to gauge interest and build outline for AI LMS with 10 participants. Lastly, we launched a Custom GPT ai assistant to help 1300 youth leaders in 110 countries collaborate on social impact projects and reduce friction of knowledge transfer when volunteers move on.

Project Impact

Educational Impact: The creation of two online Learning Management System (LMS) courses in blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) had a significant educational impact. These courses, which ranged from beginner to advanced levels, were specifically designed for individuals from marginalized backgrounds. Approximately 300 students and 3 teachers were involved, indicating a substantial reach in terms of spreading technical knowledge and skills. Community Engagement and Skill Development: Hosting various team meetings and a virtual Shapehacks hackathon, along with facilitating the participation of alumni in Flow Blockchain’s "Flow to the Future" hackathons, engaged 50 hackers. This not only fostered community engagement but also provided practical, hands-on experience in blockchain technology, enhancing the skill set of the participants. AI Literacy and Research: The one-month in-person AI Literacy (LIT AI) working group, with 10 participants, helped gauge interest and build an outline for an AI-focused LMS course. This initiative likely contributed to understanding the community's needs and interests in AI, paving the way for more targeted and effective learning solutions. Innovation and Collaboration: Launching a custom GPT AI assistant to aid 1300 youth leaders across 110 countries stands out as a significant achievement. This tool facilitated collaboration on social impact projects and eased the knowledge transfer process, especially when volunteers transitioned. This innovation not only enhanced efficiency but also ensured continuity and sustainability in social impact initiatives. Community Impact Beyond the #RisingYouth Project: The project's reach and impact extend beyond the initial scope of the #RisingYouth initiative. By empowering individuals from marginalized backgrounds with cutting-edge technological skills and knowledge, the project potentially opened up new opportunities for these individuals in the tech industry. The project’s focus on collaboration and knowledge transfer among youth leaders across various countries indicates a global impact, fostering a network of skilled, socially conscious individuals who can drive change in their respective communities. Sustainability and Future Potential: The project's structure, especially the creation of online courses and a GPT AI assistant, indicates a sustainable model that can continue to educate and assist individuals beyond the project's initial timeline. The groundwork laid by this project could lead to further advancements and initiatives in technology education and social impact.

Project Mission

At Coding in Colour, our mission is to democratize access to technology education and transform the face of the tech industry. We aim to bridge the socio-economic divide and tear down barriers to technological literacy for marginalized communities worldwide.

Project Team

We are currently a core team of 5 with a variety of skills and backgrounds, from business development to development and education.

  • Ali Serag
  • Talshyn Bolatova
  • Michael Lafortune
  • Hafsa Zahid
  • Yusuf Siraj