Uncommon

Uncommon, previously known as SPROUT Coding, is a non-profit headquartered in New York that seeks to empower young adults from low-income communities with the technology education and opportunities they need to escape poverty forever.

They do this by creating innovative learning environments, teaching in-demand tech skills and placing graduates in meaningful employment.

Started by Peter Kazickas and Eli Lubick in 2017, Uncommon was inspired by their shared love of technology, adventure, and teaching.

Uncommon vision for the future is a world where anyone, anywhere, has equal opportunity to improve their lives through technology. The internet is perhaps the most powerful and democratizing force of our time, but universal internet access alone is not enough.

Uncommon believes in taking a grassroots approach and investing in communities and people for the long-term, combining both in-person and online resources to create the most wholesome learning experience. Building physical environments where creativity, collaboration and entrepreneurship can thrive is foundational for this.

The Kazickas Family Foundation is a proud supporter of Uncommon. In 2018 it invested $50,000 in the unlimited potential of a curious mind of young Zimbabwe coders.

Fall 2020 - the latest update from Uncommon:

• Officially launched the rebrand - www.uncommon.org - built by its own students.
• Introduced UI/UX Design, and Digital Marketing & SEO to the coding curriculum.
• Was approved by Google for $120,000 in annual Ad spending.
• Launched a Mentorship program which has mentors from companies like Google, Facebook, Morgan Stanley, AutoDesk, Suzy, Ernst & Young and many more.
• Saw first Uncommon graduates get hired locally, increasing their average annual income from $300 / year to $3,000 / year.
• Preparing to build and launch three more Innovation Hubs and expand into Zimbabwe’s second largest city.