Umoja Robotics

ACCN Toronto is organizing this fundraiser.

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ABOUT UMOJA ROBOTICS

The program builds on ACCN’s mission to Nurture Promise, Harvest Potential. Through UMOJA Robotics, ACCN is inspiring youth to pursue STEM-related studies and careers.

In 2018, ACCN’s UMOJA Robotics became the first black robotics team in Canada to compete at a First Robotics competition. Participants are students in grades 8-12 who come from communities all across the GTHA.

The program provides hands-on opportunity to learn about robotics, while creating opportunities to invest and generate an abundance of socio-economic benefits for them. They acquire new life skills, gain new perspectives on their potential, discover new talents and create new relationships.

ACCN’s envisions UMOJA Robotics as a path for Black youth to contribute to closing the STEM skills gap in Canada and to become the leaders and innovators of the future.

THE LANDSCAPE

Black youth continue to experience historical and systemic barriers/challenges to success.

According to a Statistics Canada 2016 report, only 25.2% of visible minorities (including Blacks), graduate from Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs. By comparison, 74.8% of non-visible minorities graduate from those programs.

Recognizing how underrepresented Black youth are at the STEM table, ACCN has created UMOJA Robotics to help youth succeed in STEM careers. ACCN sees this as an important opportunity to link diversity and inclusion to the innovation needed for the future economy.

ABOUT ACCN

The African Canadian Christian Network (ACCN) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the life outcomes for black youth, by seeking and creating equitable opportunities for them to flourish and dismantle the systemic barriers to their success.

These young people are on a trajectory to become leaders and innovators as they enroll in programs deliberately designed for them to acquire 21st Century skills. Our other featured programs are:

Independent Schools Program (ISP)
Nurturing Promise Harvesting Potential Youth Program
Parent 2 Parent (P2P)
STEM Summer Camp

Together with UMOJA Robotics, each of these programs positively impacts the lives of numerous individuals, families, and members of our community.

ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS

Since 2018, ACCN has been competing at First Robotics Competitions in Canada.

This program was designed to give black youth an equitable space at the STEM table. It teaches them essential technical and life skills, such as Project Management, Leadership, and Teamwork

100% of Umoja Robotics graduates have pursued post secondary education in a variety of disciplines, including engineering or computer science.

Umoja Robotics has been featured on television and the program was most recently recognized and acknowledged by MP Shaun Chen in the House of Commons/Parliament. ACCN is committed to inspiring other Black students to get involved in STEM. UMOJA Robotics invites and welcome new members.

FRC Imagery Award
Engineering Design Award
Highest Rookie Seed Award
Rookie inspiration Award
Gracious Professionalism Award

2024 PLAN

It’s the start of 2023/2024 season, and we have an amazing group of students who are excited about the opportunity to learn new skills. Every year we compete in the First Robotics Competition, which kicks off on first Saturday of January - the date that NASA globally announces the game competition.

ACCN does not charge the students for the opportunity to be at the STEM table, so that income insecurity will not be a barrier to participating. We depend on the generosity of partners like you to enable our black youth to compete with pride while benefiting from life-changing experiences.

Our budget of $50,000, covers seasonal expenses associated with registration, material for parts and tools for building our robot, meals, uniforms, transportation, and travel expenses for Regional, Provincial, and World competitions.

YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS

Sponsoring Umoja Robotics is an investment in the future of our community. Your support extends beyond monetary donations; it paves the way for underserved Black students to become tomorrow's STEM leaders.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of young individuals and the future of STEM. Together, we can create a more equitable and inclusive world.