The Knowledge House
YOU
&
Lighting a Path to Tech Together
GROWTH & Gratitude Report
December 2023
A
FOREWORD
In 2024, The Knowledge House will celebrate a remarkable milestone — a decade of preparing aspiring technologists from historically underestimated communities with the cutting-edge training, mentoring, and holistic support necessary to secure promising career paths in tech.
With your support this year, we are helping more than 325 fellows advance their careers in some of America’s largest urban centers including NYC, Newark, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.
Thank you for helping us light a path for the problem solvers, the self-starters, and those individuals who relentlessly work to uplift entire families, communities, and generations to come.
Together, we’re celebrating 10 Years of Lighting a Path to Tech for thousands of young people.
When I speak to our alumni, I hear deep gratitude for a clear pathway to tech, passionate instructors committed to their success, and a learning community of like-minded peers.
Your investment is transforming lives.
For nearly 10 years, we've witnessed the incredible challenges our learners face every day to achieve success. We’ve heard about the families they’re doing this for and the lives they want to lead. Here’s how we’ve leveraged your contribution to make their dreams a reality:
More Cities, More Impact: In 2014, we started in the South Bronx with just 15 learners. We are now empowering over 325 aspiring technologists across NYC, Atlanta, Newark, and Los Angeles.
Launching New Career Paths: Our programs have evolved over time to respond to tech sector talent demand and meet the pressing needs of our community. We now offer four tracks — Cybersecurity, Data Science, Web Development, and User Experience Design. A fifth Project Management track is underway offering careers outside the typical “engineering” roles.
Continuously Innovating: TKH staff is actively seeking ways to incorporate AI to accelerate learning, enhance work-based opportunities by creating apprenticeships certified by the Department of Labor, and strengthen career pathways by exploring certifications and employer partnerships.
Jerelyn Rodriguez
CEO & Co-Founder
LIGHTING A PATH TO TECH
SINCE 2014
TKH is Born
Pandemic Spurs Investment
10th Anniversary Campaign
TKH Receives $5M catalytic gift from McKenzie Scott helping to scale operations across expansion sites and amplify digital literacy programming.
TKH pilots its first set of programs in 2013 serving 80 students with The POINT as its fiscal sponsor. TKH incorporates the following year on October 14, 2014.
The pandemic resurrects longstanding social justice disparities and TKH receives investments from notable philanthropists like Robin Hood Foundation and the NBA, leading to exponential growth.
2023
2017
2014
2020
2022
Growth to $1M Budget
Reaching Talent Across America
With increased investment and a $5M budget, TKH launches inaugural programs in Newark, Atlanta, and
Los Angeles. To address digital inequities, TKH offers digital
literacy workshops to a
growing applicant pool.
TKH secures a major city contract to build a program for NYC Tech Talent Pipeline. TKH grows to a $1M Organization hiring 12 staff members to deliver both youth and adult programs.
+
IMPACT
DEMOGRAPHICS
In 2022, we expanded our reach and doubled our impact. In 2023, we tripled. Here are the results:
1200+
Applications
300+
Admitted students
100+
Volunteers
Income
68%
Make less than $25,000
Gender
Education
44%
50%
Male
Female
*6% identify as other
High School Diploma / GED
Associate's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
Some College
Vocational Training
Ethnicity
46%
Black/
African American
39%
Hispanic/
Latino
9%
Asian
4%
Multi-racial
*2% identify as White
OUR CORE
PROGRAMS
I am an aspiring full stack developer. My focus is to continue to challenge myself and learn more to build my skills at the highest level.
Web Development Fellow
- Data Science
The Knowledge House empowers future innovators with access to digital skills training, post-secondary education, and career opportunities through our two innovative programs.
INNOVATION FELLOWSHIP
Promotes work-ready, entry-level programmers through project-based training, work-study integration, internships, certifications, mentorship, and resource support to secure tech positions across four tracks:
- Cybersecurity
- Web Development
- UX/UI
Karim Kharbouch Coding Fellowship
Empowers youth 15+ to learn foundational coding and design and explore technology careers while gaining college credits and completing industry-facing internships.
- 15+
- Low-Income (Less than $50,000 a year)
- Live in New York City, Newark, Atlanta, and Los Angeles
- Non-white, foreign-born, or first-generation Americans
- Working knowledge of written and spoken English
TKH’s Fellowships target low-income participants:
YOUR DOLLARS
MAKe A DIFFERENCE
Transformative earnings
Our Innovation Fellows earn an average salary of $75K compared to the average college graduate who earns $50-$60K.
75% in stem
As a partner of The Knowledge House you can proudly share that:
- We have touched the lives of over 2,250 youth and young adults with free, state-of-the-art training that leaves participants debt-free.
- Our laser focus on jobs in tech that offer living wages helps sustain and uplift families who live in some of America’s most expensive cities.
- Your partnership matters. For every $5K you have invested in TKH, the earning potential of one fellow increases to $75,000, representing 15x social return on investment.
75% of our KKCF Fellows decide to major in STEM Careers for college.
75% Graduate
Sudipta Sil
Innovation Data Science Fellow
I was drawn to a career in tech because it has become glaringly obvious how important and beneficial technology has become to our lives. Throughout my life, I have seen technology take over difficult and time-consuming tasks. It is the driving force behind innovation and the future.
75% of matriculates complete our rigorous graduation requirements.
2,250 + Served
Since 2014, TKH has provided transformational programming to over 2,250 youth and adults.
THANK YOU FOR
BELIEVING
We believe that by empowering a pipeline of diverse, technologists, entrepreneurs, and digital leaders we will uplift entire communities and create a more inclusive society.
Together with your support, we will continue to expand our reach to aspiring technologists across America while strengthening our network of volunteer partners and employers.
Since starting the program, I’ve been practicing with software such as Python and SQL and practicing with LeetCode questions. I hope to continue to expand my education by gaining certificates and real-life experiences.
TESTIMONIALS FROM OUR
FELLOWS
STARTING WITH
Neiman Phillips
Innovation Cyber Security Fellow
TKH has taught me a lot and some languages I never knew. I got to know more about career development and what to know about what happens in the technological workforce.
Faith Ansah
2021-22 Karim Kharbouch Coding Fellow
Schneider-Lesser Family Foundation
Michael Patrick & Carol Sedwick
Emily Myerson - Wagner Family
Joseph & Carson Gleberman
Ralph Hoffman Foundation
Doris & Donald Fisher Fund
Katherine & David Bradley
Sakurako & William Fisher
Dimon Family Foundation
Karsh Family Foundation
Charlie & Jocelyn Gailliot
Ellen & Michael Zuckert
Patty & Reed Hastings
Martha & Bruce Karsh
Lighting the Path to Tech
TOGETHER
A Special Shout-Out To Our Families & Individuals Who Have Supported Our Mission - We Are Incredibly Grateful For YOU!
TKH Champions from 2014 through 2023
Christopher Murphy
Terrence Crossdale
Farukh Saidmuratov
Jermaine Donaldson
Kirsten Hernandez
Michelle Firoozan
Daniel Kilpatrick
Charizma Williams
Obioma Richardson
Adedeji Akinyemi
Michael Graziano
Raynoa Rodriguez
Akintoye Olorode
Michelle Noronha
Shyama Puliyanda
Michael Santiago
Jonathan Tillman
David Mudrauskas
Jennifer Paulino
Priscila DePinho
Courtney Murphy
Andrew Vlahutin
Daniel Sheridan
Arjuna Alaganar
Sean Matthiesen
Shiwan Tribbett
Jessica Gillota
Domenico Aiello
Michael Murtagh
Jonathan Turell
MacKenzie Scott
Samuel Longair
Felice Axelrod
Megan Donnelly
Chris Campbell
Deneen Donnley
French Montana
Chioma Dunkley
Jesse Owens II
Ankur Crawford
Mark Browning
Mark Nunnelly
Marc De Arons
Bruce Lincoln
Beacon Circle
WellMet Group
Pierre Carras
Vicki Zubovic
Dinah Huntoon
Scott Pollack
Dakota Lillie
Ryan Williams
Devin Mullins
Tenzin Rigden
Claire Godwin
Natalie Perez
Gwen Libstag
John Novotny
Jay Pearlman
Grace Neggie
Charles Naut
Alexis Morin
Edward Doyle
John McClave
Trey Surgeon
J&A Herrmann
Shai Goldman
Greg Zatzkis
Travis Jones
Amber Barrie
Sue Lehmann
Travis Ryan
Brian Negri
DeAlo Grice
Hugh O'Kane
Sidney Hori
Tom Griffey
Royce Nitta
Sneha Naren
Matt Newton
Johnny Lin
Anas Ghazi
Hal Liebes
Fred Alger
Ryan Daley
Tina King
Ben Jones
Rafi Santo
THANK YOU FOR
YOUR COMMITMENT
As we prepare to celebrate our 10th Anniversary in 2024, we look forward to connecting with you soon to discuss ways we can partner for another decade of impact.