MEET AIT 2020

Achievers In Technology

Sankofatech’s Achievers in Technology (AIT) is a rigorous four-year (three years for current college freshmen) scholarship and mentorship program that aims to produce the next generation of Black technologists in the United States. We believe technology is not the preferred career path for youth of African descent due to lack of knowledge about the industry, community misconception (i.e., not perceived as prestigious), and lack of access to resources. We aim to tackle these problems through the AIT program. AIT scholars go through a rigorous four-year program that equips them with essential skills and access to a network of like-minded peers, mentors, advisors, and accomplished professionals in the tech industry.

AIT Scholars

Makennna Turner

Stanford University, 2024

Grew up in Boulder, Colorado, and is attending Stanford University to pursue a degree in Computer Science and a minor in Management Science & Engineering. Her lifelong career goal is to start a robotics and wearable technology company. Until then, her plan is to work at tech companies in Silicon Valley to gain industry experience.

Henry Arinze

University of California Merced, 2024

Born and raised in Nigeria, Henry graduated from King/Drew Magnet High School of Medicine and Science with honors and will attend University of California Merced. Henry aspires to become a software engineer and use the knowledge he gained from college to give back to his community.

Ndidiamaka Nwosu

Rice University, 2024

Graduated from Richardson High School and will attend Rice University where she plans to major in Computer Science. She became active in the Computer Science club and found her passion for AI, software and programming. Ndidi would love to one day become and AI engineer at a place like Microsoft or Google.

Dennis Kwarteng

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 2024

Dennis graduated from Queens HS for Information Research and Technology and will attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He plans on majoring in either Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering. His career goal is to initially work for an electronics company and eventually branch out and create his own. Where he intends to make new environmentally friendly hardware, and futuristic technologies.

Rachel Clinton

Stanford University, 2024

Rachel will be attending Stanford University and hopes to find ways to combine her love for computer science with her love for nonprofit work. She is especially interested in exploring ways technology can help reduce the homeless epidemic in large cities like Los Angeles, where she lives.

David Akpokiere

Princeton University, 2024

Born in Nigeria and raised in Colorado, David graduated Eaglecrest High School and will attend Princeton University. He is obsessed with researching new technology. After college, he plans to either become a tech entrepreneur or a machine learning engineer. David wants to dedicate his life to inspiring and giving back to his community.