Reason One Mentorship & Scholarship Program Recipients

Congratulations to the next generation of tech leaders!

After reviewing numerous applications representing Black tech students from Ontario, Canada, and South Carolina, USA, Reason One has selected the following students to participate in the second annual Reason One Mentorship & Scholarship program. 

We're impressed with their academic achievements, dedication to their community, and plans for their future. More than that, we're excited to mentor these students and, in turn, learn from them.

Edem Hoggar's portrait
Honours Bachelor of Computer Science, University of Waterloo

Edem is entering the University of Waterloo this Fall 2024 to study Computer Science. Throughout high school, Edem was highly involved in creating pathways for students to discover and pursue their passion in STEM. Whether it be running clubs to enable hundreds of students to participate in contests, or organizing his school's first hackathon, Edem has always always remained passionate about providing curious students with STEM opportunities. Even outside high school, Edem worked as a city STEM instructor, teaching students industry-standard software such as Unity and Blender.

Maya Tkeste's portrait
Business Technology Management, Toronto Metropolitan University

Maya Tekeste is a fifth-year Business Technology Management student at Toronto Metropolitan University, set to graduate in May 2025. She is a first-generation Canadian of Eritrean descent and actively participates in community programs like the ERI-PMN network. Maya has completed four internships in industries such as financial services, automotive, and software. She has experience in project management, IT risk, cloud services, and more. Maya is skilled in platforms like SQL, Python, and Microsoft Azure, and is pursuing certifications in technology consulting.

Jayques Nelson's portrait
Bachelor of Science, Claflin University

Jayques is a current student at Claflin University where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. He aspires to become a data scientist, analyzing and interpreting complex data to help organizations make informed decisions. Outside of his studies, he is  a career ambassador on campus, serving  students by providing interview prep, assistance with resume building, volunteering in the school pantry and whatever other duties are required. He also serves as the Treasurer for Claflin’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, and is currently Claflin's HBCU American Red Cross Ambassador, where his main purpose is to host blood drives on my campus and raise sickle cell awareness.