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.

A young black man smiling at the camera
Computer Science, York University

Turich is  a driven student from a single-parent household of eight, where he has learned to balance responsibility, academics, and leadership from a young age. He graduated from St. Basil the Great College with distinction as Valedictorian. While there, he led both senior and junior basketball teams, and was involved in SHSM for business and the Focus on Youth program. He’s now pursuing Computer Science at York University with a focus on AI, aiming to create tech that empowers underserved communities while mentoring Black youth and creating pathways for success.  

A young black woman smiling confidently at the camera
Master of Information, User Experience (UX) Design Concentration, University of Toronto

Isabella Joao is a first-year Master of Information student at the University of Toronto, specializing in User Experience (UX) Design. With a Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science, Isabella is passionate about creating equitable and accessible digital experiences. She has worked on projects spanning qualitative research on digital misogynoir, accessible graphic design, and creating an exhibition website highlighting the underrepresented histories of Black Canadian activism.

Beyond her academic work, Isabella is deeply committed to mentorship and community building. She has worked as a Programs Assistant for African, Black, Caribbean, Latin American, Southeast Asian, and First-Generation students at the University of Toronto, helping them to advocate and prepare for success. Isabella hopes to use her skills in UX to design inclusive tools, services, and educational resources that empower marginalized communities.

A young black woman smiling confidently at the camera.
MBA, Global Business and Information Systems, University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Jacqueline Young is a purpose-driven professional with a background in IT project management, cybersecurity, and business strategy. Currently interning at BMW while finishing her MBA in Information Systems and International Business, she brings a people-first perspective shaped by her bachelor’s in Psychology and sharpened through PMP and PSM certifications. Faith-centered and future-focused, Jacqueline brings heart, innovation, and a powerful voice to every room she enters. She is passionate about partnership management, strategic growth, and building systems that move people and ideas forward. Proudly both a mother and a first-generation college graduate, she is committed to being the example she once needed.