Chairperson
Eddie Rye Jr.
Founder & Chairperson
Prominent civil rights activist and radio host known for his decades-long dedication to racial justice and political advocacy. Chairs the board and anchors our civic-accountability work.
Who We Are
Shaping leaders through skills, confidence, andtechnology.
Americans 4 Equality (A4E) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Washington and Oregon. We build career pathways for everyone — technical and non-technical — regardless of background. Most programs are free to participants.
trained 423 students
88% completion rate
Fiscal Year 2025
Warp 5
Warp 10
Warp 1
Transforming Lives Through TechEducation
At Americans 4 Equality, we believe that talent is universal — but opportunity is not. That’s why we deliver free, high-impact technical training in cloud computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and programming. Our immersive, hands-on programs are designed not only to prepare people for meaningful careers, but also to bridge the digital divide. Artificial intelligence is at the heart of this transformation. We equip learners with the knowledge and tools they need to unlock potential, strengthen communities, and create pathways into the future of innovation.
- Empowering Possibility. Advancing Skills. Inspiring Leadership.
Empowering Talent. Expanding Access. Transforming Futures. / What Makes UsDifferent?
We believe when underrepresented communities are equipped with the tools of tomorrow, they don’t just join the workforce—they lead it. Education with intention. Training with purpose. Opportunity—for all.
- Mission-Driven: We use education to drive economic mobility, generational uplift, and systemic change.
- Whole-Person Support: Mentorship, coaching, and connection build not just skills—but leadership and resilience.
- Community-Powered: Our inclusive environments foster peer growth, collaboration, and collective success.
- Measurable Outcomes: Our grads earn certifications, land tech roles, and take charge of their futures.
📊 Our AnnualReport
Fiscal Year 2025 (July 2024 – June 2025) was a year of momentum and measurable impact for Americans 4 Equality. During this period, we trained 423 students with an 88% completion rate, expanded programs like Warp 5 and Warp 10, and forged partnerships with Microsoft, Salesforce, LinkedIn Learning, and more. Please check out the below Annual Report to see our impact.
Trustees & Advisors
A coalition across every sector.
Educators, faith leaders, nonprofit executives, and government officials guiding our work.
Education
- Dr. Georgia McDadeEducator
- Dr. Donald FelderEducator
- Rev. Derrick HarrisExecutive Director, Black Education Strategy Roundtable (BESR)
Nonprofit
- Angela T. RyeNative Land Pod
- Gwen Allen CarstonExecutive Director, Kent Black Action Commission
- Erwin ChappelPresident, Seattle Chapter, 100 Black Men
- Hayward EvansCo-convener, MLK Commemoration Committee
- Shaude' MoorePresident, Seattle MLK Organizing Coalition; CEO, McKinney Center
- Vivek MalhotraTech Entrepreneur & Advisor
- Chris B. BennettPublisher, Seattle Medium Newspaper
Government
- Ed PrinceRenton City Council · Exec. Dir., WA State Commission on African American Affairs
- Jesse JohnsonWA State Treasurer's Office
- Derrick Wheeler-SmithDirector, Seattle Office of Civil Rights
- Sheley SecrestAttorney & NAACP Area Chair (WA, OR, AK)
Faith
- Bishop Reggie WitherspoonCOGIC – Seattle Tacoma Area
- Rev. Lawrence WillisUnited Black Christian Clergy
- Bishop Garry L. TysonGoodwill Missionary Baptist Church
- Rev. Dr. Paul A. Stoot Sr.Rise Up Academy
- Rev. Dr. Carey AndersonSeattle First AME
- Rev. Dr. Robert L. JeffreyNew Hope & Black Dollar Days Task Force
- Bishop Zachary Bruce Sr.Freedom Church
- Apostle James E. Sears IIIGrace Temple Church
- Rev. Dr. Linda M. SmithMLK Jr. Memorial Baptist Church
The Team
Instructors & Program Team
Industry veterans who teach by day and mentor by night.
Cloud & AI
- Omer Qureshi
- Justin Ellis
- Marcus Jewett
Cybersecurity
- Tony North
- Alex Alexandrov
Business & Startups
- George Frost
- Jim Gill
Programming
- Al Richardson
- Anthony Smith
Data Analytics
- Brandon Walton
- Tasha Rucker
Operations
- Ibaad Qureshi — Director of Programs
- Lael Whitaker — Marketing & Project Manager
Guest Voices
Guest Speakers
Industry leaders who bring live perspective into every cohort.
Amora RamaCybersecurity
Jeff ThungcBusiness & Startups
Laxmi KoradaArtificial Intelligence
Svetlana HillMarketing
Ty GriffinBusiness
Wyking GarrettCommunity
Next Generation
Our Interns
Graduates who stayed to build the next cohort.
Bryan Haynes
Daniel Chuyeshkov
Dedrick Hairston Jr.
Melvin Pretlow
+ more
Sponsors, Endorsers & Allies
Leaders who stand with us.
Elected officials, civic leaders, and community organizations championing digital equity in Washington and beyond.
Patty Murray
U.S. Senator, Washington State
Adam Smith
U.S. Congressman, WA-9
Dr. Brent Jones
Seattle Public Schools Superintendent
Rev. Dr. Carey G. Anderson
FAME Church Emeritus Pastor
Reggie C. Witherspoon
Mt. Calvary Christian Center
Dominique Davis
Community Passageways
Jon Bersche
Community Advocate
Marie Kurose
Workforce Development Council, Seattle
Toshiko Hasegawa
Port of Seattle Commissioner
Sharon Santos
Seattle Public Schools Board Director
Jesse Johnson
WA State Representative
Latesha DesiraDeLaBen
Community Leader
Raymond Miller
Civic Leader
Carolyn Riley-Payne
Community Advocate
GOVERNANCE
Board of Directors
Independent oversight. Fiduciary integrity. Public accountability.
Chairperson
Omer Qureshi
CEO & Founding Member
Problem-solver with 22 years of experience in the tech industry, now leading change as CEO of Americans 4 Equality. Also serves as instructor for Cloud & AI.
LinkedIn
Carolyn Riley-Payne
Treasurer · Board Member
“We are proud to partner with the MLK Gandhi Initiative and grateful for its support in moving our communities forward.”
Dominique Davis
Board Member
Founder & CEO of Community Passageways — a nationally recognized organization focused on alternatives to incarceration for youth.
Ernie Dunston
Board Member
Brings a background in public service and community development, with experience across government and nonprofit sectors.
Governance policies
Independent audit
Annual financial audit by a third-party CPA firm.
Conflict of interest policy
Annual disclosure and recusal process for all board members.
Whistleblower protection
Confidential reporting channel for staff and participants.
Document retention
7-year retention for all financial, programmatic, and donor records.
TRANSPARENCY
Request governance documents
We provide the following documents to donors, partners, funders, and the public on request:
- Form 990 (latest)
- Audited financial statements
- Bylaws
- Conflict-of-interest policy
- Whistleblower policy
Request documents
Responses within 5 business days. EIN 85-2365649.
Community Voices
What people say about us.
Our graduates' stories tell our story best. Read every verified Google Review from the Americans 4 Equality community.
Read all reviews on Google