TAF Wins 2018 GeekWire Geeks Give Back Award!

It was only a few short weeks ago that we learned TAF was one of the five organizations in the running to receive the GeekWire Geeks Give Back award, presented by Bank of America. After we had been notified of our nomination, we had just two days to garner the support of our community and ask for their vote.

Leaving our office last Thursday evening, our team was excited by the possibility of winning, but also knew we were up against some major homegrown and locally-planted national forces. Despite our longevity in the community, it still felt like a toss up.

The 2018 GeekWire Awards, held at Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture, hosted over 900 professionals representing companies and entrepreneurs across the region. Although there would be a winner named for each of the 13 categories, we were nervous about one in particular: the Geeks Give Back award, which focuses on Seattle-based nonprofit organizations who are creating new and equitable avenues for under-served and marginalized communities, particularly in a largely white, and largely male tech industry.

We’ve been in this business for quite some time – almost 22 years actually, and sometimes the long-term grind of our work goes unnoticed. That’s okay though, because we continue to remain staunchly committed to making a difference for the next generation, and the reward of seeing one of our alumni break through socio-economic and racial barriers is generally a prize in itself.

When we were named the winner of the Geeks Give Back award, our entire team was elated. In the room among so many techies, we represented innovative black and brown kids, highly-capable low-income students, and incredibly gifted individuals that perhaps don’t live within certain neighborhood lines but have the potential to lead companies and shake things up for the better.

Thank you to GeekWire, Bank of America, and to Team TAF. This is a moment we will remember.

Learn more about the Geeks Give Back award and the other finalists and highlights of the 2018 GeekWire Awards.