Toronto, ON – January 09, 2026 – Afro Canadian Development Inc. is proud to announce the launch of its 2026 cohort of the STEM Program, now reintroduced under a new and enhanced name: Applied STEM Beyond Barriers. Delivered in collaboration with Envision Robotics, this expanded initiative continues the organization’s mission to empower children and youth from underserved and low-income communities and to increase representation in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) field by removing financial and systemic barriers to access.
Originally launched in January 2023, the STEM Program was created to address inequities in access to high-quality STEM education. Since its inception, Afro Canadian Development has delivered the program in collaboration with renowned coding and robotics service providers, offering enriched, interactive weekly sessions in Coding and Robotics for children and youth aged 6 to 13.
Over the past three years, the program has experienced significant growth in reach, impact, and community demand, supporting hundreds of young learners and their families. The success of the initiative has been made possible through the generous support of respected corporate and foundation partners, including CIBC Foundation, TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, Honda Canada Foundation, Trottier Family Foundation, Rotary Club of Toronto and its Charitable Foundation, iA Financial Group, TD Bank, and KPMG Foundation.
Building on this momentum, Afro Canadian Development Inc. is excited to introduce Applied STEM Beyond Barriers (2026) – an enhanced and future-focused program funded by TELUS Friendly Future Foundation. This new cohort expands beyond foundational coding and robotics to include advanced, applied STEM learning experiences, such as:
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3D Printing
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LEGO Robotics
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Laser Engraving
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Pixel Art & Animation
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Digital Sculpting
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Microcontrollers
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Other emerging and applied technologies
The Applied STEM Beyond Barriers program is designed to equip children and youth with future-ready skills, foster creativity and problem-solving, and inspire long-term pathways into technology and innovation – while continuing to ensure that cost is never a barrier to participation.
“Access to high-quality STEM education should not depend on a child’s background or family income,” said Emmanuel Animodi, Director of Afro Canadian Development Inc. “With Applied STEM Beyond Barriers, we are not only expanding what children can learn, but also reinforcing our commitment to equity, opportunity, and representation in STEM.”
Afro Canadian Development Inc. extends its sincere gratitude to TELUS Friendly Future Foundation for its continued support and investment in youth empowerment and digital inclusion. This funding makes it possible to deepen program impact and respond to growing community needs.
Registration for the 2026 cohort is now open.
For more information about the program or registration details, please contact:
📧 info@afrocanadiandevelopment.org
📞 +1 (416) 638-8525
🌐 www.afrocanadiandevelopment.org
About Afro Canadian Development Inc.
Afro Canadian Development Inc. is a community-based charitable organization dedicated to advancing social, educational, and economic opportunities for underserved communities through innovative, inclusive, and impact-driven programs.