Let us introduce you to Jacquelyn Thomas, founder of Kids N Technology. We’ve been inspired by how she has addressed the challenges of creating and sustaining partnerships and funding. We share her story with you as food for thought.
Saad & Shaw: Tell us about founding and running Kids N Technology. Has it been a “cakewalk?”
Jacquelyn Thomas: Founding and running Kids In Technology has absolutely not been a cakewalk. It has been a calling, and calling usually comes with both purpose and pressure. There have been incredible highs, watching students grow in confidence, seeing kids who never imagined themselves in technology build real skills, start a business, or be the first in their family to go to college. Not to mention the long-term community impact. Those are the moments that remind me why this work matters.
But there have also been very real lows. Funding gaps, leadership challenges, shifting educational policies, burnout, and moments of having to rebuild when things didn’t go as planned. Running a mission-driven organization often means carrying the weight of impact, responsibility, and uncertainty at the same time. What kept Kids In Technology moving forward wasn’t the “cake,” it was persistence, adaptability, and a deep belief that this work had long-term value. The journey has been demanding, but also deeply meaningful.
Saad & Shaw: How have you dealt with the challenges you have faced?
Jacquelyn Thomas: I dealt with challenges by learning to shift from operating purely on passion to operating with perspective, discipline, and strategy. Early on, I thought working harder was the solution. Over time, I realized working smarter mattered more. That meant stepping back, evaluating systems, seeking mentorship, and being willing to pivot immediately when something was not sustainable. Pivot quickly, making sound decisions quickly was key for me.
I also learned the importance of building emotional resilience. Not every door opens. Not every partnership works. Not every effort is rewarded immediately. You have to develop the ability to process disappointment without letting it derail your purpose. Finally, I leaned heavily on faith, reflection, and self-growth. Challenges were not just obstacles, they became lessons that sharpened leadership, clarified vision, and strengthened decision-making.
Saad & Shaw: Tell us about the awards you’ve been receiving.
Jacquelyn Thomas: I have received numerous awards over the years, but the ones that immediately come to mind are those that recognize both impact and longevity in this work. Most recently, I was honored with the B.R.A.V.O. Award, which recognizes veteran small business owners, resilience, and sustained contribution to community advancement. I was also named a recipient of the AARP Purpose Prize, a national award celebrating leaders over 50 who are using their experience and life’s work to solve complex social challenges. That recognition was especially meaningful because it affirmed decades of commitment to education, innovation, and equity, not just a single program or moment.
Connect with Jacqueline Thomas and Kids In Technology at kidsntechnology.net and on all social platforms at@kidsntechnology.
Click here to read Part Two: Mentors, Mindset and Decision-making
© 2025 Mel and Pearl Shaw, authors of “Prerequisites for Fundraising Success.” We provide fundraising counsel to higher education, nonprofits, and philanthropy. Video conferencing always available. Visit www.saadandshaw.com.
