Tamar Huggins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tamar Huggins
|
|
|---|---|
Tamar Huggins in 2025
|
|
| Born | January 7 |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Known for | Founder of Tech Spark AI |
Tamar Huggins is a Canadian expert in technology and artificial intelligence (AI). She is also an author. Tamar is known for creating technology that helps people from different backgrounds. Her work has especially focused on helping Black communities in Canada get involved in technology.
Tamar Huggins started a company called DRIVEN Accelerator Group. This company helps new tech businesses, especially those started by people who are often overlooked. She also founded Tech Spark, a special technology school in Canada. This school teaches tech skills to Black youth, girls, and other young people of color. Tamar also created Spark Plug AI, which is an AI tool that uses Black culture to make learning fun and empowering for kids.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Tamar Huggins was born in Etobicoke, a part of Toronto. She grew up in Brampton, Ontario. She is the youngest of eight children in her family. Her family background includes Jamaican, Kittian, and Nigerian roots.
In 2007, Tamar finished her studies at Centennial College. She studied creative advertising there, focusing on how to plan media campaigns.
Tamar Huggins' Career Journey
Tamar Huggins started her own businesses in 2009. This happened after she lost her job in advertising during a tough economic time.
Starting DRIVEN Accelerator Group
In 2012, Tamar created DRIVEN. This was the first "tech accelerator" in Canada for leaders from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. A tech accelerator helps new tech companies grow quickly. DRIVEN helped these new businesses raise $1.1 million to get started.
Founding Tech Spark School
In 2015, Tamar launched Tech Spark. This was a technology school in Canada specifically for BIPOC students. In its first two years, the school taught tech skills to 1,500 students.
Becoming an Author
Tamar Huggins also became an author. In 2017, she released her first book. The book is titled Bossed Up: 100 Truths to Becoming Your Own Boss, God's Way!.
Creating Spark Plug AI
In November 2019, Tamar founded a company called EDUlytics. This company later changed its name to Spark Plug. Spark Plug is a digital tool that uses data, hip hop culture, and artificial intelligence (AI). It helps make education more personal for students. It also helps inform decisions about education policies.
In 2021, Tamar Huggins' technology company received $1 million from TD Canada Trust. This money helped Spark Plug grow. It allowed the tool to reach 40,000 students across North America.
Awards and Recognition
Tamar Huggins has received many awards for her work and achievements. Here are some of them:
- Harry Jerome Awards, Young Entrepreneur, 2015
- Canadian Living Magazine, Canadian Superhero, 2015
- CIBWE, 100 Black Women to Watch, 2015
- Canada's Top 150 Black Women Creating Impact Across the Country, CBC and Herstory in Black, 2017
- Move The Dial, Dial Mover, 2019
- The City of Brampton, Innovation Award, 2020
- TD Canada Trust, TD Ready Challenge Winner, 2021
- Centennial College, Alumnus of Distinction, 2021
- Womxn in Data Science Toronto, Trailblazer Award, 2022
