Founder of Youth for Technology Foundation Nominated for the Microsoft Alumni Foundation 2010 Integral Fellows Award.

LOUISVILLE, KY, September 14, 2010 (Press-News.org) Njideka Harry, Founder & Executive Director of Youth for Technology Foundation (YTF), received a nomination for this year's 2010 Microsoft Integral Fellows Award. The Microsoft Alumni Foundation gives this award to "recognize and support a Microsoft alumnus who has made a meaningful difference in the daily lives of others by using his/her talents, time and resources to contribute to the world."

Up to four alumni nominees for the Microsoft Integral Fellows Award will receive a $25K award to go to the 501(c)(3) with which they work in the form of a one-year, unrestricted grant. Winners are chosen based on representation of entrepreneurship, innovation, effectiveness, and collaboration in their organizations.

Harry founded YTF in 2000 as an organization motivated to transform communities into enriched learning environments where the appropriate use of technology creates opportunities for marginalized people. She spent 4 years previously at Microsoft as a Product Manager in the Corporate Financial Planning, Strategy and Analysis Group.

"Microsoft is truly an incubator for social entrepreneurship," Harry said. "I believe that our lives are determined by our aspirations. Like me, many former and current Microsoft employees believe we can change the world. In many instances, we do."

With the foundation, Harry donated over 450 working computers to schools and community centers in disadvantaged communities in the U.S and Africa, in addition to training over 30,000 young people to use technology as a tool for learning. Youth for Technology, headquartered in both Louisville, Kentucky and in Nigeria, is attempting to shape a generation of future leaders, combining technology education with leadership training. As the founder, Harry considers her own role to be that of a servant leader, where "humility is taught by such disposition and character and virtue are constantly rewarded."

YTF is an international, non-profit, citizen sector organization seeking to improve access to education and appropriate technology while promoting entrepreneurship in low-income communities in the U.S. and in rural communities in Africa. In partnership with local communities, grassroots organizations and the public and private sector, YTF pioneered the Digital Village 'movement' in West Africa through its innovative Community Technology and Learning Center (CTLC)-in-a-box paradigm. Digital Villages are CTLC's that serve as information 'hubs' where community members gather to acquire life skills, and share tools and resources. Learn more at http://www.youthfortechnology.org