Our Story
Founded in 2020 under Alex Qin’s leadership, Emergent Works was created to answer a simple but radical question: What if technology could be a path to freedom?
Originally known as Code Cooperative, we began as a mentorship circle for formerly incarcerated people learning to code. The organization’s next chapter was shaped by Army Armstead — a graduate of our first cohort who rose from mentee to mentor to Co-Founder and Executive Director. His journey embodies our mission: turning lived experience into leadership.
When COVID-19 disrupted traditional learning, Army launched EW’s first virtual mentorship program connecting software engineers with returning citizens. That initiative became the foundation for a movement — one that uses technology, creativity, and community to open doors for those most excluded from opportunity.
Our Mission
We build freedom through digital fluency, education, employment, and economic mobility.
Emergent Works equips Black and Brown youth and adults impacted by incarceration with the tools, networks, and confidence to thrive in today’s digital world.
Our programs merge technical learning with creative expression and healing:
- T.RAP (Technology, Rhythm, and Passion) - a creative-tech fellowship blending music, storytelling, and design to cultivate confidence and voice.
- T.E.C.K. (Technology Education and Career Knowledge) – career-focused training that builds digital fluency and connects participants to high-wage employment opportunities.
- Mentorship & Community –one-on-one support from tech professionals and alumni who model what’s possible.
Our Impact
Each year, Emergent Works serves 50+ participants through creative and technical education that leads to measurable change:
- 90% earn digital certifications and career-ready portfolios
- 75% secure jobs, contracts, or internships within six months
- 85% report higher confidence, stability, and belonging
- 20% return as mentors or facilitators — sustaining a cycle of growth and community leadership
“We don’t just teach technology — we teach freedom.”
— Army Armstead, Co-Founder & Executive Director
Join Us
Emergent Works is proof that tech can heal — not harm. Whether you’re a learner, mentor, or partner, you can help build a world where justice, creativity, and opportunity move together.
Join the Movement