Ethos Lab Educational Society, Vancouver’s Black-led, nonprofit innovation hub, has launched its annual Black Futures Month fundraiser with the return of its flagship hackathon event for teens on February 27th.
Focusing on transforming how youth (ages 10–17) engage with science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM), Ethos Lab’s Black Futures Month programming coincide with the organization’s expansion into a renovated space in its current Mount Pleasant building. Sharing the new 2,700-sq.-ft. space with two community partners – Hogan’s Alley Society and UBC Geering Up – a week-long open house from March 14 will mark the beginning of the organization’s next phase as a larger innovation hub.
“Ethos Lab has grown over the past few years, and we have seen first-hand not only the urgent need for inclusive STEAM programming, but the incredible impact this type of hands-on, community-based learning can have on countless youth,” says founder and Executive Director Anthonia Ogundele. “We’ve reached over 1,500 kids and teenagers in the past year alone, but we know this is just the tip of the iceberg. With a bigger space and the support of more sponsors, we’ll be able to empower even more youth and help shape the next generation of innovators.”
Hogan’s Alley Society’s Executive Director Djaka Blais adds: “This shared space helps address a critical gap for Black-led organizations — access to welcoming, well-resourced places to gather and collaborate. We’re proud to partner with Ethos Lab and UBC Geering Up to help create a community hub that supports Black organizations, youth, and collective future-building.”
UBC Geering Up’s Senior Outreach Manager Andrew Jamison says: “Geering Up is grateful to be partnering with Ethos Lab and the Hogan’s Alley Society to run programs out of the new hub launching at Ethos Lab in 2026. This space will allow us to focus on accessible and inclusive STEAM programming creating future-proof skills for underrepresented and racialized youth. This collaboration will allow us to positively impact more youth in their community and support the next generation of thought leaders on their educational journey.”
Families can experience the type of innovative programming Ethos Lab offers at their weekly clubs; currently the Gaming Club and the AI Experimentation Club – run in partnership with BC + AI Ecosystem. However, teens won’t want to miss the popular hackathon coming up on February, 27 at Microsoft Vancouver Campus (725 Granville St), this unique event has drawn more than 300 participants over the past three years. Each “Blackathon” — as it is called by participants and Ethos Lab — introduces teens to a Black inventor, and participants are tasked to work together to hack their invention. For the 2026 hackathon, participants who have completed one of the advance workshops will dive into the world of artificial intelligence and, using equity, critical thinking and design, will reimagine Hogan’s Alley. Previous prizes have included scholarships, apparel, exclusive experiences, and swag.
Located in 221A’s Cultural Amenity Space at 177 East. 3rd Avenue, Ethos Lab’s renovations and expansion, supported by three levels of government funders, will see the addition of a performance area, production space, sound booth, workshop, and a lounge for youth and artists to gather. Black Futures Month fundraiser proceeds support increased staff and programming.
To support and learn more about the Black Futures Month fundraiser, the February 27th Blackathon, and the March 14 public launch, visit ethoslab.ca