RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE SARAH SPARKS
Sarah Sparks
Firstly introduce yourself and tell us where your home place is. Describe your job/jobs in just under four sentences. Please also provide your title and profession.
Sarah Sparks is the Co-Founder/CEO of Alo Solutions an Indigenous and African Canadian-owned software start-up located in Toronto. Alo is focused on using Tech to overcome the over-representation of Indigenous and African Canadian children and youth in Canada’s Child Welfare System
Alo’s introductory product Alo applications aids in finding culturally appropriate caregivers promotes transparency, accountability and provides race-based analytical data while automating the Foster, Adoption, Kinship, Customary Care, and Respite application process.
What sparked your interest to work in this industry?
Initially, I kind of fell into Tech by accident. I interviewed for a company in a cool office and while I understood half of what the interviewer was telling me about the role, I knew I would be good at building relationships as part of the position. Once I started, I really had to lean on the development team to educate me on the technical aspects of the position and I kind of fell in love with the idea of making things more efficient.
When it came to starting Alo I had been working in Tech for around 9 years. My focus at that point was on Digital transformation and helping businesses transition to the Cloud. I was also extremely interested in becoming a foster parent. While researching the process and speaking with those who had gone through it, been in the system or worked in the system. In each conversation, there was a consistent tone of frustration. I felt this was an issue innovation could improve.
What do you enjoy most about your profession?
Speaking with people, bringing awareness to issues that affect our most vulnerable. I really enjoy listening to people’s stories and experiences. My Co-founder and I put the utmost importance on creating tools that are useful, with insight from those who will be using them.
What educational preparation would you recommend for someone who wants to advance in this field?
Software Development is always in high demand and that is going to keep growing. Having Business Management skills and Marketing knowledge will aid in creating your Brand.
What does success look like to you for Indigenous youth?
Happiness, Fulfilment, and the Confidence in your ability to change the world.
How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?
Being part of a start-up makes you wear many hats. Some of them you feel comfortable with and some you learn as you go. I must make decisions on the fly daily. Sometimes those decisions do not work out and have been hard lessons. But all these challenges are part of the process. They have helped me pivot in the direction I would have not initially thought of and prepared me for challenges ahead.
What are one to three books that have greatly influenced your life?
The Poems of George Elliott Clarke (That is not the name of a book, but I have not yet heard or read a poem by Mr. Clarke that has not spoke to me in some way)
The Book of Negros – Lawrence Hill
Calling Down the Sky- Rosanna Deerchild
Do you volunteer? If so, where and why is that important to you?
In the past, I have volunteered with the youth in the community and plan on resuming post-Covid.
In the last year, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your life?
Listening! Listening and understanding points of view and experiences that are different from my own has changed the way I look at the world. Learning lessons from Elders and those who have found success and failure in Business and Life has humbled me and saved me from mistakes I would have otherwise made.
What are some challenges you think the next Indigenous generation will face in your industry/profession?
This is an industry heavily dominated by the pursuit of money and profit rather than social change and responsibility. Raising capital especially for a social enterprise is no walk in the park. My hope is that more grant opportunities open to give Indigenous youth the ability to design tech solutions specific to their needs and the needs of their communities.
What advice would you give to a smart, driven student about to enter the “real world”? What advice should they ignore?
Do your research, talk to as many people in the industry as you can, create something your passionate about. Partner with people who possess skills you do not and learn from them.
Ignore doubt. Ignore the notion that money is the only indicator of success, Ignore the notion you do not belong in this space.