What’s possible when we innovate for the future? Reuben Ogbonna is Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Marcy Lab School, a member of New Profit’s first Economic Mobility Cohort. The Marcy Lab School provides an exceptional post-secondary education experience that propels underestimated young adults into financially rewarding and purpose-driven careers in the tech sector.
Reuben’s farsighted vision allows him to see beyond tech training itself and into a future economy that works for all. As he puts it in this interview with New Profit, his work is to “create the conditions for young adults from historically underserved communities to grow into the best versions of themselves.” He helps them get there through leading by example—”defined by vulnerability and discipline,” he says.
What do you wish more people knew about the issue The Marcy Lab School is working to solve?
Tech training is only a small (but important) component of what we do. We are trying to rearchitect the college experience by centering the interests of our students. We are not solely concerned with helping someone land their first job; we want to create the conditions for young adults to grow into the best versions of themselves.
You can literally learn to code anywhere. What makes our work special is the work our instructors do to facilitate holistic learning spaces. Before our students do any coding, we have them read bell hooks’ all about love. And their first lecture is on our core tenets of great writing, guided by Strunk and White’s Elements of Style.
When 19-and 20-year-olds from historically underserved communities are stepping into six-figure jobs at leading tech companies and startups, expected to contribute and assimilate to a new culture on day one, our work is to help them be so grounded in themselves, their assets, and the community that they come from that they do not lose themselves in their new [occupational] world.
What’s the most fulfilling part of your work?
Seeing these young adults step into true financial freedom. We talk about “economic mobility” a lot in our space but never really discuss what it looks like when it happens in a transformative way for the people we serve. Yes, our Fellows are saving, investing, even buying homes with their families. However, they are also just living life on their own terms. They are taking advantage of their companies’ unlimited vacation policies. They are hiking in Utah. They are traveling abroad for the first time. They are living in fancy apartments with their best friends. They are hosting happy hours for their classmates. They are having the social and developmental experiences that we previously assumed were only available to the privileged few.
How would you describe your leadership style?
My leadership style is defined by vulnerability and discipline. Vulnerability can be defined as “the state of being exposed.” I lead with openness and transparency—both pertaining to matters of my own personal life and the company itself. Vulnerability manifests as a team culture where people feel connected enough to say to their colleagues “I love you” and safe enough to answer the question “how did my manager fall short” in a public forum. In my view, vulnerability leads to trust and trust is a necessity for us to do our best work for our students..