Global Impact Initiative

Some people walk into a classroom and teach. David Conover walks in, and the room comes alive.

We are so proud to welcome David to the Global Impact Initiative family as our new Director of AI Learning.

For more than 15 years, David has worked at the intersection of education, creativity, and emerging technology - helping open doors to futures that once felt out of reach. Through video game design, immersive media, and creative technology, he helps learners begin to see themselves differently. Not defined by circumstance, but by potential.

That belief sits at the very heart of Gii.

David is an IBM Champion, an Intel Skills for Innovation Ambassador, an Epic Games MegaGrant recipient, and a SXSW EDU Advisory Board member. He's also helping build an international AI education initiative with Intel and IBM, bringing applied AI learning to emerging markets across Africa.

At Gii, David will help build pathways into the future for communities too often left out of the opportunities shaping it.

Many of the young people we serve don't lack talent. They lack access, support, and the chance to imagine a future larger than survival.

We believe AI literacy will define who has access to opportunity in the years ahead, and that access must become a bridge, not another divide.

Welcome, David. We are honored to build this future together.

What does equitable AI access look like to you? Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇

Another beautiful day of community, culture, and connection, powered by hope.

A celebration filled with stories of strength, entrepreneurship, resilience, and belonging, and yet another reminder of what communities can accomplish together.

We were so delighted that KXAN News interviewed some of our staff and came out to cover the event.

Thank you to everyone who made this joyful Refugee Bazaar possible! A big shout-out to Sean Doles and the North Austin YMCA, Vandana Gupta, Arjun Agarwal, Rahul Agarwal, Tonia Graff, Shukria Entezar, Farah Adeeb, Central Market, Anjum Akhtar, Ellie Kaufman, Kate Canning, Farida Vendal, and Anjum Malik!

Food from around the world, baked goods you won’t resist, and gift items you didn’t know you needed!

Welcome to our Refugee Bazaar! Join us tomorrow from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

40 vendors, 7 countries, one vibrant community celebration. Come hungry, leave happy.

What happens when people come together with a genuine desire to listen, learn, reflect and take action?

Yesterday afternoon, two Gii team members had the pleasure of joining an incredibly engaged group at the Rotary Club of South Austin, and it was a powerful reminder of what meaningful community looks like.

We are so grateful for the warm welcome and for the generous lunch that made space for a thoughtful and open conversation. Our founder, Anjum Malik, shared the story of Gii and spoke about the importance of creativity, listening with intention, listening deeply, and why proximity and partnerships truly matter.

One of our case managers, Farah Adeeb, joined Anjum and shared her lived experience, including her upbringing in Afghanistan and her experience in Austin as a refugee. Her perspective grounded the conversation in a way only firsthand experience can.

There is something that shifts in a room when people are willing to move beyond ideas and truly listen. Conversations become more honest, more human, and more actionable.

We left feeling that real impact begins in rooms like this, especially with people who are ready to step forward. Several attendees expressed interest in mentoring in our program supporting refugee children, and we can hardly wait to get started.

We are excited about what is ahead and truly look forward to building alongside this remarkable group.

Join us this Mother's Day weekend for something truly special.

Celebrate the creativity, resilience, and talent of local refugee artisans at the Refugee Arts and Crafts Bazaar.

Held at North Austin YMCA at 1000 W Rundberg Ln from 10:00am to 2:00pm, this joyful, international marketplace hosted in partnership with the YMCA will have handmade goods, jewelry, and food from around the world - each piece with a story behind it. This is more than a market: it's a chance to support local entrepreneurs, find meaningful gifts, and connect with a vibrant community.

We would love to see you there!