Sustainable Progress & Equality Collective
A community-driven organization empowering people to learn skills, build careers, and create meaningful social impact through mentorship, applied research, and open collaboration.
OUR STORY
Born from crisis, built on shared purpose
SPEC grew out of The Buffalo Project, a ten-year participatory research initiative that investigated how cultural data could improve learning programs. Led by Dr. Rhianna Rogers, the research revealed that students were not being adequately taught intercultural competencies, and that engaging communities directly could transform program design and delivery.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, funding for that research was cut and students lost their positions overnight. Around the same time, Joe Torreggiani posted a public offer to provide mentoring, technical training, and small loans to people from underrepresented backgrounds. Rhianna reached out, and the two discovered an immediate shared passion for environmental and social justice. Joe offered to cover a student's pay so the research could continue, and within a week they had formed SPEC as an open collective with full financial transparency from day one.
We understand that for many people from underserved communities, giving back or helping others isn't possible until they can access essential goods and services, learn professional skills, and achieve physical and financial security. That understanding drives everything we do: engaged research, collaborative mentorship, applied learning, capacity building, and pathways to sustainable careers.
The name says it plainly. Sustainable progress means taking collective action to create a more equal and just world, without hurting people or the planet. That work continues.
OUR APPROACH
The pillars of our work
Our approach integrates research, mentorship, learning, and organizational development to create lasting social impact.
Engaged Research
Prioritizing community participation in research including those affected as equal partners in shaping questions, making decisions, and creating programs.
Collaborative Mentorship
A inclusive and cyclical mentoring style that promotes fair learning, fostering balanced mentor-mentee bonds through open conversation and co-creation.
Applied Learning
Hands-on education where people use skills and theories in real situations, applying knowledge in actual projects for social impact.
Capacity Building
Empowering organizations through skill-building programs, leadership training, and community growth support.
Career Development
Connecting organizations with exceptional talent and skilled professionals, with ongoing leadership training and community growth support.
OUR COMMUNITY
The people who grew with SPEC
Since 2020, career changers, recent grads, educators, and artists have come through SPEC to work on real projects and learn alongside each other. Some landed their first tech jobs within months. Others led research, curated art exhibitions, or designed courses on equity and inclusion.
TESTIMONIALS
In their own words
“During my time at SPEC, I learned so much about the foundations of software engineering, agile, and open source development. I joined SPEC for its mission to empower individuals to learn as you go and contribute to world-changing initiatives through the open sharing economy. With a small but mighty team, the genuine care that everyone has to do good by people is what keeps me motivated to continue contributing, growing, and learning.”
“I made a mid-career switch from Software Sales to Software Development. After graduating from The Flatiron School, I joined SPEC and gained invaluable industry experience. My team developed, tested, and deployed software daily. I was independent with a team-structured safety net that allowed me to take risks, fail, learn, and grow. Three months after joining SPEC, I was hired for my first full-time Software Engineering role. My team celebrated my accomplishment and helped me prepare for my new role.”
“SPEC has been a perfect next step in my UX design journey. It's such a great space for me to explore the different areas within UX design, to figure out where I excel. On top of discovery within this new field for me, being 100% supported and encouraged to continue learning has been amazing. SPEC is going to change the world, and I am happy to contribute my small piece!”
“As an RA for SPEC, I had the opportunity to dive deep into the world of coding and gain valuable skills that have had a lasting impact on my personal and professional growth. But beyond just the technical knowledge, what truly stood out to me was the incredibly supportive and kind community of people at SPEC. I felt welcomed from day one and was always encouraged to ask questions, seek guidance, and push myself to learn more.”
“I'm so grateful to be a part of the SPEC team. Meeting with Dr. Rhianna Rogers gave me invaluable insight into cultivating cultural competence and how to begin development with the end-user in mind, thereby focusing first and foremost on inclusiveness and accessibility. The mentorship and support I've received have been instrumental to my growth and success.”
“I joined SPEC during a transitionary period of my life. Being able to work on multiple projects and in various roles all while being mentored helped me identify what my next career choice should be. Now that I have found gainful employment outside of SPEC I am happy to still feel included and connected to the team.”
“Working with SPEC allowed me to curate a virtual art gallery space, Digital Expressions of Mass Incarceration, featuring the work of LGBTQ+ incarcerated artists and providing a platform for marginalized community members inside the prison system. Letters from the inmates thanking us for sharing their work demonstrate the impact of our efforts. I'm inspired to continue to discover ways to employ the arts to connect with each other.”
“The development process at SPEC is an exceptional pleasure because of its egalitarian intern program. Hearing the voices and sharing content development with people who have diverse approaches, diverse knowledge sources, and stakes in varying outcomes is illuminating. It helped us build inclusive, welcoming courses that have demonstrated strong learning outcomes.”
BY THE NUMBERS
Real impact, transparently reported
$290k
Raised and distributed to our community
28
Career placements
15
Projects developed and completed
7
Partnerships and collaborations
PARTNERSHIPS
Organizations we have worked alongside
SPEC believes in open collaboration across organizations. These partnerships have shaped our work and expanded what we can offer our community.
RAND Center to Advance Racial Equity Policy
RAND launched CAREP in 2020 to develop approaches and solutions that build racial equity in systems and policies. SPEC partnered with CAREP on a two-year digital education initiative, producing microcredentials, game-based learning tools, a digital expressions gallery, and the Journal of Engaged Research.
BuildJustly
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to empower the building of our country’s full economic potential through equitable technology. BuildJustly develops tools and research to advance digital inclusion and close the gap for the 1 in 3 U.S. households with no connected devices or low digital engagement.
Open Source Medical Supplies
A nonprofit that empowers people around the world to keep their communities safe through reliable open-source designs, manufacturing guides, and shared knowledge for medical supplies.
Public Invention
A nonprofit that invents in the public, for the public — building humanitarian open-source hardware including projects like the NASA-MCOG ceramic oxygen generator to help save lives in low-income countries.
CONNECT
Let's talk
We love connecting with people who share our passion for sustainability, equity, and community-driven change. Whether you want to collaborate, partner, or just say hello — reach out.
[email protected]