About the Founder — CLE Kids Kollective

Licensed MinisterISTQB-CTFLISTQB-CTALCertified Software TesterCommunity InnovatorCleveland Native

Meet the Founder

Sharmika Dorsey

ISTQB-CTFL, ISTQB-CTAL · Founder & Program Director

Sharmika Dorsey is a licensed minister, certified software testing professional, and community innovator based in Cleveland, Ohio. With a background spanning faith-based leadership and advanced technology quality assurance, she founded CLE Kids Kollective to bridge the gap between technical excellence and community impact.

She brings to every room what few founders can: deep technical credibility, earned community trust, and a genuine calling to serve. Her dual ISTQB certifications position her uniquely to lead a program that takes responsible AI and technology literacy seriously.

CLE Kids Kollective is the convergence of everything she has built and everything she believes — that Cleveland’s youth deserve a program that challenges them to become the fullest version of themselves.

Credentials & Background

Built on Real Expertise

⛪

Licensed Minister

Ordained and licensed minister with years of community pastoral leadership and faith-based community organizing across Cleveland.

💻

ISTQB-CTFL

Certified Tester Foundation Level — internationally recognized software testing certification demonstrating foundational technical expertise.

🏆

ISTQB-CTAL

Certified Tester Advanced Level — the advanced tier of ISTQB certification, held by a select group of technology professionals worldwide.

🌍

Community Innovator

Rooted in Cleveland with deep relationships across neighborhoods, faith communities, and the city's growing tech and nonprofit ecosystem.

🤖

AI & Tech Educator

Teaching responsible, ethical AI use to youth — backed by real technical credentials, not just talking points.

🎯

Program Architect

Designer of the 5-phase, four-pillar CKK model — built from scratch with precision, intentionality, and deep community insight.

Her Calling

Why She Built CKK

“CLE Kids Kollective was born out of a simple but powerful belief: that every young person in this city carries within them the capacity to lead, to innovate, and to transform their community — they just need the right environment to discover it.”

—Sharmika Dorsey, ISTQB-CTFL, ISTQB-CTAL

See the Program Get in Touch