Living in the age where not only the means of communication, but also the methods of fighting the right cause are becoming ruled by technology, Sofia Ongele proves to be a breakthrough. She is not only a Gen-Z activist, she is a software developer, digital strategist, and a speaker of a generation that is shaping up to implement its mission of change with the use of code.
Her work is aimed at two worlds that do not necessarily overlap with one another the world of technology, which is fast and full of data and the world of social justice, which is highly human and empathy-related. Sofia, has demonstrated that sometimes, coding is as effective as protest signs and sometimes, an app is as strong as a battle cry.
A Childhood Curiosity Turned into a Life Mission
Sofia did not step into the world of technology through an internship at Silicon Valley or a company mentorship program. It was curiosity that started them. Being a teenager, she learned to code on her own by playing around on small projects and destabilizing what logic went into creating apps and websites. Natural interest quickly grew into a passion in her as she understood that her competence could bring solutions to actual problems.
The breakthrough occurred when she went to Kode with Klossy, coding program founded to empower young women in technology. Not only did she acquire technical skills there she was introduced to a different idea: technology may not just be a career path it might be a means to advocacy.
ReDawn: An App with a Purpose
A large number of app developers are concentrated in entertainment, e-commerce or productivity. Sofia had other path. She came up with ReDawn; an application that helps survivors of sexual violence.
The ReDawn app provides help to those in danger discretely and within reach. The app allows survivors to be in charge of their own reporting and healing process with a confidential chatbot, localized resource lists, and time-stamped logging capabilities. This was not a mere hobby, it was a lifeline of those people who generally felt unlistened to and unresponsive.
By developing ReDawn, Sofia showed one important thing which became characteristic of her career: technology is supposed to be at the service of humanity and not vice versa.
From Code to Campaigns: Joining Gen-Z for Change
Following her triumph with ReDawn by becoming the Carolyn S. Chambers Artist who led the fight of the Gen-Z for Change as the Director of Digital Strategy. It is a youth driven group that uses digital platforms to support progressive movements population, beginning with climate change up to voting rights.
In this case, Sofia extended her work regarding app development to the digital activism tactics. Among her more memorable endeavors was CRTmail, a web-based application that connected users to a politically based and anonymously operated anti-Critical Race Theory tip line, so those users could spam it with misplaced and comedic information. The campaign became viral with the number of uses mushrooming to half a million in 110 countries.
To Sofia it was more than a prank. It was a case of civic tech employing digital tools to innovatively fight against policies and practices around marginalized communities that falter.
Tech for Social Justice: A New Kind of Activism
The phrase “tech for social justice” is not a buzzword for Sofia it’s her mission statement. She understands that technology is not neutral; it reflects the values of the people who design it. That’s why she’s committed to ensuring that her work and the platforms she builds prioritize equity, access, and inclusion.
She advocates for diversity in STEM fields, arguing that without diverse voices at the table, technology risks reinforcing existing inequalities. Her approach blends the precision of coding with the empathy of activism, creating a model for how future developers can think about their impact.
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Building Tools for Civic Engagement
Sofia’s work with Gen-Z for Change and as an independent developer consistently circles back to a central idea: digital tools can amplify voices and mobilize communities.
Some of the civic engagement tools she’s helped design include:
- Platforms that automate voter registration reminders.
- Tools that help youth activists organize events and share resources.
- Interactive websites that break down complex political issues into digestible, shareable content.
These tools are designed with Gen-Z communities in mind tech-savvy, socially conscious, and eager to make a difference.
The Power of Digital Storytelling
In addition to being an impressive coder, Sofia is successful since she is also able to create stories using technology. She understands that effective stories are how an app, a campaign or a post on social media can communicate so much farther than mere data can.
On TikTok, where she is @sewpheeyuh, she posts behind-the-scenes details, advocacy messages and educational content to almost 300,000 followers. She does not use her social media as self-branding to achieve fame, but she employs digital activism and meeting the people where they are.
Peers and Power
Her work has been featured in big publications such as Teen Vogue, CNN, Bloomberg, and Disney+, where she featured in the Growing Up docuseries. She has also given speeches in high profile events like SXSW and Netroots Nation, where she is usually critical of youth using technology to implement change in a positive way.
Her role also spans into advisory work like being a board member on an advisory level in Sustainable Media Center and taking up app developers of the future, through Kode with Klossy.
Lessons from Sofia’s Journey
For those inspired by Sofia’s story, several key takeaways emerge:
- Start with what you care about. Sofia didn’t set out to “become an activist” she started with coding and found ways to apply it to the causes she believed in.
- Use your strengths creatively. Whether it’s coding, design, or content creation, your skills can be a force for change when applied with purpose.
- Don’t wait for permission. Many of Sofia’s projects started as grassroots efforts before gaining broader attention.
- Blend tech and empathy. The most impactful digital tools are those designed with real human needs in mind.
Looking Toward the Future
Sofia Ongele’s career is still in its early stages, but her vision is already clear. She aims to continue developing apps for social justice causes, creating platforms that empower marginalized communities, and mentoring the next generation of Gen-Z leaders in technology and activism.
In a time when technology often gets blamed for division and misinformation, Sofia’s work is a reminder that the same tools can be used to unite, educate, and empower.
Final Thoughts: A Blueprint for Gen-Z Activism
Sofia Ongele is a sign of a new generation of activism it is not only about the speech and the rally, knowledge of the code and digital activism techniques is the key. Her contributions to ReDawn app, her activities with Gen-Z for Change and her constant efforts to promote diversity in STEM prove that one may create a career both technologically advanced and profoundly human.
Her story is a road map on the ethical and successful use of technology, especially in the eyes of budding activists, coders, and community organizers. And to those on the outside fringes, it demonstrates Gen-Z activism is not just occurring, it is defining the future.
