What Partners & Communities Say
Testimonials from founders, policymakers, and senior leaders who have worked with III Labs across education, organizational management, digital equity, and economic development initiatives.
Transforming Technology, Policy & Organizations
Burhan supported research and evaluation frameworks aimed at bridging institutional silos. They also contributed to the drafting of a proposal for a Cooperating Care Initiative, a direct care worker cooperative project, which was subsequently selected for funding as one of six cities through the Mayor’s Migration Council. Their work provided helpful capacity-building support to our team regarding program accessibility.
Courtney White, MSW, Interim Executive Director, Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement
Burhan does not lecture at people. They build sessions that members take part in. They make complex, fast-moving material concrete for educators who have to walk into a classroom the next morning, and they connects shifts in technology and society to what our members are actually seeing from their students, particularly in communities that are often overlooked.
If you want professional development that takes equity seriously and respects the people in the room, I recommend Burhan and III Labs.
Dan Callahan, Professional Development Strategist, Massachusetts Teachers Association
They combine deep technical expertise in AI with a strong understanding of its real-world implications for underserved communities. We recommend Burhan and III Labs to startups and mission-driven organizations seeking product leadership, marketing support.
Sarah Roth-Gaudette, Executive Director, Fight for the Future
Councilor Santana deeply respects and appreciates your enduring and transformative work… through innovative education and awareness initiatives that equip communities and organizations to navigate digital systems safely.
Your dedication bridges digital literacy with crucial advocacy for online safety and privacy protections. Your ongoing efforts continuously drive the systemic change and digital awareness necessary to dismantle online harassment and cultivate a safer, more secure, and profoundly inclusive digital environment…
Henry Santana, Councilor At-Large, Boston City Council
During Burhan’s time in Out in Tech Boston leadership, they organized conversations on AI ethics, gender, and social impact that brought together grassroots leaders, community groups, policymakers, and technologists. Drawing on their work and resources through III Labs and grassroots organizing, Burhan intentionally brought humanities and community perspectives into technology conversations, ensuring grassroots voices were meaningfully represented on panels and helping make Boston’s tech community more connected and accessible. They also built strategic partnerships and coalitions that opened new sponsorship opportunities, while using data-driven, multi-channel marketing to engage and strengthen a community of more than 2,500 members.
Raza Dada, Senior Talent Insights, LinkedIn
This past year, I had the opportunity to participate in a professional development workshop presented by Burhan and III Labs. This workshop deepened my understanding around the diverse and ever-changing needs of our students, the complexities in the digital age, and the demand for equitable and effective institutions. What impressed me most was the innovative approach to content delivery which integrated original journalism, digital media combined with compelling visual storytelling, and evidence-based research. Complex concepts were successfully translated into practical insights and actionable strategies. I was able to learn deeply, actively, and empathetically as a direct result of the expertly crafted workshop by Burhan and III Labs.
Deborah McCarthy, Senior Executive, Statewide Public School Systems
As a collaborator and critical thought partner, Burhan was always strategic and deeply committed to our work. They facilitated community listening sessions with care and analyzed feedback to deliver clear, actionable recommendations that strengthened our program design. We could trust Burhan to identify systemic gaps while balancing data-driven insights with real-world experience, resulting in equity-centered program recommendations for the AiR program. I highly recommend Burhan and III Labs to any public agency seeking expertise in civic evaluation, community engagement, and strategic planning.
Deen Rawlins-Harris, Programs Manager, City of Boston
Burhan later contributed valuable insights to a Cambridge University Press publication co-edited by me, drawing from their lived experience and expertise in organizational governance, public policy, and health. Their perspective added depth and nuance to the project and offered recommendations for building a more accepting and uniting world. Burhan has a remarkable ability to connect personal experience with larger institutional and policy questions, making their work both intellectually engaging and deeply human.
Susanna M Gallor, Psychologist and Senior Lecturer, Umass Boston
Burhan and III Labs led a strong capacity-building session at the MCSS Annual Conference in the Social Studies in the Digital Age track. Their presentation gave teachers across Massachusetts practical tools for understanding AI and classroom technology, grounded in equity and real-world, grassroots insight. Educators reported feeling better able to navigate the complexities of AI use while staying focused on building more equitable, inclusive learning environments. I would highly recommend them for future professional development sessions.
Todd Wallingford, President, Massachusetts Council for the Social Studies (MCSS)
Burhan’s keynote left students feeling inspired, seen, and empowered to approach their careers in tech with integrity and intention.
Out for UnderGrad Engineering Conference Leadership
I cannot speak highly enough about Burhan’s III methodology.
K-12 Professional and Union Leader
Very informative. Provides a perspective for others that often isn’t heard or thought of.
K-12 Professional
Education, Community Engagement & Creative Production
…Burhan’s facilitation was thoughtful, inclusive, and attuned to the nuances and needs of the audience. Burhan’s expertise in creating space for real community conversation is incredibly valuable. They have a rare ability to make complex, intersecting social issues accessible and engaging, and that came through clearly in their work with us. We are proud to have worked with Burhan and III Labs and would recommend them to any organization…
Rachael Brister, Executive Director, Provincetown Business Guild
Burhan and III Labs have run several professional development sessions for MTA members on intersectionality, on supporting young people, and on the harm students encounter across social and digital systems. Reviews from participants have been excellent. At our Early Career Educators Conference, every participant asked for an advanced version.
Dan Callahan, Professional Development Strategist, Massachusetts Teachers Association
…Burhan’s approach emphasizes creating safe spaces for financial healing and literacy, blending innovative
educational pedagogy with storytelling and digital media. Participants responded strongly to both the
content and the facilitation: evaluation data from the program was overwhelmingly positive, showing strong
gains in educator confidence and highly favorable feedback about the training’s impact on classroom
practice. Survey results showed 100% of teachers strongly agreed they would recommend the workshop to
others, and post-program results reflected increases across all confidence measures, including 100% of
participants reporting confidence in incorporating personal finance into their courses.
Erin V. Heald, Senior Manager, Advocacy
Council for Economic Education
Councilor Santana proudly re-affirms our deepest respect and appreciation for your enduring and transformative leadership as the founder of iiiLabs, and for your fierce dedication as a community activist working at the vital intersection of advocacy, education, and intersectionality. Your ongoing efforts extend far beyond basic technical guidance, continuously driving the systemic change necessary to equip individuals to navigate digital systems with clarity, confidence, and true agency, while cultivating a safer, more equitable, and profoundly inclusive environment for the LGBTQIAS+ community and all residents across our city; and Councilor Santana encourages you to continue to hold him and the Boston City Council accountable to stand alongside you in this work, and to take real, impactful action for our LGBTQIA2S+ community; and Be It Further Resolved that this Resolution be duly signed by the President of the City Council and attested to, and a copy thereof transmitted by the Clerk of the City of Boston.
Boston City Council
Burhan’s keynote at the UMass Lavender Graduation was thoughtful, moving, and deeply inspiring. Through a masterful blend of personal narrative, expert insight, and visionary leadership, they invited the audience to imagine a more expansive approach to building intersectional impact across institutions, sectors, and communities.
Susanna M Gallor, Psychologist and Senior Lecturer, Umass Boston
I learned more deeply about the impact on young people of growing up in a digital surveillance ecosystem, and the potential harms as they are developing a sense of self and trying to figure out who they are. I appreciated the concepts presented by the instructor such as the “internalization of the surveillance gaze” and “interlocking” systems of surveillance. I also appreciated the idea of collective intelligence” as a response to “artificial intelligence”… The MTA needs to address the problems with “The Great America AI Act” asap, because we need more, not less, regulations.
K-12 Professional and Union Leader
The content was very informative for me as an urban educator. They really informed me about trauma informed financial decision making.
K-12 Professional
Please continue reaching out to schools and communities and begin to grow your footprint because
this was one of the best PDs I have attended in the state. It is so valuable and needed.
K-12 Professional
Excellent presenter. I know Buhran presented last year as well, and think they should be invited back next summer as well!
K-12 Professional and Union Leader
Eye-opening content that can be applied to engaging with vulnerable groups. Both presenters were very knowledgeable and engaging.
K-12 Professional