Sylvester Mobley, founder of tech education nonprofit Coded by Kids, was announced Thursday as the recipient of the 2018 Philadelphia Award, a yearly accolade bestowed upon citizens who “acted and served on behalf of the best interests of the community.”

On the phone with Technical.ly, the Iraq war veteran said he was “definitely surprised” by the award, which in years past has gone to figures like scientist Carl June, former Philly mayor John Street and Mural Arts program founder Jane Golden.

“It wasn’t something I was expecting,” said Mobley, who founded the organization in 2013. “I’m seeing this as an opportunity to bring awareness to some of the issues that we’re dealing with. When there are conversations around equity, education and gentrification, very few people understand how these are connected. I’m happy to see there’s an opportunity to elevate that.”

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