www.blackgirlscode.com
By: Desnee Young
Kimberly Bryant is the brains behind this innovative company which was launched in 2011 with the mission “to introduce programming and technology to a new generation of coders, coders who will become builders of technological innovation and of their own futures.” Bryant who previously worked in the biotech and engineering field, now works full-time with Black Girls Code.
Kimberly, a Computer Science Major during the time when, let’s just say Apple was just being introduced to the world, noticed not only the lack of women in her field, but especially the lack of women of color in all of the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) areas of study. Strides are being made in many communities to implement programs that focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, as well as in the education system, but there is much to be done to get America, especially women, up to speed with other countries with educational systems that have focused on these areas from the time children are in elementary school.
With chapters in New York, the Bay Area, and Dallas, Black Girls Code, along with its partners hold workshops that focus on coding such as “Game Jam” The game jam kicked off the New York Chapter of Black Girls CODE’s celebration of Computer Science Education Week and was hosted by NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering. The girls, who ranged from ages 8 to 16 and hailed from across New York City, completed 5 hours of coding education using GameMaker: Studio. They completed their coding missions on Microsoft Surface Pro 3 tablets on loan from Microsoft New York. The Latino Startup Alliance and many other organizations have partnered with Black Girls Code to support the goals and mission of the organization.
In three years, the program has reached 2,500 girls in seven U.S. cities and in Johannesburg, South Africa. Additional chapters across the country are planned with the goal of reaching 1 million girls by 2040.
Kimberly Bryant , Founder of Black Girls Code
web: about.me/KimberlyBryant
email: KBryant@BlackGirlsCode.org
San Francisco, CA
To get involved and learn more visit. www.blackgirlscode.com
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