Nonprofit CodeHouse has received $1 million in funding from Google.org to continue its mission to combat the diversity gap in technology.

Morehouse College alumni and Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. brothers Ernest Holmes and Tavis Thompson founded the 501(c)(3) nonprofit to encourage Black and Latinx students to pursue careers in STEM. Honoring its commitment, CodeHouse has launched various Tech Exposure days to provide educational resources to high schoolers. It also recently launched the CodeHouse Scholars Initiative in March 2021.

Through the newly launched four-year program, students receive mentorship, networking opportunities, and technical training, alongside the scholarship. The opportunities afforded to students will fulfill the nonprofit’s goal to strengthen and diversify the pipeline between minority students and industry-leading companies, according to the nonprofit’s website.

“As a Morehouse College graduate and current Google software engineer, securing this funding from Google.org means the world,” co-founder and president of CodeHouse, Holmes, said in a statement to AfroTech. “Not only does this grant help CodeHouse support even more HBCU students throughout their tech journeys, but it also reaffirms that my employer is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry. To find synergies like these between your personal and professional endeavors is truly what it’s all about.” 

How CodeHouse Plans To Use Google’s Funding

With Google’s donation, the nonprofit will expand its CodeHouse Scholars Initiative to provide resources and opportunities for underrepresented students pursuing a career in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

In addition, the company plans to broaden its scope of influence across Washington, D.C., and North Carolina over the next two years.

“As the tech industry continues to work towards improving diverse representation across the board, there’s no better time than now to inspire young people of color to pursue careers in STEM,” said Holmes. “Thanks to this funding from Google.org, we’ll be able to expand CodeHouse’s reach to thousands more HBCU students over the next two years and help our future leaders of tomorrow realize their dreams. We can’t wait to get started.”