Pharrell is committed to exposing underserved youth to educational opportunities, especially in tech.

The music vet’s education equity nonprofit YELLOW has teamed up with Cisco for YELLOWHAB — a microschool set to provide educational tools and technologies — Complex reports.

Tuition-Free School

Located in his city of Norfolk, Pharrell’s school aims to expand students’ vision for the near future by shining light on STEM and the arts. According to the outlet, the tuition-free, immersive learning experience will be based on skill, not age. With Cisco’s helping hand, third to sixth graders will also have the ability to utilize technologies to increase their level of skills not just for the benefit of themselves but their communities.

“This partnership between YELLOW and Cisco will take the education of our students at YELLOWHAB to the next level,” Pharrell said in a statement, according to the outlet. “I look forward to our youth experiencing education through Cisco’s state of the art technology which will continuously expand their lens of possibility through which they see themselves, their community, and their futures.”

New Tech Tools For Students

YELLOWHAB’s classrooms will have Cisco technology like data centers and DNA Spaces as well as The Webex SuiteSecure XWiFi-6, and Meraki

“Cisco’s purpose is to power an inclusive future for all, which includes empowering future generations and making a positive impact on communities around the world,” Cisco Chair and CEO Chuck Robbins shared. “It’s critical that we work together with local partners to ensure that today’s youth learn and realize their potential in a digital age. Everyone needs access to experiential learning, and we’re proud to work with Pharrell and YELLOW to reach historically marginalized communities and close the digital divide.” 

“Your Voice is Power”

Kicking off 2021, Pharrell announced an educational coding collaboration under YELLOW. As previously reported by AfroTech, his nonprofit joined forces with Amazon and the Georgia Institute of Technology to inspire young students to learn how to code.