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Code just got a lot easier. Social media influencer and Memphis, TN-based artist Eso Tolson talks about a very particular group of millennials he calls “The Bridge.” What’s so peculiar about this group, he describes, is their relationship with technology. From the evolution of the internet to the progressive introduction of new technology resources that’s changed the way humans live and interact, most millennials have an experience with innovative tech that is unique and nuanced. But behind all the technological advancements the world has seen are engineers and gurus that build out formulas and codes that make the science operational and user-friendly. Regardless of Millennials’ relationship with technology and its progress, the magic behind most of it is the code. In this instance, it’s not like an iPhone pin or the secure password for a smart door lock. According to Grasshopper, coding is how people translate human language and ideas to computers. A code informs a computer on what...
The world’s first-ever African American interactive STEM doll is here to enlighten the youth. As AfroTech previously told you, Bukola Somide is the creator of Somi, an interactive doll designed to break down education barriers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) for minority children. The software engineer and inventor boasts nearly two decades of experience of working within the information technology sector. According to a press release, Bukola Somide recalls being the only Black woman or Black person serving on the Software Development team in various occasions. Aiming to create a more diverse future, the Somi doll was birthed to demystify STEM and create representation for underserved children. “Representation matters in tech because it gives hope to under-served children who may otherwise think their dreams are impossible due to lack of accessible role models. A child seeing a doll who looks like them, engaged in Computer Science, helps to shatter a mental...
Apple is kickstarting Computer Science Education Week by announcing a new program that will propel the future generation of STEM leaders. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America will now have an opportunity to teach students how to code through Apple’s latest collaboration. Now thousands of students across 12 U.S. cities will code with Apple’s Swift — an easy-to-use program designed to turn ideation into an application. “At Apple, we believe education is a force for equity, and that all learners should have the opportunity to explore and develop coding skills for their future,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, according to an official press release from Apple. “Together with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, we’ve already introduced thousands of students to innovative technology experiences, and we are thrilled to expand our partnership to bring coding with Swift to even more communities across the country.”
Increasing computer science enrollment for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) students has to start with building community, and nonprofit ColorStack recognizes that. The National Center for Education Statistics reported that of the 79,598 computer science degrees awarded in 2018, only 8.9 percent of them went to Black students, and more than 50 percent went to white students. The lack of diversity bleeds into the tech workforce as well. Less than 10 percent of Google’s national workforce identifies as Black or Latinx, while nearly half of Apple’s global team is white professionals. These statistics are stark. That’s why Jehron Petty launched ColorStack, a nonprofit that runs community building, academic support, and career development programs for Black and Latinx college computer science students across the U.S. ColorStack runs a three-week virtual career-building boot camp, hosts a 12-week computer science program, puts on a three-day computer science summit, and manages...
Throughout history of mainstream culture in the United States, Eurocentric features have been deemed as the “beauty standard” and Olay’s latest initiative aims to combat this narrative. In partnership with Algorithmic Justice League founder Joy Buolamwini, Olay has launched #DecodeTheBias. According to Adweek , the initiative is “a platform that aims to double the number of women entering STEM fields and challenge the bias that digitally boxes women of color out of everyday beauty searches.” “We are excited to work with Black Girls CODE to provide that spark and encouragement to enter the field,” Olay’s Vice President Stephanie Headley said in a statement. “This is one step to bringing greater equity and inclusion to our online spaces that will also get us closer to achieving Olay’s goal to triple the number of women of color in STEM fields by 2030.” The inclusive beauty brand continues to make strides in not only bringing more women into science-related fields , but also in...
Earlier this year, Pharrell Williams’ nonprofit YELLOW joined forces with Amazon Music and Georgia Institute of Technology to launch a new educational coding and music remix competition. After months of listening to over 1,500 student applicants across the U.S., five winners have been chosen. According to a blog post from Amazon, the “Your Voice is Power” program was created to encourage students to use their voices through music to amplify issues centered around social justice and equity while also learning how to code. The music competition instructed students to create their own remix to Pharrell and Jay-Z’s “Entrepreneur” song using music coding platform EarSketch. As a result of the contest, five grand prize winners from schools in Georgia, Illinois, Florida, Texas, California, and Ontario were awarded either a $5,000 scholarship or grant to start their own business. Five teachers were also awarded a $1,000 cash reward for going above and beyond in teaching the program to their...
College Possible Philadelphia, a nonprofit dedicated to college access and success, received a $150,000 grant from Raymond James & Associates. In a press release announcement, it was revealed that the funds provided by the investment giant will be used to help more than 1,000 students in college-based programs, as well as seven high schools in Pennsylvania and Delaware. “We are thrilled to partner with Raymond James to foster change in our community and help level the playing field for our students,” said Dia Williams Adams, executive director at College Possible Philadelphia, in the press release statement. “We are grateful for their philanthropic support; through this multiyear investment, our program is better positioned to provide more students with the tools they need to flourish and graduate from college.” This effort is part of Raymond James’ renewed effort to help Black communities. In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, 63 senior leaders across Raymond James —...
Prisoners are getting job training so they can prepare to enter the field of tech upon their release, thanks to prison rehabilitation program, The Last Mile. The Last Mile — which is based in San Quentin, California — is bridging the gap between tech and criminal offenders to teach them how to code so they can easily find employment once they get out of prison. “At The Last Mile, we are using technology to try and solve mass incarceration,” software engineer Jason Jones said to The Denver Channel. “You are talking about disrupting the status quo of people not normally getting access and opportunity. Not only are we driving down the recidivism rate where people get out and don’t come back no more, but we also have the ability to go back in the community and stop people from going into prison in the first place.” Jones — a product of the program who now teaches computer coding to prisoners through remote communication — helps these people become reformed citizens well-equipped to...
Pharrell Williams and his education equity nonprofit YELLOW have both teamed up with Amazon and Georgia Institute of Technology to announce a new educational collaboration aimed at inspiring young students to learn how to code. “Your Voice is Power” — a newly-generated campaign between Amazon Future Engineer, Amazon Music, and Georgia Tech — is the latest initiative to emphasize the importance of computer science education to students in underserved communities, as well as minority groups that are currently underrepresented in tech. According to a press release, the campaign was created to encourage both middle and high school students to share their voice on equity while learning how to code new music remixes. “This collaboration between YELLOW, Amazon, and Georgia Tech is a celebration of Black creators and change-makers,” said Pharrell in a press statement. “YELLOW at its core believes that education is a pathway to success. Teaching kids future-ready skills like coding,...
As CES 2021 draws to a close — during what is, undoubtedly, a most interesting time for the long-standing tech trade show — companies are wrapping up their presentations of the most innovative tech that they hope will make a difference in this year and beyond. While “big tech,” as an industry, has disproportionately favored well-monied white men, Black-owned companies are also starting to get their due. According to Deutsche Bank Research , the COVID-19 pandemic leveled the proverbial playing field between “big tech” and Black and Latinx developers. However, this research also showed that 76 percent of Black workers, and 62 percent of Hispanic workers, could get shut out or be under-prepared for 86 percent of jobs in the U.S. by 2045 — and but for the “COVID reckoning,” technology could leave Black people in what the report called “an unemployment abyss.” That’s why it’s all the more important to highlight Black-owned tech companies who are making waves at such trade shows as CES...
Joy Buolamwini — the coding expert known for highlighting the social implications of Artificial Intelligence — has just inked a deal with Random House for her book “Justice Decoded,” according to The Hollywood Reporter . . @jovialjoy , founder of Algorithmic Justice League @AJLUnited , has signed a deal with Random House for her book #JusticeDecoded https://t.co/QYuZeXmlE2 — The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 18, 2020 Face 2 Face Africa reports that her book will take an “investigative look into the harms and biases of AI and other technologies, from racial bias in facial surveillance to gender bias in voice recognition and more, which argues that social justice requires algorithmic justice in a world increasingly dependent on Big Tech.” According to The Hollywood Reporter, Random House’s Marie Pantojan is credited with the deal for the publisher. The Ghanaian-American computer scientist is widely known for her TED Talk about algorithmic bias titled “ How I’m Fighting Bias in...