Black Girls Code Building a Brighter Future for Girls in Tech

Black Girls Code is a non-profit organization that aims to increase the number of girls of color in the tech industry. Founded in 2011 by Kimberly Bryant, Black Girls Code has been working tirelessly to bridge the gap between the lack of representation and the growing demand for tech talent.

The organization's programs are designed to be fun and engaging, making it easy for girls to learn and build confidence in their coding skills. They offer a range of programs, including workshops, camps, and mentorship opportunities, that cater to different age groups and skill levels.

One of the key things that sets Black Girls Code apart is its focus on community building. By creating a safe and supportive environment, the organization helps girls feel empowered to pursue their interests in tech, even in the face of obstacles and biases.

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Black Girls Code was founded by Kimberly Bryant in response to her daughter's disappointing experience at a computing summer camp. Her daughter, Kai, was one of few girls at the camp and the only African American girl present.

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Bryant wanted to create a program that would engage and interest girls like her daughter in digital creativity, rather than just consuming technology. She started a six-week coding curriculum for girls of color in 2011, which initially took place in the basement of a college prep institution.

The program was attended by a dozen girls, including Bryant's daughter, and later received investment from ThoughtWorks, a tech consultancy company, providing access to space and resources.

Bryant was inspired to start BGC after her gamer daughter, Kai, attended a computing summer camp and was disappointed in the experience.

The camp had a lack of diversity, with Kai being one of only a handful of girls there and the only African American girl present.

Bryant wanted to create a program that would engage and interest her daughter in becoming a digital creative, rather than just a consumer.

She searched for other programs targeted at girls from underrepresented communities, but couldn't find any that met her needs.

In 2011, Bryant convinced her colleagues from Genentech to create a six-week coding curriculum for Girls of Color.

This initiative started in the basement of a college prep institution and was attended by a dozen girls, including her daughter.

A tech consultancy company called ThoughtWorks invested in Bryant's initiative in January 2012, providing access to space and resources.

Bryant was removed as head of the organization by the board in 2021 following complaints related to her conduct.

The board took this action after receiving complaints, showing that they took allegations seriously and took swift action.

The organization then sued Bryant for "hijacking" its website, a serious breach of trust and security.

Bryant also filed a federal lawsuit accusing board members of defamation, retaliation, and wrongful termination from her position as CEO.

In a surprising turn of events, the board moved on and appointed a new CEO, Cristina Jones, a former Salesforce executive, in October 2023.

Black Girls Code has received several notable awards and grants. In January 2014, they received a $50,000 grant from Microsoft's Azure development community campaign.

Bryant was also recognized for her work with a "Standing O-vation" presented by Oprah Winfrey and Toyota in November 2014.

Black Girls Code turned down a $125,000 grant from Uber in August 2015, calling the offer disingenuous and "PR-driven". They criticized Uber for offering Girls Who Code $1.2 million, nearly ten times larger.

In February 2018, BGC announced a partnership with Lyft as part of their Round Up & Donate program.

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Black Girls Code offers multi-week courses, workshops, and training events that expand tech skill sets in both in-person and virtual settings. These programs aim to empower young women of color between the ages of 7-17 to become builders and creators in the tech marketplace.

Their education programs are designed to introduce girls to skills in computer programming and technology, helping them to build confidence and find their place in the field. By providing hands-on learning experiences, Black Girls Code sets girls up for success in a field where anyone can be successful with the right tools.

The organization's founder, Kimberly Bryant, was inspired to start Black Girls Code after her daughter attended a computing summer camp that lacked diversity and inclusion. Bryant's daughter was one of only a handful of girls at the camp and the only African American girl present.

Black Girls Code's educational programs have come a long way since its humble beginnings in the basement of a college prep institution, where a dozen girls, including Bryant's daughter, attended the first educational series. Today, the organization offers a range of programs that are making a real difference in the lives of young women of color.

Historic barriers for people of color in tech start as early as grade school, where girls are often not encouraged to pursue STEM studies.

Many schools suffer from a lack of technological resources, including equipment and pedagogical knowledge, which makes it even more challenging for students from certain socioeconomic areas.

Kimberly Bryant, founder of Black Girls CODE, saw the effects of these barriers firsthand when she studied electrical engineering at Vanderbilt in the 80s.

Bryant's daughter, Kai, experienced the same lack of diversity in tech when she attended a summer program at Stanford, where she was the only Black student in a class of roughly 30 students.

Out of those 30 students, approximately five were girls, which is a stark reminder of the underrepresentation of women and people of color in tech.

The experience gave Bryant a push to found Black Girls CODE, a nonprofit that introduces young girls of color to computer programming and other STEM fields.

The program offers educational events to girls of color from ages 6 to 17, empowering them to become innovators in STEM fields and have agency in their own future.

Bryant's passion for the organization is fueled by her desire to create a more inclusive tech industry, where people of color and women feel welcome and accepted.

The first Black Girls CODE pilot program started in 2011, and the organization has since flourished, becoming a movement that supports diversity in tech.