Catching up with more of our very own Tech Diva's and the parents behind them! Devyn (photographed to the left) and mom Tamara answered some of the questions we're all curious to know.
Parent Tamara's Questions:
Why do you support Black Girls CODE? "I support Black Girls CODE for a number of reasons. On a personal level, I have spent several years in the high-tech industry and to see any woman of color participating in an engineering capacity is rare. There are many reasons for this outcome, but at a fundamental level it can only change with a pool of qualified candidates prepared to perform in positions requiring a highly specialized skill set."
Why do you send your daughter to Black Girls CODE workshops? "I want my daughter to have two things throughout her life, opportunities and options. You cannot have opportunity or options without access. Black Girls CODE is doing the work of providing girls of color the critical element of access. Access to technology and related skills are fundamentals that this group of girls might not otherwise have the chance to explore."
What advice would you tell other parents about Black Girls CODE? "Participating in Black Girls CODE is a foundational building block that can change a life. The pipeline that Black Girls CODE is establishing is not only ground breaking, but a 21st Century imperative for establishing competitive skills in a highly evolving workforce. Participating in Black Girls CODE has become a welcome staple in our daughters curriculum, we highly recommend it."
Tech Diva Devyn's Questions:
What do you love most about Black Girls CODE? "I like making new friends, learning new things and I like that everyone helps each other."
What was your favorite Black Girls CODE workshop? "Video game challenge and learning from Twitter Engineers."
What projects are you working on now or what type of computer projects do you work on at home? "I like to build web-pages about my favorite subjects, candy and dolphins."
Why would you tell another girl to check out a workshop?
"It's a lot of fun! You make new friends and get to do cool stuff that you never thought you could do before."
Tamara later commented:
"Devyn also enjoys robotics and likes to make brushbots (robots made out of tooth brushes), in her spare time. She also learned how to solder a circuit board. The tools she learned from participating in Black Girls CODE are helping her in programing her circuit board. She is captivated by technology, Black Girls CODE planted the seed."
Parent Tamara's Questions:
Why do you support Black Girls CODE? "I support Black Girls CODE for a number of reasons. On a personal level, I have spent several years in the high-tech industry and to see any woman of color participating in an engineering capacity is rare. There are many reasons for this outcome, but at a fundamental level it can only change with a pool of qualified candidates prepared to perform in positions requiring a highly specialized skill set."
Why do you send your daughter to Black Girls CODE workshops? "I want my daughter to have two things throughout her life, opportunities and options. You cannot have opportunity or options without access. Black Girls CODE is doing the work of providing girls of color the critical element of access. Access to technology and related skills are fundamentals that this group of girls might not otherwise have the chance to explore."
What advice would you tell other parents about Black Girls CODE? "Participating in Black Girls CODE is a foundational building block that can change a life. The pipeline that Black Girls CODE is establishing is not only ground breaking, but a 21st Century imperative for establishing competitive skills in a highly evolving workforce. Participating in Black Girls CODE has become a welcome staple in our daughters curriculum, we highly recommend it."
Tech Diva Devyn's Questions:
What do you love most about Black Girls CODE? "I like making new friends, learning new things and I like that everyone helps each other."
What was your favorite Black Girls CODE workshop? "Video game challenge and learning from Twitter Engineers."
What projects are you working on now or what type of computer projects do you work on at home? "I like to build web-pages about my favorite subjects, candy and dolphins."
Why would you tell another girl to check out a workshop?
"It's a lot of fun! You make new friends and get to do cool stuff that you never thought you could do before."
Tamara later commented:
"Devyn also enjoys robotics and likes to make brushbots (robots made out of tooth brushes), in her spare time. She also learned how to solder a circuit board. The tools she learned from participating in Black Girls CODE are helping her in programing her circuit board. She is captivated by technology, Black Girls CODE planted the seed."
Join our Movement - Get Involved with Black Girls CODE
There are many ways you can help scale our winning model to communities around the world. Here are 3 things you can do right now!
There are many ways you can help scale our winning model to communities around the world. Here are 3 things you can do right now!
- DONATE: Individuals and businesses alike can support Black Girls CODE’s crowdfunding campaign to educate 2,000 girls in computer programming. Donate now to help the organization launch their 10-city summer workshop series tagged “Summer of CODE 2013 - The Remix” and increase the number of girls of color in tech. Last day to donate is July 26, 2013. We can reach each student this summer for only $50 each, but they are all worth so much more.
- VOTE: Black Girls CODE is one of top three technology education nonprofits nominated to win $50,000 grant by Microsoft’s Azure developer community. Cast your vote now through October 31st, 2013. The nonprofit with the most votes win. Confirm your email to finalize your vote.
- VOLUNTEER: Technical and Nontechnical volunteers are needed to support workshops and other events organized by Black Girls CODE. Sign up to volunteer today.
