Connecting Kids from Diverse Backgrounds to Tech Skills

A Q&A with Kimberly Bryant, Founder and Executive Director, Black Girls Who Code and Laura Weidman Powers, Co-Founder, Executive Director, Code2040.

There is no better time than the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy’s Week of Action Celebrating STEM and Black History Month to highlight the tremendous progress being made at organizations, schools, and companies across America to advance the growing “Tech Inclusion” movement -- aimed at connecting students from diverse backgrounds to technology classes, skills, and careers. We know that it’s in the country’s best interest to ensure that this STEM workforce taps into America’s full talent pool and harnesses what is one of the Nation’s greatest assets -- diversity. That’s why the White House has issued a call to tech innovators to work together to ensure that all youth -- particularly those from underserved and historically underrepresented communities, including women and girls -- have the opportunity to study STEM subjects and participate in the technology sector. I had a chance to chat with a few all-star individuals who are making strides toward our shared goal of connecting kids from communities across America to tech opportunities. Bryant, emphasizes that to encourage inclusion of young people of color in the tech industry, organizations like hers need support. And also, kids need to learn to become creators, not just consumers of technology. Powers emphasizes the need for role models in tech and that youth of color should know that they “DO deserve to be in the room, people want them in the room, and that they should feel proud and confident when they achieve something great.”