BlackGirlsCODE expands digital technology workshop for girls to Atlanta, Georgia

July 25, 2012 - PRLog -- ATLANTA, July 24, 2012 – BlackGirlsCODE heads south to Emory University in Atlanta, GA on July 28th, 2012 as part of their Summer of CODE 2012 national campaign – a program dedicated to giving girls from African American, Latino, and Native American communities the opportunity to learn valuable skills in computer programming and technology and to plant a seed that may "Change the Face" of the future of tech!
Over 160 girls aged 7-17 have registered to attend the upcoming Summer of CODE’s popular “Build a Webpage in a Day” workshop.  Atlanta is one of three cities that will be hosting a live simulcast where the girls will connect and share with other girls located in both San Francisco and Chicago.  

“I wish I had had Black Girls Code when I was little. Helping to host BGC crew at Emory allows me to live vicariously though the young ones who get to participate. I’m excited about what becomes possible after such an early introduction to the creative part of web making.” –Moya Bailey, Founder of Crunk Feminists and a Graduate Student at Emory University. The Atlanta BlackGirlsCODE workshop will be held at the Emory University Woodruff Library on Saturday, July 28th from 10:00am- 3:00pm.

In this one-day, “Build A Webpage” workshop girls will learn the basics of HTML,CSS, and basic web structure. The group has partnered with Mozilla as a Summer Code Party partner and  will use Mozilla  tools such as Hackasaurus and Thimble to introduce students to web-making .  The long-term mission of BlackGirlsCODE is to introduce girls to careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and provide them with skills that will allow them to envision themselves as tech creators and builders and not merely as consumers.

The launch of BlackGirlsCODE in the Atlanta-Metro community is also welcomed by the NewMe Community - Atlanta (a chapter of NewME Accelerator), a start-up accelerator/incubator for businesses that are led by under-represented minorities in the technology industry and by Emory University. The trio partnership aims to help BlackGirlsCODE in their mission to empower and mentor young women of color by highlighting the achievements of women in technology and thereby encourage them to embrace the tech marketplace as builders and creators.

“BGC's mission is right in line with NewMe Accelerators core values.  It's never too early to steer a young persons mind away from consumerism to creation. With BGC's ability to free a young lady’s potential by introducing them to web page creation and coding, their world will be greeted with endless opportunities as they grow and evolve in the digital space.   I look forward to the day the first participant is ready to pitch her first Start-up.” - Jaheed Givens, Program Organizer of NewMe Community - Atlanta

Where is the BlackGirlsCODE organization off to next?

The organization still has Detroit, St. Louis, Los Angeles, and New York to reach before the end of the summer.  Follow their progress on Twitter (@blackgirlscode) or on their website (http://www.BlackGirlsCode.com)

Want BlackGirlsCODE to come to your city?
BlackGirlsCODE mission is to take our workshops nationwide. Email us at future@blackgirlscode.com if you are interested in helping us host a workshop in your area.

About Emory University
Emory University is known for its demanding academics, outstanding undergraduate experience, highly ranked professional schools and state-of-the-art research facilities. Emory encompasses nine academic divisions as well as the Carlos Museum, The Carter Center, the Yerkes National Primate Research Center and Emory Healthcare, Georgia’s largest and most comprehensive health care system.


About BlackGirlsCODE
Since 2011, BlackGirlsCODE has been committed to providing girls from underrepresented communities access to technology and the 21st century skills necessary to become the tech leaders and creators of tomorrow. BlackGirlsCODE’s Summer of CODE campaign was created as vehicle to bridge the digital divide and change the face of tech in the United States. The campaign serves as an awareness program to future weeklong programs taking place in Chicago, Oakland, and Atlanta in the fall.