Black Girls CODE and Lokion unite to close the digital divide in Memphis #1GirlAtATime

Feb. 15, 2013 - PRLog -- Black Girls CODE (BGC) is thrilled to partner with Lokion, a Memphis-based interactive agency, to engage, educate, and empower girls in Memphis to become the next generation of technology leaders. As a Charter Sponsor of the Memphis chapter, Lokion is part of the founding support that enables BGC to provide girls from underrepresented communities access to technology and the 21st century skills necessary to become the tech leaders and creators of tomorrow. This critical work to close the digital divide will be conducted through workshops, internships, field trips and mentoring.

BGC and Lokion are delighted by the initial response from the Memphis community. The first “Build a Webpage” workshop on Saturday, Feb. 16, at Rhodes College was oversold in five days and required the chapter to schedule a second workshop for March 2, which will also be hosted at Rhodes College. While the organization conducts targeted outreach to girls from underrepresented communities, the workshops are open to all girls between the ages of 10-17. A total of 120 girls have registered.

“We were eager to support this great organization because it exposes bright young minds to the art and science of programming, and it aims to make the field more diverse,” said Mike O’Hearn, Chief Operating Officer at Lokion. “The girls benefit now, but this is a good investment for the future of our communities and our workplaces.”

Local parent and Lokion software developer Meka Egwuekwe helped bring BGC to Memphis. “I was excited about Black Girls CODE, first because of my own daughters, and second because I love Memphis and believe that through Black Girls CODE we can begin a landmark transformation of our great city.”

HYPERLINK "http://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlybryant" \hKimberly Bryant, founder of Black Girls CODE and recent winner of the Digital Vanguard Award from Women Interactive, is excited to see the work to close the digital divide blast off in her hometown. “Black Girls CODE is a transformative global movement fueled by the power of individual but connected engaged chapters dedicated to providing girls of color with the technical skills and inspiration to become technology leaders of tomorrow. I am thrilled about this support which fuels the launch and work of this chapter in Memphis, which is where I got my start."

For more information about the Memphis chapter, contact Meka Egwuekwe, HYPERLINK "mailto:meka@lokion.com" \hmeka@lokion.com, 901-484-4203.

About Lokion

Lokion is a team of experts crafting digital solutions that work for real people. Specializing in smart ecommerce, enterprise governance and digital strategy, Lokion designs and develops all aspects of large-scale B2B, B2C websites, software applications, branding solutions and more. Lokion’s results stem from a commitment to immediate and long-term client business goals, plus an understanding of how consumers want to interact with brands online. Clients include top companies in manufacturing, luxury goods, banking, retail, hospitality and logistics markets. For more information and a list of clients, visit HYPERLINK "http://www.lokion.com" \hwww.lokion.com.

About Black Girls CODE

Since 2011, Black Girls CODE has been a transformative global movement fueled by the power of individual but connected and engaged chapters dedicated to providing girls of color with the technical skills and inspiration to become technology leaders of tomorrow. Black Girls CODE is committed to changing the face of technology. In 2012 - its first full year of programming - BGC engaged, educated and empowered 800 girls in 16 cities across the globe. In 2013, BGC will #ChangeTheRatio #1GirlataTime by launching 7 local chapters and bringing tech programming to 15 new cities. Join BGC at facebook.com/blackgirlscode and @BlackGirlsCode .

Contact Information

Black Girls CODE

Karen-Michelle Mirko

KarenMichelle.Mirko@gmail.com

718.496.7041