Black Girls CODE Digital Technology Workshops for Girls Builds Momentum in Memphis

March 1, 2013 - PRLog -- On Saturday, February 16, 2013, Black Girls CODE (BGC), a San Francisco based non-profit organization, held its inaugural  “Build A Webpage In A Day” technology workshop at Rhodes College, in the Paul Barret Library,  over 70 girls learned how to use coding and HTML skills to build a web page. See the students’ progress in the workshop at  http://www.rebelmouse.com/blackgirlscode

The Memphis Chapter experienced such an overwhelming response in registration for the first workshop that a second webpage workshop has been scheduled for Saturday, March 2nd, 2013.  

The BGC Memphis Chapter, its Charter Sponsor Lokion, and others partners in the community including Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis, LunaWeb, and All World Project Management educated girls from underrepresented communities on the technology and the 21st century skills necessary to become the tech leaders and creators of tomorrow. “I am very pleased with the tremendous success of our inaugural workshop, and I believe it will prove to be a landmark moment in a growing movement to address a critical digital divide issue and advance our city through encouraging more widespread interest in technology careers among our youth,” said Meka Egwuekwe, Black Girls CODE Memphis Chapter Lead.

During the workshop, the students were split into groups by age and grade level. Paired into groups, the girls were tasked with creating a webpage based on their own interests.  At the end of the workshop, the instructors selected a student from each of the classes to present their projects which were some of the most innovative and creative to the entire gathering.

Responding to the demand from the Memphis community for educational programs that engage and empower girls in tech topics, the workshop will be held again Saturday, March 2nd, 2013. This workshop also sold out. In an effort to deepen the connections between participants, parents and instructors and build a community, Black Girls CODE will partner with Bonfyre. This free, private mobile app allows participants at events to talk to one another in a private chat space and continue the conversation and education after the workshop.

Kimberly Bryant, founder of Black Girls CODE and recent winner of a Jefferson Award for Community Service and Echoing Green Award Semi-finalist, is excited to see the success of the workshop. “Black Girls CODE is a transformative global movement fueled by the power of individual but connected engaged chapters. We are all dedicated to providing girls of color with the technical skills and inspiration to become technology leaders of tomorrow through the workshops in digital technology that we offer in cities like Memphis and across the globe. I am thrilled to see the strength and the growth of BGC in the Memphis chapter. Their critical work not only educates girls in Memphis, my hometown,  but empowers girls around the globe.”

This workshop was the first of many classes Black Girls CODE to be held in Memphis.  The chapter plans to host several additional workshops in 2013 on a variety of technology topics, as well as informative field trips. For more information about the Memphis chapter, contact Meka Egwuekwe, meka@lokion.com, 901-484-4203.

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, #BGCGlobal will #ChangeTheRatio #1GirlataTime by launching 7 local chapters and bringing tech programming to 15 new cities. Join BGC at http://facebook.com/blackgirlscode and @BlackGirlsCODE.

Contact Information

Karen-Michelle Mirko

KarenMichelle.Mirko@gmail.com
718.496.7041

Chapter Lead
Meka Egwuekwe
meka@lokion.com
(901) 484-4203