As tech continues to be implemented in most aspects of the world, various nonprofits are working to achieve racial equity in the field.
As of now, there are only 7% of Black tech workers in the computing workforce, according to the NAACP’s American Community Survey
To increase representation, here are five Black-led nonprofits dedicated to supporting the youth in technology.
- Black Girls Do Stem: Created by Cynthia Chapple, Black Girls Do Stem is a nonprofit that invests in the future of Black girls in STEM. Focusing on middle school-aged Black girls interested in tech and the sciences, the group encourages young girls to explore STEM through learning opportunities and other methods of support. Dedicated to addressing the lack of Black women in scientific and engineering positions, Black Girls Do Stem offers a variety of programs.
While the Stem Saturday Program offers girls a foundation about the world of STEM, the Empowerment, Preparation & Placement program provides ACT test preparation, internship and tutoring services. College-aged girls can also get mentor support through the Virtual Collegiate Community program.
- Black Girls Code: Founded by Kimberly Bryant in 2011, Black Girls Code has offered a variety of support to BIPOC girls ages 7 to 25, creating initiatives that provide education, build community and develop careers. The nonprofit offers day camps and boot camps throughout the country to help young girls develop the skills needed to work in the tech industry. Programs focus on a variety of topics including designing e-cards, making games, building a shopping app and using Python.
- The Hidden Genius Project: First started in 2012, the Hidden Genius Project is a nonprofit created as a collaboration between five Black men who strived to bring Black male youth into the tech field. Through the Hidden Genius Project, the program aims to connect young Black males with mentors to facilitate skill building and help them get started as technologists. Programs focus on computer science, software development and entrepreneurship and are often exposure-based.
- Code2040: Code2040 is a Black-led nonprofit that has worked with more than 250 organizations in the tech world to help with the recruitment and mentorship of young Black tech talents. Named after the projected decade when the U.S. will become mostly made up of BIPOC Americans, the group offers a variety of programs built around achieving racial equity.
- Gameheads: Based in California, Gameheads is a nonprofit co-founded by Damon Packwood. Dedicated to using video games to study game design, the group teaches BIPOC youth from the ages of 15 to 24 how to code, work in teams and create interactive games. Through programs such as Gameheads LIVE and the Gameheads Accreditation Program, Gameheads offers free classes on narrative design, AR, VR and professional development.
