Event Overview
Gary K Michelson’s 20MM Foundation brings launches #CodeTruck to bring technology education and career exploration to Los Angeles’ underserved youth
The Gary K Michelson 20MM Foundation and General Assembly partner to bring mobile technology lab and expert programming instructors to high-need schools in Los Angeles
Event Recap
The Michelson 20MM Foundation, General Assembly and Southeast Community Development Corporation (SCDC) launched Project #CodeTruck this month, a series of free introductory coding workshops and career exploration opportunities offered in a one-of-a kind mobile technology lab serving low-income children throughout Los Angeles. Project #CodeTruck aims to open pathways from underserved areas into the region’s growing technology sector.
“Los Angeles has one of the world’s most vibrant technology-based economies. However, while many underserved communities are a mere few miles from Silicon Beach, our region’s burgeoning technology scene; from a cultural standpoint, they could not be farther apart. Project #CodeTruck helps bridge the gap and strengthen opportunities to high paying jobs in the technology sector,” said former California Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez, President of 20MM.
It is estimated that 70% of computing jobs will go unfilled by 2020. Inadequate access to computer programming classes means many students, particularly those who are underserved, will never have the opportunity to explore a career in technology. Likewise, while close to 45 percent of California’s residents identify as underrepresented minorities, a recent study found that of California’s largest technology companies, only three percent of the workforce identified as Black or Latino.
The project culminated on October 18th with an event at Sandra Cisneros – Camino Nuevo Charter Academy and an entrepreneurship fair featuring Google, Spark SC, and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. Featured speakers included: Anthony Kelani, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Showkit, TechCrunch Disrupt Finalist, and Curious Minds supported startup; former Senator Florez; and General Assembly Regional Director, Ryan Meyer.
“We are proud to have partnered with the Twenty Million Minds Foundation on this innovative initiative which has exposed over 100 youth from the inner city to careers in coding. Project #CodeTruck hopes to highlight the value of technology in underserved communities and elevate a larger discussion around the importance of cultivating local talent for advancing business growth, encouraging new investment and hiring, sparking innovation, and promoting economic growth and prosperity in the Los Angeles region ,” said Ryan Meyer.
About The Michelson Twenty Million Minds Foundation
The Gary K Michelson 20MM is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing higher education into the digital age through public and private partnerships that increase access, affordability, and student success. 20MM and its initiatives are made possible by the generous support of Dr. Gary Michelson and his wife, Alya Michelson.
Event Photos
