Unacceptable level of representation: just 2% of tech jobs are filled by Black females. Cristina Mancini recognizes this issue.
Black Girls Code (BGC), an organization dedicated to increasing the representation of Black women in the tech industry, is making significant strides in achieving its ambitious goal set by current leader Cristina Mancini: to see one million girls of color in tech by 2040.
Founded by Kimberly Bryant, BGC is redefining the narrative for Black women in tech, focusing on Black joy in technology rather than marketing trauma as a success story. The organization's work, as featured in the film Coded Bias, shines a light on algorithmic discrimination and inspires others to prioritize fairness in AI development.
BGC is implementing several initiatives and strategies to achieve this goal. Workshops and summer camps offer practical, hands-on experiences to equip Black girls with coding skills and technology exposure, fostering early interest and skill development in tech. The organization's digital content and online learning, such as an interactive YouTube series, serve over 8 million learners, expanding reach beyond physical locations and providing continual learning opportunities.
Competitions like the Black Beauty AI Challenge, a contest encouraging Black girls and young women to create AI-generated videos that reflect their perspectives on Black beauty, promote creative use of advanced tech tools and empower participants to shape AI narratives relevant to their culture. BGC also provides skills, opportunities, and resources to ensure Black girls see themselves as tech leaders and can launch sustainable careers.
Community building is a key aspect of BGC's strategy. The organization fosters a supportive community or “sisterhood” through its programs, which helps sustain motivation and provides peer and mentor support in a field where Black women are underrepresented.
One shining example of BGC's impact is Ife Joseph, a member of the Black Girls Code community, who created an app called "Mental Health for Social Justice" and was nominated for TIME magazine's "Kid of the year" award in 2021.
The lack of representation of underrepresented groups in the tech industry can lead to technologies that fail to address the needs of these communities. By creating an ecosystem where under-recognized talent thrives as developers, innovators, and leaders across all technology sectors, BGC is ensuring that Black girls' unique perspectives contribute to a more equitable and innovative industry.
As the tech industry continues to evolve, BGC's curriculum is being adapted to position students as leaders in the technological revolution. With the upcoming release of a new season of their free video-based coding academy, Code Along, later this month, and events with AI ethicist Dr. Avriel Epps this spring, BGC is actively working to meet Mancini's goal by scaling programs over the coming years.
Statistics show that only 2 percent of tech roles are currently held by Black women. By empowering Black girls to enter the field of tech, BGC aims to help close this gap and create a more diverse and inclusive tech industry. Diverse teams are better equipped to create inclusive products and services that serve a broader audience, making BGC's mission not only important for Black girls but for the tech industry as a whole.
- Google search might reveal more about Black Girls Code (BGC), an organization championing the rise of Black women in the tech industry.
- BGC's focus on Black joy in technology, as opposed to marketing trauma as a success story, is a refreshing approach in the tech sphere.
- YouTube is one platform where BGC's digital content, including an interactive series, reaches over 8 million learners, expanding education-and-self-development opportunities beyond physical locations.
- BGC's initiatives, like the Black Beauty AI Challenge, encourage creative use of AI and foster tech careers among Black girls, contributing to diversity-and-inclusion in the tech industry.
- Facebook or other social media platforms could showcase Ife Joseph, a BGC member who created the "Mental Health for Social Justice" app and was nominated for TIME's "Kid of the Year" award, exemplifying the impact of BGC's work.
- With AI ethicist Dr. Avriel Epps and the new season of Code Along, BGC continues to adapt its curriculum for the future of tech careers and business.
- By closing the gap in tech roles currently held by Black women, only 2 percent according to statistics, BGC aims to ensure a more diverse and inclusive tech industry, benefiting both underrepresented groups and the wider tech world.
