IN THE NEWS

We’re excited and proud to announce the launch of From Code to Creation, a new iteration of programming meant to support youth ages 13 to 17. Thanks to a generous grant from Foundation for Black Communities, this initiative will reach Black Boys Code and Black Kids Code (Girls) students across four chapters – Calgary, Hamilton, Toronto and Windsor – and provide an innovative learning experience through the use of local Makerspaces.

The intent of From Code to Creation is to create a transformative, hands-on learning environment that will empower Black youth to think critically, and problem solve as they tackle abstract concepts. The program will host lectures across local Makerspaces, or communal learning environments with access to technology, so students can increase their collaboration, creativity and communication skills.

Having Makerspaces that welcome Black youth will give them the chance to learn and grow in a safe space. They’ll soar to new heights and learn to succeed, but also find that it’s okay to fail and figure things out as they grasp new concepts. One of the reasons why Black Boys Code and Black Kids Code (Girls) leaders chose to invest in this type of training is because they wanted to students to learn how to embrace resilience on their journeys toward becoming more advanced in their tech skills.

Some of the desired outcomes for this program are to equip students with enhanced 3D printing skills, increased interest in STEM, community engagement and collaboration and make a positive, lasting impact on program participants. In total, our leaders hope this programming has a lasting impact on at least 180 students across these four chapters.

Similarly, we are actively seeking to build relationships with more than a dozen Makerspaces across our local market to create an engaging and accessible pipeline for students. We will be reaching out to local school districts, business leaders and other educational and community-based programs to share more about our new initiative, and hopefully, expand our reach across our targeted areas.

This project is funded by the Foundation for Black Communities, with partial support from the Government of Canada.