A group of girls in Durham, North Carolina had the opportunity to learn skills to create their own websites this past Saturday in an event put on by Black Girls Code.
Only female students, ages seven to 17, were invited to participate in the program held at the computer labs at North Carolina Central University's Mary Townes Science Complex. Each had their own motivations for participating.
“I wanted to learn about technology a little bit more so that so I know what to do later on in life” Kyla Newkark said, while Alivia Collins said she wanted to “Build robots and speak to them so they can do what I want them to do.”
The aim of the program, however, is the same for all of the girls: get them started on a path for a career in technology, where women, especially black women, are sorely underrepresented.
“Women are overwhelmingly underrepresented in the tech space, and especially women of color are overwhelmingly underrepresented. And so we believe the creators of technology should reflect the consumers of technology,” said Reilly Ellis, a program coordinator from Black Girls Code.
Black Girls Code is hosting more events in Durham this summer. They'll learn things like HTML, CSS coding, mobile app development, and website design. More importantly, they'll learn confidence.
“Girls can do anything, so it’s not just boys and everything like that. So just, like, do your best and you can accomplish anything,” said student Torchea Bumpers.
Find out more about Black Girls Code summer events
here, and how to get involved.
