Black Girls CODE Opens New Chapter in Raleigh-Durham, Seeks to Inspire Girls Through Technology

Girls now have the opportunity to learn website and mobile app development through summer camp and workshops that are supported by Verizon and North Carolina Central University (NCCU).

Photo Courtesy of Black Girls Code

DURHAM, N.C., July 7, 2015 — Girls in the Raleigh-Durham area have a great opportunity this month to learn computer science and coding through two innovative programs offered by the new, local chapter of Black Girls CODE, an organization which focuses on helping minority girls in underserved areas better understand programming and digital technology.

The programs, organized by Black Girls CODE and brought to the Raleigh – Durham area for the first time by Verizon and NCCU, will offer young girls valuable skills in ideation, computation science, teamwork and public speaking. The programs are inexpensive and need-based scholarships are available.

The first event in Raleigh – Durham is a one day workshop entitled Build A Website in a Day. The event kicks off on July 11 for girls ages seven to 17. Attendees will learn basic web design and build their own websites using coding, such as HTML and CSS.

The second event is a Summer Camp from July 20-24 for girls ages 13 and older. Participants will learn mobile app development and entrepreneurship. The camp provides five days of hands-on, project-based instruction, where young ladies work in teams to develop their own apps.

“Our camps and workshops offer a space where girls of color can learn computer science and coding principles alongside their peers, with mentorship from female role models who have established themselves in tech fields where women, and minority women in particular, tend to be underrepresented,” said Kimberly Bryant, Executive Director and Founder of Black Girls CODE.

Jerry Fountain, regional president for Verizon, said: “We are excited that girls in the Raleigh-Durham area now have these important opportunities to gain real-world skills in app development, critical thinking, problem-solving, team collaboration and more. At Verizon, our focus in education is to deliver the promise of a brighter future by empowering students with STEM and entrepreneurship skills through engaging hands-on programs like this.”

Black Girls CODE is one of a number of organizations Verizon supports to provide coding and entrepreneurship skills to more underserved and underrepresented youths across the country. Verizon is also working with Black Girls CODE on similar programs in the Washington, D.C. area.

Both events will be hosted by NCCU at their state of the art biotechnology research facility the Mary Townes Science Complex. For more than 100 years, NCCU has educated the citizens of North Carolina, the United States and the world to become global leaders and practitioners who transform communities.

The two events are open to girls of all experience levels who are interested in computer science, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), mobile apps, design and gaming. The cost for the Build A Website in a DayWorkshop is $35 and includes snacks and lunch. The cost for the Summer Camp Workshop will be $155 and includes snacks and lunch for all five days. Scholarships for both events are available in limited supply for participants with financial need. For more information about both events and links to sign up, go to http://www.blackgirlscode.com/programsevents.html