jtotheizzoe:

Thanks to reader Jenine for sending this my way. Really happy to hear about the Black Girls Code initiative.

In these many branches we call science, engineering and technology, pretty much everyone but white males is underrepresented (not true in all disciplines, but most). The reasons for this are many, hitting rungs on the ladder all the way from societal prejudices to wacky educational policies. The effects are clear though. From their IndieGogo page (emphasis mine, plus I edited it so the stats are a little clearer):

Over the next decade the U.S. economy will create 120,000 jobs that require computer science degrees, but American colleges will only produce 40,000 graduates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, that means we only have about 30% of graduates to fill these type of jobs. And although women currently make up 57% of undergraduate degrees, women only make up 18% of computer science graduates. For women of color these numbers are significantly lower. Black women make up 3% of students graduating with a computer science degree, Latinas and Native Americans make less than 1%

I don’t need a computer to calculate that this is a little out of whack. I come from the world of biology, and in a building of 300 or so researchers, 3 were black, and one of those was a woman. I know from talking with the people who follow this blog that these numbers don’t represent interest or ability. 

There are many projects like this, surely, but any way that we can help one meet its goal and try to make a difference is a win for all of them, and all of us.

thegolddrippethblack:

Black Girls Code NEEDS YOU. 

This is a unique non-profit that introduces young girls of color into the fields of technology. They are influencing and building the next pioneers!

They desperately need your help to raise 100k and introduce young girls of color into the fields of technology!

DONATE WHAT EVER YOU CAN! They have some amazing perks!

Let’s enrich our girls of color. They too deserve to learn in an environment that does not isolate them. THIS IS IMPORTANT.