Actress Malinda Williams, together with her non-profit Arise And Shine Foundation Inc., has launched an HBCU coding bootcamp.

Malinda Williams HBCU coding bootcamp

The initiative called the E.S.T.E.A.M. Project is aimed specifically towards women who attend an Historically Black  university or college (HBCU).

Williams made the announcement via Instagram.

“We’re excited to announce the launch of The E.S.T.E.A.M. Project, a coding bootcamp initiative designed for women at HBCUs, fostering change, inspiration, and sisterhood.⁠ Let’s Do It,” she wrote.

Throughout the course of the bootcamp’s coding curriculum, the inaugural cohort will meet virtually to develop an app project or showcase project with guidance and curriculum assistance provided by the program sponsor.

“Our team will identify experts in the field of education and computer science to help integrate and execute the curriculum program,” Williams continued.

Why the program was created

Malinda Williams established the Arise and Shine Foundation along with her sisters, Lisa Williams Sorensen and Leslie Williams Dunn, to support underserved and underrepresented women and girls in overcoming challenges and reaching their full potential, guiding them through adversity, trauma, and disadvantages towards a fulfilling life.

“I wanted to create a space where women could come together and learn from each other, support each other, and collaborate on projects that pour back into their communities.” Williams wrote.

“As a professional actress and someone who has benefited greatly from the support of my community. I understand first-hand the value of collaboration and paying it forward.”

Malinda Williams HBCU coding bootcamp deadline

The deadline to apply is March 31, 2024. For more, information please visit asforwomen.org

Fearless Identities by Paris and Avril Lux is an outlet for positive news, motivation, and a safe-space for the unheard to be heard.

After being excluded and isolated from groups at school, two teen sisters decided to react by developing a website to end social exclusion. Paris and Avril Lux said they wanted to inspire others to speak up about their experiences so they created Fearless Identities.

Fearless Identities

The website, coded completely by the 14-year-olds, provides motivation, positive news and acts as a safe space for identities like them.

Mission

Paris and Avril says their mission is to give a voice to the unheard. Being ignored and excluded has made them feel like they’re not good enough and they want to let others know that they’re not alone.

“We hope that they can find the positive sides of life and hope that our website inspires others to speak to people who might seem like they’re being socially excluded.”, said the teens in an interview with WONK.

Check out Fearless Identities website

Black Women Tech Talk returned for its 5th year and its biggest one ever, seeking to empower and educate women tech entrepreneurs.

About Black Women Tech Talk

In an industry that is heavily dominated by men, Black Women Tech Talk aims to inspire while also balance the inequity in funding and to create opportunities for brilliant minds in tech.

Last week, Black Women Tech talk held its annual Roadmap to Billions 2021 conference , a two-day virtual  (August 12th and August 13th) convergence that had both tech and venture capital, to help attendees develop their ideas and bridge the gap around funding.

The Roadmap to Billions is a conference built from the perspective of Black women and is the only tech conference created by Black female founders for Black female founders and supporters of the community.

“Our mission is to inspire and support black women to build the next billion-dollar tech company. At the time, I don’t think we realized that we just created the first-ever conference for black women technology founders.” Esosa Ighodaro & Regina Gwynn, Co-founders of BWTT

said in an interview with Yahoo! Finance.

During the virtual sessions, keynote speakers candidly shared their “algorithms” to keys and tools for success.

In one session entitled What Is Your Why with reality star, entertainer, and serial entrepreneur Kandi Burruss, Burruss talked about finding your passion and putting your focus into one goal before moving onto the next.

“Find out what is fun to you and turn it into a business,” Burruss said.

This year, aside from its informational sessions, the conference gave attendees employment opportunities and a chance at $50,000 in a pitch competition.

Racial Basis in Coding Discussed At Black Women Tech Talk

While Black women are the most educated group in the United States, they are severely underrepresented in the tech industry.

When women do enter their way into the industry, they are often faced with intense oversight, scrutiny and discrimination.

Racial Basis in Coding, a thought-provoking session at the conference, aimed to bring those problems to light.

One panelist reminded attendees that “it’s not in your head” when dealing with these profound issues and to fight, speak out, and use your voice.

Path Forward

With chapters in Atlanta, New York, and San Francisco, the conference is now the largest convening of Black women tech entrepreneurs and technologists.

Black Women Tech Talk’s goal is continue to make an impact to Black women across the nation.