CHICAGO, IL – Google and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) hosted a host LOFT Coding Jam Session at Kilmer Elementary School at 12:30 p.m. CST, on Wednesday, March 26, 2014, in an effort to introduce minority youth to computer coding as a bridge to career paths in technology fields to fill the skills gap in America. The free, bilingual Jam Session instructed minority youth on how to code with hip-hop, jazz, and salsa music playing in the background, and a Google Chromebook laptop was provided to the student with the best idea to make a positive impact on their community..
LOFT is HHF’s award-winning leadership and workforce development program and the Coding Jam Sessions – which are being executed all over the country – are part of LOFT’s Innovation & Technology Track. Other LOFT Tracks include Science & Healthcare, Engineering, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Education, Public Service, and Media & Entertainment. Past Jam Sessions have taken place in Los Angeles, Washington, DC, Wheaton, MD, and in Austin as part of SXSW Festival. Upcoming sessions will be held in Silicon Valley as part of Silicon Valley Latino Leadership Conference (May 2), Miami (TBD in spring), New York (TBD in spring), Pittsburgh (TBD in spring), Coachella in CA (TBD in spring), Salem, OR (TBD in spring), and other markets TBD. HHF will also video the events to post online for students, educators, nonprofits and even parents to access the LOFT curriculum as an introduction to coding.
“Driving this effort is the belief that all young people throughout our communities deserve access to technology-based programs and trainings,” said Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of HHF. “I’m thrilled to partner with Google to inspire and equip minority youth to be world-class innovators – there is no greater way to make an impact on society going forward than through technology.”
LOFT, which stands for Leaders On Fast Track, is HHF’s award-winning leadership and workforce development program and the Coding Jam Sessions, which are being executed across the country in over 10 markets, LOFT’s Innovation & Technology Track.
