Google & LOFT Coding Jam in San Jose!

SAN JOSE, CA – Google and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) hosted a LOFT Coding Jam Session at Silver Creek High School (3434 Silver Creek Road, San Jose, CA 95121) at 1:53 p.m. PST on Friday, May 2 as part of the Silicon Valley Latino Leadership Conference 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 will instruct minority youth on how to code with hip-hop, jazz, and salsa music playing in the background, and a Google Chromebook laptop will be 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 Miami, New York, Pittsburgh, Coachella in CA, and Salem, OR, on days to be determines and other markets.  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.”

About HHF and LOFT

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit originally established by the White House in 1987, inspires, prepares, positions and connects minority leaders in the classroom, community and workforce to meet America’s priorities.  HHF also promotes cultural pride, accomplishment, and the great promise of the community through public awareness campaigns seen by millions.  HHF is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has offices in Los Angeles, New York and the LOFT Institute is housed at Michigan State University (Visit www.HispanicHeritage.org.)  Follow Hispanic Heritage Foundation on Facebook and HHFoundation on Twitter.

HHF’s award-winning LOFT leadership and workforce development program is divided into 10 “Tracks,” or industries, which are priorities for America including Innovation & Technology, Science & Healthcare, Engineering, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Education, Public Service, Law, Media & Entertainment, and Latinas.  Tens of thousands of students and young professionals are connected to each other and to mentors and resources; over 50 trainings, workshops, and informal Charlas are hosted across the country; creative initiatives are executed; and hundreds of minorities are placed into internships, mentorships, fellowships and full-time positions with Fortune 500 companies and government agencies.  Visit www.loftinnovation.org, and join http://loftnetwork.org to get on the fast track to leadership.  Follow LOFTinstitute on Twitter.

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Contact:  Santiago Amieva, Santiago@HispanicHeritage.org