Google & HHF Host NYC Coding Jam!

New York, NY – Google, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF), and Practice Makes Perfect hosted a LOFT ^TM (Leaders On Fast Track) Coding Jam Session at I.S. 392 (104 Sutter Avenue, Brooklyn) on July 24, 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 – taking place in more than 10 markets across the US – 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. (HHF follows up the introduction phase with an online curriculum and provides certification after students complete the level.  Students are connected to HHF and each other through LOFTnetwork.org.)

“Driving this effort is the belief that all youth deserve to have access to high-level technology programs and trainings,” said Antonio Tijerino, President of HHF. “It’s critical we prepare youth for careers in an area in which our workforce has the greatest need.  We are thrilled to partner with Google and innovative educational institutions to inspire and equip minority youth to be world-class innovators.  There is no greater way to make an impact than through technology to move not just the Latino community forward but America forward.”

Google and HHF are working nationally to combat an educational and workforce development crisis: in the next 10 years there will be approximately one million more jobs in the US tech sector than qualified computer science grads to fill them (90 percent of K-12 schools don’t teach computer coding).  HHF is even working on offering a Coding Jam Session through game-based coding concepts for K-6 grade to provide game-based, computer science concepts.  ^LOFT’s Jam Sessions plus Video Gaming and Phone App challenge and other programs are designed to fill the void in education and workforce development in America.

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, guides and resources; over 50 trainings, workshops, and informal Charlas are hosted across the country and online; 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.

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.

About Practice Makes Perfect

Practice Makes Perfect is an innovative 501(c)(3) education organization that partners with communities to create high quality summer learning opportunities for inner-city youth from elementary school through college matriculation. Through a holistic enrichment experience, students master concepts from our curricula that focuses on targeted skill development.

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Contact:  Santiago Amieva, [email protected]