HHF and the U.S. Army to host two LOFT Coder Summits in Los Angeles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                               Contact: Sebastian Arnavat, 914-356-6716

                                                                                                         [email protected]

HISPANIC HERITAGE FOUNDATION AND THE U.S. ARMY TO HOST TWO LATINOS ON FAST TRACK (LOFT) CODER SUMMITS IN LOS ANGELES AREA AT CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, POMONA

Hundreds of Latino/a programmers —students, professionals and entrepreneurs – are expected for two days of workshops, competitions and networking

LOS ANGELES, CA (March 26 and 27, 2019) — The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) and the U.S. Army will host the Latinos On Fast Track (LOFT) Coder Summits (LCS) on Tuesday, March 26^th and Wednesday, March 27^th, 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. at Cal Poly Pomona (Bronco Student Center, 3801 West Temple Avenue, Pomona, CA 91768). Hundreds of students interested in computer programming are registered to attend back-to-back workshops, start-up pitch competitions, networking and career opportunities discussions, all with the spirit of cultural pride. Join the discussion by using the hashtag #LOFTCoders.

“We are thrilled to partner with the U.S. Army to identify, prepare and connect Latino software engineers to move the tech industry and America’s workforce forward,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. “We are at the intersection of a nation in need of tech workers and talent-rich Latino community, and we look to redefining the landscape of computer technology while building a stronger community of innovators.”

In addition to the U.S. Army, other sponsors and partners of the LOFT Coder Summits are Southwest Airlines, Google, AT&T, SpaceX, Comerica Bank, and Teach for America.

The LOFT Coder Summits (LCS) are part of HHF’s broader Code as a Second Language (CSL) national initiative which includes LCS’s in major cities across the country as well as HHF teaching computer coding to K-12 students in up to 50 regions across the country as well as hosting nascent Latino start-ups through LOFT Labs.  HHF also connects Latino programmers through the LOFT Network for mentoring, sharing ideas and accessing resources to move forward in the tech space.  LCS feed a “tech ecosystem” to fill the tech gap in America’s workforce.

“The Army is proud to partner with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation to emphasize the importance of computer technology and coding to the success of today’s Latino youth,” said Hamilton Lopezcruz, Marketing Manager for the Army Marketing and Research Group (AMRG). “Hispanics are the second-fastest growing demographic in the United States and so the U.S. Army recognizes the value of empowering Latino youth to become tomorrow’s skilled leaders in the workforce.”

By mobilizing Latino/a coders, programmers, hackers, developers and computer scientists for the free, one-day event in a series of panels and breakout workshop sessions with expert Army and Latino tech leaders, HHF and the Army are spearheading national change.  The Summit’s workshops will provide inspiration, connect coders and provide tools needed to not only consume but create in an increasingly digital future.

The LCS as part of the CSL initiative includes the development and mobilization of a network of Latino software engineers ready to introduce computer programming to under-represented students across the country. Over the last 5 years, we have proved that our community provides a value proposition to the United States by bringing together developers from across the nation, both students and professionals to celebrate Latino culture, innovation and passion for computer programming.

 AGENDA

9:00 am – 10:00 am                Continental Breakfast and Registration

10:00 am – 10:15 am              Welcome Remarks

 10:15 am – 11:05 am              Workshop Session #1

11:05 am – 12:00 pm              Workshop Session #2 

12:00 pm – 12:40 pm              Lunch & Networking

12:40 pm – 1:20 pm                Hacking a Career in Technology                           

1:20 pm – 1:50 pm                  Start-up Pitch Competition

 1:50 pm – 2:00 pm                  Closing

ABOUT HHF

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation – a nonprofit established by the White House in 1987 – inspires, prepares, 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 Los Angeles with satellite workspaces in New York, Silicon Valley, San Antonio, and Miami (Visit www.HispanicHeritage.org).

ABOUT THE ARMY MARKETING AND RESEARCH GROUP

The Army Marketing and Research Group is the U.S. Army’s national marketing and marketing research and analysis organization. The AMRG develops innovative and effective ways to: connect with the American public and make the Army more accessible and understood; increase awareness of both the benefits and value of Army service; and motivate the most qualified candidates to choose the Army as their service of choice.