LOFT Hosts Coder Summits in 4 Nat’l Markets

HISPANIC HERITAGE FOUNDATION HOSTS SERIES OF LOFT CODER SUMMITS IN FOUR REGIONS ACROSS COUNTRY – AT UCLA ON OCTOBER 3

Latin@ Programmers – Students, Professionals and Entrepreneurs – to Attend Free, One-Day Workshops, Networking, and Cultural Pride

WASHINGTON, DC – The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) will host a series of LOFT (Latinos On Fast Track) Coder Summits (LCS) for Latin@ developers including professionals, students and entrepreneurs in four regions: Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, Austin, and Minneapolis.  The LCS in Silicon Valley, which took place at Stanford, attracted more than 500 registered programmers (40 percent Latina) last spring with hundreds attending the one-day summit of workshops, discussions and networking to expand access to the Latino coder community.   The LCS in LA will be held on Saturday, October 3^rd, at UCLA starting at 8:30 a.m. (see below for sample agenda). For more details and to register visit http://goo.gl/Sqyddw.  Guest speakers and sponsors of the LCS will be announced soon.  Surveys of participants of past LCS said the top reason to attend was “to be around other Latino programmers.”

“The thought that the tech industry can’t find Latino programmers leads to the notion that there aren’t any Latino programmers and the next thought will be that Latinos aren’t capable, which is absolutely not true – and we want to prove it,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation.  “Seeing a Latino programmer shouldn’t be akin to seeing a unicorn … We want to continue to shatter stereotypes and redefine the landscape of computer technology in Silicon Valley and across America while building a stronger community of innovators to move forward with greater unity, purpose and vision.  The Summit is the first step then the CSL Initiative and other programs throughout the year we have developed to ensure Latinos have a strong presence in the tech industry.”

Sample Agenda

• Hours 1-2: Registration and Welcome
• Hours 3-5: Workshops; e.g.: iOS Development, Data Processing, Growth Hacking, Technical Interviewing
• Hours 6-8: Start-Up Pitches and Panels
• Hours 8-9: Group Discussion and Closing
• All participants are connected and tracked through the LOFT Network to build an ecosystem of talent to support entrepreneurs, higher education, social innovation, and the tech industry

The Summit is part of HHF’s LOFT Code as a Second Language (CSL) initiative which will also feature HHF mobilizing their developer network to introduce computer programming to students across the country.  Grade, middle and high school students in more than 15 markets and 50 schools are being taught how to code this year through an average eight-session course, which includes certifications and also engages private sector volunteers. (Although there are over 2 million vacant jobs in the tech fields over the next five years, 90 percent of schools don’t teach coding – CSL is designed to fill that gap).  A CSL effort focused on introducing coding to immigrants at the Mexican consulates will be piloted this summer in San Jose through a partnership between HHF, the Mexican Consulate, and Saber es Poder. “We want to help the Latino community, including immigrants, provide America with a value proposition in the workforce because there is no other option for growth in the tech and innovation space,” added Tijerino. The overall CSL concept is that in order to thrive in America’s workforce, Latinos need to learn yet a another language – code. To learn more about CSL, become a sponsor or to request CSL come to a school or community, visit www.loftcsl.org.

HHF’s award-winning LOFT leadership and workforce development program is divided into 10 priorities or Tracks including Innovation & Technology, Engineering, Science, Healthcare, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Education, Public Service, Media & Entertainment, and Latinas.  Tens of thousands of students and young professionals (ages 15-35) in the LOFT Network are connected to each other, mentors and resources; attend over 75 trainings, workshops, and informal Charlas hosted across the country and online; creative initiatives are developed and executed; and hundreds are placed into internships, mentorships, fellowships and full-time positions with Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. LOFT has been recognized by The White House, Congress, the government of Mexico, Fortune 500 companies, and other nonprofits.  Southwest Airlines is the Official Airline of the LOFT program.

About HHF

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation, which was originally established by the White House in 1988, inspires, prepares, positions and connects Latino 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, Miami, New York and the LOFT Institute is housed at Michigan State University (Visit www.HispanicHeritage.org.)

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Contact:  Alberto Avalos, Alberto@loftinstitute.org, 323.397.9862