CodeCrew is leading the youth coding movement in Memphis. As a nonprofit organization founded by Audrey Jones, Petya Grady and Meka Egwuekwe, CodeCrew empowers kids from underserved communities to be tech innovators and leaders through practical, hands-on computer science mentoring and training.
With a goal of making a wide and positive impact on Memphis, the intent is to introduce large numbers of kids to coding and mentoring them as they grow with it -- with the hope that more kids will chose careers in computer science and STEM.
Information technology is an ever-increasing part of our lives. CodeCrew founders say they realized that the digital skills gap is significant for adults and children nationwide, but that it is particularly pronounced in Memphis, where 45% of households do not have computers and broadband in the home.
“Schools have cut 90% of computer skills classes and are failing to expose students to computer programming,” said Jones. “This is threatening our city’s prosperity. And while a handful of isolated efforts have been launched to address expose our youth to digital skills the vast majority are going unserved.”
Jones went on to explain, “CodeCrew provides in-depth computer science training and mentoring to Memphis area K-12 students. Our continuum of classes and workshops for beginners to advanced skills are delivered both in the classroom and as an opt-in extra-curricular activity.”
All three founders work in the tech space in Memphis and were already familiar with Start Co. in various capacities.
“We decided to launch our non-profit through Start Co.’s Sky High accelerator so that our organization would benefit from the best business foundations and networking opportunities possible, and do so within an environment that encourages and nurtures such initiatives,” explained Egwuekwe.
“Our future in Memphis centers on scaling CodeCrew to reach 10,000 kids by introducing them to coding, tech mentoring, and STEM career opportunities. The Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation recently engaged us to deliver a six-week, summer digital code camp that taught middle schoolers how to build mobile apps complete with a hackathon where they can showcase what they’ve learned. We will launch our program as an after-school program on September 15.”
As they grow the program, Jones said that CodeCrew will need more instructors, more volunteers, more partners, and more funding so that they are equipped to reach thousands of kids across multiple digital skills and topics.
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