Google 'Code Next' helps Black and Hispanic students get excited about computer science

Many companies like to talk about diversity and inclusion nowadays, but for some, it seems to be nothing more than a way to get positive publicity. True diversity is not about having a balanced employee pie chart to show off to the media, but giving everyone opportunities despite things like gender, skin color, sex, and religion.

Today, Google announces that its 'Code Next' initiative is officially launching in Oakland, California. What is it, exactly? The search giant is looking to help Black and Hispanic students to get excited about computer science. Sadly, according to Google, more than half of Black students, and close to half of Hispanic students, do not have access to computer science learning. 'Code Next' is looking to change this.

"Code Next aims to create 'aha!' moments that connect computer science to students' everyday lives. It's funded entirely by Google, and free for all participants. Partner organizations, such as Black Girls Code and local middle schools, nominate students to join, and the fun and culturally-relevant curriculum focuses on general CS concepts. Participants drive their own projects -- such as designing and programming a robot and 3D printing an Android chess set -- and after months of learning, become creators of technology that they can share with their community", says Nilka Thomas, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Google

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Thomas further explains, "we've been running a pilot program for Code Next since January, 2016, but with the opening of our inaugural space, we're ready for prime time. The Oakland location is a 1,500-square-foot lab conceived in collaboration with MIT Media Lab, The Unity Council and Kurani design. We're also opening up a space in Harlem, New York, in 2017 -- until then, students will attend classes at Google's New York headquarters. We selected Oakland and Harlem based on density of the target student population and commitment to CS education at both the grassroots and partner levels. In the long term, our goal is to open-source the curriculum to educators everywhere".

Wow, Google is actually putting its money where its mouth is! This is undoubtedly an amazing program that will empower Black and Hispanic students to seriously consider careers in computer science. Rather than talk about diversity and inclusion, the Pixel-maker is acting on it.

While some folks will chastise the program for not being open to other skin colors or heritages, the eventual open source nature of the program should close any gaps. In other words, any school or organization can leverage an open source curriculum -- for all students. Ultimately, it would be wrong to criticize the search giant for focusing 'Code Next' on only these two groups, when the data shows that is where help is needed.

Of course, Google's money is a big perk for 'Code Next' -- an open source curriculum on its own will not likely flourish without funding. Hopefully the search giant keeps the cash flowing for a long time!

What do you think of this new Google initiative? Tell me in the comments.