America On Tech + Los Angeles Urban League + DIY Girls Launch Spring Virtual Tech Workshop Series

America On Tech (AOT) will be partnering with the Los Angeles Urban League (LAUL) and DIY Girls to deliver a Virtual Tech Workshop Series this spring for high school juniors, seniors and recent graduates. This series will introduce students to various coding and technology topics that can help prepare them to pursue degrees and careers in technology.

Each workshop session is 2 hours long and takes place via Zoom during out-of-school time from 4 PM - 6 PM PST. The series runs for 5 weeks and covers the following topics: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, UX Design, and Podcasting. Sessions are run by AOT Program Managers and volunteer technologists representing different technology companies.  Through all 5 sessions, students will be building up a technology portfolio of projects they can leverage for future job interviews and school applications, all the while networking with young people who will become the next generation of technology leaders.

Los Angeles county is still logging more than 400 new COVID-19 cases each day, adding to the more than 3.5 million cases documented since March 2020. COVID-19 has disproportionately affected low income communities and communities of color, not only in rates of infection, but also in economic impact.  That our students are a part of these communities means our work is of critical importance. In offering this free workshop series, AOT intends to meet student need for high-quality extracurricular programming that will instill in students the skills needed to tap into the innovation economy.

Below are words from each organization about the impact of the upcoming workshop series:

"We're incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with Los Angeles Urban League and DIY Girls, who do incredible work for the Los Angeles community. Now, more than ever before, technology education in the Los Angeles community must be prioritized for young people. Digital skills are the future to ensure the city's talent strategy and workforce have equitable opportunities to participate in the growing and local technology sector. We look forward to bringing our programs free of charge to young people over the next couple of months and are excited to collaborate with Los Angeles Urban League and DIY girls to do this work!" - Jessica Santana and Evin Robinson, America On Tech Co-founders 

"During this unprecedented virtual school year, we know that educational learning loss has disproportionately impacted Black and Latino students attending our public schools.  At Los Angeles Unified School District, even in years before the pandemic, students and parents struggled to access quality STEM learning opportunities and classes.  The Los Angeles Urban League is pleased to partner with America on Tech to provide a free, 5-week STEM virtual training to Black and Latino students throughout Los Angeles county. These students will have an opportunity to learn about the tech they need to stay competitive in a global economy while gaining critical STEM instruction proven to support their academic progress -  all virtually and free of cost.

It's what our students deserve. The Urban League is grateful for the dedicated educators at America on Tech who are partnering with us to make it happen.” - Jamecca Marshall, Director of Programs Los Angeles Urban League

“DIY Girls is excited to collaborate with America On Tech for their 2021 Spring Virtual Tech Workshop Series to offer our high school Invent Girls the opportunity to further enhance their skills in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, UX Design and Podcasting. The workshop series will also provide mentorship and the work our girls will complete in the series will give them a head start on building their professional portfolios.” - Stacey Luna, DIY Girls Programs Coordinator

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About America On Tech:
America On Tech (AOT) is an award-winning nonprofit organization on a mission to prepare the next generation of technology leaders by creating pathways into degrees and careers in technology.  AOT's work has received national media attention in Forbes, CNN, TechCrunch and other publications for its resounding success in developing diverse tech talent pipelines.
Learn more: www.americaontech.org 

About Los Angeles Urban League:
For 100 years Los Angeles Urban League has served as a powerful advocate for African-Americans and other minorities by ensuring our communities have access to careers with living wages, opportunities to start and grow businesses, and clear pathways to personal and professional growth.
Learn more: www.laul.org

About DIY Girls:
DIY Girls’ mission is to increase girls’ interest and success in technology, engineering and making through innovative educational experiences and mentor relationships. 
Learn more: www.diygirls.org
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