Google Sponsors Computer Science Education In Harlem

HARLEM, NY — Technology giant Google has launched an initiative to provide free lessons on computer science skills in Harlem, a company spokesman said.

Google has partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem to launch "Code Next Harlem," a space for free lessons in coding, 3-D printing and other skills in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields, a Google spokesman said. The new initiative will be the first of its kind from the Mountain View-based company.

Google launched its Code Next program in Chelsea and Oakland, California two years ago. What separates the Harlem program is that it's the first lab run by a partnering organization rather than Google staff. The goal of the programs is to "find and foster Black and Latinx tech leaders by offering them a free space in their community to learn about computer science," a Google spokesperson said in a statement.

Code Next Harlem first opened its doors in June at the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem's clubhouse on West 145th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenues. The program started with an inaugural class of 43 rising ninth graders. The students will meet at Code Next Harlem each Saturday during the school year.

The Emerging Leaders in Technology and Engineering (ELiTE) Education and New York Urban League are also part of the Code Next Harlem partnership, a Google spokesman said.

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