Black Boys Code

Black Boys Code is a national, nonprofit organization that introduces Black youth (aged 8 - 17) to the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields with a focus on computer science.

Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, the organization was founded by Bryan Johnson in 2015. Black Boys Code currently has 11 Chapters across Canada in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto, Brampton, Hamilton, London, Windsor, Montreal, and Halifax.

Black Boys Code currently offers three different programs: Exposure Workshops, After-School Programs, and Summer Technology Camps.

Our programs work as early interventional programming that provides youth with opportunities to develop needed skills at an early age while fostering a greater sense of belonging and enhancing educational outcomes.

In our programs, Black youth also learn life skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, planning, communication, and collaboration. We are inspiring a generation of Black youth to take control of their future and become tomorrow’s digital creators and technological innovators. We do that by helping them develop digital literacy and computer competence—the foundation of a path towards a career in technology.

We hold two tenets at Black Boys Code.
▶ The first: We conduct our workshops on university campuses (Pre COVID 19). By doing so, we demystify the university concept and show the kids that they belong. It also helps to make them comfortable with being on a university campus, while encouraging them to pursue post-secondary education in the technology fields.
▶ The second: We partner with prominent and successful Black men and women in technology fields who share their experiences in hopes of inspiring the kids who attend our workshops. These Black technology professionals also act as strong positive Black role models, something these youth may not see in media or in the school system.

We adhere to a very core principle in all our programs - REPRESENTATION MATTERS!