March 15, 2021
CodeHouse Announces STEM Mentorship and Scholarship Program for First-Year HBCU Students
Incoming freshmen at Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College can apply for the CodeHouse Scholars Initiative beginning today through April 9, 2021
ATLANTA — CodeHouse, a 501(c)(3) non-profit focused on tackling the diversity gap in the technology industry, today announced the CodeHouse Scholars Initiative (CHSI) to prepare underrepresented students attending Historically Black Colleges/Universities (HBCUs) for careers in STEM. Made possible through multi-year partnerships with PayPal and other leading tech companies, CHSI will provide selected participants with technical training, mentorship, scholarships, internship opportunities, and moreover the course of four years.
“At CodeHouse, we’re committed to shaping the future of tech by giving young people of color the tools, support, and network they need to pursue careers in this industry,” said Ernest Holmes, CodeHouse’s president, and co-founder. “Along with easing the financial barrier that prevents so many people from attending college, CHSI’s unmatched mentorship and professional development will tap into our Scholars’ existing talent and set them up for success as they matriculate.”
Starting today, Black, Latinx, and Native American incoming freshmen at Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College can apply to be a member of CHSI’s inaugural class. Selected participants will receive up to $20,000 in scholarships, one-on-one mentorship, and attend a paid four-week summer academy to develop their technical and leadership skills with direct guidance from prominent tech companies.
As a founding partner of CHSI, PayPal will play an integral role in supporting students financially and academically through four-year scholarships and professional development workshops. Scholars will also have the opportunity to extend their participation in the program into internship roles at the company.
“Fulfilling our mission of building an inclusive, equitable economy requires a diverse workforce,” said Kim Jenkins, global head of Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging, PayPal. “Through our partnership with CodeHouse, we can increase representation of diverse talent at PayPal. In addition, we will create opportunities for HBCU students to experience firsthand how valuable and needed their contributions are to shaping the future of the tech industry.”
Since its inception in 2019, CodeHouse has equipped hundreds of students of color with training, resources, and access to professional roles within the tech industry. Last October, CodeHouse hosted its third Tech Exposure Day where thousands of high schoolers from across the country tuned in virtually to hear from diverse industry representatives and received over $20,000 in prizes. The first $10,000 CodeHouse Scholarship was also awarded to a current high school senior who plans to attend an HBCU and major in computer science.
To learn more about CHSI’s eligibility requirements and view its full application, visit www.thecodehouse.org/CHSI.
Media Contact
Anna Mitchell
(443) 838-7524
About CodeHouse
CODEHOUSE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that focuses on cultivating a strong pipeline between students of color and industry-leading technology companies. At its core, CodeHouse aims to tackle the diversity gap in technology by providing exposure and resources to enhance students’ technical skills, promoting internship/full-time placement, and elevating the next generation of diverse leaders in technology.