Giving Compass' Take:

• Rolling Out interviews Christina Lewis Halpern, founder of All Star Code, who is helping black men gain access to jobs in the technology field and retain them. 

• How can people already working in tech expand their diversity and inclusion programs? All Star Code is one of the only organizations that focus solely on young men of color in tech. How can organizations working on gender diversity in tech collaborate? 

• While All Star Code is expanding opportunities in technology, Naomi Davis is expanding opportunities for men of color in the green economy. 

Christina Lewis Halpern is the founder of All Star Code, a nonprofit based in New York City focused on motivating and empowering Black and Latino young men to succeed in the technology industry.

The month before her father, Reginald Lewis, died at the premature age of 50 from brain cancer, he named Christina to the board of his foundation. She was only 12 years old. Since his death, she’s dedicated herself to supporting causes that helped the black community and other historically-oppressed peoples. With that notion in mind, she began investigating ways to help minority talent gain access to the tech world.

Here’s her story.

Why is there a need for organizations such as All Star Code in the technology space?
The tech industry is the fastest-growing sector of the U.S. economy, with higher pay, better benefits and better resilience to economic downturns than other sectors. Yet only 1 percent of VC-backed startups have a Black or Latino founder, and only 9 percent of the tech workforce is Black or Latino.

All Star Code is one of few national organizations addressing racial diversity in tech. While many organizations are doing important work to help address gender diversity and discrimination in the tech world, we are one of the only organizations that focus specifically on young men of color.

Why is it important for women of color to lead or work in leadership roles and decision-making capacities?
Being visible is a powerful form of positive impact. Young people can’t be what they can’t see. Data shows that young people are inspired by people who they feel some connection to. It does not need to be race, but it really does help a lot

Read the full article about young men of color in tech by Yvette Caslin at Rolling Out.