More Than Tech: A Workforce Approach Towards Inclusion for Young

The tech industry has generated unprecedented wealth in the Bay Area but many residents aren’t benefiting from the boom. Instead, they are being pushed out of the region altogether. Not only do some communities of color lack access to the tech economy, skyrocketing housing costs are big contributors to what the East Bay Express calls the ‘de-blackening’ of Oakland. This shift is already well underway in San Francisco. Through their efforts to ensure that everyone has equal access to economic opportunity and a safe and affordable home, The San Francisco Foundation identified a need for more inclusivity in the sector. In 2015, The Foundation launched Bay Area Codes, an exciting multi-year cohort of eight tech-related organizations working to increase economic equity in the Bay Area region. These organizations seek to give low-income and youth of color access to an inclusive tech ecosystem, featuring culturally-competent computer science curriculums, mentorships, leadership development, and access to professional networks and job opportunities. Three years into this program, what is the status of Bay Area Codes? What progress has been made and what do we know that can help guide our efforts to bring some equity to the region’s prosperity? Our briefing on May 22 showcased the development of the Bay Area Codes cohort, its progress to date, and an evaluation of the three-year tech cohort model. Learn more about the program.