Malinda Williams: From Hollywood to HBCU Coding Hero

Move over, Hollywood, there’s a new tech star in town! Okay, maybe not new, exactly. We all know and love Malinda Williams from her iconic roles in classics like “Soul Food” and “Moesha.” But this past Saturday, she traded the red carpet for Jackson State University (JSU) to flex some serious coding chops and inspire the next generation of tech innovators.

Williams wasn’t just there for a photo op, though. She rolled up her sleeves (metaphorically, of course, gotta protect those keyboarding hands!) and led a coding bootcamp specifically designed for HBCUs. And not just any bootcamp, this one was all about E.S.T.E.A.M. – entrepreneurship, science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. Talk about a full course load of awesomeness!

Leveling the Playing Field: The Mission Behind E.S.T.E.A.M.

Let’s be real, the tech world can sometimes feel like it’s stuck in a bit of a rut, kinda like that one friend who insists on ordering the same thing every. single. time. You know what we need more of? Diversity! Fresh perspectives! And that’s exactly what E.S.T.E.A.M. is all about.

The goal is two-fold (like a super cool, tech-savvy double agent!). First up: increasing the number of women, especially Black women, who are killin’ it in computer science. Second: giving these amazing future coders the hands-on experience and confidence boost they need to totally crush it in the tech industry. Because let’s face it, the tech world needs more queens coding up a storm!

JSU Students Catch the Coding Bug (Not Literally, Though)

So, what was the vibe like at JSU on Saturday? Picture this: a room buzzing with excitement, laptops glowing, and dozens of JSU students totally immersed in the world of coding. It was like stepping into the coolest hackathon ever, minus the all-nighter and questionable pizza (we hope!).

But it wasn’t just the coding challenges that had everyone hyped. Ka’Pri Burden, a JSU student, shared that seeing Williams’ own journey of learning to code was incredibly inspiring. It’s one thing to hear about the lack of representation in tech, but it’s a whole other level of real to see someone who looks like you break down those barriers and rise to the top. As Burden put it, it was all about “being proud to be a part of something that is actively trying to change that narrative.” Yassss, queen! Preach!

Malinda Williams: From Hollywood to HBCU Coding Hero

Move over, Hollywood, there’s a new tech star in town! Okay, maybe not new, exactly. We all know and love Malinda Williams from her iconic roles in classics like “Soul Food” and “Moesha.” But this past Saturday, she traded the red carpet for Jackson State University (JSU) to flex some serious coding chops and inspire the next generation of tech innovators.

Williams wasn’t just there for a photo op, though. She rolled up her sleeves (metaphorically, of course, gotta protect those keyboarding hands!) and led a coding bootcamp specifically designed for HBCUs. And not just any bootcamp, this one was all about E.S.T.E.A.M. – entrepreneurship, science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. Talk about a full course load of awesomeness!

Leveling the Playing Field: The Mission Behind E.S.T.E.A.M.

Let’s be real, the tech world can sometimes feel like it’s stuck in a bit of a rut, kinda like that one friend who insists on ordering the same thing every. single. time. You know what we need more of? Diversity! Fresh perspectives! And that’s exactly what E.S.T.E.A.M. is all about.

The goal is two-fold (like a super cool, tech-savvy double agent!). First up: increasing the number of women, especially Black women, who are killin’ it in computer science. Second: giving these amazing future coders the hands-on experience and confidence boost they need to totally crush it in the tech industry. Because let’s face it, the tech world needs more queens coding up a storm!

JSU Students Catch the Coding Bug (Not Literally, Though)

So, what was the vibe like at JSU on Saturday? Picture this: a room buzzing with excitement, laptops glowing, and dozens of JSU students totally immersed in the world of coding. It was like stepping into the coolest hackathon ever, minus the all-nighter and questionable pizza (we hope!).

But it wasn’t just the coding challenges that had everyone hyped. Ka’Pri Burden, a JSU student, shared that seeing Williams’ own journey of learning to code was incredibly inspiring. It’s one thing to hear about the lack of representation in tech, but it’s a whole other level of real to see someone who looks like you break down those barriers and rise to the top. As Burden put it, it was all about “being proud to be a part of something that is actively trying to change that narrative.” Yassss, queen! Preach!

From App Development to Website Building: E.S.T.E.A.M. Does It All

This wasn’t your average, run-of-the-mill coding workshop, folks. Oh no, E.S.T.E.A.M. came to Jackson State ready to drop some serious knowledge bombs. Think of it like a coding buffet, but instead of questionable potato salad, you’ve got a smorgasbord of awesome workshops to choose from. We’re talkin’ app development, S.T.E.A.M. training (because science is cool, y’all!), diving deep into the wonderful world of Apple programming language, and even some website building magic.

And who better to guide these future tech bosses than Malinda Williams herself? She didn’t just talk the talk; she walked the walk, sharing her own industry experiences and emphasizing how crucial it is to have diverse voices in tech. After all, if you want to create tech that works for *everyone*, you need *everyone* at the table, designing, coding, and innovating.

Beyond the Code: Building Confidence and Empowering Futures

Sure, technical skills are important, but E.S.T.E.A.M. knows that true success in tech (and in life, let’s be real) requires a whole lot more than just knowing how to code. That’s why they took things a step further by incorporating sessions focused on boosting confidence and motivation. Because let’s face it, the tech world can be kinda intimidating, especially if you’re not used to seeing a lot of people who look like you.

Williams, being the absolute queen that she is, stressed the importance of these young women owning their power, believing in their abilities, and walking into those tech spaces with their heads held high. The message? You are smart, you are capable, and you deserve a seat at the table. Mic drop!

Jackson State Stole Malinda’s Heart (and Sparked Big Plans for the Future)

It’s safe to say that Malinda Williams left Jackson, Mississippi feeling totally inspired. She couldn’t stop raving about the JSU students, their incredible energy, and their eagerness to learn. And let’s be real, who wouldn’t fall in love with the home of the Sonic Boom of the South and some seriously delicious soul food? Jackson knows how to welcome its guests!

But this isn’t a one-time thing, folks. This is just the beginning. E.S.T.E.A.M., which is a part of Williams’ non-profit organization, Arise and Shine, is committed to continuing their support of HBCUs and empowering even more young women to pursue their computer science dreams. Get ready, tech world, because these future coders are coming for you, and they’re bringing the heat!

Malinda Williams: Proof That You Can Do It All

So, what’s the takeaway from Malinda Williams’ epic trip to Jackson State? Well, for starters, it’s clear that she’s not just a talented actress, she’s also a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in tech. And she’s not just talking about it; she’s out there making things happen, one line of code and one empowered young woman at a time.

Malinda Williams is living proof that you can be a Hollywood star *and* a tech hero. She’s showing the world that Black women belong in STEM fields, and she’s inspiring countless young people to pursue their passions, no matter how big or bold they may seem. And that, my friends, is the definition of a true icon.