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Microsoft teamed up with the Nick Cannon Foundation to introduce under-represented minority boys to technology. More than 400 young men (ages 11-17) were introduced to technology careers, mentoring and professional development during the launch of the Microsoft minority male engagement initiative MANCODE. The national program kicked-off on Friday, October 19, 2018 featuring Nick Cannon who spoke to students about following their dreams. The event was held from 8am-4pm at Microsoft Headquarters in Redmond, WA.


Motivate youth to become leaders in their communities utilizing media (i.e., coding, film, TV, radio, podcast) as a platform for building skills and leadership abilities.


Multi-media tools can be valuable in building 21st century skills such as:

 

o  Content Knowledge Acquisition

o  Creativity and Innovation

o  Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

o  Communication and Collaboration

o  Information, Media and Technology Literacy

o  Flexibility & Adaptability

o  Initiative & Self Direction

o  Social & Cross-Cultural Skills

o  Productivity & Accountability

o  Leadership & Responsibility


Strategic Approach

  • Multi-media tools can be valuable in building 21st century skills such as: content knowledge acquisition, creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, communication and collaboration, information, media and technology literacy, flexibility & adaptability, initiative and self-direction, social & cross-cultural skills, productivity & accountability, leadership and responsibility

  • 21st century skills are vital in providing a high quality of life and relate to other outcomes such as income, economic growth, and community development.

  • K–12 education system is a key barrier to residents in San Diego County, Los Angeles County, and metro-US cities nationwide to having a high quality of life. Specific challenges included disparities in access to high‐quality education, drop‐out rates based on income and race/ethnicity, inability to retain good teachers, low funding for our nationwide education systems, and lack of emphasis on early childhood education.


  • There is compelling research demonstrating that arts/media education is essential to student achievement. 

  • Research points to significant disparities in educational achievement based on socioeconomic status, disabilities, and race/ethnicity. In particular, public school systems have failed to educate African American and Latino males.


Key Strategies


  • Better define the role(s) the Nick Cannon Foundation can play in impacting African American and Latino male youth.

  • Hold Saturday morning workshops and training for youth on media applications in areas such as coding, podcast development, filming, documentaries, radio, editing, photography, short stories, etc.

  • Develop competitions and programs developing content and utilizing corporate and government leaders and executives.


“I partnered with Microsoft and Boys & Girls Clubs in order to help young people of color recognize they too can help create the technology of the future!”

We inspire positive social change in the lives of underrepresented youth through innovative and sustainable educational programs that provide skills and leadership development with a focus on entrepreneurship, college & career readiness, and motivating youth through multi-media platforms. We collaborated with Microsoft and donated $12,000 worth of Microsoft Surface Pro Tablets and Microsoft Surface Pro Laptops.

Our collaboration with the Brigade Boys & Girls Club will allow youth in Wilmington to achieve academic success, especially during these times when school is ever-changing and the school year is uncertain.