Five New York Tech Nonprofits to Watch (February 2018), Tech:NYC
During the past ten years, an incredible array of nonprofits have emerged in New York that are teaching tech skills, fostering entrepreneurship, and creating new career opportunities for underserved students and communities. Each of these organizations has a fascinating founding story that deserves to be told.
For this month’s installment of our monthly companies to watch post, we decided to spotlight five nonprofits that are bringing more inclusivity and diversity to New York’s thriving tech industry. New York City is full of organizations that are changing lives and reshaping our community and there is no way we could include them all here. They all speak volumes about our community, and we are so lucky to have them.
Check out five tech nonprofits we’re excited about below.
Code/Interactive
What does your nonprofit do?
Code/Interactive Interim Executive Director Tom O'Connell: Code/Interactive (C/I) is a nonprofit that trains educators and builds inclusive computer science programs. We provide districts, schools, educational organizations, and teachers with the curriculum, tools, and training necessary to implement K-12 computer science programs aligned to their goals and needs.
What makes New York the ideal place for your work?
TO: Code/Interactive was born as a nonprofit in the Bronx in 2001, so our roots are deep in the communities that we serve here in the city even though we are now privileged enough to work with many other states across the country. And with such wonderful initiatives in our hometown like CS4All, we learn so much from working with NYC schools to help us implement across the country.
How can New York companies do a better job of fostering inclusivity?
TO: Inclusivity has so many variables that it really needs to be the main focus not just for companies but for communities, nonprofits, education systems, and governmental systems working together toward a common goal. We believe that giving every student an amazing computer science education will help, but companies and communities need to improve all of the inequitable systems that might be holding people back from succeeding.
What lessons have you learned from the people you’re teaching?
TO: I've learned that no matter how much technology you put into classrooms or resources you pour into schools, strong relationships are the key to success in education. To teach students (or teachers) anything, you really have to get to know them and show them that you care about them as individuals.
What is one thing you want to accomplish in 2018?
TO: We're about to merge with Mouse, another NYC-based nonprofit, so we're focused on developing our joint programs with their expertise in creating STEM curriculum and our experience training educators in computer science.
What's your favorite Winter Olympics sport?
TO: Snowboarding in the halfpipe is one of the most exciting things you can possibly watch during the Olympics and we're rooting for Chloe Kim, who already won a gold medal.
What's the coziest coffee spot in NYC?
TO: I'm a big fan of Manhattanville Coffee on 142nd Street and Edgecombe. It has the perfect mixture of nice baristas, beautiful windows, ample outlets, fast wifi, and delicious snacks.
What brought you to New York?
TO: I grew up in Westchester and I always knew that I would call the city home when it was time to leave the suburbs. I lived in Spain and Houston before moving back to NYC for the opportunity to help open up a new school in Brooklyn.
What's the best condiment on a New York hot dog?
TO: Crif Dogs makes a hot dog called the Tsunami that is wrapped in bacon with teriyaki, pineapple, and green onions. You have to try it. In fact, have two.
What’s the craziest thing that’s happened to you in NYC?
TO: I think my favorite memories of the city are from running the NYC Marathon. You'll never hear so many positive words of encouragement from New Yorkers in one day ever again.
