Microsoft And Harlem Globetrotters Unveil ‘Harlem CODEtrotters’ To Empower Black And Brown Youth Through Tech Education
Microsoft and the Harlem Globetrotters have unveiled the Harlem CODEtrotters, a new platform to bridge the educational gap within Black and Brown communities.
The web-based platform and coding curriculum fuses basketball-themed programming with cutting-edge technology to teach Black and Latinx teenagers key skills in a culturally relevant way.
The Harlem Globetrotters Goodwill Ambassador Initiative
Their aim includes advancing excellence in tech education while empowering Black and Brown youth communities.
In August 2023, The Harlem Globetrotters launched its corporate social responsibility arm, the Harlem Globetrotters Goodwill Ambassador Initiative.
The initiative aims to “do good, build healthy communities, and drive change” through partnerships with like-minded nonprofit and for-profit organizations.
Their most recent partnership with Microsoft is to advance education and community empowerment within the Black and African-American communities.
“Our Goodwill Ambassador Initative focuses our CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) efforts around the strategic pillars of Health & Wellness, Education, and Community Empowerment,” said Keith Dawkins, President of Harlem Globetrotters.
“We have found, in Microsoft, a best-in-class partner who aligns with our mission and is committed to using its scale and technology to enhance and empower not only the communities that we serve but that many of our players have historically come from.”
The Harlem CODEtrotters
The Harlem CODEtrotters is a coding curriculum and web-based accessible platform.
It’s designed and developed for underserved elementary and middle-school students of color to bridge the educational gap that many face throughout the school year.
The microsite will introduce basketball-themed programming fused with cutting-edge technology, including coding fundamentals and AI skilling.
Students will learn coding skills in engaging ways as they code and create a Harlem Globetrotter player dribbling down the court while answering Harlem Globetrotters Trivia.
For every correct answer, they advance, reaching the basketball goal to shoot the game-winning shot.
All materials are available online, making it convenient for educators, facilitators, and students to access them anytime.
“Despite the fact that more than 80 percent of Black and Latinx teens enjoy playing video games, they account for only 15 percent of the gaming industry,” said Darrell Booker, Microsoft’s Corporate Affairs Specialist, in the press release.
“The Harlem Globetrotters brand, in collaboration with our Microsoft MakeCode and Community Training platforms, provides inclusive opportunities for acquiring essential computer science skills in a culturally relevant manner.”
