Coding Bootcamps with Tolu Edionwe

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Coding bootcamps have risen quickly as a destination for people looking to learn in-demand software engineering skills. Compared to degree programs, they are a lesser investment of time and money. Many bootcamps are also connected with employers and provide a place to source talent. While they can be a stepping stone to a tech career, that is by no means a guarantee and it requires careful navigation to make the leap from student to professional developer.

Tolu Edionwe, 22, is looking to make this leap. A 2015 graduate of Grinnell College, a liberal arts college in Iowa, she returned to her hometown of New York City and completed a three-month web development intensive course at the New York Code and Design Academy (NYCDA). Once the only girl on her high school football team, she is now taking on the notoriously male dominated software engineering industry. I spoke with her about why she chose to learn to code after completing a sociology degree, what coding school is like, and what advice she would give anyone thinking about going down the same path.

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Why More Black Designers Should Participate in Hackathons

When I moved to Atlanta a few years ago, I decided to level-up my skills by enrolling in a coding school. To test what was learned, instructors suggested that students in my cohort consider signing up for a hackathon. This introduced me to a concept I had heard of before, but had not given much thought to — hacking. That experience thrust me into Atlanta’s rising entrepreneurial and tech ecosystem, and changed the trajectory of my career.

The first hackathon I ever participated in was Goodie Hack — a hackathon designed to solve problems for underserved communities. Teams were challenged to come up with tech-based solutions to address issues for local non-profit organizations. Another hackathon I’ve participated in is 48 in 48, a two-day event where designers and developers build websites for nonprofits in need of a website or online presence makeover to further their missions.

Since then, I have been hooked on hackathons. However, after attending several of these events now, I have not seen a lot of black and brown designers, in particular, compared to other technical talent. I find this to be somewhat perplexing, considering that several of these events are focused on issues affecting the very communities in which we live, and they’re always looking for diverse perspectives to inform the conversations. Yet, there are not that many of us sitting at these tables that have chairs with our names on them.

Here are some reasons why more black designers should consider participating in hackathons.

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Discovering Brandon Sadler

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Brandon Sadler is a multidisciplinary designer, well-accomplished, illustrator, muralist, and craftsman. Brandon has a very diverse clientele and he has participated in several solo and group exhibitions, including being in the permanent collection of the High Museum of Art. If you see him cruising on his single-speed bike or executing another masterpiece, wave and say hello.

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8 Innovative Black-Owned Tech Startups

In today’s world, creating your own app or startup is not a crazy idea anymore. Technology has made it so people all around the world can get in on the startup game, especially Black people in tech. Here are a few standout startups worth showcasing. 

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Kevin Davis: ‘As long as I have a creative skill, I’ll never go broke’

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“As long as you have talent, you’ll never be out of work.” That was the lesson Kevin Davis, owner of Kevin Davis Design + Brand learned the hard way. After designing as a passion and hobby during his years in school, an unexpected layoff turned Davis’ world upside down. Ten years after going for self, Davis sat down with Revision Path to talk about how disappointing his kids on Christmas changed his approach to business, how he maintains a healthy work/life balance and why creatives need to understand the business of business before going into business.

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