Bryant to Also Present during Keynote Session; Black Girls CODE to Participate in Multiple SXSW Activities

OAKLAND, Calif., March 05, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Girls CODE, the innovative non-profit dedicated to teaching girls of color ages 7-17 about computer programming and technology, announced today that the organization and its CEO, Kimberly Bryant, will be honored at the upcoming SXSW Conference 2019, to be held in Austin, March 8-17.

Black Girls CODE (BGC) will receive a SXSW Community Service Award, one of just six organizations to receive this recognition. Six individuals will also receive Community Service Awards.  The award recognizes each organization and individual’s “Dedication to fostering positive community spirit.” The awards ceremony takes place on Sunday, March 10, starting at 10:00 a.m. Central Time.

Kimberly Bryant, who has presented at several SXSW Conferences in the past, will be inducted into the SXSW Hall of Fame during the 22^nd Annual Interactive Innovation Awards Ceremony, to be held Monday, March 11, 6:00–9:00 p.m. CT. These awards, “Celebrate some of the most exciting innovations at SXSW.”

But these awards are just the beginning of Black Girls CODE’s presence at SXSW. The organization’s other activities will include:

• Kimberly Bryant will participate in a SXSW Keynote Session titled, “Behind the Click: Securing the Future for Black Women and Girls in Tech.” The session will be held Friday, March 8, 3:30–4:30 p.m. CT, at the Hilton Austin Downtown, Salon H., 500 East 4^th Street, Austin.

• Black Girls CODE will host a pop-up event, a Tech Diva BGC Alumnae Panel, moderated by Angel Rich, founder and CEO of The Wealth Factory and including five BGC alumni.  The event is part of SXSW’s four-day Interactive Festival. This event will be hosted by sponsor ConsenSys and will take place Sunday, March 10, 1:00–4:00 p.m. CT at The ConsenSys House, 606 East 3^rd Street, Austin.

• Black Girls CODE will host in partnership with ConsenSys, two Blockchain workshops titled, ”Create Your Own Bitcoin.” These will be held on Wednesday, March 13 at the Westin Austin Downtown, room Paramount 2.  The first session will run 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. CT, the second will run 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. CT.
  
  
• At SXSW, Black Girls CODE is launching its alumnae network, a mentorship and leadership program for BGC college alumnae and graduating seniors, and will include a BGC Alumnae Experience for 14 selected students.

To learn more about Black Girls CODE, events, or ways to get involved, visit: www.blackgirlscode.com/.

About Black Girls CODE
Since 2011, Black Girls CODE has been committed to providing girls from underrepresented community’s access to technology and 21st century skills necessary to become tech leaders. Having reached more than 8,000 young women in 14 chapters around the world, Black Girls CODE’s organizational vision is to increase the number of women of color in the digital space by empowering girls of color ages 7 to 17 to become innovators in STEM fields, and builders of their own futures through exposure to computer science and technology. http://www.blackgirlscode.com

Press Contact:

Claire Burke
UPRAISE Marketing + PR for Black Girls CODE
T:  415.397.7600
E: claireb@upraisepr.com