Greetings Family and Friends,

It’s been a little over a year since The Community Coding Project was founded.  Many thanks to everyone who has supported, and continues to support our mission through donations, in-kind donations, or emotional support.  As we move towards the end of Black History Month 1.0 (every day ending in y is black history), it is important to set an agenda for our communities, to write the vision and make it plain.   Over the past few years, I made the personal decision to celebrate the Kwanzaa principles everyday. Some of you already know them, but if you happened to miss class the day they were being taught, I have listed them below as a refresher or for convenience.  Kwanzaa began December 26, 2024 and ended Wednesday January 1, 2025.  If we embrace the concept of Black History as a 365 journey, make a point to practice the principles of Kwanzaa all year long, rinsing and repeating after Imani.  

Thursday – Umoja (Unity)

Friday – Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)

Saturday – Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)

Sunday – Ujamaa (Cooperative-Economics)

Monday – Nia (Purpose)

Tuesday Kuumba (Creativity) 

Wednesday – Imani (Faith)   Rinse and repeat…

How appropriate that this communication comes to you on Monday, as today is Nia (purpose). Our purpose is simple, which is to address a critical need in our communities.  We have serious deficits in the STEM arena that must be addressed due to the underlying socio-political implications (read Jacob Caruthers Science and Oppression).  Having taught the importance of language for several decades, I have always understood the power of the sciences as necessary ways of knowing that are essential to societal transformation.  The founder’s vision for this program and subsequent projects is one of significant community engagement, requiring talent and skills from several sectors of industry and education to achieve critical goals.  TCCP has several grant applications pending, some substantial and others small, but all are important.  Ultimately,  part of our organizational strategy for sustainability is to fund our projects through many small to medium donations, in addition to the underpinnings of large grants and generous donations.  Perhaps this is an unrealistic expectation; nevertheless, people with fewer resources than we command today, built lasting institutions that are still relevant in 2025.

Important Factor: Part of our challenge is to not only teach coding and web design/development skills, but to generate interest and awareness in Computer Science as a specific subset of the STEM universe.  As our funding increases, the commitment to expanding our program focus into additional branches of STEM education is strong.   We are currently a registered nonprofit with Dallas ISD, we are awaiting sufficient funding resources to implement our program through targeted campuses in the form of clubs and after-school programs.  A significant budget expense is earmarked for coders, developers and designers. While volunteer coders will receive a tax-deduction for in-kind donations, we do not expect interns or contractors to work for free. We are seeking donations from everyone who supports the eradication of chronic unemployment, underemployment and poverty through the acquisition of valuable education and skills.  Again, your gifts and donations are tax-deductable.   

Thank you for your support and we look forward to building stronger communities and a better world with your help.