16-Year-Old Tech Activist Inspired the Youth to Learn Computer Programming With Virtual Camp

During the global pandemic, The New Nerd CS+ Personal Development Virtual Summer Camp has created a fun outlet for youth as an alternative for traditional seasonal activities. Participating in the virtual camp allows students to connect with their peers and learn about computer programming as well as be mentored by other youth.

Sixteen-year-old “tech activist” Ian Michael Brock oversaw the daily lessons of his virtual computer science summer camp, which was created for the enrichment of countless Black and brown youth. Many young people all over the country have benefitted from his sessions. Brock’s endeavors caught McDonald’s attention, and the restaurant franchise agreed to support his Dream Hustle Code non-profit as the leading sponsor of the Virtual Summer Camp. He felt the timing of McDonald’s sponsorship perfectly coincided with the brand’s Black & Positively Golden movement.

Under the guidance of his parents Michael and Dulcevita Brock, he believes the massive support McDonald’s provides will lead to conversations about presenting minority youth with the realization that computer science could become a future career. McDonald’s is onboard with Brock’s inspirational vision.

With a focus on students from grades 5th through 9th, Brock’s camp offers informative sessions that combine computer programming and personal development. “The hybrid, the online class introduced JavaScript through Code with Google’s Grasshopper application. The courses will continue through the fall academic semester to support after school virtual programs.”

Seasoned in virtual instruction Ian Brock has served as a coach and mentor for youth across 28 U.S. states, Canada, the Philippines, and Africa. He maneuvered around the COVID-19 pandemic and turned a crisis into an opportunity to empower youth through long-distance learning. Impressed with Brock’s entrepreneurial spirit and the message behind the organization he co-founded, Google's headquarters in Mountainview and Los Angeles, California, invited him to speak twice. As a young visionary, he hopes to see a bridge between the gap created by racial, educational, and economic inequality. And that his fellow youth will become creators of new technologies and not remain consumers.

Aside from being the co-founder of Dream Hustle Code and New Nerd, Brock is also a computer science activist, speaker, rookie coder, and soon-to-be-published author. For more information, please visit his website, and if you are interested in donating to the Nerd Virtual Programs, click here.

Photo Credit: Dreamhustlecode.com