At CSTA 2025 in Cleveland, one of the most unforgettable and emotionally resonant moments came during the panel “Black Love, Brown Pride: CS for Culture,” where I had the privilege of participating alongside Black and Hispanic leaders in computer science education. Together, we shared powerful stories and engaged in honest dialogue about our lived experiences and collective mission.
Alongside esteemed educators from across the country, we spoke about what it means to lead, teach, and build in tech spaces while carrying the strength and responsibility of cultural identity. The panel emphasized that representation isn’t just about presence, it’s about purpose, power, and possibility.
The stories shared on stage explored the duality of unity and diversity in our communities, from the obstacles of implicit bias to the triumphs of cultural pride. The session didn’t just amplify voices often left out of tech spaces, it energized the audience to do better, build better, and teach better.
At Miami EdTech, this message deeply resonated. Our work doesn’t stop when the conference ends. Miami EdTech is proud to be a two-time recipient of funding from the Hispanic Federation, through both the Latino Digital Accelerator and the Latino Youth Digital Workforce Center initiatives. These grants are enabling us to deepen our mission and bring culturally responsive, workforce-aligned digital training directly to our community.
Thanks to these grants, we’re expanding access to digital skills and AI literacy across Miami-Dade, especially among low-income, bilingual, and minority youth. Our newest initiatives include:
- Delivering Grow with Google’s AI Essentials training to over 500 community members, including students, recent graduates, and job seekers.
- Providing multilingual support (English, Spanish, Haitian Creole) and in-person assistance to remove access barriers.
- Partnering with CareerSource South Florida, Miami-Dade County, and local employers to connect participants directly to job opportunities and apprenticeships.
Measuring impact through skills assessments, certifications, job placements, and salary increases.
These programs directly align with the themes discussed at the panel—empowering historically excluded voices and creating real pipelines to success.
Representation is powerful, but it’s not enough on its own. We need systems that support, programs that empower, and communities that uplift. That’s what Miami EdTech is building every day in South Florida.
Whether you’re an educator, student, or employer—we invite you to join us in creating a future where culture is not an obstacle in tech, but a superpower.
👉 Visit miamiedtech.com to explore our programs, partnerships, and how you can get involved.
