Transforming lives through technology at Girls Dream Code

As a Senior Software Engineer, Victoria Kyereme has known what it means to stand out. “Throughout my career, I’ve always been the only one – the only woman, or only Black woman, or only Black person, or only person of color… The list goes on,” she said. Even with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in computer science and a job she enjoyed at a company she liked, she said, “it can feed into this imposter syndrome” – a sense of not belonging.

Whatever the reason for the relative lack of women and women of color in technology – a lack of exposure, access, role models, or some combination – Victoria wanted to do something to help more underrepresented girls see tech as a field they could pursue.

That was the impetus behind Girls Dream Code, one of the non-profits celebrated on Xcel Energy’s Day of Service, which is founded and run by Victoria. “The Department of Education is trying to incorporate computer science into the K-12 schools, but we still have a long way to go,” she said. “I wanted to create a safe space in my hometown where girls have the opportunity to learn these new tech skills.”

Based in St. Paul, Girls Dream Code provides free, accessible, high-quality technology education and exposure to girls who might otherwise lack these opportunities, or who want to explore their interest in tech in an inclusive environment. The organization aims to create a pipeline of diverse talent ready for the tech jobs of the future – their diverse perspectives contributing to new innovations and perhaps making the next generation feel even more empowered to seek a tech career.

Breaking Down Barriers Through Education

Girls Dream Code sees early exposure and hands-on experience as crucial for building confidence in technology.

Through four distinct cohort-based multi-week programs, Girls Dream Code reaches girls of different ages and interests. Code Your Path focuses on web and mobile app development for girls 13-18; CodeTalkz offers broader exposure to a range of emerging tech topics such as AI, cybersecurity, virtual reality, game design and more; Code-Sync Labs offer a software engineering internship to college-age women; while Code Lit covers Information Technology training for 18-24 year olds to prepare them for entry-level IT jobs.

Importantly, these programs go beyond mere technical instruction – they focus on problem-solving skills, creative thinking, and collaborative teamwork. “We work cohort style, because community is really important, too,” Victoria said. “Having a support system, mentorship, and people who are on the journey with you is really important.”

A Project Born of Passion

For Victoria, building Girls Dream Code was her own learning experience. She had volunteered with national programs focused on girls in tech while working in Chicago, and when she had the opportunity to move back to her hometown she brought with her the idea for a new non-profit.

Founded in 2020, the first few years were bumpy: the pandemic forced Victoria to focus on virtual programming, even as she navigated the world of filing as a non-profit and worked to secure funding, train volunteers, hire reliable staff and raise community support.

In-person programs first were offered in conjunction with area schools and after-school programs, but Victoria has since reached a point where she could lease her own space. “It’s not very big, but it’s cute enough,” she laughed. “We’re close to the capital, so it’s very good transportation-wise. We keep our cohorts small, 7-10 students, to keep that community feel.”

Creating Lasting Impact

Over the past five years, more than 200 girls have had their tech horizons broadened by Girls Dream Code. “We’ve graduated twelve cohorts and have hosted over 50 in-person and virtual events since our start in 2020. Of our interns, there’s been at least 3 that have gone on this summer to do other internships at Fortune 500 companies as well as research at prestigious universities.”

One alumna is even returning to Girls Dream Code. “She was a college student and a beginner in the field when she joined as one of our Code-Sync Labs interns,” Victoria said. “This was just as she switched to a computer science major. She helped develop our mobile app from scratch alongside other interns. She has grown so much in her skills and in her confidence, and now helps to train upcoming intern cohorts on the technical tools that we use to develop the mobile app.”

Even if not every student goes on to a tech career, they will possess digital literacy skills and tech skills so important in todays world. The exposure they have may also make the tech world feel just a little bit bigger and more inclusive. Graduates have joined tech clubs at school, brought their friends, and brought their knowledge and skills to their classes.

Victoria takes pride in the program’s impact. In assessments, 80% of graduates show an increase in confidence and an interest in learning more about different tech topics and improving their skills, she noted.

“Representation really does matter, especially for girls in this stage of their life,” Victoria said. Seeing the ripple effect of her work has been her reward. “I’ve had girls apply to our program who heard about us from a friend who speaks highly of Girls Dream Code. It makes me so happy to see the impact that we are having on girls in the community.”

“Sometimes I have to realize that no matter how many girls we impact, whether it’s a big or small number, it truly is making a difference in the Twin Cities,” she continued. “Providing opportunities like this for girls that may feel underrepresented is really something that is so special to me.”

To learn more about Girls Dream Code visit GirlsDreamCode.org to view all of the wonderful work that Victoria and her team are doing.