Silicon Valley Think Tank Convenes at JobTrain to Launch Revolutionary Technology Program for Marginalized Communities

Mobile technology is everywhere! Now there’s an opportunity to bring the innovation to our community and to convert consumers to actual app producers. 

On Friday, September 7, a Mobile Apps Development Center planning group convened at JobTrain. The meeting was attended by representatives from Google, University of San Francisco, San Jose State University, Canada College, City of East Palo Alto, Sequoia District Adult School, Technovation Challenge, San Mateo County Workforce Investment Board, EPA Today Newspaper, Segacy Professional Coaching Services, Mural Music & Arts (MMAP), Bay Area Video Coalition, City of East Palo Alto and Youth United for Community Action (YUCA). 

Inspiration and enthusiasm were high as participants strategized ways to advance technological opportunities for the Ravenswood Community.  The collective goal is to establish an educationally rich and open space for community residents to acquire technological savvy that will increase both their interest and opportunity for advanced education and careers in Silicon Valley. Dave Wolber, Professor of Computer Science at USF, popularizes app creation by making app technology accessible and understandable for individuals of diverse backgrounds.  Starting with App Inventor, “students will build interactive apps quickly, gain confidence and motivation, learn programming fundamentals, event-handling, conditionals, iterations and working with URLs,” said Wolber.  Fellow computer scientist and Silicon Valley legend Andy Hertzfeld was also present at the meeting and is supportive of creating and mentoring the next generation of programmers.

The brainstorming power and synergy of this dynamic group was undeniable.  Future meetings are being planned.  We’ll keep you connected as we embark upon making this revolutionary technological dream come true.