Kasper Benjamin Reimer Bjørkskov’s Post

Bridging the Digital Divide: Why It Matters Now As technology continues to revolutionize our world, it's alarming to see underserved children left behind. The digital divide threatens to exacerbate existing inequalities, limiting their access to education, opportunities, and a brighter future. • The Urgent Need for Digital Literacy In today's digital age, proficiency in coding, digital tools, and online safety is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. Without these essential skills, underserved children risk being: 1. Left behind in the job market 2. Vulnerable to online exploitation 3. Disadvantaged in their educational journey At Clean Code Initiative Our mission is to bridge the digital divide by providing underserved children with access to quality digital literacy programs. We believe every child deserves the chance to thrive in a technology-driven world. Join the Movement Let's bridge the gap together! Support The Clean Code Initiative today and help us: 1. Provide digital literacy training to underserved children 2. Foster a community of tech-savvy mentors 3. Advocate for policy changes promoting digital inclusion Take Action Now. Click the link below to learn more about our mission and how you can support [https://lnkd.in/dxT_TvBf] Together, we can ensure that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, has the opportunity to succeed in the digital age. Babatunde Atteh Akintunde Isaac Esther Onyekwu Popoola Esther #DigitalLiteracy #BridgingTheGap #TheCleanCodeInitiative #SupportTheCause #MakeADifference

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is being de-funded and we see a trend of businesses decreasing efforts and budgets as the tides change. DE&I isn't a buzzword, isn't a phase, and isn't something you begin to divest in because of a change in a tide. It is the future of innovation. At Thinkery, we believe that when everyone is included, the entire community thrives. We’re dedicated to creating a space where every visitor—no matter their background—feels seen, heard, and inspired to learn. Here’s how we ensure inclusivity for diverse community groups: - Accessible Programming: We design exhibits and activities with accessibility in mind, ensuring they are engaging and meaningful for all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. - Community Partnerships: We collaborate with local organizations to better understand and serve the needs of underrepresented groups, creating programs that reflect the rich diversity of our community. - Financial Accessibility: Through initiatives like free community nights, reduced admission programs, and scholarships, we’re committed to breaking down financial barriers so more families can explore, play, and learn. - Culturally Relevant Experiences: Our programming highlights diverse perspectives, celebrating traditions, stories, and innovations from cultures around the world. - Continuous Learning: We engage in ongoing staff training to deepen our cultural fluency, ensuring we’re always growing alongside our community. 💡 Let’s Build Together! Curious about how we can foster more inclusive experiences? #InclusionMatters #CommunityImpact #Thinkery #DiversityInSTEM #EquityInEducation

At Stellar Software Solutions LLC, we believe in investing in the talent and skills of the next generation. Let's empower our youth with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to lead us toward a sustainable future. Together, we can foster an environment where everyone can thrive. To all the young changemakers out there, your voice matters, and your actions can spark the change we need. Let's continue to support one another and work toward a brighter tomorrow! How are you celebrating International Youth Day? Share your thoughts and initiatives in the comments below! #InternationalYouthDay #YouthEmpowerment #Sustainability #GreenSkills #FutureLeaders

RedAcademy, a proud winner of the 2024 Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards, is shaping the future of South African youth with its groundbreaking software development programme. Through a unique blend of six months of theory and hands-on, real-world experience with live-client projects, RedAcademy equips young people with the skills they need to thrive in today’s tech-driven world. By aligning training with the specific needs of employers, graduates leave job-ready and ready to make an impact. In tackling the tech sector’s skills shortage, RedAcademy is building the next generation of tech leaders and empowering youth across South Africa. 👏 Let’s celebrate RedAcademy for their incredible work in transforming lives and driving innovation in education! Follow us for more inspiring stories. Visit https://lnkd.in/ddpHABg7 for more stories about the incredible work by our entrepreneurs. #InnovationForImpact #ItStartsHere #MakingADifference

Community Does Not Equate to Visibility: What I’ve Learned in Five Years of Building and Leading Communities It’s been five years since I took my first steps into building communities, from Google Developer Student Club to Women Techmakers and all other organizations I have supported or worked with directly or indirectly. Each community has left a mark on me, shaping my views on what it means to bring people together with purpose and create a space where everyone feels seen. Here are some lessons I’ve learned along the way: 1. Visibility Takes Effort😫; Just starting a community doesn’t automatically bring visibility. You can have an amazing group with valuable insights, but without consistent advocacy, that impact may go unnoticed. True visibility means investing in each other and lifting each other up. 2. Passion is the Foundation🤩; A community without passion is like a body without a heartbeat. Passion is what keeps people coming back, contributing, and pushing the mission forward. When members share that fire, it translates into unstoppable momentum, driving initiatives and sparking collaborations that amplify our reach. 3. Learning Together Builds Strength💪; When we come together to learn, it creates a shared experience that empowers everyone. Whether it’s coding workshops, discussions on digital rights, or tech camps for young girls, I’ve seen how powerful it is to grow in knowledge as a group. The collective drive to learn gives us courage and resilience. 4. Empathy Cultivates True Belonging🙌; Belonging in a community isn’t just about being a member; it’s about feeling valued and understood. By fostering empathy, we create safe spaces where everyone can speak openly. This has been especially important for women and young people finding their footing in tech—it’s a space where we all have each other’s backs. 5. Impact Over Size😊; I used to think success meant a large community, but I’ve learned that impact isn’t about numbers. Small, focused communities can drive meaningful change when members are committed. Whether we're addressing digital literacy in the Gambia or amplifying women’s voices in AI, our collective impact speaks louder than our size.🙌 These years in tech community work have been challenging, inspiring, and full of growth. They’ve taught me that real impact happens when people come together with purpose, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to elevate one another. Here’s to many more years of building visible, inclusive spaces where everyone has a place and a voice. #CommunityBuilding #WomenInTech #TheGambia #DigitalInclusion #YouthEmpowerment #TechFeminine #VisibilityMatters #EmpathyInTech #DigitalRights #AfricanTech TechFeminine

The magic is still happening, now done with its second week 😮! As we wrapped up the second week of our digital skills program for seniors, I find myself reflecting on the incredible transformations taking place. This initiative is teaching digital skills to seniors; and also fostering connection, confidence, and a sense of belonging in our community. ~ Many seniors initially felt intimidated by technology, which led to reluctance to engage. ~Bridging generational gaps was another challenge, as we aimed to create an environment where both volunteers and participants could communicate effectively. ~ Additionally, some participants expressed feelings of isolation, making it essential to cultivate a sense of community within the program. BUT, By encouraging open dialogue and celebrating small victories, we turned initial fears into confidence. Through these challenges, I saw the importance of patience and empathy. I realized that every "aha moment" came from a safe space where participants felt valued and heard. Watching their faces light up as they mastered skills—from using their cameras to navigating settings—was nothing short of inspiring. Their enthusiasm reinforced the value of lifelong learning. The positive feedback and stories of newfound confidence remind me that we are on the right path. Whether you’re managing a program or learning, ~ Approach each interaction with patience and empathy. In doing so, you create spaces where everyone, regardless of age, feels empowered to connect and grow. Thank you to everyone who has supported this initiative –volunteers, community partners Jane/Finch Community and Family Centre, Sponsors Weston Frontlines Centre - Frontlines BFR - Be Future Ready and, very importantly, the seniors who show up with open minds and hearts. Let’s keep the momentum going! #digitalliteracy #communityimpact #lifelonglearning #seniors #empowerment #bridgingthegap

Technovation is a global tech education nonprofit that empowers and equips young women to become tech entrepreneurs and leaders. 💚 #TeamSecurianFinancial had the opportunity to mentor a few local students as they built an app, Gratzi Co., that helps you embrace an attitude of gratitude. Check out this Empathy Uprise episode to learn more about the app and the amazing minds behind it! https://ow.ly/I3Ce30sBUiC

As we usher in 2025, I pray for significant strides toward creating a digital world where young minds can flourish - where they are resilient enough to navigate potential risks and harms online. I hope parents become more intentional in learning and implementing strategies to ensure children’s safety in front of screens. I trust that our policymakers will enact stronger measures to safeguard digital citizens—especially our children—and that educators will champion these efforts in every classroom. I also pray that faith communities continue to instill foundational family values at the center of every home. Finally, may all of us - the media, content creators, and tech companies alike - be more ethical and conscious of how our actions impact digital safety for the next generation. Wishing you a blessed and productive 2025! Together, let’s build a safer and more empowering digital environment for all. #digitalcitizenship Owen Mwesigye +256775705779 Digital Citizenship Advocate MD - Redwall Ltd

I have the same feelings! I am still in touch with my mentees from last year, and we check on how we are doing every couple of months. Mentoring is about people, so we talk about their personal problems, too. Sometimes, this is way more important than coding or career progress. Because if you are not balanced in your personal life, you can not be balanced in your work. #mentoring #mentorship #mentees #friends

Wow, it took approx. (checks watch) 72 hours for the mansplainers to come out claiming that Women Who Code failed because clearly the executives were taking all the money, or clearly were doing X funding thing wrong, or clearly wasn’t that important anyway, etc. etc. etc. You’re wrong, but I’m going to do myself a favor and practice my social media forbearance. I’d rather focus on more important things. I want to talk about firsts. First off, I am unbelievably heartbroken. I remember the first time I met Alaina Percival, who along with a couple of likeminded people had this great new org they were spinning up and she wanted to talk about it. And I knew, after lunch in the Belden Way alley of San Francisco’s financial district, that this organization was going to be special. Then came my first public talk at a conference, at Women Who Code Connect in Seattle (where I talked about my ovaries and inclusive hiring to a very receptive crowd). I met women who worked at companies with almost no other women, women considering career transitions, recent graduates of boot camps, and powerful, established women leaders who represented opportunity and the chance for career success. It was _amazing_. A few years later I got my first ping from a woman who had been inspired by the Women Who Code community and turned herself into a coder. She wanted to tell me about her first job in tech. I didn’t have a Rolodex of deep pocketed contacts so I tried to think of how else could I help, and that led to the first incarnation of the Women Who Code Radio podcast, a very low budget labor of love to spread the message that all women have a place in the tech industry no matter where you started. There were great interviews with executives like Debby Meredith and Kara Sprague & bootcamp transitioners like Kelsey Krippaehne. Then there was my first Connect conference in San Francisco, and the growing international contingent really stormed into town. Mishi from the Philippines and Jen from London and the energy and power of what was now a global network of passionate volunteers leading the local communities learning and supporting and celebrating each other, and watching the incomparable Joey Rosenberg, MBA making things happen almost through sheer force of will. Then I got my first opportunity to be on Women Who Code’s board of directors. I accepted with trepidation, because what the hell did I know about being on a board? And yet, it was in the spirit of the org mission that women belong everywhere and “don’t be scared”, so I took it on. I met amazing (and more experienced) people to learn from. We celebrated every member who was helped in their career by the WWC community. And now the final first, having to say goodbye to something so special. There are lessons to be learned (I have a long list of personal regrets, hindsight being what it is) but ultimately all any of us can do is just keep growing. Looking for more firsts. #womenwhocode4life