The Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their dynamic flair and skill to tech education.
The legendary basketball team has joined Microsoft for The Harlem CODEtrotters, according to a press release. The coding curriculum, which caters to underserved Black and brown elementary and middle school students, incorporates basketball. The intention is to present technology such as coding and AI “in a fun and engaging way” that also teaches the history of The Harlem Globetrotters. What’s more, it’s accessible to both students and educators on a web-based microsite.
“Our Goodwill Ambassador Initiative focuses our CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) efforts around the strategic pillars of Health & Wellness, Education and Community Empowerment,” Keith Dawkins, president of the Harlem Globetrotters and Herschend Entertainment Studios, said, according to the press release. “We have found, in Microsoft, a best-in-class partner who aligns with our mission and is committed to using its scale and technology to enhance and empower not only the communities that we serve, but that many of our players have historically come from.”
The first-ever The Harlem CODEtrotters event took place on Oct. 9. Hosted in New York City, NY, students who attended got to play the coding game and learn about various tools. The Harlem Globetrotters and Microsoft aim for the collaboration to open the door for more Black and brown youth to have the opportunity to explore tech careers following their academic path.
“Despite the fact that more than 80 percent of Black and Latinx teens enjoy playing video games, they account for only 15 percent of the gaming industry,” Darrell Booker, corporate affairs specialist at Microsoft, shared. “The Harlem Globetrotters brand, in collaboration with our Microsoft MakeCode and Community Training platforms, provides inclusive opportunities for acquiring essential computer science skills in a culturally relevant manner.”
The press release details that The Harlem Globetrotters and Microsoft are set to host community engagement events, workshops, and presentations at select local community organizations, schools, and non-profits.
To learn more about The Harlem CODEtrotters, click here.