Actress Malinda Williams is taking her passion for technology beyond the silver screen. She’s now on a mission to empower women at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through coding boot camps. This initiative aims to guide young women towards promising careers in technology.
From Hollywood to Tech: Williams’ Unexpected Journey
Malinda Williams, known for her roles in “Soul Food” and “The Wood,” has always been “an engineer at heart.” Her journey into tech began unexpectedly when she taught herself coding from a “HTML For Dummies” book.
“I taught myself about four different programming languages at the time, which was about 15 years ago,” Williams shared. This self-taught skill led her to build websites and explore new ways to connect with audiences online.
Arise And Shine Foundation: Bridging the Gap for HBCU Women
In 2023, Williams launched the Arise And Shine Foundation with her sisters. The foundation’s primary focus is connecting and educating underserved women and girls in STEM fields.
Their first coding boot camp kicked off at Jackson State University in May. It taught students app building, coding, and Apple programming language. “It went above and beyond our expectations,” Williams proudly stated.
Breaking Barriers: STEM Support for Underrepresented Women
Williams’ program goes beyond just teaching hard skills. It addresses the challenges many women face in tech, including imposter syndrome. “We incorporate into this HBCU coding boot camp those hard skills of learning to code but also the soft skills of pushing through adversity,” she explained.
The program also emphasizes the value of each participant. Williams stressed, “We’re offering you resources, but you are also a resource to us.” This approach builds trust and empowers the students.
Expanding Horizons: A Nationwide HBCU Tour
Following the success of their pilot program, Williams has big plans for the future. The coding boot camp will continue in 2025, with aims to reach more HBCUs across the country.
“Our goal is to impact every single HBCU,” Williams declared. “I want to do a tour. I want to be at an HBCU near you… be present and available for women who want to be empowered.”
The Power of Representation in Tech
Williams’ initiative is particularly important given the underrepresentation of Black women in tech fields. By bringing these programs directly to HBCUs, she’s making tech education more accessible and relatable.
Her personal journey from actress to tech enthusiast serves as an inspiration. It shows that career pivots are possible and that diverse backgrounds can be an asset in the tech world.
A Call to Action for HBCU Women
As the program expands, Williams encourages HBCU women to embrace these opportunities. The skills taught in these boot camps can open doors to lucrative and innovative careers in technology.
With support from partners like Apple and a growing network of alumnae, the future looks bright for Williams’ coding boot camps. Her mission to empower HBCU women in STEM is just getting started.
