A Letter From Our Founder

I have spent the past two decades in the Information Technology sector and have witnessed first-hand, the impact of STEM based curriculums on our youth. Technology advances by leaps and bounds seemingly every day. Offering cross-disciplinary programs, with instructions in real-world applications prepares the youth for the future in this fast-changing global economy.

Interacting with my peers in the technology sector, I have realized that not everyone has learned how to think for themselves. My dream is that all children in K-12 receive not only an introduction but rigorous STEM curriculum that involves hands-on/project-based critical thinking instruction via afterschool programs. This style of education builds the skills and mindsets that employers find incredibly valuable.

During my time spent in the public and private technology sectors, I’ve noticed a clear and severe lack of representation of people of color in the industry. The global pandemic has brought to light even more disparities amongst people of color and how lack of opportunities and education have only increased poverty and the wage gap in economically disadvantaged communities.

With Cray 4 Kids (“C4K”), I seek to create a trend of teaching STEM through robust after school programs in underrepresented communities, such as Columbia, SC. Many areas in the South are considered STEM deserts, where few to no STEM youth programs exist. In addition, many K-12 schools in the Carolinas lack the foundation needed for STEM careers and/or college entrance.

C4K will provide programs that enable all youth, particularly our most vulnerable youth who live in underrepresented communities, to become leaders in the technology sector. I envision fostering future engineers, mathematicians, scientists and architects of new technologies. C4K will strive to provide access to STEM curriculums, support and teachers that represent them and their community. I believe and hope that this will help close the economic gap experienced by underrepresented youth and adults in the United States.

C4K was formed with a goal to help the next generation, become innovators and leaders that the United States so desperately needs. Currently, the United States is in a high tech crisis with a increasing shortage of qualified and skilled professionals. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, roughly 71% of STEM careers are in computing. As technology continues to advance, the already high demand for STEM professionals continues to climb.

I envision C4K to be an organization that provides our youth the foundation, framework, and support needed to thrive globally in this ever-changing and increasingly complex world.