In 2019, Brenda Thornton, then a junior at Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta, embarked on a journey that would alter the course of her life. She joined an after-school program run by HYPE, a nonprofit aimed at introducing underrepresented girls to the world of technology through coding.
What initially drew Thornton into HYPE was the promise of a free trip overseas. “I didn’t know those were the terms and conditions, but I was told a free trip,” she recalled with a laugh.
However, the unforeseen pandemic disrupted those plans, leading to the cancellation of the international excursion. Undeterred, Thornton continued with the HYPE program and delved into the intricacies of coding websites. This newfound passion ignited her curiosity about the inner workings of computers, prompting her to seek a deeper understanding of technology.
By the time she spoke at the inaugural HYPE About Tech conference in March, her life had taken a dramatic turn. Thornton now aims to graduate from the University of Georgia with a degree in computer systems engineering and a minor in computer science. This September, she will embark on a new journey as an engineer at Boeing.
The story of HYPE begins with its founder, Kristina Newton, a former tech consultant who sought to make a meaningful impact after growing disillusioned with the consulting world. Following a year of traveling and volunteering with various nonprofits, she returned to the U.S. with a mission to empower girls like Thornton.
“I started realizing that there are a lot of other women who had stories like me — leaving technology, not having mentors,” Newton explained, reflecting on her motivation to establish HYPE.
Her experiences working with educational nonprofits revealed the stark disparities in resources available to students based on their socioeconomic status. This insight fueled the creation of HYPE, which strives to empower historically underrepresented girls to excel as leaders in technology.
The underrepresentation of women, particularly women of color, in the tech industry has been a persistent issue for decades. A report by McKinsey indicated that while the number of computing degrees awarded to Black, Latina, and Native American women nearly doubled between 2016 and 2021, their proportion in the workforce actually declined.
In 2018, women of color constituted 4.6% of the U.S. tech workforce; by 2022, that percentage had dropped to 4.1%.
To combat these trends, HYPE implements three core initiatives designed to enhance representation in tech. The first is the HYPE project, a 12-week after-school club that teaches coding to middle and high school girls.
The second initiative is a leadership academy, a 10-month program focused on preparing high school girls for college and careers, providing valuable opportunities for paid internships as well.
Lastly, the international experience program—originally the reason Thornton joined HYPE—allows participants to teach coding skills to girls in different communities while leading a one-week camp abroad.
HYPE primarily operates in Title I schools, which serve a high number of low-income students. In Atlanta, many of these schools are located on the south side of the city and predominantly serve Black students.
This year, HYPE launched the HYPE About Tech conference, designed to connect high school girls with influential women in technology and expose them to artificial intelligence and career opportunities. The conference was made possible through a three-year, $350,000 grant from the Sage Foundation, the social impact arm of the global software firm Sage.
Since its inception, HYPE has positively affected the lives of over 4,000 girls both in the U.S. and internationally. The nonprofit has collaborated with students from various school districts, including Newton, DeKalb, and Clayton County, as well as Atlanta Public Schools and the Georgia Cyber Academy.
After a hiatus during the pandemic, HYPE resumed its international program, with a trip planned for 2024 where a few girls visited Jamaica, including Thornton as an alumna.
“It was nice,” she recounted. “I learned a lot.”
In conclusion, HYPE’s mission embodies the transformational power of education and mentorship. As young women like Brenda Thornton navigate their paths in technology, organizations like HYPE are crucial in shaping a more inclusive future in the tech industry. Through their initiatives, they inspire the next generation of female leaders in tech, fostering a sense of community and empowerment, and paving the way for positive change.
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