Innovation

We Can Code IT is a coding bootcamp located in Cleveland and Columbus Ohio that offers participants full-time and part-time programs with a C#/.NET or Java focus and career support. What makes We Can Code IT different from other coding bootcamps offered in Northeast Ohio, or even around the United States, is their commitment and focus on diversity and inclusiveness. The founder and CEO of We Can Code IT, Mel McGee, wants to create role models in the community. "I think we provide a valuable skill for folks who are stuck. Especially woman and minorities – the majority of jobs going away because of automation are effecting women and minorities," said Mel. "I want to create role models within the community. So other people can see them and say 'I can do that'."

Currently, less than 18% of IT teams in companies are comprised of women, African Americans, and Latinos. We Can Code IT has set the goal of increasing diversity in the technology sector by 10% by 2028. "Equity in tech is our vision," said Mel, "changing inclusion and diversity in tech by 2028." One way that the company is accomplishing this mission is through the students they enroll. Underrepresented groups make up 70% of We Can Code IT students. That number is much higher than the average you would see at other universities and educational programs. The company then helps their students with resume and career support, bringing their diverse students into the work force. In turn, a younger generation will see more women, African Americans, Latinos, and other underrepresented groups in computer science jobs and know that the technology industry is a path available to them.

Inspiration

When Mel was 10 years old her father came home with a computer. "He said 'You'll love this Mel'," remembers Mel. "The computer had one program, on a floppy disk, and I played with it until I was bored and then tried to figure out what was next. So I opened up the book that came with the computer and it was a programming book. So I followed along. I got the computer to write my name over and over again."

Even though Mel grew up around computers when she went to college she ended up studying anthropology and psychology. "When I went to undergrad I was not thrilled with computer science – it intimated me. It was all guys with beards wearing Birkenstocks. I felt like I didn’t belong even though I loved it." After graduating from Case Western Reserve University Mel ended up working "mundane" jobs until she found her way back to computers. "I decided to go back to school. Night school. Paid for it myself. The guys didn’t look as scary, but it was still me and a whole bunch of guys. I ended up excelling. I started a masters program in computer science. I was the top of the class and I worked really hard. In the middle of the program I got hired."

After working as a web developer and creating web applications, Mel started her own consulting firm. She was doing mostly freelance work up until her daughter started school. "She went to school and I wanted to get back into it. I started doing speaking engagements. I had women coming up to me after the presentations and asking me if I could teach them to code. And I said absolutely. I have very strong views about education."

"I started teaching people, turned it into a meetup, people started asking for more and more and more." said Mel. She started hearing encouragement to turn what she was doing into a bootcamp. We Can Code IT's first bootcamp started on March 9, 2015. The company has been growing since then.

Mel decided to start the We Can Code IT bootcamp "because of the same reason I felt – I didn’t feel included. I never felt invited to the party. We would teach really strong skills – make underrepresented folks feel really included; Women, African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos."

Overall impact

Of the impact Mel and We Can Code IT is having in the Cleveland community, Mel said, "Helping community members find a new career in software development. Helping companies who are struggling to find employees – helping them to succeed. Helping the community to grow – grow the tech community in Cleveland. Helping Cleveland get into the 21st century economy. There are going to be more jobs in tech and less in other fields."

According to the We Can Code IT website, 3 of the top 5 in-demand jobs right now are in the computer science field. We Can Code IT is "helping people who were never exposed to this," said Mel. The company is creating role models and helping to fills jobs that are available in the community. Mel feels that We Can Code IT is "helping individuals, helping companies, and helping the community."

Business benefit

"When you are working on a business that also has a social impact there is a balance between profit mission and values mission. They have to work in harmony." said Mel of creating We Can Code IT and embedding the mission of diversity and equality in the tech industry into her for-profit company.

While creating We Can Code IT, Mel considered organizing the company as a non-profit. She ended up choosing to become a for-profit organization because she wanted to get up and running as soon as possible and hasn't looked back. "The reality is everyone get out of my way we are going to do this and make it work. That’s how we did it. I like doing it and saying we built this on hard work and effort." said Mel. Her own story with computer programming fuels her passion and commitment for helping others succeed in the tech industry.

Social and environmental benefit

Since 2015, more than 300 students have participated in We Can Code IT's bootcamps. As mentioned previously, 70% of those students are from underrepresented segments in society including women, African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, and other minority ethnicities. Mel and We Can Code IT have a commitment to bringing diversity to the tech industry. More than just diversity though, Mel has created her company to create role models. She wants others in the community to see that it doesn't matter your background, ethnicity, or gender, you can succeed in the tech industry and We Can Code IT is committed to helping people get there.

"I want other women to be entrepreneurs. You can do it and help your family succeed. Help yourself succeed." said Mel. Mel herself is a role model in the Cleveland community, demonstrating that women and minorities can and will succeed with hard work and some help from the right educational program.

Interview

Mel McGee, Founder and CEO