Empowering the Future: Highlights from the 2025 Black Futures Hackathon
On February 28, 2025, despite a week of freezing temperatures, 28 determined students gathered at Atlas School for the Black Futures Hackathon—a celebration of Black History Month and a bold statement on the importance of diversity in tech. This event was not just about coding; it was about empowerment, representation, and preparing the next generation for success in an evolving digital world.
Honoring the Past, Building the Future
The Black Futures Hackathon challenged students to explore the legacy of Black Wall Street by researching historic Greenwood businesses and developing mock websites using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Through this hands-on experience, students gained valuable coding skills, problem-solving abilities, and a deeper connection to Tulsa’s history of Black entrepreneurship and innovation.
Who Participated?
Seventy-six percent of participants were Black/African American.
Thirty-two percent of participants were female/female-identified.
Latino, Indigenous, and Asian students were also represented.
Students from middle and high schools across Tulsa attended.
The one-day event was designed to inspire future technologists, innovators, and entrepreneurs by reinforcing the critical role of Black, Latino, and Indigenous students in Tulsa’s future tech landscape.
Why This Matters
As Tulsa emerges as a federally designated tech hub, ensuring that historically excluded communities have access to high-quality, industry-aligned STEM education is more important than ever. Programs like the Black Futures Hackathon provide students with:
Real-world coding experience that can be applied to careers in software development, cybersecurity, and more.
Opportunities to collaborate, innovate, and develop problem-solving skills.
A chance to see themselves as future leaders in technology.
A Special Thank You to Atlas School
This event would not have been possible without Atlas School, whose continued support of Urban Coders Guild and commitment to expanding access to high-quality computer science education played a crucial role in making the Black Futures Hackathon a success.
Looking Ahead
The impact of this program extends beyond a single day—it’s about ensuring that students from all backgrounds have the tools, opportunities, and support they need to thrive in tech. As we continue to build equitable pathways into the technology workforce, we celebrate the achievements of every student who participated and look forward to creating even more opportunities for young innovators in Tulsa.
Stay connected with us for updates on future events and programs!
➡️ Learn more about Urban Coders Guild:
📍 Website: www.urbancodersguild.org
📍 LinkedIn: Urban Coders Guild
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