Our History

Since our founding in 2012, Code2040 has built one of the largest communities of Black and Latinx technologists in the industry. We’ve been the entry point into the industry for hundreds of Computer Science undergrads. Our work alongside over 250 tech-driven organizations has advanced the recruitment, retention, and advancement of Black and Latinx talent in tech. Today, we are building the power of our community to dismantle structural racism in tech, and creating spaces to center and celebrate Black and Latinx imaginations, expertise, and experiences.

2012 – 2015: The Beginning

Founding of the Fellows Program

(2012- Current)

Our Fellows Program was founded as an intensive career accelerator for Black and Latinx college and graduate-level computer science students. Our Fellows Program has created a pathway for nearly 200 Black and Latinx early career professionals to enter the tech industry. Every year, we welcome new Black and Latinx technologists into the Fellows Program.

Launch of Technical Application Prep (TAP)

(2015- Current)

We created TAP to close an opportunity gap for Computer Science college majors accessing paid internships and early career jobs as technologists. We hosted retreats, offering technical support, resume workshops, interview prep, and community.

Today, we offer these resources and more as part of our nine month Fellows Program.

Launch of The Summit and Kick It

(2015- 2019)

Building Relationships and cultivating community is at the heart of Code2040’s work.

In 2015, we hosted our first Summit; an in-person gathering over the course of a weekend with speakers, workshops, networking, and lots of food. The Summit culminated in Kick It, where program participants, community members, and staff danced all night long.

Entrepreneur in Residence Program

(2015- 2016)

In partnership with Google for Entrepreneurs, our EIR Program was designed to be the friends and family funding round for Black and Latinx tech entrepreneurs.

We worked with EIRs in Austin, Chicago, and Durham, helping them to help build relationships, strong funding networks, and supporting the scale of their businesses.

2016 – 2019: The Middle

Launch of Tech Trek

(2016- 2018)

Tech Trek offered a week-long, immersive career-prep experience for 50 Black and Latinx Computer Science majors. During the all-expenses paid program, students built their peer network, visited local tech companies, connected with industry leaders, and received mentorship from Code2040. Tech Trek generated data toward building collective capacity for systems change.

Launch of ECAP

(2017- 2019)

We launched our Early Career Accelerator Program (ECAP) as a way to increase retention and hiring among Black and Latinx early career professionals. We offered community, mentorship, coaching and online engagement toward tactical solutions to the professional and cultural roadblocks Black and Latinx people face in tech workplaces.

Leadership Transition

(2018)

Code2040’s CEO and Co-Founder Laura Weidman Powers handed over leadership to Karla Monterroso, who had been Code2040’s longtime VP of Programs. Under Karla, Code2040 vastly expanded its programmatic capacity, size, depth of engagement, and thought leadership. Karla’s move to CEO ushered in the strategic shift that began that same year.

Strategic Shift

(2018- 2020)

Code2040 deepened its commitments to systems change by refocusing our efforts on mobilizing people to tackle racial equity within companies. We learned that being nimble and sustainable are not mutually exclusive, and began adapting our programs to target the structural barriers that prevent the full participation and leadership of Black and Latinx people in the innovation economy.

2020 – Now: The Present

Leadership Shifts

(2020)

Our CEO Karla Monterroso unexpectedly stepped down from her role after contracting COVID-19 early in 2020. Longtime VP of Programs and General Manager, Mimi Fox Melton stepped in as CEO.

Mimi stewarded Code2040 through the tumultuous pandemic period, while growing the team and programs as we continue to move toward 2040 and our goal of shifting the balance of power in tech.

Shifting Enagements

(2020)

In 2020, we adapted our programs for the safety and health of our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Going virtual expanded our Fellows Program into a nation-wide network of racial equity advocates.

As a result of going virtual, we were able to respond rapidly and more expansively to community needs for support and engagement during the racial justice uprisings of 2020.

Foundational Focus

(2020- 2023)

We’ve learned that lasting, systemic change happens in community. We continue our work investing in Black and Latinx technologists, building our collective capacity for systemic change, and creating the resources, programs, and trainings necessary to achieve racial equity in tech.

Today, we are growing the movement for racial equity in the innovation economy.

So Shifts The Sector

(2022- Current)

We respond to white supremacy and racism in the innovation economy by creating spaces where Black technologists are celebrated, their joy is sacred, and their imaginations are nourished. So Shifts the Sector is a data project offering facilitated conversations for Black folks working in tech to gather together, tell their stories, and share their experiences.