Memphis was first stop on Black Girls Code summer camp tour

June 15, 2026 - 04:45

Black Girls Code launched its 14-city summer camp tour this week at Highland Oaks Middle School in Memphis, bringing hands-on tech education to 37 local girls. The program focused on game development and core coding skills, aiming to close the diversity gap in technology fields.

Participants spent the day learning to build their own video games, working with instructors who guided them through basic programming logic and design principles. Organizers said the Memphis stop was chosen to reach young women in underserved communities where access to computer science education is often limited.

The nonprofit, founded in 2011, has trained thousands of girls across the United States. This year's tour includes camps in cities like Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles, with each session tailored to local students. The Memphis event marked a return to in-person learning after several years of virtual programming.

Parents and teachers at Highland Oaks praised the initiative, noting that many students had no prior exposure to coding. One instructor said the goal was not just to teach technical skills but to show the girls that they belong in the tech industry. The camp ended with a showcase where participants demonstrated their finished games to family and community members.