DATA IS FOR

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Our Partners

Our Vision: To activate Black Kids to use data as a creative superpower

Our Mission: To close the diversity gap in data literacy

At all levels, Black students are less likely to have access to a computer science class at school. We have to close this diversity gap in data. Because data has been called the fuel of the 21st century, and it shouldn’t only be understood by the few. But we will fail if we start by asking kids if they want to be data scientists. Because data is not just for data scientists. Data is for athletes, artists, inventors, gamers, influencers, activists, entrepreneurs. And yes, data is also for data scientists.

Data isn’t a single career path. Data is a leg up. An x-factor. An exponent.

Data is everywhere, because technology is everywhere. And kids are constant users, sources, creators, and contributors of it. Understanding data is a new type of literacy. And there is power in it no matter what you want to be when you grow up. But you cannot be what you cannot see.

introducing:

A program that gets kids interested in data science to revamp the pipeline of talent.

The BKP curriculum expands 6th-12th grade kids’ idea of data and computer sciences from a geeky desk job they don’t want to a superpower that can help them predict and improve fun outcomes in the real world.

our philosophy

If it feels like school, it stays at school

We have to help kids make real connections and we can't just do it once.

The BKP Pilot Program

Black Kids Predict Moves

The pilot program is all about sensors. This introduction to how data and technology can be used to predict will spark kids’ curiosity and give them real world examples they’ll love - from Spider Man to 70s toy commercials to activities they can do in their own homes with family and friends.

Week 01

Power of
Sensors

Introducing kids to what a sensor is, and how humans already have them, but technology makes them more powerful.

Week 02

Promise of
Wearables

Introducing kids to what a sensor is, and how humans already have them, but technology makes them more powerful.

Week 03

Take Off That
Silly Watch

Introducing kids to what a sensor is, and how humans already have them, but technology makes them more powerful.

Week 04

Designers
Wanted

Introducing kids to what a sensor is, and how humans already have them, but technology makes them more powerful.

Week 05

Limitations of Wearables & Sensors

Introducing kids to what a sensor is, and how humans already have them, but technology makes them more powerful.

our infrastructure

What makes us so sure we can pull this off?

01 STEAMbassadors

We have an existing process to hire and train 150 college-aged ambassadors who run the program and interface with the younger students. These ambassadors are also getting a STEAM education and learning to see data differently.

02 STEAMville

We will be plugging in to an existing educational platform, which allows kids to watch live lessons, previously recorded sessions, upload and showcase their work. This platform is where STEAMbasssadors complete their training. Parents also have access to this portal, which is essential.

Our founding Partners

The Team Behind BKP

Martin Gilliard

CEO, Retail Data Science Company, UP.labs

Zipporah 
Allen

Chief Business Officer of Strava

Courtney Getum

Director of Solution Delivery - McKinsey and Company

Nichole Pinkard

Associate Professor at Northwestern University

Steven Keith Platt

Director of Analytics and Lecturer of Applied AI and Statistics at Loyola University

Marcelo Worsley

Assistant Professor of Computer & Learning Sciences at Northwestern

Michael L. Thompson

President and Founder of Deciban Solutions, LLC

Derek Gaskins

Chief Marketing Officer of Yesway

Matthew Kelly

SVP | Digital & Automation | Asset Management, Northern Trust Bank

Shawn Harris

CEO & Cofounder of Coworked

Vikas Mehta

CFO, Komodo Health

Donna Auguste

Founder and CEO of Auguste Research Group, LLC

Malik S. Henfield

Founding Dean and Professor of the
Institute for Racial Justice at
Loyola University Chicago

We have the opportunity to make a huge impact.

BKP doesn't just stop with the curriculum...we attack the pipeline of talent. We don’t expect every kid to end up in a STEAM career, but whatever career they pursue, they will do so with the understanding and ability to apply data in ways that make them more successful.

With our partnerships and scale, we predict that we will achieve universal access to data science curriculum by the end of the decade.

Our Metrics

500+

As of 2022, over 500 youth have already completed BKP Sports modules via Evanston D65, Chicago Parks, and Boys and Girls Club programming

1500+

As of 2022, over 1,500 additional youth were exposed to BKP Sports via pop-ups, 3v3 tournaments, etc.

4x

Students involved in 2022 BKP summer camps reported an approximate fourfold increase in their belief that “computer science can help (them) improve in sports”.

3x

Students involved in 2022 BKP summer camps reported about a threefold increase in their belief that “computer science is fun”.

You in?

Join Us

be a founding partner

Become a corporate or community-group partner.
Contact us through email, linked below.

leverage our curriculum

For educators or instructors, utilize our curriculum to help inform your students of computer science.
Contact us through email, linked below.

Sign up

Sign up your child to participate in BKP.
Contact us through email, linked below.

Contact the BKP Team:
info@blackkidspredict.org

contact

Media

High-Tech CHI - Dec. 2023
Pictures of Marcelo and team running a series of workshops at High-Tech CHI.
High-Tech CHI was co-hosted by the City of Chicago Department of Family & Support Services, CS for Success, and Discovery Partners Institute. This event showcased the many computing-based opportunities available to youth across the Chicagoland area.
High-Tech CHI - Dec. 2023
Pictures of Marcelo and team running a series of workshops at High-Tech CHI.
High-Tech CHI was co-hosted by the City of Chicago Department of Family & Support Services, CS for Success, and Discovery Partners Institute. This event showcased the many computing-based opportunities available to youth across the Chicagoland area.
High-Tech CHI - Dec. 2023
Pictures of Marcelo and team running a series of workshops at High-Tech CHI.
High-Tech CHI was co-hosted by the City of Chicago Department of Family & Support Services, CS for Success, and Discovery Partners Institute. This event showcased the many computing-based opportunities available to youth across the Chicagoland area.
Bulls and Motorola Partner to Host A Youth Basketball Clinic for Black Kids Predict - May 2023
BKP accepts a donation of 50 Moto G Styles Smartphones and several Lenovo tablets from the Chicago Bulls and Motorola. These smartphones will be used to support BKP Sports programming on Chicago's westside.
Bulls and Motorola Partner to Host A Youth Basketball Clinic for Black Kids Predict - May 2023
A group photo from a sensor-enabled youth basketball camp at Austin High School in Chicago. Youth used sensor-enabled basketballs and headbands to record and improve their shooting, passing, dribbling, and teamwork. The basketball clinic was a collaboration among BKP, the Chicago Bulls, and the Boys and Girls Club of Chicago.
Black Kids Predict at Evanston Township High School using the SmartShot technology - Nov. 2022
Black Kids Predict presented Kayode Vann at Evanston Township High School. Kayode demonstrated his SmartShot technology to attendees. The event illustrated how computer science can support athletic development.
Black Kids Predict at Evanston Township High School using the SmartShot technology - Nov. 2022
Black Kids Predict presented Kayode Vann at Evanston Township High School. Kayode demonstrated his SmartShot technology to attendees. The event illustrated how computer science can support athletic development.
Black Kids Predict at Evanston Township High School using the SmartShot technology - Nov. 2022
Black Kids Predict presented Kayode Vann at Evanston Township High School. Kayode demonstrated his SmartShot technology to attendees. The event illustrated how computer science can support athletic development.
Black Kids Predict at Evanston Township High School using the SmartShot technology - Nov. 2022
Black Kids Predict presented Kayode Vann at Evanston Township High School. Kayode demonstrated his SmartShot technology to attendees. The event illustrated how computer science can support athletic development.
Black Kids Predict at Evanston Township High School using the SmartShot technology - Nov. 2022
Black Kids Predict presented Kayode Vann at Evanston Township High School. Kayode demonstrated his SmartShot technology to attendees. The event illustrated how computer science can support athletic development.
Black Kids Predict at Evanston Township High School using the SmartShot technology - Nov. 2022
Black Kids Predict presented Kayode Vann at Evanston Township High School. Kayode demonstrated his SmartShot technology to attendees. The event illustrated how computer science can support athletic development.
Black Kids Predict at Evanston Township High School using the SmartShot technology - Nov. 2022
Black Kids Predict presented Kayode Vann at Evanston Township High School. Kayode demonstrated his SmartShot technology to attendees. The event illustrated how computer science can support athletic development.
Black Kids Predict at the Chicago Bears Practice Facility - Aug. 2022
Black Kids Predict students visit the Chicago Bears practice facility. The visit supported student development of ideas for using computer science to improve sports-related metrics. Students also met some Bears staff involved in computer science and players during their visit.
Black Kids Predict at the Chicago Bears Practice Facility - Aug. 2022
Black Kids Predict students visit the Chicago Bears practice facility. The visit supported student development of ideas for using computer science to improve sports-related metrics. Students also met some Bears staff involved in computer science and players during their visit.
Black Kids Predict at the Chicago Bears Practice Facility - Aug. 2022
Black Kids Predict students visit the Chicago Bears practice facility. The visit supported student development of ideas for using computer science to improve sports-related metrics. Students also met some Bears staff involved in computer science and players during their visit.
Black Kids Predict at the Chicago Bears Practice Facility - Aug. 2022
Black Kids Predict students visit the Chicago Bears practice facility. The visit supported student development of ideas for using computer science to improve sports-related metrics. Students also met some Bears staff involved in computer science and players during their visit.
Black Kids Predict at the Chicago Bears Practice Facility - Aug. 2022
Black Kids Predict students visit the Chicago Bears practice facility. The visit supported student development of ideas for using computer science to improve sports-related metrics. Students also met some Bears staff involved in computer science and players during their visit.
Black Kids Predict at the Chicago Bears Practice Facility - Aug. 2022
Black Kids Predict students visit the Chicago Bears practice facility. The visit supported student development of ideas for using computer science to improve sports-related metrics. Students also met some Bears staff involved in computer science and players during their visit.

Contact Us:

Evan Grandoit (Graduate Student Assistant)
evan.grandoit@u.northwestern.edu

contact

BKP Team
info@blackkidspredict.org

contact

Natika Washington (Executive Director)
natika.washington@northwestern.edu

contact