Kimberly Bryant

Kimberly Bryant is an American electrical engineer and founder of Black Girls Code, a non-profit organization that aims to increase the number of African American girls in the field of computer science. She has worked with various organizations, including Google, Microsoft, and Apple Inc., to promote diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. Bryant's work has been recognized by the White House, National Science Foundation, and MIT Media Lab. She has also collaborated with Melinda Gates, Sheryl Sandberg, and Reshma Saujani to promote women in technology.

● Early Life and Education

Kimberly Bryant was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and grew up in San Francisco, California. She developed an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at a young age, encouraged by her parents and teachers at San Francisco State University's Upward Bound program. Bryant attended Vanderbilt University, where she earned a degree in electrical engineering and was a member of the National Society of Black Engineers. She later worked at DuPont, Merck, and Genentech, and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.

● Career

Bryant's career in the tech industry began at Genentech, where she worked as an engineering manager. She later joined Merck as a senior manager and worked on various projects, including the development of biotechnology products. Bryant has also worked with Pfizer, IBM, and Cisco Systems, and has been a member of the National Advisory Council for the National Science Foundation's Computer and Information Science and Engineering directorate. She has collaborated with Marc Andreessen, Reid Hoffman, and Vinod Khosla to promote entrepreneurship and innovation in the Silicon Valley.

● Black Girls Code

In 2011, Bryant founded Black Girls Code, a non-profit organization that aims to increase the number of African American girls in the field of computer science. The organization provides coding workshops, robotics classes, and app development training to girls from underrepresented communities. Black Girls Code has partnered with Google, Microsoft, and Facebook to provide resources and support to its students. The organization has also received funding from the National Science Foundation, Gates Foundation, and Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Bryant has worked with Alicia Garza, Angela Davis, and Beverly Daniel Tatum to promote diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.

● Awards and Recognition

Bryant has received numerous awards and recognition for her work, including the White House Champions of Change for Tech Inclusion award, the National Center for Women & Information Technology's NCWIT Symons Innovator Award, and the Jefferson Award for Public Service. She has also been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, and Ebony magazine as one of the most influential African American women in the tech industry. Bryant has received honorary degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Drexel University, and Spelman College, and has been inducted into the National Academy of Engineering.

● Public Life and Advocacy

Bryant is a prominent advocate for diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. She has spoken at conferences, including SXSW, TED, and World Economic Forum, and has written articles for The New York Times, Forbes, and HuffPost. Bryant has also testified before the United States Congress on issues related to STEM education and diversity in the tech industry. She has worked with Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and Kamala Harris to promote education and economic opportunity for underrepresented communities. Bryant has also collaborated with Malala Yousafzai, Sheryl WuDunn, and Nicholas Kristof to promote girls' education and women's empowerment around the world. Category:American engineers