We inspire black and brown boys to become technology entrepreneurs
Why We Do it
55% of Black and Latino males drop out of school in low-income communities, which translates into high rates of incarceration, unemployment, and early death.
1 in 6
Latino men are incarcerated during their lifetimes.
1 in 3
Black men are incarcerated during their lifetimes.
Bryan Zamora
Rising Alumni | Freshman
University of California, Santa Barbara
TXT has given me the opportunity to learn under various tech professionals and gain the foundations that will help me build toward my passion. TXT has helped me do a lot of searching to understand what I value professionally and personally so I can pursue the best education possible. In a direct way, Oscar and staff have helped me write my essays, determine options for colleges, and advocated for me in recommendations. I have been involved with TXT for 4 years and have connected brothers on a level that is immeasurable. I know that I can rely on my brothers in the alumni network to provide opportunities of jobs or projects and to help project us into a success that we can bring back to the community. As I move on and attend the Iovine and Young Academy at USC, I know that I am equipped to succeed thanks to TXT.
Kayven Perez
Rising Alumni | Freshman
University of California, Merced
Before I joined TXT, I had stuttering problem, which made me shy at times. However, after being a part TXT, I started to speak up and share my thoughts to large crowds, which helped me decrease my stutter. I have been with TXT for four years. Each year, TXT pushes your level of thinking beyond expectations. It teaches every single one of us to ask questions that are quintessential to our individual success and self-mastery. I will be attending UC Merced this fall to continue my self-mastery and major in Applied Mathematics.
Christian Lopez
Rising Alumni | Freshman
Hawai`i Pacific University
I will be studying Computer Science at Hawaii Pacific University. I have been in TXT for four years. The roles I got to play in TXT shaped me as a person who has a vision for myself and community and I believe it is something that made me unique when it came to applying for college. A message, I would leave the LIL’s is to take the program seriously and just have fun.
Ricardo Martinez
Rising Alumni | Freshman
University of California, Northridge
I will be attending CSUN majoring in Mechanical Engineering. I have been part of TXT for three years. Starting off I was very timid and quiet, but with the help of TXT. I started to speak up, and ask questions which are skills that are leading me to a path of success. Trust the process! Stick around TXT because they are a valuable asset and can help provide you with a wide variety of information/opportunities.
Asarel Castellanos
Rising Alumni | Freshman
University of California, Santa Cruz
I have been a part of TXT for three years. I joined TXT because I saw the change it caused in my friends. For me, TXT filled in all the gaps of knowledge regarding the whole process of where to apply for college and make sure to put my best foot forward. I also served as Tech Lead in charge of teaching the TXTers AR. I will be attending UC Santa Cruz in the fall and majoring in Computer Science, possibly a double major in economics. A message I give to all the LIL’s is – come in with the mindset of "wanting success more than your next breath" that was the only way I could see myself going through SCLA.
Elmer Vasquez
Rising Alumni | Freshman
University of California, Santa Cruz
Thanks to TXT and our alumni network I have been able to familiarize myself with the traditions of UCSC by asking other alumni who attend UCSC. It is important, to take advantage of the connections you build with TXT. Whether if it’s with friends of professionals, it’s important to keep our brotherhood connected. I’ve been a part of the TXT brotherhood for two years and will now be a part of the alumni network at University of California, Santa Cruz, majoring in Computer Science.
Jose Santana
Rising Alumni | Freshman
University of California, Irvine
I have been a part of TXT for three years. TXT has helped me immensely on my path to college. They have helped my become a better leader, exposed me to multiple things that I would have not otherwise have seen. While you are here, soak up all the knowledge, do as best you can and talk to as many people as possible. I honestly feel that if it wasn’t for TXT I would not be attending UCI and majoring in software engineering this fall.
What We Do
Youth Development
We work with our students to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood head-on to achieve their full potentials. Our holistic approach allows our youth to discover their strengths and weaknesses. We encourage youth to work in groups and engage in good faith arguments to encourage exponential personal growth. Our programs foster significant improvements in self-advocacy, community responsibility, control of emotions, and much more.
Coding
A full-stack developer is comfortable working with all the technologies required to develop an idea into a finished product. Our students learn to code both the front and back ends of their web or mobile applications. We believe that by teaching them how to study coding languages, they can make a better decision of becoming a CS major.
Business Development
We teach our students to use the Business Model Canvas; they learn to develop a value proposition, identify their target market segment, collect and analyze data, and more. We also teach our students to plan strategically and to develop professional relationships and partnerships.
Design Thinking
Design thinking is an observational, human-centered, and cyclical approach problem solving. We teach our students to empathize with their communities to discover a problem they want to solve, define the cause of the problem they are addressing, ideate potential solutions, test prototypes, and learn by iterating through the cycle.
10,000+
Hours of Coding Instruction
95%
Attend 4-Year Universities
75%
Major in Computer Science
1,500+
Students Served Yearly
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