Building A More Inclusive Future Through Tech Education

WeCode KC is addressing a critical challenge in Kansas City: the persistent lack of diversity in the technology sector. Despite rapid growth in the tech industry, opportunities for Black and Brown individuals remain limited due to longstanding economic and educational disparities. WeCode KC is working to change that narrative—empowering youth from underserved communities with the tools, training, and support they need to thrive in high-demand technology careers.

The Problem: A Widening Opportunity Gap

Across Kansas City, Black and Brown communities continue to face systemic barriers that limit access to economic mobility. This is particularly true in the rapidly expanding tech industry, where representation from these communities remains disproportionately low.

Economic Disparities

Data from recent U.S. Census reports reveal that predominantly Black and Brown neighborhoods in Kansas City experience poverty and unemployment rates well above the citywide average. Many families in these areas earn less than the federal poverty threshold, limiting their ability to access enrichment programs, private tutoring, or advanced academic opportunities.

Educational Inequities

Schools in under-resourced neighborhoods often lack the funding and infrastructure necessary to deliver quality STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. Students from these communities are less likely to have access to computer science courses, up-to-date technology, or qualified STEM educators—leaving them underprepared for careers in a tech-driven economy.

Workforce Development Gaps

The Kansas City tech sector is projected to grow by 15% over the next decade, but many local job seekers, especially from marginalized communities, are not equipped with the necessary skills. Employers consistently report difficulty finding diverse, qualified candidates for open positions. Without intervention, these roles will continue to be filled by individuals from outside the region—or not at all.

Mental Health & Social Stressors

Students from low-income households often face additional challenges such as financial instability, housing insecurity, and limited access to mental health resources. These stressors negatively impact academic performance and long-term career prospects. The stigma surrounding mental health support in many communities only compounds the problem, making it harder for young people to seek help.

Understanding The Local Need

WeCode KC was founded with direct input from the communities it serves. Community surveys and assessments conducted by the organization revealed that 70% of participants come from households earning below the poverty line. Families expressed a strong desire for accessible tech training but noted a lack of affordable, local programs. Independent reports from sources such as the Kansas City Business Journal confirm that the local tech industry struggles with diversity, despite widespread demand for skilled professionals.

The Solution: WeCode KC

WeCode KC exists to bridge the opportunity gap by providing youth from Black and Brown communities with free or low-cost access to high-quality, hands-on technology education. By removing financial and systemic barriers, WeCode KC is helping to diversify Kansas City’s tech workforce while lifting families out of poverty.

High-Impact Tech Education

At the heart of WeCode KC’s approach are robust coding and technology programs designed for students of all experience levels. From introductory coding classes to advanced software development, cybersecurity, and game design, students receive instruction in real-world tech skills aligned with industry demands. These courses are taught by experienced instructors and professionals of color, offering both mentorship and representation.

Industry-Recognized Certifications

To prepare students for successful careers, WeCode KC helps participants earn certifications that are recognized and respected by employers. These credentials enhance their resumes and open doors to internships, apprenticeships, and full-time positions in the tech field.

Holistic Support Services

Recognizing that academic achievement alone is not enough, WeCode KC also addresses students' social and emotional well-being. The program provides mental health resources, family support services, and one-on-one mentoring to help students stay engaged and resilient. Participants are encouraged to express themselves, build confidence, and develop essential soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.

Community & Career Connections

WeCode KC collaborates with local tech companies, schools, and nonprofit organizations to create a network of opportunity. Through these partnerships, students gain access to internships, job shadowing experiences, and guest lectures from professionals in the field. These connections offer invaluable exposure and help students envision a future in which they are active, valued members of the tech community.

A Vision For A More Equitable Kansas City

WeCode KC envisions a future where young people of all backgrounds can access the training and resources they need to succeed in high-paying, high-demand tech careers. By eliminating the barriers that have historically excluded Black and Brown youth from the tech workforce, WeCode KC is fostering economic mobility, community resilience, and generational change.

This mission goes beyond individual success. As more students graduate from WeCode KC’s programs and enter the workforce, they become role models, mentors, and changemakers—shaping a more inclusive tech sector and a stronger Kansas City.

Why It Matters

The stakes are high. Without intervention, existing disparities in education, employment, and income will only widen. Kansas City’s tech economy cannot reach its full potential without tapping into the talent and creativity of all its residents.

Programs like WeCode KC don’t just change lives—they change systems. By demonstrating that students from historically excluded communities can excel in technology when given the chance, WeCode KC is shifting the narrative about who belongs in tech and what’s possible when equity is prioritized.

Looking Ahead

With continued support from funders, educators, and community leaders, WeCode KC aims to scale its impact, expand its course offerings, and reach more students across the metro area. The organization is also exploring opportunities to serve younger students and deepen family engagement, ensuring that tech education becomes a sustained, generational force for opportunity.

Transforming Futures

WeCode KC is more than a coding program—it’s a movement for equity, empowerment, and economic justice. By providing accessible, high-quality tech education and holistic support, the program is helping to close the opportunity gap for Black and Brown youth in Kansas City. As a result, students are building the skills and confidence to pursue fulfilling tech careers, while the community as a whole benefits from a more diverse and dynamic workforce.

Through coding, connection, and care, WeCode KC is transforming futures—one line of code at a time.

Locations

Click on the window icon (upper right corner) of the map below to expand. List of all program locations is included with expanded view of map. Locations are also listed on this page below the map.