Google to Open New Code Next Lab at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, CA
INGLEWOOD — Today, Google and Hollywood Park announced an extension of their partnership to bring a new Code Next Lab to Inglewood, CA. Google will be designing, building and opening the new facility, which is a free, immersive computer science education program to develop the next generation of Black, Latino/Hispanic, and Indigenous tech leaders.
Code Next Inglewood will be located at Hollywood Park, a near 300-acre sports and entertainment destination being developed by Los Angeles Rams Owner/Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke.
“We will realize a thriving LA County when equitable access to quality jobs and career pathways are available for all our residents. I am committed to providing high-road career pathways in information technology and that requires initiatives like Code Next Lab,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “Having a Code Next Lab in the 2nd District to serve and mentor students helps expand economic opportunity to the next generation of tech leaders.”
“I’m excited for how Google is showing up for our students,” said Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts. “Code Next will help level the playing field for kids in traditionally underserved areas by providing free programs to give them the tools and tech training necessary to help them gain a competitive advantage for future jobs and to thrive in their chosen careers.”
Although the numbers of Black, Latino/Hispanic, Indigenous and female students taking AP Computer Science (CS) exams have increased in recent years, still only 53% of US high schools offer CS courses and historically marginalized groups continue to be underrepresented in CS education, professions and leadership. Google is committed to working alongside the education community to help ensure every student receives the same opportunities to succeed in computer science.
The new lab will serve students in Inglewood and the greater LA community. This builds on Google, YouTube and Google Cloud’s multi-year partnership with Hollywood Park’s venues, SoFi Stadium and YouTube Theater, and across the mixed-use development by committing the partners to invest in new initiatives that increase access to technology and digital innovation in the community.
“At Hollywood Park, we focus on being stewards of our community,” said Travis Sampson, chief technology officer, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park. “Our multidimensional partnership with Google is bringing a new Code Next Lab to Hollywood Park, helping strengthen our community impact, educate Inglewood students in cutting-edge technologies, and further Stan Kroenke’s support of the local and surrounding areas.”
Through the Code Next program, students will have access to live coaches, state-of-the-art technical equipment and education curriculum ranging from Javascript programming to UX design. Nationally, 92% of 12th graders who graduate from the Code Next program attend college/higher education institutions, and approximately 88% have gone on to pursue science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) majors. This new space in Inglewood will allow Code Next to grow and expand its reach, welcoming 50 students as part of the first cohort.
“Educating the next generation of tech innovators is critical to America’s future,” said Angela Courtin, vice president of YouTube Marketing and co-site lead of Google’s Playa Vista office. “We’re excited to work with Hollywood Park to bring Google’s Code Next to Inglewood, providing local students access to the tools and training that can help them gain a competitive advantage for future jobs and to thrive in their chosen careers.”
Code Next Inglewood is set to open at Hollywood Park in 2024. This will be Google’s first in Southern California and will join its other locations in New York, Oakland, and Detroit. Code Next is part of Grow with Google, an initiative to ensure that the opportunities created by technology are available to everyone.
Support quotes
“Google’s Code Next Inglewood is an exciting and tangible investment that will help ensure California’s tech industry looks more like California,” said Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena). “These new opportunities for free computer science education will make a difference by focusing on reaching young people in our underserved communities. I applaud this partnership that will uncover and develop a rich and diverse workforce of the future and allow California to continue to grow its global tech leadership.”
“With California in the midst of a lean budget year, we need the continued advocacy of companies like Google that are finding innovative ways to support local communities. The announcement of a new Code Next Lab for Inglewood is going to help students in our community not just remain competitive, but surge to the top in whatever field they choose to pursue in the future.” – Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood)
“We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to harness the power of computing education to help shape their future, and Code Next embodies that commitment by equipping our youth with both the skills and the mentoring relationships needed to thrive in the digital age,” said Shanika Hope, director of Education for Social Impact, Google. “Inglewood is rich in history and tech talent, and we’re excited to collaborate with community leaders to foster innovation and empower Inglewood’s tech trailblazers.”
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About Code Next
Google’s Code Next program is a free, immersive computer science education program to develop the next generation of Black, Latinx, and Indigenous tech leaders. The program meets students in their own communities and provides them with the skills and social capital needed to pursue rewarding careers in technology fields. For more information, please visit g.co/codenext.
About Hollywood Park
Spanning nearly 300 acres, Hollywood Park is the largest urban mixed-use development under construction in the Western United States. Anchored by an 890,000-square-foot retail area and surrounded by creative office space, Hollywood Park offers new sophisticated residences, public parks, a lake, and premier entertainment venues. The mixed-use development is all linked by walkable paseos and plazas and centered around the 3.1 million square-foot SoFi Stadium, one of Los Angeles’ most striking architectural structures. Stylish residences and a modern open-office campus will complement the entertainment and retail district, creating a world-class destination for both local and international guests. Located just six miles off the coast, a short drive from LAX and the City of Inglewood’s future Crenshaw/LAX Line, Hollywood Park is an iconic global destination for millions to enjoy. For more information, please visit www.hollywoodparkca.com.