Hello, Black World.

Changing the face of data and tech. Charting new directions.

Our Mission

The Hello Black World curriculum was built for students of African descent to explore data and computer science centered on African contributions and imagination. We elevate, empower, and engage learners through coding, data ethics, visualization, digital humanities, and social justice, all with no previous programming background assumed.

The Curriculum

Five courses designed to take you from your first line of Python to applying data for social impact.

1.Intro to the Black Digital World I: CodingPython, data types, African origins of mathematics and computer science
2.Intro to the Black Digital World II: Managing DataDataFrames, files, cleaning and organizing data
3.Algorithmic Data Bias and EthicsCritical examination of bias in data and technology
4.Mapping & Visualizing Black People, Place & CultureSpatial data and visualization techniques
5.Tech and Social Justice by DesignExperiential learning, applying data to real-world impact

Currently offering Course 1. More coming soon.

Our Approach

African Origins

Grounded in the mathematical and computational heritage of Africa, from the Ishango bone to Egyptian papyri to West African fractals.

Social Justice

Data for equity, not extraction. We center the communities data is meant to serve.

Accessible to All

No coding or statistics background needed. Start wherever you are.

Community

Built at Howard University in partnership with data.org's Capacity Accelerator Network.

Where It Started

Hello Black World launch event at Howard University

In 1973, Brian Kernighan referenced the standard "hello, world" program that developers use to test systems. Within Hello Black World, learners approach coding with a focus on the Black World, intertwining African history with coding, showcasing the diversity of culture, mathematics, gender, and music within the Black diaspora.

On February 23, 2023, the Data Science for Social Justice Week was launched at Howard University, announcing the data.org-sponsored Hello Black World curriculum alongside the DuBois Data Portraits 3D Visualization Exhibit.

The People Behind HBW

Dr. Amy Quarkume

Creator & Director. Associate Professor of Africana Studies, Howard University.

Dr. Cesa Salaam

Instructor & Curriculum Developer.

Supported By

Ready to begin your journey?

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