Laura Weidman Powers
Showing 1–2 of 2 transcripts.
- a16z36 min
a16z Podcast | If Coding is the New Literacy, How Can More People Code?
Chrissy Brodigan, Susan Murnett, Laura Weidman Powers
Former tech executives and advocacy leaders including Susan Murnett, Laura Weidman Powers, and Reshma Saujani convened to redefine code literacy as a critical economic equalizer for low-income communities and underrepresented groups. The panel outlined strategic solutions to systemic barriers such as lack of authentic mentorship, rigid hiring networks, and insufficient child care, proposing agile educational models that normalize failure and bridge the gap between community colleges and industry roles. Ultimately, these leaders urged tech corporations to transform diversity initiatives from charity into accountable talent pipelines, emphasizing that inclusive workforce development is essential for driving innovation in healthcare and social sectors.
- Milken Institute1h 1m
YesWeCode: Training NextGen Technologists
Van Jones, Laura Weidman Powers, Trabian Shorters, Mitch Kapoor, Joey Ito, Chris Tucker, Prince, Amy Henderson, David Robertson, Pamela Hodges, Jamie
A skills mismatch has created a paradox where the tech sector faces a shortage of qualified workers while low-opportunity communities remain excluded despite possessing significant untapped talent. To address this, the "Yes We Code" initiative is aggregating existing community programs to unify training pipelines and connect diverse candidates with major tech employers, a strategy endorsed by figures like Van Jones and Prince. The program aims to launch a coordinated campaign on July 4th to bridge the gap between competency-based education and hiring practices, leveraging support from organizations like Ford Foundation and Facebook to diversify the workforce and alleviate poverty.