Our Vision: To activate Black Kids to use data as a creative superpower
Our Mission: To close the diversity gap in data literacy
At all levels, Black students are less likely to have access to a computer science class at school. We have to close this diversity gap in data. Because data has been called the fuel of the 21st century, and it shouldn’t only be understood by the few. But we will fail if we start by asking kids if they want to be data scientists. Because data is not just for data scientists. Data is for athletes, artists, inventors, gamers, influencers, activists, entrepreneurs. And yes, data is also for data scientists.
Data isn’t a single career path. Data is a leg up. An x-factor. An exponent.
Data is everywhere, because technology is everywhere. And kids are constant users, sources, creators, and contributors of it. Understanding data is a new type of literacy. And there is power in it no matter what you want to be when you grow up. But you cannot be what you cannot see.
introducing:
A program that gets kids interested in data science to revamp the pipeline of talent.
The BKP curriculum expands 6th-12th grade kids’ idea of data and computer sciences from a geeky desk job they don’t want to a superpower that can help them predict and improve fun outcomes in the real world.
our philosophy
If it feels like school, it stays at school
We have to help kids make real connections and we can't just do it once.
The BKP Pilot Program
Black Kids Predict Moves
The pilot program is all about sensors. This introduction to how data and technology can be used to predict will spark kids’ curiosity and give them real world examples they’ll love - from Spider Man to 70s toy commercials to activities they can do in their own homes with family and friends.
Week 01
Power of
Sensors
Introducing kids to what a sensor is, and how humans already have them, but technology makes them more powerful.
Week 02
Promise of
Wearables
Introducing kids to what a sensor is, and how humans already have them, but technology makes them more powerful.
Week 03
Take Off That
Silly Watch
Introducing kids to what a sensor is, and how humans already have them, but technology makes them more powerful.
Week 04
Designers
Wanted
Introducing kids to what a sensor is, and how humans already have them, but technology makes them more powerful.
Week 05
Limitations of Wearables & Sensors
Introducing kids to what a sensor is, and how humans already have them, but technology makes them more powerful.
our infrastructure
What makes us so sure we can pull this off?
01 STEAMbassadors
We have an existing process to hire and train 150 college-aged ambassadors who run the program and interface with the younger students. These ambassadors are also getting a STEAM education and learning to see data differently.
02 STEAMville
We will be plugging in to an existing educational platform, which allows kids to watch live lessons, previously recorded sessions, upload and showcase their work. This platform is where STEAMbasssadors complete their training. Parents also have access to this portal, which is essential.
Our founding Partners
The Team Behind BKP
Director of Facebook Reality Labs
Chief Business Officer of Strava
Director of Solution Delivery - McKinsey and Company
Associate Professor at Northwestern University
Director of Analytics and Lecturer of Analytics and AI at Loyola University Chicago
Assistant Professor of Computer & Learning Sciences at Northwestern
President and Founder of Deciban Solutions, LLC
Chief Marketing Officer of Yesway
SVP | Digital & Automation | Asset Management, Northern Trust Bank
Sr. Dir. Global Strategy and Business Development - Turing AI
Chief Financial Officer and EVP
- Anaplan
Professor and Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs at Loyola University Chicago
Founder and CEO of Auguste Research Group, LLC
We have the opportunity to make a huge impact.
BKP doesn't just stop with the curriculum...we attack the pipeline of talent. We don’t expect every kid to end up in a STEAM career, but whatever career they pursue, they will do so with the understanding and ability to apply data in ways that make them more successful.
With our partnerships and scale, we predict that we will achieve universal access to data science curriculum by the end of the decade.
You in?
Join Us
be a founding partner
Become a corporate or community-group partner.
Contact us using the link or email below.
leverage our curriculum
For educators or instructors, utilize our curriculum to help inform your students of computer science.
Contact us using the link or email below.
Sign up
Sign up your child to participate in BKP.
Contact us using the link or email below.
Contact:
BKP Team
info@blackkidspredict.org
contactOur Metrics
500+
As of 2022, over 500 youth have already completed BKP Sports modules via Evanston D65, Chicago Parks, and Boys and Girls Club programming
1500+
As of 2022, over 1,500 additional youth were exposed to BKP Sports via pop-ups, 3v3 tournaments, etc.
4x
Students involved in 2022 BKP summer camps reported an approximate fourfold increase in their belief that “computer science can help (them) improve in sports”.
3x
Students involved in 2022 BKP summer camps reported about a threefold increase in their belief that “computer science is fun”.
Media
Black Kids Predict presented Kayode Vann at Evanston Township High School in November of 2022. Kayode demonstrated his SmartShot technology to attendees. The event illustrated how computer science can support athletic development.
Black Kids Predict at Evanston Township High School using the SmartShot technology
Black Kids Predict at Evanston Township High School using the SmartShot technology
Black Kids Predict presented Kayode Vann at Evanston Township High School in November of 2022. Kayode demonstrated his SmartShot technology to attendees. The event illustrated how computer science can support athletic development.
Black Kids Predict at Evanston Township High School using the SmartShot technology
Black Kids Predict presented Kayode Vann at Evanston Township High School in November of 2022. Kayode demonstrated his SmartShot technology to attendees. The event illustrated how computer science can support athletic development.
Black Kids Predict at Evanston Township High School using the SmartShot technology
Black Kids Predict presented Kayode Vann at Evanston Township High School in November of 2022. Kayode demonstrated his SmartShot technology to attendees. The event illustrated how computer science can support athletic development.
Black Kids Predict at Evanston Township High School using the SmartShot technology
Black Kids Predict presented Kayode Vann at Evanston Township High School in November of 2022. Kayode demonstrated his SmartShot technology to attendees. The event illustrated how computer science can support athletic development.
Black Kids Predict at Evanston Township High School using the SmartShot technology
Black Kids Predict presented Kayode Vann at Evanston Township High School in November of 2022. Kayode demonstrated his SmartShot technology to attendees. The event illustrated how computer science can support athletic development.
Black Kids Predict at Evanston Township High School using the SmartShot technology
Black Kids Predict presented Kayode Vann at Evanston Township High School in November of 2022. Kayode demonstrated his SmartShot technology to attendees. The event illustrated how computer science can support athletic development.
Black Kids Predict at the Chicago Bears Practice Facility
Black Kids Predict students visit the Chicago Bears practice facility in August, 2022. The visit supported student development of ideas for using computer science to improve sports-related metrics. Students also met some Bears staff involved in computer science and players during their visit.
Black Kids Predict at the Chicago Bears Practice Facility
Black Kids Predict students visit the Chicago Bears practice facility in August, 2022. The visit supported student development of ideas for using computer science to improve sports-related metrics. Students also met some Bears staff involved in computer science and players during their visit.
Black Kids Predict at the Chicago Bears Practice Facility
Black Kids Predict students visit the Chicago Bears practice facility in August, 2022. The visit supported student development of ideas for using computer science to improve sports-related metrics. Students also met some Bears staff involved in computer science and players during their visit.
Black Kids Predict at the Chicago Bears Practice Facility
Black Kids Predict students visit the Chicago Bears practice facility in August, 2022. The visit supported student development of ideas for using computer science to improve sports-related metrics. Students also met some Bears staff involved in computer science and players during their visit.
Black Kids Predict at the Chicago Bears Practice Facility
Black Kids Predict students visit the Chicago Bears practice facility in August, 2022. The visit supported student development of ideas for using computer science to improve sports-related metrics. Students also met some Bears staff involved in computer science and players during their visit.
Black Kids Predict at the Chicago Bears Practice Facility
Black Kids Predict students visit the Chicago Bears practice facility in August, 2022. The visit supported student development of ideas for using computer science to improve sports-related metrics. Students also met some Bears staff involved in computer science and players during their visit.
Make a Gift to BKP
online
- Visit wewill.northwestern.edu/MakeAGift
- Enter gift amount, click the “Other” button, and enter “SESP BKP” in the text box as the fund name
- Remember – you must enter “SESP BKP” to ensure funds are correctly allocated to BKP
