WordCamp Embraces Cultural and Generational Diversity

WordCamp Embraces Cultural and Generational Diversity
William Jackson. M.Ed.

Speaking to graphic artists, coders, developers, programmers
and business owners about being “Dope” on social media
platforms is exciting and a visionary innovation. My first
WC speaking was at WordCampILM in Wilmington, N.C.
The hope that I have is to inspire people and companies
to contribute to the growth and development of youth,
teens and young adults as mentors, volunteers and
sponsors in and out of the WordPress and Open Source
community.
My 32 years as a PE Teacher, STEAM Teacher and advocate
for equality and equitability motivate me to share my
WordCamp and KidsCamp experiences nationally and even
internationally.

Aida Correa teaching at KidsCamp in Costa Rica

WordCamp conferences seek out experts in diverse fields
of technology that implement WordPress. The web platform
that is increasingly being used for web design, Podcasts,
Blogging, and other online applications that content creators
are using.
Since my first WordCamp attending, being WordCamp Orlando
I have advocated for HBCU institutions to send their students.
I have even taken several students with me and students
from the local school system here in Jacksonville.

Cultural, gender and even generational diversity has been
growing in the tech industry and it shows when bloggers,
teachers, and community activist and artists are invited
to speak about not only their use of Social Media platforms
and tools, but how to inspire others to become content
creators.

Men and women of color need to see others that represent
them in tech, to show that there are viable careers and
mentors available to help guide youth, teens and
young adults.

Business men and women of color only represent
less than 5% of tech businesses in the United States.
More does need to be done, but education is key and
next is mentorship and involvement.

Understanding the importance of research skills and
applying the appropriate information to build
understanding is important. Helping youth, teens and
young adults like Elisha Taylor III a junior in high school
and even middle school students like Elijah a 6^th grader
to build their PLC and PLN communities.

They are preparing for careers success now.
Businesses are always using data, statistics and
analyzing now to use information to make money
and increase profits. Technology is still an evolving
entity that fluctuates when new technology comes
into play and old technology dies away. As markets
are increased people of color and culture must get
engaged and involved in tech fields growing
by digital leaps and bounds.

The networking potential at WordCamps are
phenomenal and the sharing of knowledge,
resources and personnel helps to build families
of Nerds and Geeks seeking to build or design
new applications or web tools or Apps.
The opportunities are there to be influencers!!

New terms of I and E – trepreneurs are being
developed to show the level of interactivity and
engagement as new players, visionaries and even
businesses come to play and be seen. Several
things learned are, the curse of technology
knowledge and mastery is that, “whenever you
can’t remember when you did not know
something shows that tech is changing and
adapting to the needs of society and the future
integration that creates dynamic digital influences.”

Because of the embracing to diversity in color,
culture, gender and generation the community
begins to grow and expand. WordCamp conferences
are looking like the communities they are influencing
and there are growing Kids and Youth Camps
nationally and internationally.