Charlotte, N.C. / December 11, 2020- Today, in celebration of Computer Science Education Week, Johnson C. Smith University announced it will become a community center for Coding and Creativity as part of Apple’s Community Education Initiative and Tennessee State University’s HBCU C2 initiative designed to bring coding and creativity experiences to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and their communities.

“We are grateful to Apple for this collaboration which will provide essential workforce development to the students of Johnson C. Smith University,” said President Clarence D. Armbrister. “The partnership will not only advance the coding industry by diversifying the future talent pool of tech candidates, but it will also allow the university to serve as a coding hub to the Charlotte community. We are excited to help lead the way for change in the tech industry.”

Faculty leaders from Johnson C. Smith University will participate in Apple’s ongoing Community Education Initiative Learning Series to learn about coding and app development. As part of that ongoing professional development, educators will explore innovative ways to engage with learners using Apple’s comprehensive curriculum, which utilizes its easy-to-learn Swift programming language.

As part of its Community Education Initiative, Apple is supporting Johnson C. Smith University with equipment and professional development to help the university become the pre-eminent HBCU C2 community center to bring coding and creativity to Charlotte.