Central Brooklyn, Get Ready for the First-Ever 24-Hour Hackathon and Youth Tech Challenge!

Central Brooklyn, I have one question: Are you ready to take the reins as the country's next, leading technology center?

Well, there is a group of Brooklyn teens who apparently say "yes!"

On Saturday, December 12, State Senator Jesse Hamilton and Blue1647 along with Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, NYS Assemblywoman Diana Richardson, NYS Assemblywoman Latrice Walker, and NYC Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo will bring together twenty-five tech-savvy 7th — 12th graders from across Central Brooklyn for the launch of Brooklyn's first-ever 24-Hour Hackathon and Youth Tech Challenge!

What's a "hackathon," you ask? A hackathon (also known as a hackfest or codefest) is an event in which computer programmers and others involved in software and hardware development collaborate intensively on software projects. Hackathons typically last between a day and a week. Some hackathons are intended simply for educational or social purposes, although in many cases the goal is to create usable software.

The purpose of Brooklyn's 24-Hour Hackathon is to expose youth to future career opportunities that are available in the fields of information technology and coding. The hackathon will follow and be a culmination of the globally acclaimed "Hour of Code."

"Minority communities and women are grossly underrepresented in the information technology industry," said Sen. Hamilton. "Our goal is to ensure underserved youth have equal opportunities to participate, excel, and develop their talents."

"In order to be successful in the modern job market, it is absolutely vital that our young men and women learn the skills that will make them desirable to employers," said Assemblymember Richardson. "Science, Technology, Engineering and Math degrees are increasingly becoming the most secure way to gain entry into prosperous well-paying industries."