Congressional App Challenge inspires record number of African-American students

WASHINGTON, DC – The 2017 Congressional App Challenge (CAC) is helping to address the race gap in tech by inspiring youth to learn to code and create original apps.

As we celebrate Black History Month, we also look to future African-American innovators.  The 2017 CAC reached a new plateau with 11% of its participants self-identifying as African-American or Black. This more than doubles the percent of African-Americans in the tech industry today.

During the 3rd annual contest, over 4,950 students from 42 states participated in the Challenge. Over 500 young African-Americans were inspired to code by Congress’ coding challenge in 2017.

In addition, half the Congressional Black Caucus members held a Congressional App Challenge in 2017.


“One of my goals was to increase the CAC footprint to ensure that all underrepresented groups had a chance to participate,” states CAC Director Rachel Decoste. “I am proud that the App Challenge continues to surpass the tech industry’s diversity standards. It foreshadows the strength of the U.S.’s future workforce”. In collaboration with willing Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle, the Challenge has become a valuable manifestation of Congress’ commitment to building the domestic pipeline of future tech leaders. Melissa Medina, the CAC’s Congressional Director, adds “This Challenge innovates the way Congress engages with technology. We work to connect today’s Congress with tomorrow’s coders and innovators. The fact that the App Challenge is naturally bipartisan demonstrates tech’s ability to unite Congress behind a common goal of spreading STEM and Computer Science opportunities across the country.”

The Congressional App Challenge winners get recognition from their Member of Congress, as well as various prizes, and their app is displayed on Capitol Hill. The 2018 edition of the Congressional App Challenge will launch this summer.


Sample of African-American coders who participated in 2017 Congressional App Challenge

Over 4,900 students across the nation signed up to participate in 2017 Congressional App Challenge. Listed below is a sample of the African-American participants along with the link to each app’s demonstration video.

Alabama

  • AL-02 Rep. Martha Roby: Cameron Pierce, Kevin To, Derrel McCurty, and Christian Sanders for the app Wizard Clicker

Arizona

  • AZ-07 Rep. Ruben Gallego: Edgar Alvarez, Jesus Hernandez, and Niyonkuru Pamphile for the app: American Trivia

California

  • CA-44 Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragan: Ta’corrie Cleveland, Isamari Paz Diaz, and Cesar Hernandez for the app: Easy for Elderly
  • CA-53 Rep. Susan A. Davis: Marshawn Armstrong for the app: Project Zelea

Connecticut

  • CT-03 Rep. Rosa DeLauro: Tatiana Martin and Gianna Edwards for the app: Pass Tracker

Georgia

  • GA-04 Rep. Henry “Hank” Johnson: Jonathan Daniel for the app: TEFAP Tracker

Illinois

  • IL-06 Rep. Peter Roskam: Patrick Stephen for the app: Student Driver

Kentucky

  • KY-06 Rep. Andy Barr: LaMargaret Johnson, Russell Letcher, Jaiven Smith, Drake Witt for the app: LexApp

Louisiana

  • LA-03 Rep. Clay Higgins: Marjorie Hooper, Deonta Trim, Jeremiah Willis, and David Calaisfor the app: Rescue Me

Maryland

  • MD-02 Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger: Aaliyah Philippe-Auguste, Re’Niya Avery, Saniya Holmes, and Adaora Umeadi for the app: Health Care 4 U
  • MD-05 Rep. Steny Hoyer: Ian Barnes for the app: Break Ball

Mississippi

  • MS-01 Rep. Trent Kelly: Roper Stoots and Deshawn Rush for the app: Drug Free
  • MS-02 Rep. Bennie Thompson: Anthony Thompson, Gerald Aldridge and Zion Blount for the app: STEM Adventures

New York

  • NY-09 Rep. Yvette D. Clarke: Burlyn Andall-Blake for the app: HelpMe

South Carolina

  • SC-05 Rep. Ralph Norman: Hannah Fuller and Emily Serafin for the app: Clean Business

The CAC is an official initiative of the U.S. House of Representatives, managed by the Internet Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Challenge also owes gratitude to Representatives Bob Goodlatte and Anna G. Eshoo, co-chairs of the Congressional Internet Caucus, who requested and supported the creation of the CAC. Additionally, thank you to Representatives Illeana Ros-Lehtinen and Tim Ryan for serving as 2017 App Challenge Co-chairs.