Michigan Central in Detroit has announced founding member Google and its Code Next program as the first office tenant in the newly renovated Station.
Code Next’s computer science education programming helps Black, Latinx, and Indigenous high school students pursue careers in tech, with a goal of developing a pipeline of diverse talent for Michigan tech startups and established companies.
Anchoring The Station’s youth programming on the fifth floor, Michigan Central believes Code Next is a key piece of a larger skills training initiative, which provides free job training for Detroit residents and grows the Michigan Central innovation ecosystem.
“Today marks a significant milestone for Michigan Central and our efforts to build a vibrant hub for innovation, community and opportunity. Having Detroit youth and Google’s Code Next be the first to call The Station home speaks clearly to the mission of Michigan Central to create not only tech and innovation, but opportunity,” says Carolina Pluszczynski, COO of Michigan Central.
“It is also exciting to see our partnership with Google take another major step forward in our commitment to building an ecosystem that will keep Detroit and our region at the forefront of mobility innovation.”
Code Next’s Detroit lab — Google’s first in the Midwest — has enrolled approximately 100 students across two cohorts, providing live coaches, state-of-the-art technical equipment, and content ranging from Javascript programming to user experience design.
The lab will operate in its permanent residence on The Station’s 23,000-square-foot youth floor.
Knowing that youth will be a major part in driving the future of innovation in Detroit, Michigan Central dedicated space in The Station to support local youth-serving organizations and further advance the Michigan Central ecosystem.
Detroiters can learn skills that prepare them for college or their careers.
“Google has called Michigan home for over 15 years with offices in Detroit and Ann Arbor,” says Shanika Hope, Director, Google Education and Social Impact. “We’re dedicated to investing in the city and providing its students with the resources and inspiration they need to excel.”
“We’re excited to bring our Code Next program to Michigan Central, empowering Detroit’s youth with computer science education to help them reach their full potential in the classroom and beyond.”
Since 2015, Code Next 90 percent of Code Next graduates are pursuing higher education and more than 88 percent are majoring in a STEM field.
Google’s Code Next is now accepting applications for its fall cohort. Any Detroit-area student in 9th through 12th grade who is at least 13 years of age may apply. Applications are due August 2.
More information and application instructions can be found at g.co/codenext.
