Programming School Relaunches Lovelace and Ford Fellowships to Promote Diversity in Tech

The technology industry has a well-known diversity problem. Despite progress in recent years, women and racial/ethnic minorities remain massively underrepresented in the field. Reversing this trend will require a multi-pronged approach, but expanding access to coding education and professional development opportunities for marginalized groups is one key piece of the puzzle.

Programming School, a global leader in tech education, has long made promoting diversity a core part of its mission. In 2024, the school is doubling down on that commitment by relaunching and expanding two flagship fellowship programs: the Lovelace Fellowship for women and gender-expansive students, and the Ford Fellowship for BIPOC students. These initiatives aim to break down barriers and empower aspiring tech professionals from historically underrepresented communities.

The State of Diversity in Tech

You don‘t have to look far to see evidence of tech‘s diversity failings. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC):

• Women make up 48% of the overall workforce but hold only 28% of science and engineering jobs
• Black and Hispanic workers account for 18% of the U.S. workforce but just 7% and 8% of STEM positions respectively
• At major tech firms like Google, Microsoft, and Twitter, women hold less than 25% of technical roles and Black employees often make up less than 5% of the workforce

The pandemic has only exacerbated these disparities. From February to May 2020, 11% of women in tech lost their jobs compared to 4% of men. COVID layoffs also disproportionately impacted Black and Hispanic tech workers.

Beyond the pipeline, women and racial minorities face barriers to retention and advancement. According to the Center for Employment Equity:

• Women leave tech roles at a 45% higher rate than men
• 50% of women in STEM fields leave their jobs within 12 years, primarily due to non-inclusive work cultures
• Black and Hispanic tech workers have significantly higher attrition rates than white workers

"Bias, harassment, exclusionary cliques, and bullying are driving underrepresented groups out of the tech industry in droves," said Ashe Dryden, diversity advocate and author of The Diverse Team. "Without proactive intervention, we‘ll continue losing out on their talent and contributions."

Why Diversity in Tech Matters

Increasing diversity in tech isn‘t just the right thing to do—it‘s also good for business. Research shows:

• Companies in the top quartile for gender diversity are 15% more likely to financially outperform those in the bottom quartile
• Companies with higher racial/ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to outperform less diverse peers
• Diverse teams are smarter, more creative, and make better decisions 87% of the time

"Building inclusive teams is critical for developing technology that works for everyone," said Programming School CEO Rebekah Rombom. "When we bring together programmers with different backgrounds and perspectives, we see more innovation, better problem-solving, and ultimately more powerful outcomes."

Introducing the Lovelace and Ford Fellowships

Programming School is taking tangible steps to move the needle on diversity in tech with its relaunch of the Lovelace and Ford fellowship programs.

The Lovelace Fellowship, named for pioneering programmer Ada Lovelace, supports women and gender-expansive individuals in pursuing tech careers. Fellows receive:

• Scholarships to make Flatiron programs more affordable
• Monthly stipends to offset living costs during job search
• Mentorship from women leaders in tech
• Technical interview prep and portfolio reviews
• Access to mental health and wellness coaching
• Invitations to exclusive networking events with hiring partners
• Opportunity to earn in-demand certifications (e.g. AWS, Salesforce)

"The Lovelace Fellowship gave me the support system I needed to successfully transition into software engineering," said Kelly Tran, a 2023 Lovelace alum now working as an iOS developer. "From the community of incredible women to the top-notch technical training, this program changed my life and career trajectory."

Meanwhile, the Ford Fellowship (named for IBM‘s first Black software engineer John Stanley Ford) provides similar benefits for students who identify as Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, or Pacific Islander. Ford Fellows gain access to:

• Scholarships and stipends to ease financial barriers
• Mentorship from BIPOC tech leaders and Flatiron alumni
• Soft skills training (e.g. communication, leadership)
• Dedicated career coaching to navigate the job search
• Early access to job postings from partner companies
• Networking opportunities with diversity-focused employers

"As a first-generation Latina, I never imagined a career in tech was possible for me," said Camila Rojas, 2023 Ford Fellowship graduate. "The Ford program not only equipped me with the coding skills to land a great job, but also the confidence to embrace my identity as a woman of color in this field."

Advancing Gender Diversity in Engineering

The Lovelace Fellowship plays an especially vital role in combating gender disparities in software engineering. Women make up only 14% of the U.S. engineering workforce and 25% of computer scientists according to the Society of Women Engineers. That gender imbalance has hardly budged in 30 years.

As a woman full stack engineer, I‘ve experienced firsthand the barriers driving females away from coding careers:

• Lack of early exposure to programming
• Stereotypes that math and science are for boys
• Isolating "bro cultures" in CS programs and workplaces
• Discrimination in hiring and promotions (men are 3x more likely to be hired for engineering roles)
• Sexual harassment and bullying on the job (1 in 3 women in tech report harassment)
• Challenges balancing work and caregiving duties

"We need to create environments where women aren‘t made to feel inferior, where their voices are heard and valued," said Ruthe Farmer, Chief Evangelist at the CSforALL Consortium. "It‘s not enough to get girls interested in STEM—we have to transform the cultures they‘re entering."

The Lovelace Fellowship is designed to give women the tools and support to break through these systemic barriers. Scholarships and stipends ease the financial burdens women face. Mentors and coaches help navigate obstacles in the job search. Inclusive communities combat feelings of isolation. And supportive employers committed to developing female talent set fellows up for lasting success.

This multi-faceted approach is already changing trajectories for women like Karis Boyd, a 2023 Lovelace grad:

"When I lost my service job during COVID, I decided to finally pursue my dream of becoming an engineer. The Lovelace Fellowship gave me the foundation to land an incredible role at a company that truly values diversity. I wake up excited to go to work every day."

Taking Action

Of course, tackling tech‘s diversity crisis will take more than one fellowship program. True change requires buy-in and effort from everyone in the industry. Some steps we can take:

• Champion STEM education for underrepresented youth
• Implement blind hiring practices to reduce bias
• Establish clear rubrics for performance reviews and promotions
• Set public diversity goals and regularly report on progress
• Celebrate the accomplishments of women and BIPOC in tech
• Donate to organizations working to make the industry more inclusive

Most importantly, we need to start believing that ability is distributed equally among people of all genders and colors. With the right education, mentorship, and opportunity, anyone can thrive in tech.

That‘s the guiding philosophy behind Programming School‘s fellowship programs. By making coding education accessible to students from all walks of life, the school is proving that talent knows no boundaries.

If you‘re a woman or BIPOC individual considering a tech career, participating in programs like the Lovelace and Ford fellowships can put you on the path to success. And if you‘re an ally, use your voice and privilege to push for greater equity and inclusion.

"The world needs the unique perspectives and untapped potential of underrepresented people in tech," said Flatiron COO Kristi Riordan. "With initiatives like our fellowships and a collective commitment to diversity, we can start building a more vibrant, innovative industry for all."

Get Involved

Interested in becoming a Lovelace or Ford fellow? Current Programming School students and grads can apply on the fellowship page. Prospective students, mention your interest when you talk to admissions.

For opportunities to volunteer, mentor, hire, or partner with Flatiron fellowship programs, contact [email protected].

By working together to unlock the talents of women and BIPOC in tech, we can create a more just, dynamic, and prosperous future.

Sources: EEOC, Pew Research, AnitaB.org, Girls Who Code, Center for Employment Equity, Society of Women Engineers, McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group