The Scoop with Tanya Flanagan

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Good morning, and thank you for joining me for the scoop with Tanya Flanagan. I'm so happy you decided to wake up and start your day with me. Here on the scoop, where we talk about life, joy, funny moments, trending topics, and so much more. We promise to keep you in the know and find out what you know. So let's get started.

Unknown Speaker 0:47
Good morning, Las Vegas. And thank you for waking up to tune in to the scoop with me, Tanya Flanagan, and once again, it's a pleasure to be here this week with you. Happy Cinco Demayo. It is May 5. It's amazing how fast the year is moving along. I can't believe we are ready. We are already in May. But we are enjoying some fantastic weather. It is the time of year to get out to do some things to go hiking to do lots of different things. I met a lady the other day who organizes trips to go kayaking, and to go camping under the stars out at some of the local state parks. I want to dig a little deeper into that and bring you that information as soon as I'm able to. But this morning where you're talking about something that allows you to kind of stay inside but in some cases, I guess you could do it outside as well. We're talking about coding and stem so science, technology, engineering and math. They also tell us art in there every now and again. But I am excited to welcome to the show today a really interesting young lady. We have a few things in common at least a program that we'll talk to you about a little bit but before I get too deep at like to welcome Kendra Scott to the show this morning. Kendra Scott, Cody locks, coding organization. Kendra, good morning.

Unknown Speaker 2:02
Good morning. How are you doing?

Unknown Speaker 2:04
I am doing well. I'm on this beautiful Sunday morning. And thank you for waking up and grabbing your favorite morning beverage and joining me for this conversation.

Unknown Speaker 2:16
Absolutely,

Unknown Speaker 2:17
I'm so happy to have you. I thought it was great when when it was introduced to me what you do and what had recently occurred. So what you do is help children to understand the value of I guess kind of what we say careers in technology from a perspective of how to code how to write code and build websites and other platforms. The language that is needed to create what we see on our digital devices. Every day you're engaging children from ages six to 17. I think it is boys and girls in this space. So how did you find yourself? You know, who are you from here? And you know, where are you from? And where did this originate from with you this passion? Yes.

Unknown Speaker 3:05
Okay, so I am originally from California. But I pretty much grew up and, you know, went to high school here in Las Vegas. And, you know, I've always was one of those people. Back in the day, when MySpace was popular. I was those people that was trying to figure out what this were languages, I didn't have a name for it, I just knew that I could change the background, I can maybe add some music, you know, I can make some scroll things go by on the background of my MySpace page. And I got really intrigued and really interested. I knew I had to do with tech. But every time I looked up to see you know how I could possibly get into sales, or who was in this field, it was always people who did not look like me by any means necessary. And I also get to have the same benefits of them who go into maybe like a private school or like a Ivy League college things of that nature. So I kind of shied away from it altogether. And then I went to college, I got a degree in psychology. And during COVID I was knee deep into my previous career, which was being an investigator for Child Protective Services. So I was knocking on doors and taking babies. For good reason. Your reason I hear you

Unknown Speaker 4:29
I mean we have to get into that's a completely different plate of choices being served up but we'll have to dig into that a little bit too because there was a foster care event the other day but we will not digress. You were knocking on doors and rescuing the children. And then what happened? So

Unknown Speaker 4:47
during COVID You know everything that you are supposed to do, you know go to people's houses and do things like that I was doing, but it was becoming extremely overwhelming and And I was a part of that big career migration that the rest of the country and the rest of the world was going through, where everybody was kind of like quitting their jobs or doing or being like, you know what, now that the world is in a global pandemic? Maybe I should do something actually like.

Unknown Speaker 5:18
Yes, that was the conversation. Right? Wasn't that was the conversation it? Yeah, that's we're gonna unpack a little bit of that, too, because that's how you got to where you are. But yes, yeah. So

Unknown Speaker 5:31
I said, You know what, let me go ahead and actually take a stab. At this undying passion, I've been having my whole life, which is being interested in technology, taking things apart, manipulating things, changing things on the web. So I decided to do a full stack web development certification course at UNLV, by the way of a company called Deaf Pointe labs. And so I was there for I took the six month, boot camp, exclusive. And I learned, you know, everything you could possibly learn about building websites, building mobile apps, everything of that nature. While I was in that class. Two things happen, I noticed that I was one of two, I was one of two black people in the class, and I was one of three women in the class. Wow, the diversity gap was was pretty apparent. I also realized that while I was doing investigations for tropical services, I realized that, um, when you interview a child, you know, you don't go straight into asking about abuse and neglect anything, you want to break the ice. So one of my favorite ice breakers was asking, What do you want to be when you grow up. And I noticed that depending on what part of the city I was in, and what the socio economic status was, of the part of the cities that I was in, I would get completely different answers. When I was in more fluid areas of the city, I would have kids tell me, I want to be an astronaut, I want to be a scientist, I want to be a programmer, I want to, you know, be a be, you know, all these wonderful, I want to be a doctor, when I was in my lower socio economic status areas in the community, and more diverse urban areas in the community, it was the same thing over and over again, I want to be a football player, I want to be a basketball player, I want to be a YouTube, influencer and a model, which is great. And I really do promote kids doing whatever they want to be. But what I also want to do is give them an opportunity to see everything that they can be. And a lot of times they don't have that opportunity. So that's what grew the idea of doing Cody locks, which is teaching kids how to code in underserved populations with lower socioeconomic status to and you know, geared towards minorities are just chosen to don't have the opportunity or the advantage to go to one of these expensive coding schools in the valley. Because I also noticed that when there is a coding school is not in any part of the value for people, you know, that people will have a lower socioeconomic status.

Unknown Speaker 8:28
Okay, wow, that's a lot. It's a mouthful. And it's very truthful. And well, first, let me tip my hat to you and say thank you for doing what you're doing. But for recognizing that there was this void in the community and for seeing yourself in the space that you really desire to occupy based on what your passion is, and then allowing it to be a tool that you're using to help families and children grow themselves. So that is huge. It's huge to, to realize that you have a dream, but it's even greater to visualize it and bring it to fruition. And so you've done that. So, you know, congratulations to you. Because this labor of love is, is tremendous. It's unique in its own way, you're a blind black woman providing a coding Pro Training Program to kids, and urban, ideally, in urban communities or really, to anyone who wants to get involved, but with an intention onus to make a difference in the lives of kids who sometimes just don't get the opportunity to be exposed to these types of programs. So thank you for doing that.

Unknown Speaker 9:40
Absolutely, and thank you, that was the best compliment I've ever seen. Thank you. I really appreciate that.

Unknown Speaker 9:46
You know, I take it a degree in journalism, so you know, but But no, really, I mean that sincerely, because it is something to recognize where you You have a passion or a skill set, but to then take and manifest it into a way to give back. That's, that's intentional and selfless, is really cool. And so I tip my hat to you for doing it, because you're standing up as something that kids in communities don't often see. So they don't get the opportunity to dream or to believe that they could be there or even just to think about, hey, here's a career choice that's out there for me, that I could consider. But here's someone talking to me about it. And we both know that at young ages, is really important to stay on your math and your science. And so often we we lose kids, especially in urban communities, where they don't have access to as many resources as they may need. The reinforcements aren't there, when they get home, sometimes the work is difficult for the families as well to understand. And so if math is I tell all young people, math is building process and sciences as well. So you have to keep up with the steps to keep moving forward, effectively, you have to make sure your foundations are in place, because what they're doing is layering more information that abbreviates the process on top of the other process. And so, you know, it's it's a, it's just constantly moving you forward. And if you didn't get the beginning, you're not gonna be able to survive in the middle, you definitely won't get to the end.

Unknown Speaker 11:22
Right, exactly. You're 100% Correct. And that's why you know, we are doing more and more things in the community, just trying to spread the word and be involved as much as possible, we do have a partnership with the City of Las Vegas. So that's where we do our coding classes there on Saturdays. So this yesterday, Saturday's 3pm to 4pm. And that's it the first Vegas community center. And then we have just added a coding class for adults, because what we noticed is that a lot of adults said, Man, I wish I had that chance, I wish I could learn how to code. So we have a 16 plus coding class. That's at the historic West Side school on that campus. I'm sorry, that's cool. So

Unknown Speaker 12:16
is the adult went on Saturdays as well as that, like in the evening.

Unknown Speaker 12:20
That is, that's an initiative every other Wednesday, from 6pm, to about 7:30pm. And people who take that that's a rolling course. But you end up with a certification at the end for free. So that's the partnership that we have CVM Las Vegas as well, in their strong future technology center. So we've been doing so we've been doing that give me more opportunities. And then we've also been working with other organizations and companies. So a very exciting one was in February for the Super Bowl.

Unknown Speaker 12:57
He was here. So that was gonna ask you about that. Because I heard through a lesson a little bird whispered in my ear that you had this tremendous opportunity during the Superbowl when it was here in February where you guys did a program for the kids or something. And it was a partnership with the NFL. So how did the NFL discover you? And is your program that they say it's the kind of program that as they travel the country in the Superbowl moves around? They do this? In every city? How were you selected?

Unknown Speaker 13:31
Well, actually, it was a partnership with Microsoft, Microsoft was doing, like promos and things like that for the NFL for Super Bowl. And they Microsoft has a nonprofit technology Acceleration Program, where they basically give their entire nonprofit suite to, to, to nonprofits for free. So their Microsoft suite. So everything you know, you usually have to pay for. It's entirely free if you are a nonprofit. So I believe that's how they kind of found out about us. But yeah, they say, you know, we know that you are a coding nonprofit. And, you know, we were doing this big thing for the Superbowl and we would like for you to be a part of it. So what it was it was a partnership with the with Microsoft and another nonprofit called Grace who branch. And it was teaching 400 girls at risk youth girls how to code through about five or six. I think we did about six workshops in one day. And we did and we taught girls who are at risk, how to code it gives them an introduction of code, because there was something that they haven't been exposed to. Some girls didn't know how to work, you know, a mouse, things of that nature. So it was really, you know, it was it was really fun to teach them. Some girls, you know, I had a girl who said, you know, she, she thought, I guess she was pregnant, you know, she was 16 years old and pregnant. But she was excited to be there. Because she had never had the opportunity to code before she didn't know what it was. There's another, you know, just just just girls that have had a rough upbringing. And so it was, it was a, it was a joy and a pleasure to work with all of them. And at the end of the day and end of the workshop, Microsoft donated 80, brand new laptops to quality lives, so that we could continue working with other organizations, they set us up with the Boys and Girls Club, and what elementary school to go in there and do workshops for him using our brand new laptops. Because now we can also be a mobile organization as well. That

Unknown Speaker 16:01
is really neat. I was going to ask you, that's That's tremendous. If at the end of the day, when go people when the kids go through the workshops, are they do they produce something like that they actually can see or show to anyone else on a, you know, public facing on, you know, the internet, hey, I did this, you can actually find the thing that we created.

Unknown Speaker 16:26
Yet, if they want to, we mostly work with children. So we always tell the parents, hey, if you want to log into this program, what's your email address, your child can save all of their work, you know, so some kids, you know, they they pick that up charter parents do that for them. Other kids, they just, you know, do what they're doing for the day, and then they move on to the next week. But I do I do use, I do use several online programs, to sort of work and always be saved.

Unknown Speaker 16:59
That's pretty cool, though, to be able to create something and then to go back later and be able to show it to you know, your mom, or your dad or an aunt or a cousin or whatever, say, Hey, I did this. This is pretty cool. And this is how you work. You know, this is how this works. And so that's, that's pretty neat.

Unknown Speaker 17:13
Yeah, at the end of every class, I

Unknown Speaker 17:17
hear it, how often do you have? How often do you have classes, I think you said they're like six weeks on a Saturday. So how long have classes for the kids,

Unknown Speaker 17:25
the classes are continuous, they're rolling. So the way I have the class set up, is that it's your first day, in our class, you're going to learn something new. If it's your 100 and 50th class, you're going to learn something new. So I haven't set up on a rolling thing where it's you know, it doesn't matter if it's your first or last or your your your first or you've been in for a long time, you're always going to learn something new. Oh, okay. And you know, we don't we don't let the parents in the room. But at the end of the at the end of class, and all the students can bring their parents in, and she understands the shutter parents what they did.

Unknown Speaker 18:02
Okay, I really liked the inclusion of the parents because it gets them on the same page, what their kids are learning. And it helps to keep the communication flowing. Because if you don't understand something, then later you can't help your child. And you can't talk about it with the child. But you really get to see the benefits of the program when parents get to come in. And they're also engaged. How do people find anyone who wants to enroll or get signed up? Or look at a schedule or follow you on social media? How do people find out it's want to make sure that information gets out there? We'll give it again before the show was over. But absolutely.

Unknown Speaker 18:40
Okay. So there's multiple ways actually, the first way is going on to the city of Las Vegas website, and looking at Learn, learn how to code. And as you can find your child's up you can enroll them right then and there on that on the website under community and classes. And then the second way is to go to the Cody locks website. If you go directly to code, e locks loc F. Bat org, you'll be able to get a link to go right back to the city of Las Vegas websites that talk to you about your child up our social media is Facebook and Instagram. And that's at KOAT e lox so co D E, another E loc F and also calling or texting the phone number 702-426-4933 We'll get you a direct person to talk to to get talked about getting your child signed up.

Unknown Speaker 19:45
We're gonna give that information again too. If you're listening and you're like I didn't catch it so well. We'll put it out there a little bit before the show was over today. Internships so when the kids are going through for the older kids like you go up to 16 I mean, are there any talks about this producing internship, like paid internships for kids to go work in? IT departments? Like, is there a partnerships coming online for that type of placement, to give kids a real like, step into their career path? Scholarships for college to actually major in this when they go to school?

Unknown Speaker 20:23
Yes, absolutely. So, as I said, we work with the City of Las Vegas. So we want so our volunteers when we give, we always say, you do not need to know how to code in order to volunteer, you know, so we have volunteer opportunities for high schoolers and for college. community as a whole, you got background check that nature. So anyway, um, we work with Abhilash Vegas, when they have internships that are available. We have direct contacts that we say, you know, hey, you know, this volunteer has, you know, been with us for this long and they've done this, you know, many amazing things with the children involved with the program. And it kind of gives them like a handoff, I guess, you could say, or at least a really strong referral to the interests that are available. As well as I am really plugged in with the Clark County it internship program. So in other programs throughout the community, so if there is a college student or a high school student that's looking to be a part of an answering ship, you know, you can definitely contact us and we'll definitely provide them with resources. Especially Summer is coming up or summers already here. It

Unknown Speaker 21:45
is. It is not here I refuse I refuse I refuse it's 80 degree days right now. And I'm going to bask in the glory of God's grace and mercy to give us several more 80 degree days no more than 90 and cruise and cruise through the month of May so no, no Kendra summer is not here it is spring. Spring in the desert that's what we're gonna we're gonna be right here in spring No way. No, you're not not gonna talk me into that on this beautiful Sunday morning. You will not you will not know who they say Sunday morning. I rebuke that in the name of the devil No.

Unknown Speaker 22:32
I will say that was the sin in the

Unknown Speaker 22:35
name of Jesus, no devil is alive is not something.

Unknown Speaker 22:40
Well, I will say they may have probably the marks the beginning of internship season. So it's definitely the right time to start looking for internships. Okay.

Unknown Speaker 22:49
That's the thing, it's really a great learning. I remember when I was in, coming out of high school, going into college, you know, a few years ago, look, we're not gonna say many, many years ago, a few years ago. And when I was coming through my final high school years, there was an opportunity to go to a group in Arizona to the University of Arizona for a summer, like Math Science Camp, and I was one of the kids qualified to go to this math science camp, and just learn a whole bunch of different stuff and be around kids from all over the state really, who came stayed on campus. So we went through these different trainings and workshops and classes. And it was really cool, to have an opportunity to be in that type of learning environment, that type of challenging environment, and to be exposed to new things. And I think that these kinds of programs, and opportunities are great for our kids. So I want to say thank you, again to you for putting it for having the vision and having the passion and then the desire to make your vision and your passion a reality to benefit families right here in the Las Vegas community.

Unknown Speaker 23:57
Thank you. Thank you. So

Unknown Speaker 24:00
thank you for that. I also want to mention that you are in another program. We're getting close to the end of the time on the show. But you are in another program called emerge and emerge as a training program for women who are of the Democratic Party, but who are interested in community organizing or running for office or just working on campaigns. And I know I've done emerge how many emerge alum from the class of 2019. So I know that's a heavy lift, but it's a really beneficial service to the community to learn how to work in these circles. And I'm sure in some ways, it must also enhance the work that you're doing in the coding environment.

Unknown Speaker 24:39
Oh, absolutely. You know, I I love and I appreciate all of the opportunities I have received group emerge already. I am currently in the cohort right now. And I can say that I've learned so much in such a short amount of time. It's really, really important to just be involved. You know, Everybody likes to have something to say. But now a lot of people like to step up. And actually, you know, seek that extra step to learn and be involved and emerge as a great just group of women and call it Academy, I guess you could say, that is puts their money where their mouth is meaning that they say that they care about sort of right. So they say that they support you. They really do. And you feel Yeah, yeah, absolutely. 100%. And I just

Unknown Speaker 25:31
wanted to mention that because I wanted to I knew you were in the program. I think I think that's where I met you in the program at the debut for this year's cohort earlier this year. And so I just wanted to mention that because I always want to apply the people who go through that program, because I think it's very enlightening. Today, I wanted to mention emerge, because you are a part of that program. But today we're talking about your KODI locks organization. So I want to make sure anyone who's out there who's interested in supporting you finds out because there may be someone who is an engineer or into this space, or math or science who's wondering, Hey, I was wanting to find a program like this to get involved. And here's an opportunity to do just that. So how can people engage themselves with you, we promise to give the the contact info one more time. And so as much as this is for children, it's also for any adults who might want to volunteer some time to Cody Lawson to working with you Miss Kendra. So your handles and contacts one more time.

Unknown Speaker 26:35
Absolutely. So it's Facebook and Instagram, you could type in at Cody locks, cod, E, another E. L. O, C S, and Instagram the same way and are on our website, C od E, another EC LLC. That org. We are always looking for volunteers. And we're also looking for additional instructors right now. I am the lead instructor. And you know, the great thing about Cody locks was that we've been getting several opportunities to touch base and make a difference in the community and expand the number of children that we that we help. However, we can't meet the demand because I'm only one person. So if there's anybody out there who is looking to, you know, just give back to community, to the community with their tech skills, or maybe they were really into coding back in the day and they're not asset savvy anymore, but they're willing to follow a lesson plan to teach kids you know, any opportunity because we are looking for additional instructors.

Unknown Speaker 27:48
And there you have it, and I wanted to make sure people knew that while you're doing what you were doing. There's room for more people to come in and help and I think it's tremendous. We are getting to the end of the show. It's been a great show a very informative one. I hope you enjoyed it. Las Vegas and if you have an interest in putting your kid in this program or volunteering with the program, Cody lox.org co D E L O C F dot o RG thank you for tuning into the scoop this morning with me telling you Flanagan Thank you Kendra Scott, for being my guest. And thank you for founding this program for kids in the community of 60. I think it's six to 16. So it's just a tremendous way to engage children, boys and girls around math and science. Thanks for tuning in to K u and v 91.5. Jazz or more. Have a great week. Happy Cinco Demayo. I want to thank you for tuning into the scoop with me Tanya Flanagan and I want to invite you to get social with me I'm on Facebook and Twitter. My name is my handle ta en YAFLA na GA N You can also find me on Instagram at Tanya almond eyes Flanagan and if you have a thought and opinion or a suggestion, don't hesitate to shoot me an email to tanya.flanagan@unlv.edu Thanks again for joining in. Stay safe and have a great week.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai