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Watch STEM NOLA Student Myles Mackie Elicit Diversity Pledge From Top Educators

On a national stage, STEM Nola student Myles Mackie prompts a comprehensive declaration from former Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on the lack of diversity in computer science during the “Computer Science for Every Student” webinar hosted in April by code.org.

With code.org CEO and Founder Hadi Partovi also present at the virtual event, Mackie says, “My question to you guys is: ‘How do you think we should go about integrating computer science with a women, Black, Latino and other people of color in the field?’ ”

Duncan doesn’t flinch and delivers a heartfelt response: “I’ll just say what I said before. Talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not. And if we just sit back and take, who comes our way, we’re going to continue to be, you know, white male dominated. And that’s not what the world looks like. Now. That’s not bringing out the genius (that) exists everywhere across our country.

“And so we have to very intentionally go to underrepresented, underserved, disadvantaged, marginalized, whatever you want to call it. Those schools, those communities, we all know where they are. We know who they are. We have to go and intentionally create opportunity when it doesn’t exist. I promise you if we do that, that talent will more than meet us halfway, but that’s not us. That’s not on the kids. That’s on us as adults to make that and holding ourselves accountable for doing that. This fall is very near and dear to my heart.”