This past Friday saw the first class of students graduate from the Tyler Perry Studios Coding Academy at Finch Elementary School in Atlanta, Georgia.

The six-week program hosted students from the southwest Atlanta elementary school through a remote learning application project where they were taught the fundamentals of coding and engaged with minority leaders in the tech industry. Each week, the course was led by Perrin Mobley, a veteran software consultant with 18+ years of building enterprise software systems. Mobley has worked with many of the largest companies in the world and across many industries such as Financial Services, Nuclear Power, Chemical Systems, Manufacturing and more, and provided invaluable insights for the young minds at the TPS Coding Academy.

Jessica Hardaway, Director of Communications and Engagement at TPS, commented on the longevity of this program, saying “We look forward to continuing to work and build on this STEM initiative for the students of Finch Elementary School. Our goal is to create diverse opportunities of exposure for the young people in our community.” Everyone at Tyler Perry Studios is extremely proud of the graduating class. Students received official certificates of completion and, along with their instructors, were given Apple gift cards to enable and encourage the continuation of an education in technology.

TPS is excited to foster this momentum to expand the program and serve more children in the community.