Black text on a white background that reads, 'HELLO BLACK WORLD' arranged in four lines.

Woman with shoulder-length black hair, glasses, and a yellow patterned shirt, smiling at the camera.

Amy Yeboah Quarkume, Ph.D

Data Science for Social Justice

The HELLO BLACK WORLD (HBW) curriculum is designed for students of African descent seeking to nurture their data and computer science skills with a strong emphasis on African contributions and creative thinking. This curriculum encompasses computer science, data science, data visualization, digital humanities, ethical considerations, and communication, all viewed through a social justice lens. Its primary goal is to elevate, empower, and engage students in a manner that resonates with their cultural heritage and identity.

HBW is composed of five courses:

Introduction to the Black Digital World I: Coding
Introduction to the Black Digital World II: Managing Data
Algorithmic Data Bias and Ethics
Mapping & Visualizing Black People, Place and Culture
Tech and Social Justice by Design (Experiential Learning Course)

Inspired by the lack of diversity, ethics, and equity in the data and tech field, HBW centres marginalized narratives and encourages students to think critically about technology's societal impacts, fostering a commitment to accountability and transparency. This program provides the necessary resources and knowledge for a contemporary cohort of students to thrive in the current technology environment while reinforcing their cultural legacy. Through an innovative methodology, the curriculum addresses the issue of educational disparity while aiming to promote diversity, representation, and social justice.