Command Shift in Action: Fall Reflections, Moments, and Milestones

International Day of the Girl 2022 - Digital Generation, Our Generation

The world's 600 million adolescent girls have shown time and time again that given the skills and the opportunities, they can be the changemakers driving progress in their communities, building back stronger for all, including women, boys and men. - UN Secretary-General António Guterres

One of the important milestones that we commemorate each October is International Day of the Girl, which has been recognized worldwide since October 11, 2012, making 2022 its 10th anniversary. Established by the UN, the overarching goal is to promote the empowerment of young girls everywhere, while also advocating for equity and equality to basic human rights for the most vulnerable populations of girls.

This year the theme was "Digital generation. Our generation” which called for equal access to digital tools and resources, including connectivity, tablets and other tech tools to help ensure that girls have equal access to tech resources and know how to use them so they can thrive and be prepared for the future digital workplace.

As we look to create a seismic shift in the tech industry, Command Shift remains committed to providing access to opportunities for women and girls in tech, especially those from historically underrepresented populations. We are creating a more equitable tech workforce with women of color and building a generation of women and girls who will persist and thrive as tech leaders.

Candice L. Dixon, Coalition Director

Advancing Progress for Girls Everywhere: Girls Who Code

For Command Shift partners like Girls Who Code , every day is “Day of the Girl.” We are honored to have Girls Who Code as a partner and ally of the Command Shift Coalition.  

Girls Who Code is focused on encouraging girls to develop tech skills and become the next generation of computer scientists and engineers, thus helping to close the gender gap in tech fields. Half of the girls they serve are from underrepresented groups, including girls who are Black, Latinx, or from low-income backgrounds. To date, as a result of their global work, they have motivated 500,000 girls, woman and non-binary individuals to learn coding, setting them up for success in today’s tech-driven workforce.

Learn more about how Girls Who Code celebrated International Day of the Girl.

The Equation in Action:

Demetria Ballard, Security Specialist, Accenture | NPower Missouri Alumna

Demetria Ballard knew she wanted a tech career and was actively pursuing a degree in science and cybersecurity. While she had the drive and motivation, Demetria struggled to afford college as costs had increased. When a close friend and NPower graduate shared how he had started a tech career with no prior tech knowledge or experience through NPower all for free, Demetria realized this was her opportunity to launch a successful tech career without incurring significant debt. Taking full advantage of the resources and tools during the program, Demetria developed technical and professional skills, obtained her CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ certification, and secured a position at Accenture as a Deployment Specialist.

After completing training through NPower Tech Fundamentals program, Demetria obtained an apprenticeship with Accenture as a Change and Release Coordinator. After one year, she was promoted to a Business Analyst position. Demetria returned to NPower in the Fall of 2021 to complete an advanced training course in Cybersecurity. She was able to take her training at NPower and secure a role as a Security Specialist at Accenture. Demetria continues to forge her own path as a woman of color in tech and pays it forward by sharing her journey with new trainees in the NPower Missouri program.

“NPower provided resources, tools, and reliable staff on our IT journey. I am grateful that I was able to develop my technical skills and work on self-development and thank NPower for making this possible.”

MetLife Triangle Tech X Conference

MetLife 's Triangle Tech X Conference is back for the fourth year in a row and will be bigger than ever.

Register now for the free two-day event where you’ll hear from leading experts and advocates in STEM to gain insights and valuable guidance, including NPower’s CEO, Bertina Ceccarelli. The two-day, free event will take place on Nov 30th & Dec 1st  to inspire the next innovation wave in STEM with a focus on the critical roles of women in the field and their impact on solving health, social, economic issues and more. Sign up now to join - you don't want to miss out on this opportunity! #TTX2022

The 2022 Triangle Tech X Conference will assemble many of the world's most compelling newsmakers, inspirational thinkers, and leaders in technology and business, including: Serena Williams, Global and Cultural Icon, Investor and Philanthropist; Carla Harris, Vice Chairman of Wealth Management, Morgan Stanley; and, Amy Webb World-Renowned Futurist; Founder & CEO Future Today Institute.

NPower and Command Shift - Event Recaps | News

A special thanks to The National Fund for Workforce Solutions, FINN Partners, Provoke Media, HMG Strategy, Black is Tech and Comcast NBCUniversal for the opportunity to convene, connect, and collaborate in support of inclusion and equity in tech.

NPower’s 2022 Gala: Inspire. Involve. Invest.

Black Is Tech Conference - Forbes Feature

PRovoke Media - Global Summit with FINN Partners

HMG Strategy - Global Women in Technology Summit

National Fund for Workforce Solutions  - SHIFT the Future of Workforce 2022 National Fund Convening

Comcast NBCUniversal - Project Up Partner Summit: The Power of Us

Command Shift, created by NPower Inc, is a national consortium with the goal to double the representation of women of color in entry level tech careers to 10% over the next decade. NPower is a national tech training nonprofit that is committed to advance equity in the tech industry by creating pathways to economic prosperity through digital careers for military connected individuals and young adults from underserved communities.