(BERKELEY, CA, OCT 10th) Kinshapes, a Berkeley-based creative incubator begun in Feb 2016, will launch its first set of educational Virtual Reality programs through the Berkeley School System the week of October 29th. The first Kinshapes programs will utilize art and content created in the Afro-Futuristic style in order to reach students in underserved communities, most especially teens and young teens of color, in keeping with the original mission.
Co-founders, Achille Massoma and Tyrone Schieszler, agree that the rapidly growing tech sector has a huge hurdle to overcome to ensure people of color have both access and the inspiration to participate. “We created Kinshapes to fill the gaps and to tell the stories of black and brown communities in order to actively enroll, educate and inspire the children in these communities to contribute in the tech area. The VR stories helps to raise interest. Our incubator space allows them to play and create,” said Mr. Schieszler, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer.
Special workshops introduced in the Berkeley School System in grades 7 through 12, will be held in the Kinshapes Digital Labs. Classes at the South-Berkeley Incubator will begin on October 20th, at 3259 Adeline Street and will provide access to the current virtual reality stories, training in creating video games, 3D modeling, coding, programming, web design, application design, entrepreneurship, and resume building.
“We are inviting other local school systems and Not-for-profits, including Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, the Tenderloin, and others, to participate also,” said Mr. Massoma. “Our goal is to reach out to some 5000 students, recruit over 100 Ambassadors/Supporters from throughout the Bay Area, and to begin Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Clubs in all participating schools.”
We are hoping that you will consider supporting the development and rollout of this wonderful program. Remember, your contribution will be 100% tax deductable! If you have any questions, please contact us @ Achille.massoma@kinshapes.com
For more information about Kinshapes, visit www.kinshapes.com