Hidden Figures, starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe, has not only told a story that many have not heard about the brilliant African-American women—Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson—who served as the brains behind one of the greatest NASA missions in history, but it has also inspired the next generation of STEM women.
In the spirit of the film to help advance and encourage young African-American females to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, 20th century Fox and Black Girls CODE have partnered to create FutureKatherineJohnsons.com , a website built by young women who are the future of STEM.
“We’re so proud to partner with 20th Century Fox and have our girls participate in the FutureKatherineJohnsons.com website,” Black Girls CODE founder Kimberly Bryant said in a statement. “Building a tech future for young women of color across the country not only depends on the work of partners like 20th Century Fox, but it also relies on these girls learning the history of the great trailblazers like Katherine, Dorothy and Mary who came before them and paved the way. By seeing the story of these great women of NASA on the big screen, our girls can see themselves as the future tech leaders and innovators of today and tomorrow.”
In addition to their technological savvy, these young leaders are the complete package as they prove to be outstanding journalists as well. Check out the video below as one of the Black Girls CODE members sits down with Henson, Spencer, and Monáe to discuss the movie and the importance of STEM education for young African-American women.
Hidden Figures opens in select theaters Christmas Day and everywhere January 6, 2017. Additional cast members include Kevin Cosner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Mahershala Ali, Aldis Hodge, Glen Powell and Kimberly Quinn.
Black Girls CODE is a non-profit organization focused on introducing girls, ages 7-17, from underrepresented communities, to the field of technology. To find out more about their mission or how to get involved, visit their website here.
